Preparing for Finals. Don’t Study Hard, Study Smart!

Guest Blogger – Carolee Followill, National Academics Chairman

You've gone to class, taken notes, learned all kinds of interesting things and you're almost finished. Now is the time to prioritize your schedule and efforts to achieve your best outcome. You may have several tests and projects due in the next few weeks. Use your time wisely to prepare. Here are some tips to help maximize your success in studying.  

Look at your class syllabi to check for pertinent information. Be sure the dates, times and locations of your finals are correct and make sure to list in your planner.

Study early and often, start at least a few weeks out. Don't wait until the last minute! Prioritize what you need to study and when. Some finals carry more weight than others, some subjects are easier for you than others and some subjects may need more effort in order to improve your grade. Take these things into consideration as you schedule your time. 

Gather and organize all materials, notes, handouts, texts and assignments from class. Review your old tests, finding the answers to any questions you missed in the past. Answer study questions in the textbook. Try writing in black ink and highlighting in yellow. Studies have shown yellow and red are stimulating colors and may help you remember what you have read. Focus on concepts, definitions and formulas you think may be on the test.

Know what format the exam will take. Is it comprehensive or not, discussion questions, short answer or multiple choice?  Does it cover lectures only? Many people study too much of the wrong information. If you've been to class and listened to the professor you should be able to anticipate what's going to be on the final.

Take advantage of study sessions offered by your professor. Study with a group, ask each other questions and talk about the important points. If you have questions, don't be afraid to talk to your professor. 

As you head into your finals, be sure to continue to eat a balanced diet and get plenty of rest and exercise. Feel like you've looked at the same information a hundred times and you just can't think anymore? It's time to take a break, in fact you should take a short break every hour or two. Walk around the block, get some fresh air, do something different. It is OK, and perhaps preferable, to study more than one subject in a study session. The change of material will refresh your mind. Never stay up all night cramming for a final, get at least several hours of sleep.

On the day of the exam, be sure you are prepared. Do you have pens, pencils, calculators and any needed supplies?  Be sure you have extras. Get to the exam location early and look over your notes one last time. Have a positive attitude. If you think you will do well, you are more likely to succeed.

 

Read the directions first! You don't have to go through the test from beginning to end. Go through the test and answer everything you're well prepared for and can do quickly and easily. Then you can turn your attention to the questions and problems that you really need to think about. Read each question carefully. Stay calm, pace yourself and take deep breaths to help yourself remember. When you are taking your test and don't know an answer, skip it and come back later; you may be surprised to find the answer later in the test. If you are not sure about an answer, go with your first thought, it is usually correct. If you don't know a multiple choice answer, delete those choices you know are incorrect. Always answer any bonus questions. Answer all questions as completely as you can. Watch your time and check your answers before turning in your exam

Everyone learns differently, so do what is most effective for you. Don't study hard, study smart!

Visit the following sites for additional resources:

www.makingcollegecount.com

www.academictips.org

http://www.back2college.com/library/academics.htm

Campus View - A few pointers to tweak your study habits http://www.collegeview.com/articles/CV/campuslife/youre_not_in_hs.html

How to take on College Studying http://www.collegeboard.com/student/plan/college-success/961.html

Academic Excellence  http://www.prenhall.com/success/StudySkl/index.html

Academic Success Videos  http://www.dartmouth.edu/~acskills/videos/index.html

Success in College http://speakerjimmy.wordpress.com/blog/

Health for College Women http://www.youngwomenshealth.org/college101.html

How to Study http://www.how-to-study.com

Steps for Writing a Research Paper http://www.back2college.com/writingresearchpaper.htm

Preparing for Officer Transition

Guest Bloggers - Sarah Cohen and Christina Ferris, Educational Leadership Consultants

Officer transition is no doubt an exciting, exhilarating and thrilling time. You made it through the entire nominating, slating and election process and now see a world of possibilities before you and your chapter with your new position. You have more ideas than you know what to do with and you already know exactly which awards you are eligible to win for your chapter. While your enthusiasm is the kind that Delta Zeta likes to see in someone in an executive board or committee chair position, you may need to slow down just a bit and remember there is one more big step between you and your eternal Delta Zeta glory: officer training. You may have been dreaming of the sorority presidency since the moment you walked through the doors or had the makings of recruitment chair greatness in your blood; however, without the proper transitioning and training, all that talent, promise, passion and drive could go to waste.

Training is a complex process. You need to bond with your fellow officers, learn the ins and outs of your position, what resources are available to you and what is expected of you as a leader in the chapter. While many of tricks of the trade can be found on Metro, Delta Zeta’s private social network site, here are some red flags that you should look for before any official training starts with your exec board and chapter advisor.

First, do you have a manual? If not, check with your predecessor to see if she still has it or if her predecessor does. If not, you might want to get yourself a nice, three ring binder) to house the material you will be organizing in your position.

Second, is your material held in a holiday-designed Express bag from 3 seasons ago? If so, see above.

Third, think about what year you were born in. If you have a binder/manual that seems awfully full, check and see if there are any forms that predate your existence. If there are, feel free to dispose of them (by recycling them, remember Pink Goes Green!!). As a matter of fact, unless you are the treasurer, you can get rid of anything over 3 years old. 

If you’ve cleared these hurdles, great! Now it is time to take in the information that your chapter advisors, former exec members and materials have to offer. Make sure to take the time to thank the outgoing members of your executive board, you will soon understand all the time and energy they put into your Delta Zeta chapter. Appreciate your fellow executive board members, as they will be your sounding board for the next year. And most of all, enjoy the opportunity that you have been given to make change in your chapter, and relish the change that will likely take place in yourself.

Updating your chapter officers in Chapter Inc.

It is time to start thinking about updating your chapter officers as you finish elections. Delta Zeta's online reporting system, Chapter Inc., allows you to make updates as you have them in the Operations Action - Update Chapter Officers and Advisors. Updating your roster is a key piece to transitioning your officers because it gives them access to Chapter Inc. Watch the video for exactly how to complete this action. The text to the audio portion of the video follows.

After you log into Chapter Inc, scroll over the Operations tab and select Manage Chapter Officer and Advisors from the Actions tab.

The polices that you need to keep in mind when completing this action are found by clicking the blue I button.

The overview screen has the instructions you will need to complete the form. There are four steps to the process.

1. Select the positions for which you will be reporting a change.
2. Select the member that you are appointing to the position using the contact finder. 
3. Confirm your changes.  If you have made any mistakes use the "previous" option at the bottom of the screen to return to the prior page.
4. View and print your receipt that shows your requested changes have been submitted. 

Click continue to begin the process of changing your chapter officers or advisors.

On the Selection page, click the box next to the position of any officer or advisor positions you are updating. You can select more than one position to change at a time.

Click continue to move to the next step.

On the Additional Information page a list of the positions you have selected to change appear with a search link next to the position. By clicking on the link, a new screen pops up where you can search for a member to fill that position. Enter the member’s information, as much as you know, and a list of eligible members will appear. Click the box next to the member’s name and the screen will refresh and that member will be added to the screen. You will be asked to add the effective date when that member begins in that position.  

Continue to select the search link for each position you are changing. If you have a vacant position, you will choose “vacant position” in the pop up box. 

Chapter advisors are also managed in this form. Your CCD or RCD should make any advisor changes to the chapter officer roster. 

Verify your information before clicking continue at either the top or the bottom of the form.

The next screen is the Validation Step. The information you entered in the previous screen is listed for you to verify. Enter your electronic signature and date exactly as shown on the page and click the continue button to submit the information to Delta Zeta. It may take up to one hour for changes to be processed by the database.

The last page provides a summary of your transaction. We recommend printing this receipt for your chapter records.

Click go to actions to return to the task center.

To view your changes, go to Operation, Report, Chapter Officer Roster. You can view the roster in Chapter Inc. And you can choose to export the form information by Selecting a Format and selecting export.

Emotionally Intelligent Leadership and the Norma Minch Andrisek Leadership Conference

A few weeks ago we introduced the concept of Emotionally Intelligent Leadership (EIL) in a blog post. EIL emphasizes the idea that everyone has the capacity to be a leader. It is all about relationships. This central idea of Marcy Levy Shankman and Scott Allen’s book Emotionally Intelligent Leadership: A Guide for College Students fits perfectly with the Norma Minch Andrisek Leadership Conference. Mrs. Andrisek, in speaking about the creation of the Conference, which began in 1980, stated "I remember returning from our National Convention at that time and thinking, 'Wouldn't it be great to have the opportunity to get the collegians together in a less formal setting where they could interact one-on-one with National Officers and National Chairmen?' From the beginning, we thought of these as 'Leadership Conferences,' not officer training conferences.” 

 

The current curriculum for the Norma Minch Andrisek Leadership Conference (NMALC) was designed to build upon each of the three consciousnesses outlined in EIL: context, others and self. Conference participants heard from author Scott Allen, took the EIL assessment, and explored context, others and self through leadership case studies, creating a leadership journey and teamwork activities. Julie Starnes, Chapter President for the Pi Epsilon Chapter at Clemson University, shared this about what she learned through the EIL assessment at NMALC:

  

"The biggest thing I learned about my leadership capacity through the EIL assessment is that I have room to grow when it comes to the fundamental facet “consciousness of others.” I realized, with the help of this evaluation that I need to spend more time coaching others, and empathizing with them; to spend the extra time helping others enhance their skills… The EIL assessment highlights different capacities that maybe one doesn’t consider on a day-to-day basis. Some of the capacities come naturally to certain individuals, while they are a challenge to others. However, by merely making everyone aware of these different capacities, as Mr. Allen would say, these factors can be incorporated into each decision that one makes."  

 

Emotionally Intelligent Leadership emphasizes intentionality – practicing leadership with purpose. Fortunately there are several opportunities for student leaders, alumnae advisors, and all Delta Zetas to begin this intentional practice of leadership. Consider the following: 

• Document your leadership journey. On a piece of paper, use words, drawings, different colors, etc. to describe your leadership journey. Reflect upon the situations, people, and feelings that were present in each part of your journey. Consider sharing your journey with others – your fellow Executive Board members, a colleague, a close friend, etc.
• Take the EIL Assessment. They are available for purchase via: http://www.eileadership.net/literature/the-eil-library
• Check out the Emotionally Intelligent Leadership You Tube Channel. http://www.youtube.com/user/EILeadership
• As an Executive Board member or committee member, suggest that your team examine some case studies available on the EIL website: http://www.eileadership.net/eil-case-studies

On the 25th anniversary of the Conference in 2005, Mrs. Andrisek said, "The Sorority is in good hands, and I believe there are people coming along who will see to it that it remains strong - people who embrace the values that all Delta Zetas think are important.” Julie affirms that sentiment is still conveyed through the NMALC. “For the rest of my life, I will never forget reciting the Delta Zeta Creed with hundreds of women from all around the country. I may not have known them personally, but I knew what they stood for - and that we are all part of something much bigger than ourselves, our chapters, and our communities,” Starnes states.

 

Mrs. Andrisek continued, "There are so many people who have contributed in so many ways and so many people who care and who are determined to address the difficult issues. For all Delta Zetas, I don't think there is anything that can enrich and enhance the college experience like being a member of Delta Zeta. The basis is friendship, and that will never change." Or in EIL terms, it’s all about relationships.

 

 

Reporting Programs and Events on Chapter Inc.

Programs or events presented or participated in by your chapter to the chapter, fraternal or campus community should be reported using the Event form on Chapter Inc. The form can be found at Programs and Events > Actions > Notify Campus or Chapter Program or Event. The following type of events should be reported using this form: academic event, campus event, general education, health and wellness, leadership development, new member education event, risk management, social event, training events, and national programs (emergency management plan, i Have a Choice, personal website policy). Recruitment events should not be reported through this form, but rather through the Recruitment tabs.

Like other forms on Chapter Inc., there are five steps to complete this form.

Step 1 is the Overview Screen. Click the blue i button for more information. To proceed to the next screen, click continue at either the top or bottom of your screen. Step 2, Selection, asks you to select which form you would like to edit. Either select a form that you have saved previously (without validating), or select a new form by clicking On Demand. Click continue to proceed to Step 3. See screen shots below.

Enter your event details in Step 3, Event Information. Please note, you may save your progress and come back to it at any time by clicking “Save & Exit”, however until you have completed the validation step, this form will not be marked as 'Complete'.
 

Please review the information you have input on Step 4, Validation. If all the information is complete, or after you make appropriate edits, validate this form by providing your electronic signature at the bottom of the screen.

Step 5, the final step, provides a receipt of the information successfully submitted to Delta Zeta.

At any time, you may review the events that have been submitted for this academic year on Chapter Inc. by clicking Programs and Events > Reports > Current Year Campus or Chapter Program or Event.

A guide for completing this report can be found on Metro in the Chapter Inc. Tools Container > Academic and Programs Action Guide. 

Remember, for any help with Chapter Inc., contact the support team at ChapterInc@dzshq.com.

Nominations and Elections Preparation

November is election time. Not just for local, state and national political races, but this is the time of year that Delta Zeta chapters should be preparing for, or in the midst of, officer nominations and elections. According to the Delta Zeta Constitution, Article XII, Section 5, all chapter officers and chairmen are to be elected no later than March 1 each year unless there is a campus or chapter situation which would require approval by the College Chapter Director (CCD) or Regional Collegiate Director (RCD). A great resource for you when you start planning is the Nomination and Election Manual which you can find on Metro in the Chapter Officer Resources – Collegiate Resources – Manuals section.

The nomination and election procedure is often the most misunderstood aspect of chapter operations. Unlike those political races you are watching across the country, Delta Zeta uses a Nominating Committee which creates a slate of officers based on input from each academic class in the chapter. It is important before the process even begins to educate the entire chapter on the process so that every member knows what to expect. The Nomination and Election Manual states that “Dates should be scheduled early on the calendar for the selection of a Nominating Chairman and Committee, officer interviews, election of officers and their installation. Two chapter meetings need to be held in order to effectively conduct officer elections.” The entire process is also explained in the Nominations and Elections webinar which is on Metro – Chapter Officer Resources – Collegiate Resources – Webinars.

Perhaps one of the most important aspects to the entire process is to carefully review the qualifications for office and look for candidates within the chapter who exhibit the characteristics needed for each position. Officer qualifications are found in Section II of the Nominations and Elections Manual, and you should also reference your chapter’s Bylaws for more specific information. All candidates should be in good standing as defined by the Delta Zeta Constitution or the chapters’s Bylaws and have a cumulative GPA over a 2.5 for the preceding term. Candidates for Chapter President should have been an initiated member for at least a year.

All of our chapters should use this important time to choose the best leadership for the upcoming year. If you have additional questions, direct them to your CCD or RCD.

DZ Digest November Preview

DZ Digest is a monthly posting of topics for alumnae and collegiate officers of Delta Zeta. Look for November’s e-blast to hit your inboxes this week. In the meantime though, topics to look forward to will include:

  

• End of Semester Tips for Academic Chairman
• National Panhellenic Conference Updates
• National Philanthropy Month
• Philanthropy Reporting Reminder – Training Transition
• Starkey Fall 2011 Update
• Awards Nominations

 

To view DZ Digest, click here and sign into Metro.

 

If you have questions, or suggestions for future blog posts, please send them to Webmaster@dzshq.com.