Chapter 1 Focusing on Success LWWs Student Success

Chapter 1 Focusing on Success LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2 e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Why You’re Here • Remember reasons for being in school • Common reasons: – Improving lifestyle – Supporting family – Gaining self-respect • It takes courage to pursue dreams • School was a choice, and so is success LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2 e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Obstacles • Recall obstacles you’ve faced in the past • Remembering past obstacles helps you face future ones • Overcoming obstacles reveals your potential LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2 e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Attitude and Motivation • Your attitude toward education begins with your attitude toward yourself as a student – Positive attitude = motivated student who overcomes obstacles and succeeds – Negative attitude = less motivated student who becomes less productive and performs below expectations • Remember your purpose for enrolling in school to maintain motivation and enthusiasm LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2 e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Attitude and Motivation (cont’d) • Stop the cycle of doubt, fear, and discouragement, which can challenge your positive attitude – Take responsibility for your education; ask for help when you need it. – Be an active learner; ask questions about topics that interest you. – Decide what you want to learn from each course. LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2 e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Attitude and Motivation (con’t) • Having a good attitude allows you to: – Understand your responsibilities – Set learning goals and study effectively – Improve your grades • Being motivated helps you: – Get started on projects – Meet deadlines – Make progress on goals and keep working LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2 e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Attitude Check-Up • Maintaining a consistent, positive attitude can be a challenge. Stay on track by: – Talking positively to yourself – Spending time with positive people – Overcoming resistance to change – Overcoming fears LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2 e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Stay Motivated • Two types of motivation: – Intrinsic (within yourself) – Extrinsic (outside yourself) • Choose your motivators • Plan ahead LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2 e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Find Support • Surround yourself with supporters: friends, family, coworkers, other students, discussion groups, instructors, tutors, academic advisors • Explain to others how school will change your schedule and availability • Reward yourself for progress LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2 e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Staying Motivated (con’t) • Bonus benefits of doing well in school: – Ability to apply study skills to other areas of life – A greater understanding of course material – Confidence and improved self-image – Better grades and test scores – Stronger performance in classes in the future – Better salary and career options LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2 e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Keep Your Life Balanced • Take courses at a pace that fits with your work schedule • Take advantage of financial aid opportunities • Get enough sleep, eat healthy foods, and exercise regularly LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2 e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Setting Goals • Choose simple and practical goals • Goals help you avoid distractions, procrastination, and loss of motivation • Goals should be: – Measurable – Reachable – Desirable LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2 e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Goal Categories • Long-term: 5– 10 years away; often career or educational • Intermediate: 3– 5 years away • Short-term: 6 months to 2 years away • Immediate: 1 day, 1 week, or 1 month away; usually can be accomplished in 1 hour or less LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2 e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Reaching Your Short-Term Goals • Write down your goal; try to be specific • Set a reasonable deadline for your goal • Think about possible obstacles to achieving your goal and how to avoid them • Write down a plan of action, step-by-step • Set reasonable deadlines for completing each step in the process LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2 e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Achieving Goals • Adjust or change goals as needed • Reward yourself for achieving goals • Have a supporter hold you accountable • Don’t punish yourself if you miss a goal • Use grades to gauge your progress, but make learning the final goal LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2 e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Academic Character • Develop the characteristics you need to become a trusted health care professional: – Be honest – Avoid gossip – Be accountable – Be responsible LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2 e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins