Spring 2012, Volume 4
Tips from a College Graduate This is the season of job fairs and interviews. Whether you are looking for volunteer opportunities for the summer, or getting ready to start planning for a summer job, here are seven tips to keep in mind: 1. Be prepared. ‘Networking’ opportunities can happen anywhere, anytime. 2. Be confident in your approach. Eye contact, listening and a strong hand shake create a presence that will help you stand out. 3. Prepare your introduction. Begin the conversation with a general statement about yourself. The key is to have a short opening line or introduction to get conversations started. 4. Networking is all about building relationships and giving before you get. Figure out ways you can give something to those that are helping you. 5. Show a strong interest in the people that you meet. Ask them how they got started and what advice they would give you. 6. Research companies and people. Know as much as you can so that you have talking points and show that you have done your homework. You can never do too much homework! 7. Always ask people their preferred method of communication when you follow up. Some people prefer email, phone or text. Never assume, ask. It shows interest and that you took the time to find out.
Twenty Memory Techniques Adapted from Becoming a Master Student There are four major categories for improving memory. Each of the four major categories consists of different techniques that you can use to develop a flexible memory system that fits you. Organize It - This makes information easier to find. Be Selective. Imagine you are going to create a test on the material and consider what questions you would ask. When reading, look for chapter previews, summaries, and review questions. Notice what the instructor emphasizes in lecture. The key is to try to understand the material, not memorize every fact or detail. Make it Meaningful. Learn from the general to the specific. Skim reading assignments to locate the main idea and then read for details and see how they relate to the big picture. Organize any list of items in a meaningful way to make them easier to remember (i.e. organize by category, alphabet, time, location, etc.). Create Associations. New data is remembered more effectively if associated with similar or related data. Find examples in things you find interesting or material you have already mastered. Use Your Body - Getting your senses involved assists in the active learning process. Learn Actively. Action is a great memory enhancer. Standing up when you study makes it harder to fall asleep. Read key passages out loud, using a louder voice for main points. Pace back and forth and gesture as your recite material out loud. Relax. When you’re relaxed, you absorb new information quickly and recall it with greater ease and accuracy. Remember, being relaxed is not the same as being drowsy or asleep. It is a state of alertness, free of tension. Create Pictures. Draw diagrams or make cartoons that can be used to connect facts and illustrate relationships. Visual information is associated with a part of the brain that is different from the part that processes verbal information. Use your imagination. Use Your Brain - Know how your memory works, and work with it. Engage Your Emotions. The amygdala is an area of your brain that lights up with extra neural activity each time you feel a strong emotion. When a topic excites love, laughter, or fear, the amygdala sends a flurry of chemical messages telling your brain that the information is important. Use Your Times of Peak Energy. Study your most difficult subjects during the times when your energy peaks. Escape the Short-Term Memory Trap. Short-term memory can fade after a few minutes, and it rarely lasts more than several hours. A short review within minutes or hours of a study session can move material from short-term memory into long-term memory. Distribute Learning. Study in shorter, spaced-out sessions instead of long, marathon sessions. You can get more done if you take regular breaks. By taking periodic breaks while studying, you allow information to sink in. Recall It - Regularly retrieving and applying information improves access to information. Remember Something Else. When you can’t remember something that you’re sure you know, remember something else related. This brainstorm is a good memory jog. Notice When You Do Remember. To develop your memory, notice when you recall information easily and ask yourself what memory techniques you use naturally. Also notice when it’s difficult to recall information so you can adjust your learning techniques. Use it Before You Lose it. Find some way to make contact with the material regularly; read it, write it, speak it, apply it, etc. Each time you do so, you widen the neural pathway to the material and make it easier to recall. Teach the material to others as a way to make contact with the material. Teaching demands mastery and study groups are especially effective in providing opportunities to teach others.
Spring 2012, Volume 4
The Freshman Year Residential Experience is committed to providing quality programs for residents. You may have participated in a few events that we have hosted over this academic year, like the UH Football Watch Party, Finals Pillow Fight, various Study Nights, and Study Group socials. Here is what we have planned for the rest of the semester: March of Dimes 27-Mar 7:00pm - 8:00pm FRC Information session on how to get involved and form teams for the March of Dimes Walk at UH.
Super Smash Hunger 29-Mar 7:30pm - 10:00pm FRC Video game tournament to raise can goods for the Houston Food Bank Scheduling Mixer 2-Apr 7:00pm - 8:30pm FRC Upperclass/peer assistance for selecting the best professors and courses
Questions, Comments, Suggestions? Feel free to contact us.
Advising Mixer 4-Apr 7:00pm - 8:30pm CV Lobby Mix and mingle with academic advisors and plan your schedule Bauer Mixer 9-Apr 6:00pm - 8:00pm Commons Open to all majors; Get to know Bauer College and services offered
Freshman Year Residential Experience
Resume Workshop 10-Apr 6:00pm - 7:30pm FRC Fine tune your resume and learn how to market yourself
Moody Towers—Rm 15
Mock Interviews 11-Apr 6:00pm - 7:30pm Ballroom Get insight into what to do and/or not do in an interview Business Fashion Show 12-Apr 7:00pm - 8:00pm Commons Showing the many categories of appropriate attire from casual to formal PreHealth Org Fair 16-Apr 5:00pm - 7:00pm Commons Learn about the PreHealth Organizations on campus Health Career Panel 17-Apr 7:00pm - 8:00pm FRC Meet with health professionals from many different fields up close and personal Undergrad Research 18-Apr 6:00pm - 7:30pm FRC Learn more about undergraduate research opportunities and how you can get involved
713-743-6881 fyre@uh.edu www.uh.edu/fyre
Christopher Miller, Program Coordinator
Andy Chang, Student Programming Director
FYRE Talent Show 19-Apr 7:00pm - 10:00pm Commons Show off your talents; Audition information coming soon.
housing@uh.edu