How to Keep from Getting Toasted

Skim through any portion of Dragons, History Professors, and Other Hazards of College Life that you have not yet read, and read more carefully the last two chapters.   Of the advice given in these chapters, does anything surprise you? Of the familiar principles, what seems to you to be particularly worth reinforcing?

Readings, Exams, and Papers

Because the Club Rush wasn't when I thought it was going to be, I had to change the syllabus schedule somewhat.  I am going to try to get back by next Monday's class. It would help a lot if you could all  read Units V, VI, and VII of Dragons before the Monday, September 14 class session.  These chapters offer advice on how to approach college reading assignments, exams, and papers. If you were Polonius and trying to give advice to a son or daughter headed off to college, what bit of advice from these chapters would you be most likely to include? Why? [Remember: Polonius' advice usually sounds good, but it isn't necessarily all that helpful....though it might be!]

Time Management and Note-Taking

Please read Chapters III and IV of Dragons. Of the planning, time management, and note-taking advice here, what do you think will be most important for you personally? In which of these areas are you already fairly strong? Where do you need work?

Get Involved!

Please stop by the "Club Rush" tables set up on the campus green on Wednesday, September 2 (10-1). Which of the organizations/activities represented at the Fair interests you the most?

Bonus: which organization offered the best "freebies"?

No chance to visit the Fair? Well, you can do the next best thing: look at the on-line list of student clubs on the NSU web site (see the drop down menu when you scroll over the "Clubs" link in the left-hand sidebar on this page: http://www.northern.edu/sil/pages/default.aspx). No free food, but you can earn your extra credit (one whole point!) by commenting here on the organization that looks most interesting to you.

How to find what you are not looking for

Please read Chapters I and II of Dragons, History Professors, and Other Hazards of College Life. There's a lot of advice in these two chapters, much that you've heard before, plus (perhaps) a few things you hadn't. What (if anything) in these chapters surprises you? Of the familiar advice, what seems worth reinforcing? Is there anything you would have added to the chapter if you were giving college success advice?

Welcome!

Dragon trouble? The guy on the white horse just may be on this blog! Harry the Talking Hand sometimes stops by as well. Feel free to share your questions, comments, and/or advice about life at NSU.

Just about every week, there will be a short assignment on this blog asking you to post your thoughts on the IDL class and NSU in general. It might be good to make yourself a blog "follower" so that you are aware of each assignment as soon as it is posted.

To get started, here's a test of the blog-posting system.  Click on the "comment" link below, and note what you've liked best about your NSU experience so far.