I knew enough!

That sound you hear emanating from my lungs is a deep sigh of relief! My two-hour final exam in Modern Latin America is over, and I knew enough to get a decent grade. Well, I won't know for sure until the grade is posted Monday, but I feel I did well with all the questions and only missed adding a date or two here and there. Of course I did all the extra credit questions at the end (gotta follow my own advice, ya know!), so they'll help make up for missed details.

I've never taken tests like Dr. Barickman issues. They're not the typical history exam where you spit out answers you memorized maybe only an hour or two before; facts that are just as quickly forgotten. He gives essay-style tests where you're expected to analyze your answer and write 4 or 5 complete paragraphs using examples from three or more countries. There are also some shorter identification-style ones where you pick from among 4 or 5 topics/events/terms and provide the date, country, and historical significance.

I've also never experienced the kind of advance preparation that he gives. His 8-page study guide, along with delineating the exact expectations, gives us the actual essay questions that are likely to be on the test! Of course he gives more questions than will be on the test, but it gives you a chance to get prepared and it really helps guide the limited study time you have.

Now that I'm home looking at those questions again, I'm relieved at the ones I didn't have to answer! I'd either prepared or had in mind how I would answer all of them, but it turns out the ones I felt least prepared for weren't on the test, or were there as a choice between two options. Whew!

Five major countries is a lot to cover and 200 years of history for each. But he taught not so much the facts and events, but how they impacted the citizens of each country in differing ways. He also covered how similar events such as military coups, elections, voting rights etc. were handled differently in each country, and how the economy reacted each time there was a major change.

I learned a lot and won't soon forget it. But thank goodness that test is over. I didn't know everything, but I knew enough!

Here's my advice

1) Give the professor every opportunity to give you a good grade: This means show up for class every day, take notes, act interested, ask relevant questions, participate in discussions.

2) Turn in ALL homework, done to the best of your ability: This means write neatly, if it's math or other handwritten stuff. Use complete sentences like an intelligent person would.

3) Follow directions on assignments: Read them twice! If it says 6 pages, don't turn in 5. Or 4. If it says staple, do it! If it says number them, or MLA format, or cover sheet, do it. These are the easy points, kids! (Hey, I get two points out of ten on math homework just for putting my name at the top!)

4) Analyze the writing assignment before you start: What did the prof say/write about it? Is it an opinion piece? A research problem? A documented argument? Start on it early and rewrite it a couple of times before you turn it in. Have someone else read it for clarity.

5) Come to class prepared: Read over the notes from last class. Do the assigned reading. In my Latin America class Friday discussion sessions, if you hadn't read the assignment you were asked to leave! And there was a short quiz nearly every Friday on Monday and Wednesday's lectures. Kept us honest. Loved it.

6) Show enthusiasm: It doesn't take much effort, and it will make you feel more positive about yourself and your life.

7) Do all extra credit assignments: Even if you think you're getting an A, do the extra credit and give the prof no excuse not to give you a good grade!

8) Learn something about each professor: Is he from Brazil? Does she like cats? They're people, too, and deserve to be treated like it. Try to see things from their perspective once in a while. And it doesn't hurt that they're more likely to remember you at grade time in a positive light if you've treated them like real people. Could make the difference between an 89 or a 90. Big difference. Plus they might just give you extra insight into the subject matter. It's your education; reach out and TAKE it.

I saw too many kids this year sitting back and expecting their "education" to be served to them on a platter. They didn't participate in discussions, they hadn't done the reading, they asked for extensions on assignments. And that's if they showed up in class at all!

Overheard (part 2)

(In Math class) "I have a feeling I'm going to use up all my GRO's just trying to pass this one class!"

A "GRO" is a grade replacement opportunity. We get three opportunities (maximum 10 credit hours) to replace a C, D, or E (same as F) in a class by repeating it. The new grade wipes out the old (even if it's worse!).

(Also in Math class) "I thought homework isn't due until tomorrow. Oh, you just got a head start on it. I guess that's a good idea!"

Uh, yeah?!

(In Latin America class) "Hey prof, on that 6-page reflective essay that's due tomorrow, the way I understand it we're supposed to write about that author who said the middle class is gaining power in Latin America... well, what's easier to prove, that he's right or that he's wrong?"

Yikes. Sometimes I think I get good grades in this class just because the teacher's assistant is relieved to read a semi-coherent paper! But some of them can actually throw together a decent paper in a matter of hours. It must be an art! Ask Juan; I agonized over said paper for most of the day last Saturday - and I'm still revising it!