News You Can Use is listening. You've let us know you like the information, but prefer content that's less time consuming to read. We get it! Moving forward, we'll continue to provide the same great tips and strategies to help you build skills for academic success, but we'll keep it short, sweet and to the point. Starting today!

It's week four of the semester—how's it going so far? Getting through an eight-or sixteen-week class requires effort and know how, starting with the basics. To see what you're doing right and what you need to adjust, review the checklist in Related Links.

RELATED LINKS:
The Tune Up That Every First Year College Student Needs

Taking notes in college is important and here's why. There's this thing called the Forgetting Curve. Research has shown that information gets lost over a period of time when there is no attempt to retain it. Taking notes during lecture or while reading an assignment is one way to help you attempt to retain information. Quick tip: Add a daily note review to your schedule! Go over your notes and clean them up; fill in the blanks, clarify abbreviations, correct errors and make edits as necessary— they will be easier to study from later. Then, continue to review your notes on a weekly basis throughout the semester, adding your new lecture notes as you go. Learn more in Related Links.

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Overcome the Forgetting Curve

Would you like some tips on how to improve your note taking during lecture by changing one thing? The key to taking good notes actually involves knowing how to listen. Learn how to identify six kinds of information during class for better note taking by changing the way you listen. Learn more in Related Links.

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How to Focus & Listen Attentively to College Lectures

Having a note taking system is helpful. The student success office recommends using one of these methods:

The Cornell Method
The Outline Method
The Mapping Method

Which system you choose doesn't matter— just find one that works for you and use it. Not sure how? Stop by the student success office in the learning center to grab a handout, or, learn more by watching the College Info Geek Note Taking Systems YouTube video in Related Links.

RELATED LINKS:
How to Take Notes In Class: The 5 Best Systems

Tutors in the learning center really enjoy helping students improve! Watch as Marcia Custer, student success navigator, gives you a peek inside the learning center and introduces you to Sandy Bradshaw, tutor for Math 0745, 0850, 0950, 1550 and 1650! Learn more in Related Links.

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Marcia introduces Math tutor, Sandy Bradshaw

Mario Petitti, director of Student Engagement and Leadership, shares tips and advice for students about why getting involved matters.

It is very easy to get trapped in a cycle of coming to Lakeland for class and going back home when class is over— only returning to campus for your next class. If you can relate to this, ask yourself the following two questions:

1. Why did I choose to go to college?
2. What are my goals after I graduate from Lakeland?

If any part of your answer includes: To get a job, to be successful, to transfer and obtain a bachelor or master's degree, to prepare for a career, or to become educated, then you need to re-evaluate the "cycle" you're currently living and GET INVOLVED in SOMETHING, in addition to going to class.

Try to gain as many hands on experiences that you can in your college years. Join one of our 30 plus student clubs and organizations on campus! GETTING INVOLVED in co-curricular activities will help you reach your goals by providing you with hands-on experiences to build your resume, enhance your leadership skills, make important connections by networking, and improve your academics. It will also provide you with many personal benefits such as meeting new people, making new friends, gaining more confidence and helping you get the most out of your college experience.

Good advice, Mario! Be sure to check out the Student Involvement Fair this week, held in the student atrium from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 19-20.