Tips for student success ... (imho...).

Students often have difficulty managing their time. In teaching university students for more than 10 years, I find that students often underestimate the amount of time that is needed to be successful with their studies. Here are my tips:

• For every class you have, budget about two hours per week for it (outside of attending class) and don't book anything for that. Here's why: You need to do your readings, get organized a bit, think a little, and do some homework and assignments. If you have 12 credits of class, that is about 24 hours outside of class need for school time. Understandably, there can be economic pressures, but if academic success is in any way a priority, some reasonable amount of time needs to be dedicated to it.

I understand that it is tempting to just not buy textbooks, skip doing readings, and even avoid spending time doing any reading at all. It's tempting, but ultimately self-sabotaging. Reading is not just a way to get a grade, but to sharpen your mental skills. Successful people are those who can read at high levels. They can sort through information, read business documents and think critically. This is a skill and, like any skill, it takes practice. People who can read at higher levels become people who can write well. People who can write well are the ones who get promoted into management positions.

Additionally, with respect to the field of PR, specifically, it is a very writing-based profession. The more you read, the better you will write. (Tip: People often ask me how they can improve their PR writing. I usually say: "Read more PR documents like news releases, brochures, radio & tv scripts, business letters, reports & proposals, etc. You become what you read. Spend some time.")

Students who buy textbooks and do readings, should expect to get good grades. 

Unless technology is specifically being used for a specific activity in the class, under the direction of the professor, you should take charge of these (meaning put them away and out of sight) and give your attention to what is happening in the class. This is because:

• You don't want to miss any classroom and lesson content (that could be tested on).

• You don't want to waste time having to ask a peer or professor what was said/covered.

• When you get professional jobs, or get into your work terms and other part-time professional PR jobs while in school, people will expect you to be able to master your technology use (i.e. put phones and computers away for meetings and professional conversations). Particularly in the PR community, because we talk about relationship-building, it is frowned upon to multi-task with your technology when you are supposed to be engaged in professional meetings and conversations.

Students who take charge of their technology (i.e. technology is not in charge of them), are more likely to get high grades (as well as develop socially).

While teachers provide learning opportunities, in the end, you are responsible for your own learning. I have spent many years in school, having achieved a PhD and, you know, I did not always have the best teachers. But that didn't matter; I was always determined that no matter who the teacher was, nothing was going to get in the way of my learning. I was determined to learn everything I possibly could from any class I paid for. We do our best at MRU to perfect our teaching skills, but no teacher is perfect; while some teachers may not be "your cup of tea", that doesn't have to mean you can't learn important and valuable things from them and from the curriculum. 

Teaching and learning is a partnership -- yes, teachers must work at doing their part, but so must students. Good students care about their classes, examine the curriculum closely, engage in critical thinking and take advantage of opportunities. 

Good students also learn not to take feedback personally. Teachers must be free to provide feedback to students, and to guide and correct and challenge. Sometimes, that means having some uncomfortable conversations or even moments of disagreement. Mature, responsible people learn how to receive feedback and manage their emotions and expectations. Of course, you should always feel free to approach teachers to converse about your disagreements. 

Students who take responsibility for their own learning (and who don't play the blame-game) are unstoppable, and they can expect high grades (and success in life!)

While it would be nice if each and every class and your selected university was the world's best .... it's just not true. That is not to say you can't get a great education where you are at or here at MRU --- I have been to many universities, and I can tell you, that you can! 

But we are in a collective environment, with many people having many different needs -- all the way from different kinds of students, administrative requirements, Government of Alberta requirements, community expectations, union standards and individual needs. Sometimes, the world is not made specifically for us at every turn. One of the greatest qualities people can learn in collective environments is "empathy". Learn to enlarge yourself, get outside of your own world, and walk in other people's shoes sometimes. It is a great personal quality as well as PR-worker quality. It is also a great (and necessary) foundation for friendships and close relationships. 

There are many "designed-just-for-you" moments here at MRU, and people here work hard to make that happen -- but, not every moment will be a "just-for-you" moment. Learn to be grateful for all the behind-the-scenes work that make those "you" moments happen (and pay it forward as you approach your own jobs). Most importantly, learn how to manage emotions and expectations when the "you" moment does not appear.

Students who believe that a course, university, professor and/or the curriculum are custom-built just for them, are likely to blame others for their own failures and will miss out on many learning opportunities. 

Students who can empathize, problem-solve, negotiate, get comfortable with conflict, and manage their emotions and expectations should expect to get good grades, but more importantly, be successful in life.