Finals Week Prepper

Finals are right around the corner! GET A HEAD START NOW!!!

When it comes to properly preparing for finals, cramming is NOT the way to go. Here are some tips to help make your finals week as successful as possible:

• Start reviewing now! Look over old exams/quizzes/homework assignments and rework all the problems you may have missed to make sure that you truly understand all the concepts.
• Develop a daily study schedule and STICK TO IT!
• Eliminate your distractions. Study in a quiet place and log out of Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, YouTube, etc. 
• Go to your TA and/or Professor's office hours and really talk to him or her; come prepared with genuine questions about the course material. This is no time to be shy.
• Find as many practice problems as you can. The Academic Excellence Center in 323 Sackett has many old calculus, physics, and engineering mechanics exams in its Test Bank.
• Create an exam study group. This is a great way to learn from others while fortifying your understanding of the course material.
• Get enough sleep...AT THE RIGHT TIME. Go to sleep early and wake up early so your internal clock will be well adjusted for finals week.
• Hydrate and eat healthy! More fruits and veggies; less fast food.
• Locate the buildings your exams are in and map out how to get to them.
• BREATHE!

The earlier you prepare the more material you'll cover and the more confident you will be when finals week kicks off. 

Have you heard of ASE?!

ASE is also known as the Academic Summer Enhancement program.  It is a 4 week program to encourage engineering students from all Penn State campuses to get to know the College of Engineering located at University Park.  Although many first-year students start at smaller Penn State Campuses all over Pennsylvania, most engineering students will graduate from University park.

ASE Previews:
Pre-Calculus                  Campus life orientation
Chemisty                       Physics                          English                          Peer-mentoring
College study skills      Campus Tours





A Closer Look
ASE prepares you above and beyond what you have already done in high school.  With this program you jump into the college life early, attend classes and meet other engineering students.  When it's time for full-time classes in the fall you will be a step ahead of everyone else.  During ASE you will also connect with peer mentors, become familiar with the MEP staff and services, and get orientated to campus life and culture at Penn State. 
ASE has been running for 11 years and the following are benefits to the students who participate in ASE:

• Have a higher GPA
• More likely to graduate from the PSU College of Engineering
• Are more likely to land competitive-salary internships, co-ops and full time employment
• Improved opportunity to earn amazing academic scholarships
• Build an extensive network of lifelong friends
• Acclimate more easily to the college environment
• Learn Effective study skills

When & Where
ASE is held at the Penn State University Park Campus from July 6 - August 2, 2013.  You will be housed in the student residence halls on campus.  Even though the ASE Program is held on the University Park campus, you will still attend your assigned campus in the fall.  This program does not change you campus assignment.





What is the cost
The cost of the program is $300, this includes room & board, field trips, courses, tutoring and professional development programs.  This is only 1/10th of the cost of the program per students, all remaining expenses are covered through corporate and university sponsorships


How do I apply?
Applications were mailed to those invited to apply to the ASE Program.  If you are interested in attending please completed the application by May 6, 2013.

I Studied All Night

There are many ways to study effectively before it comes to this. A few are listed below:

 

• GO TO CLASS!!
• Read the assignment BEFORE you get to class.
• Find a quiet place to study, where you can concentrate. (Remember, you’ll be tested in a quiet place.)
• Create study groups. Review homework and reading materials with others.
• Review class notes as soon as you get out of class.
• Make sure you understand your homework, don’t just do it.
• Get enough sleep.
• Eat a balanced diet.
• Have an 8-hour academic workday. Get up early. Go to class and study between classes. (This leaves more social time at night.)
• Use a planner to keep track of exams and due dates. Use it also to schedule your study time needed for each class (reading, homework, projects etc.).
• Recopy class notes. This helps with memory and information organization.
• Review information with tutors.

Tutors Can Work Miracles Right?!

See your tutor consistently.  For example: Every Tuesday at 3:45. Treat your tutoring sessions like a class. Go prepared with all homework attempted if not completed. That way, the tutor gets to know you and your learning style and can start to spot your weaknesses and strengths.

The ideal situation is arranging a tutor as a review agent. Then if you need help later, the relationship is established. It’s a lot easier than walking in cold right before the last mid term exam hoping the tutor can work wonders in one session. 

What Exactly is PreF?!

PreF is also known as the Pre-First Year in Science and Engineering Program.  It is a 6 week program hosted by the Office of Engineering Diversity on Penn State's University Park Campus.

What is PreF?
The program is designed for first year students in an engineering or science based major.  It includes not only in-class time for 4 major classes but also structured social and professional development activities.  The objective of PreF is to maximize the rentention of first year science and engineering students at Penn  State.  We do this by guiding students through a preview of their 1st
year classes, which gives them a head start in to their college career.

Why PreF?
PreF has been running at Penn State for 22 years and through research we have determined the following benefits by participating in the program.  Participants:

• Have a higher GPA than Non-Participants
• Are more likely to graduate from the PSU College of Engineering
• Are more likely to land competitive salaries in internships, co-ops and full time employment
• Earn amazing academic scholarships
• Acclimate more easily to the college environment
• Build an extensive network of lifelong friends

The PreF Program
PreF students will have a head start in to Penn State and the College of Engineering.  Group study session are a part of the program as is professional development workshops and a field trip.  PreF gives participants a preview of the following classes:
Calculus
Chemisty
Physics
English
College Success Skills

When and Where?
PreF will be held from June 24 - August 2, 2013.  Participants will be housed in student residence halls on University Park Campus.

What does it cost?
The program cost is $500. This includes room & board, field trips, courses and tutoring.  This is a highly subsidized price, the remaining expenses are covered by corporate sponsorships.

How to apply?
Applications were mailed to all multicultural first year engineering students.  So fill out the application and send it back by May 6th!