How to graduate with Honours 1. GET AHEAD OF THE GAME

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Since there are many subscribers to myLot who are either currently doing undergraduate studies or are planning to do so I thought a series on study tips would be useful. As a summa graduate I have some authority in this area. As time allows therefore I will post some guidance in a series. Here's the first. GET AHEAD OF THE GAME It's truly amazing how many students turn up at the first class without a clue as to the course material. Don't be one of these. Well before that day comes make sure you are familiar with the course. Any steps you take in this direction will pay off handsomely. You'll be able to relate to the course immediately and won't take the usual few weeks to realize what's going on. Here's what to do. 1. Read the course description several times. If you don't understand a word look it up in the dictionary. This way you will already have the beginnings of a subject's vocabulary when you begin. 2. Following from the above, go and get yourself a dictionary in the subject. You should always make a point of doing this for every subject you take. There are dictionaries out there for every subject under the sun, and some even for beyond the sun! Dictionaries of Sociology, Politics, Psychology, Economics etc. etc. Just do a search on Amazon.com or your fave bookseller. Browsing the dictionary of your subject will pay BIG dividends. Go the extra mile and look up the words that are linked within every definition; these are usually shown in CAPITALS. 3. Read an introductory book on your course topic before the course. Even one book will put you miles ahead and is easy to handle lying in your favorite sunny spot in summer, on the bus, on the train etc. If you're really intent on getting a First then browse as many of the set books you can during the run-up period. 4. And lastly, a bit of politics. Find out what the person who is teaching the course has written. This is easy with the internet. Get some idea of their work. Mentioning this in a class or seminar will get you points. Believe me, they'll love you for taking an interest. Most professors are fed up to the teeth with uninterested students. There, you are now on the road. Keep an eye out for the next item in this series.