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For Instructors

Kickstarting Your Academic Career: Skills to Succeed in the Social Sciences

By Robert L. Ostergard, Jr. and Stacy B. Fisher

© 2017

Kickstarting Your Academic Career is a primer on the common scholastic demands that social sciences students face upon entering college or university. Based on the challenges that instructors most often find students need help with, the authors offer practical advice and tips on topics such as how to communicate with instructors, take notes, read a textbook, research and write papers, and write successful exams. The succinct writing and clear organization make this an essential reference for first-year students as they encounter post-secondary work for the first time, and a useful refresher for upper-year students looking to refine their skills.
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Product Details

  • World Rights
  • Page Count: 144 pages
  • Dimensions: 5.5in x 0.4in x 8.5in
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SKU# HE000666

  • PUBLISHED FEB 2017
    From: $20.95
    ISBN 9781442635616
  • PUBLISHED FEB 2017
    From: $43.95
    ISBN 9781442635623
  • PUBLISHED FEB 2017
    From: $16.95
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Kickstarting Your Academic Career is a primer on the common scholastic demands that social sciences students face upon entering college or university.

Kickstarting Your Academic Career: Skills to Succeed in the Social Sciences

By Robert L. Ostergard, Jr. and Stacy B. Fisher

© 2017

Kickstarting Your Academic Career is a primer on the common scholastic demands that social sciences students face upon entering college or university. Based on the challenges that instructors most often find students need help with, the authors offer practical advice and tips on topics such as how to communicate with instructors, take notes, read a textbook, research and write papers, and write successful exams. The succinct writing and clear organization make this an essential reference for first-year students as they encounter post-secondary work for the first time, and a useful refresher for upper-year students looking to refine their skills.
Continue Reading Read Less

Product Details

  • World Rights
  • Page Count: 144 pages
  • Dimensions: 5.5in x 0.4in x 8.5in

  • Reviews

    I would recommend Kickstarting Your Academic Career to every college student because they can benefit from the advice given in the book. It establishes what mindset you need and what tools you can utilize in order to be as successful as you can throughout your schooling. It is also written in a clear, concise manner that any student can understand regardless of their reading comprehensive skills.
    Lauren Bullock, Sophomore at Stephen F. Austin State University
    Link for Counselors

    A guidebook for first-year students that effectively focuses on the basics they need to know sooner rather than later. This is the kind of resource that can make a big difference to students when they transition out of high school.
    Victor Asal, University at Albany, SUNY

    Kickstarting Your Academic Career explains how courses work at college and university, and provides concrete strategies for students to be successful. Best of all, the authors strike a great tone throughout—kind of like an older sibling explaining what it's really like after high school.
    Kerry Greer, University of British Columbia

    This book is an excellent guide to helping students navigate their new academic environment and expectations. From understanding professors to decoding social science research, this text provides solid advice that is easy to understand but does not underestimate a student's intelligence.
    Dan Friedman, University of South Carolina

  • Author Information

    Robert L. Ostergard, Jr. is Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Nevada, Reno.


    Stacy B. Fisher is Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Nevada, Reno (retired).

  • Table of contents

    Acknowledgments
    Introduction

    Why Am I Here? From High School to College or University
    How to Use This Book for Students
    How to Use This Book for Professors

    1. Where to Start? The Basics of the Classroom
    What to Expect from This Chapter

    The Syllabus—The Rules of the Game
    Course Management Systems
    Professional Etiquette with Your Professor and Teaching Assistants
    Course Information in the Syllabus

    Large Class Dynamics
    Strengths and Weaknesses of Large Classes
    What to Expect in a Large Class
    Large Lecture Hall Etiquette
    Professors, Assistants, and the Large Lectures
    Students and the Large Lecture Hall

    Smaller Classes and Tutorials, Sections, or Labs
    What to Expect in a Small Class
    Course Discussions and Participation
    Guidelines for Good Discussion

    Revisiting the Lecture

    Important Points to Remember
    How to Succeed in College Courses
    In a Large Class
    In a Small Class

    2. So You Thought You Knew How to Read? Readings and Notes for Class

    Textbooks
    How Often to Read
    How to Read and Take Notes from a Textbook
    Steps to Studying a Textbook
    Supplemental Texts and Journal Articles

    Note Taking in Classes
    Preparing to Take Notes
    What Am I Supposed to Write Down?
    How Am I Supposed to Write It Down?

    Important Points to Remember
    Textbooks
    Taking Notes in Class

    3. On the Midterm Grind

    The Professor Gave You a Study Guide—Lucky You! Or Not...

    Study Groups

    Types of Exams and Strategies for Each
    Multiple Guess (Choice) Exams—Being Better than Chance
    Identification and Short Answers
    Essays—The Demon Spawn Rears Its Ugly Head

    Getting Your Grade
    Taking Charge of Your Education

    Important Points to Remember
    How to Succeed on Exams
    Getting Your Grade

    4. Finding Your Curiosity and Research Zen: Skills and the Projects That Build Them

    Finding Your Curiosity and Research Zen

    Class Projects: Their Purposes and Some Helpful Suggestions
    Research Projects
    Summaries, Critiques, and Literature Reviews
    Group Projects
    Simulations and Virtual Experiences
    Posters
    Oral Presentations

    Important Points to Remember

    5. Can You Google That?

    Where to Find Information

    Finding Data

    How to (and How Not to) Find Information

    Can You Google That?

    How Authoritative Are Your Sources?

    What to Do with Your Information: Writing, Organizing, and Common Mistakes
    Multitasking: Something We Are Horrible at Doing
    Extracting Information
    Bibliographic Software
    Suggestions for Avoiding Plagiarism
    Outlining a Plan for Your Writing
    Writing Your Project
    Editing Your Project

    Research and Crunch Time

    Important Points to Remember

    Index

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