Tips for success in MMC 2100

The following suggestions are from students who successfully completed the course and from your course instructors.

Attend the lectures.

You'd expect your instructor to say that, wouldn't you. But I do think attending the lectures can be helpful to your progress in the course and to your awareness of what's involved in a career of working in the media. I work to have each lecture relate to a particular lab writing assignment and/or to provide career information. I hope to see you in class.

Read the newspaper at least 20 minutes every day.

The majority of the assignments for the course are aimed for publication in a newspaper like The Alligator or The Gainesville Sun. Reading news and feature articles (either the print version or online) will help you become more familiar with that writing style.

Practice writing.

Whether you are writing an e-mail to a friend, taking notes in a class or writing a letter to your folks, take every opportunity to work on improving your writing. Proofread your writing and work to express yourself clearly and concisely. In taking notes, practice taking down direct quotes. If you are a member of a club or organization, volunteer to work on the organization's newsletter.

Keep up with the assigned readings.

Readings assignments in Writing and Reporting News: A Coaching Method and the "Interviewing Skills" CD-ROM are designed to help you with the writing assignments in lab. Don't fall into the mindset of thinking you are just reading the books for exams and delay the reading until test or quiz dates. Information from the readings can help you every week in lab.

Be psyched up for lab.

Your ability to perform well during the weekly lab is essential to your success in the course. Using a sports analogy, prepare for attending lab like you would preparing for a game. Be rested, be focused and be positive that you can be successful. Three hours can be a long time if you have skipped lunch or dinner.

Take the initiative to get help.

The lab instructors and I hold office hours each week to provide time to meet with individual students. Take advantage of this time to get one-on-one help with your writing or to get some career counseling.

Other sources of help include the Writing Coaching Center in the college in 1088 Weimer. I'll post the hours on the Web site. The hours also are posted on the center's door.

Yes, UF can be a big, impersonal place, but you can receive individual attention if you seek it. Don't delay in getting help.