There are many reasons why students fail university level courses despite the fact that course materials are given to the students in formats which are easy to understand. The objectives of most university courses are that students be able to read understand and analyze the given information. Most university courses require students to attend lectures, read given materials and read extensively from research journals. For assessment purposes universities require students to answer certain questions, analyze information or discuss a certain topic.
Learning materials can be in the form of printed materials, CDs, video films or audio cassettes. Irrespective of the format the learning materials can be easily understood. Many students fail because they do not read the directions contained in the course materials. New information usually builds of previously known information which may be taught or assumed knowledge. The pyramid of knowledge is built on previous courses or previously learned knowledge. The materials are comprehensible by persons of average intelligence who have met the pre requisites of that course. So students need not fear of failing even though they are in “Ivory Towers” of knowledge. The information in not over whelming even though the environment may be over whelming!
The author is a university lecturer and a marker. The purpose of this article is to help students succeed by working smarter and not necessarily harder. It suggests a dozen ways to pick up marks without even scratching the surface of the actual content of the course. Remember: There are marks for presentation, grammar, spelling, sentence construction, flow of ideas and proper referencing. This article is about marks which are allocated for this non-academic knowledge. Up to thirty percent marks are awarded for non-academic work. My next article will talk about how to maximize marks for the academic component.
Always Think Positive. Many students think that university level courses are difficult. The fact is that university courses are difficult. This is not a typographical error. University courses are difficult. However students who have reached university level have got there by being able to demonstrate that they can handle academic work effectively. Therefore they should reflect on their success and realize that they are advancing their knowledge by just a little bit more. Learning new materials which are extensions of previous knowledge should not be too difficult.
If the new materials are too difficult then it may be time to do the background reading before pursuing the new difficult course. For nursing students the weakness is usually in the area of applying human physiology to nursing processes. Nursing students need a good understanding of human anatomy and physiology.
Students who want to be successful should be saying to themselves that they have succeeded in the past and will succeed now. The reality is that they have succeeded in the past therefore they are allowed to take on the new university level course. Students should use past successes to propel future successes. All students must realize that they are smart and has the necessary intelligence to complete this course. They should realize that they are acquiring new knowledge and it does require work but it is not undoable. Thinking of past successes is motivating. Also motivating is the fact that the new knowledge is “manageable.”
Image of Sarjeet S. Gill. University Lecturer and marker, Health Sciences.
Always read and understand the question before attempting it. Students must read the question or questions very carefully. Further, the question must be interpreted correctly. Once the question has been understood correctly then answering the question can begin in earnest. Before the student begins to answer the question it is a good idea to reread the question again. Many students misread the question and therefore answer an “imagined” question. Wrong discussions and wrong answers do not earn any marks.
Examiners are trained to read the answers carefully. They will not award marks for wrong answers. If you misread the question it is likely that you will fail. Therefore consider reading and rereading the question several times before answering the question.
Always know the marks each question carries. Each question is worth a certain amount of marks. The whole examination is usually worth 100 %. The student needs to work smart not work hard. If a question is worth 25 % marks then the student needs to spend only 25 % of the time answering it. The most common mistake in this area is that students spend lots of time answering questions which they know really well in the hope of getting more points. Examiners cannot award more points for “extra good work” therefore no student should waste any time.
Strategy: If you know an answer really well then spend less time on it. Present it well in a precise manner. When it comes to answering the “difficult” then you can use the extra time to think out an “approximate answer”. Always attempt all questions. Markers tend not the give very high marks or very low marks. So, if the student attempts a question then there is a real possibility that some marks will be earned. It is not likely to be too high or too low.
