1. LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Chapter 1 Focusing on Success

2. LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Why You’re Here Remember reasons for being in school Common reasons: –Improving lifestyle –Supporting family –Gaining self-respect It takes courage to pursue dreams School was a choice, and so is success

3. LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Obstacles Recall obstacles you’ve faced in the past Remembering past obstacles helps you face future ones Overcoming obstacles reveals your potential

4. LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Attitude and Motivation Your attitude toward education begins with your attitude toward yourself as a student –Positive attitude = motivated student who overcomes obstacles and succeeds –Negative attitude = less motivated student who becomes less productive and performs below expectations Remember your purpose for enrolling in school to maintain motivation and enthusiasm

5. LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Attitude and Motivation (cont’d) Stop the cycle of doubt, fear, and discouragement, which can challenge your positive attitude –Take responsibility for your education; ask for help when you need it. –Be an active learner; ask questions about topics that interest you. –Decide what you want to learn from each course.

6. LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Attitude and Motivation (con’t) Having a good attitude allows you to: –Understand your responsibilities –Set learning goals and study effectively –Improve your grades Being motivated helps you: –Get started on projects –Meet deadlines –Make progress on goals and keep working

7. LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Attitude Check-Up Maintaining a consistent, positive attitude can be a challenge. Stay on track by: –Talking positively to yourself –Spending time with positive people –Overcoming resistance to change –Overcoming fears

8. LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Stay Motivated Two types of motivation: –Intrinsic (within yourself) –Extrinsic (outside yourself) Choose your motivators Plan ahead

9. LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Find Support Surround yourself with supporters: friends, family, coworkers, other students, discussion groups, instructors, tutors, academic advisors Explain to others how school will change your schedule and availability Reward yourself for progress

10. LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Staying Motivated (con’t) Bonus benefits of doing well in school: –Ability to apply study skills to other areas of life –A greater understanding of course material –Confidence and improved self-image –Better grades and test scores –Stronger performance in classes in the future –Better salary and career options

11. LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Keep Your Life Balanced Take courses at a pace that fits with your work schedule Take advantage of financial aid opportunities Get enough sleep, eat healthy foods, and exercise regularly

12. LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Setting Goals Choose simple and practical goals Goals help you avoid distractions, procrastination, and loss of motivation Goals should be: –Measurable –Reachable –Desirable

13. LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Goal Categories Long-term: 5–10 years away; often career or educational Intermediate: 3–5 years away Short-term: 6 months to 2 years away Immediate: 1 day, 1 week, or 1 month away; usually can be accomplished in 1 hour or less

14. LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Reaching Your Short-Term Goals Write down your goal; try to be specific Set a reasonable deadline for your goal Think about possible obstacles to achieving your goal and how to avoid them Write down a plan of action, step-by-step Set reasonable deadlines for completing each step in the process

15. LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Achieving Goals Adjust or change goals as needed Reward yourself for achieving goals Have a supporter hold you accountable Don’t punish yourself if you miss a goal Use grades to gauge your progress, but make learning the final goal

16. LWW’s Student Success for Health Professionals Made Incredibly Easy, 2e Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Academic Character Develop the characteristics you need to become a trusted health care professional: –Be honest –Avoid gossip –Be accountable –Be responsible