How to calculate your GPA (Grade Point Average)

Many students are confused about how to calculate their grade point average (GPA).  You need to reference your college grading system.  This is the grading system used by Central Oregon Community College (COCC).  

Unless designated as a Pass/No Pass class, grades follow this scale:  

A	4.0	Outstanding Performance
A-	3.7	Superior
B+	3.3	Excellent
B	3.0	Very good
B-	2.7	Good
C+	2.3	Better than satisfactory
C	2.0	Satisfactory
D	1.0	Passing
F	0.0	Not passing

This is Bob - EXAMPLE student

According to the above grading scale - 
If Bob earned straight A's, he would have a 4.0 GPA for the term.  

Calculating Bob's GPA:
However, Bob did not earn straight A's.  Bob took two classes and earned one A and one C.  What is Bob's GPA?

An A is a 4.0
A C is a 2.0

(Hint: If you said 3.0,you are incorrect - but you had a great guess!)





To calculate Bob's GPA, you need to know the number of credits for each course as well as the grade earned for each course.  Bob received an A in his math class (for 4 credits).  He received a C in his health class (1 credit).  

Now you are ready to calculate Bob's GPA:

First:  Determine number of grade points for each course:  Multiply the grade value by the number of credits.

Grade Earned

Grade Value

Times

# of Credits

Equals

Grade Points

A

4.0

X

4

=

16

C

2.0

X

1

=

2

Second:  Add total number of credits - Total Credits: 5

Third:  Add the total number of grade points - Total Grade Points: 18

You can see that Bob completed 5 total credits for the term (both classes) and he has a total of 18 grade points (both classes).

Finally:  Divide grade points (18) by number of credits (5) to get Bob's GPA.

18 / 5=  3.6 GPA 
You can see Bob's grade point average is a 3.6 for the term.

A cumulative grade point average uses the same calculation however, instead of only one term - cumulative GPA includes all grades the student has earned from all previous terms.

To view more about COCC grading system (Including information about pass/no pass classes, withdraws and incompletes)  - Click Here- COCC Grades

A Cartoon Reminder - You don't want to Miss!

Attention COCC Students -  Click Here for a Fun Cartoon Registration Reminder. 



Summer and Fall Registration is just around the corner for continuing degree-seeking students at COCC.  Don't miss it!!!

5 Big Reasons...Computer Skills Sink or Save

As I was reading an article in this month's COCC Broadside newspaper, Are COCC's online programs saving or sinking students, I thought about students who start college with little or no computer skills.  My observation has been, overwhelmingly, students who have at least basic computer skills have a smoother transition into college.  Whether you are planning to start college or already attending, here are five good reasons you might consider adding computer skills to your college readiness checklist:


1.) From the Start- Students who possess computer skills will find it easier to answer their own basic questions about college.  Computer skills are useful from the time students begin researching colleges and programs of interest to submitting the college application, registering for classes, completing classes, all the way to graduation  and job search.

2) Surviving- Whether searching for basic contact information from the campus directory, downloading and printing a campus map, reviewing the school calendar of important dates, or learning about tutoring, computer lab, library and other student services, the ability to navigate the website is essential.


3)  Doing Business - Just to conduct basic college business, students often need to be comfortable using a computer.  For instance, a student may be required to log-in to their student account in order to complete pieces of their financial aid requirements, add themselves to a class, check student email (for official communications from the college), look-up grades,or to order transcripts. 

4)  Minimum Expectation - It doesn't stop there.  Students are usually required to type and format writing assignments or complete math homework on a computer learning system, not to mention research using the internet or online library resources.  Even in the lowest math and writing classes, students may be expected to know basic computer and keyboarding skills in order to perform well. Students without these skills spend more time doing homework and tend to feel more stress during the first few months of college.

5) Over-the-Top- Students who have good computer skills may spend their time enhancing their assignments by inserting images or creating charts, graphs and other features.  They may utilize online resources that help them be more organized, miss less deadlines and manage time wisely.  They also may take advantage of the convenience of online classes, (offered to students who successfully pass the online orientation at COCC ). 

So if you are not sure you have basic computer skills, consider reviewing the course description for an introductory computer class or check out some of the free computer tutorials found on the "Cool Learning Links" page.  Word processing, email, navigating the internet, typing and basic file management are just some of the essential computer skills you will use in college.  At COCC, school computer lab attendants are available to assist students with questions about how to access their student accounts and basic computer questions too.

Also, if you do not have regular access to the internet at home, make sure you learn the Computer Lab Hours and remember to check your student email at least twice a week.  Consider inquiring about financial aid loans that may be available to assist you in making a laptop purchase. 

 

I love deadlines...

"...I like the whooshing sound they make when they fly by." ~  Douglas Adams

Speaking of deadlines - here are a few fast approaching deadlines for current COCC students:

• April 23-27 - Summer 2012 Registration begins for current degree-seeking students (advising NOT required) 

• May 21-25 - Fall 2012 Registration begins for current degree-seeking students (Advising Required)

 Learn how to check your "Can I Register Page" in your online COCC Bobcat Account for your registration date and time AND to check for any holds on your registration.  Look for all Green Checks.  If you see any yellow or red symbols - you have holds you need to take care of before you can register. 

Advising Requirement:  If your registration page says your advising has been met to "UNTIL WINTER 2013" or a later date then you DO NOT have to meet with an advisor before Fall 2012 registration.  


Click here to view the  COCC Academic Calendar of Important Dates

"Procrastination is like a credit card:"

...It's a lot of fun until you get the bill" ~ Christopher Parker

If you were anything like I was in college or high school, then you may need to work on procrastination.  I mentioned procrastination as one of the 10 Sure Fire Time Management Pitfalls in a previous post. Procrastination is a defense mechanism people use to protect themselves.   Students notoriously use this defense mechanism to protect themselves from difficult assignments, lengthy study sessions, or subjects they dislike.  To fight your instinct to procrastinate (rather than hide from it) - consider breaking up large assignments or study sessions into smaller more manageable parts or simpler steps (called partializing).  Give those smaller steps short-term deadlines (false deadlines).  Keep the steps simple, so you don't overwhelm yourself.  As you accomplish each step, remember to reward yourself with small activities you enjoy a long the way.  Even a ten minute break may be something to look forward to when you are studying. 

You might also try increasing your interest by getting creative with your study habits.  Ask yourself if there is something you can do that would make the study session or assignment more interesting for your learning style (or at least less dull).  Use a colored pen or highlighter for different themes, or make up an acronym, draw a diagram, explain a concept to a friend, or if you are more auditory, try recording yourself reading a section of the material out loud.  Search for a video explanation by an expert in the field on Youtube.  Attend a study group or meet with a tutor.  Don't be afraid to get creative with how you engage with the information so that it becomes more interesting to you.

Finally, when all else fails - lower your standard.  Sometimes the hardest part is letting go of perfection so  you can get started or get it done.  Getting started may allow you more time to finesse your assignment later anyway.

(If you are attending COCC, consider the Procrastination and Motivation Course (HD100PM) for 1 credit.  This course if found under the Study Skills courses and is typically only a few weeks in length). 

8 Types of Intelligence - What are Yours?

Are you concerned that you do not have the intelligence it takes to succeed in college?  Dr. Howard Gardner, a professor of cognition and education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, asserts that we all have multiple intelligences and we use several types in our daily lives.  Dr. Gardner identifies 8 types of intelligence  that may be summarized as language, spatial, logical/math, body movement, musical, social, self, and nature.

What are your preferred intelligences?  This assessment may help you identify yours - MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES ASSESSMENT.

Once you have discovered your strengths, you may want to  practice engaging your intelligences to make the most out of your college experience.   For instance if you prefer to use spatial intelligence you may try writing words vertically or visualizing spelling words to help you study.  To learn more ideas on engaging your intelligence, go to this website and click on the various types of intelligences:  http://www.literacyworks.org/mi/practice/index.html.

(See my youtube post for Dr. Howard Gardner's explanation of multiple intelligences).

Howard Gardner of The Multiple Intelligence Theory

How to Find Your Learning Style

Learning styles vary by person.  Knowing your learning style will help you develop strategies for learning new information in a way that works for you.  Do you know your learning style?  Take this quick survey and find out how you best learn:  LEARNING STYLES INVENTORY  (Note you will need Macromedia Flash Player plug-in - Download player for free at  Macromedia Flash Player)

Is Education Worth the Investment?

Worried whether education will pay off?  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey, college graduates enjoy more median weekly earnings and less unemployment than those with a high school diploma.  More education, tends to mean more earnings over your lifetime. 

You may also want to check out this article about the social costs associated with not educating young people.  It also references larger rates of return on investments in education verses investments in stocks, bonds, gold or housing. See article - What's More Expensive Than College? Not Going to College - The Atlantic

10 Sure Fire Time Management Pitfalls

1.  Relying on memory
Relying on "memory" for important deadlines is a surefire disaster.  Get in the habit of writing down deadlines in a day planner, or enter into your smart phone or electronic calendar.  Review the course syllabus the first week of class and then jot down due dates for important assignments, tests and quizzes in your planner. 

2.  Procrastination
Putting off until tomorrow, what you can accomplish today leads to last minute problems.  Get started early and you are on your way to successful time management.

3.  Underestimating time
College students, (unlike high school students) complete most of their coursework on their own time.  Open schedules may be misleading for first-time college students.  At our college, for every credit hour, there is 1 hour in class and 2-3 hours expected outside of class in studying and preparation per week.  Its best to overestimate preparation time until you get a feel for your own study pace and the instructor's expectations.

4.  Break down

Students may feel overwhelmed with large term papers and projects when they focus on the magnitude of the end product.  Practice partializing assignments (breaking them down into smaller steps).  Give yourself due dates for the short-term steps (actions) you need to accomplish that lead to completion of the larger project.

5.  Making everything a priority
When everything is a priority, nothing is a priority.  Sometimes students "feel" pulled in too many directions.  Consider how many hours you truly have to designate towards school and studying each week.  Ask yourself which areas of your life you might choose to cut back, delegate, or eliminate all together.  Schedule study and preparation time.  Create daily to-do lists and rank the list in order of most important to least important tasks, to help you maintain focus on immediate priorities.

6. Unrealistic expectations of self and or others
Setting unrealistic expectations on yourself or others leads to burn-out.  Consider the reality that there are only 24 hours in a day and presumably people need time to sleep, eat and other life activities.  Expecting 110% everyday is not realistic.  You will likely be very busy, but also need to consider how to keep balance in your life.  If that means cutting back to part-time work or school, then consider education as a life-long learning process.  Its not a race, and everyone has a different pace.

7.  All work and no play
Shorter concentrated study sessions with reasonable breaks, gives your body and mind time to renew and regenerate. Reward yourself for achievement of short-term tasks, goals and deadlines with enjoyable activities. This can be as simple as 30 minutes playing guitar, a yoga class, walking around the block, or playing a video game.

8.  Unhealthy lifestyle
Practice wellness.  Starving yourself, or living on junk food and caffeine is not only unhealthy, but it also leads to exhaustion.  Keep healthy snacks accessible and ready for your power study hours (such as carrot sticks and apple slices).  Stay hydrated by drinking water.  Take a quick walk outside in the fresh air to re-energize yourself during breaks.  Making healthy choices, gives you stamina for the long haul.

9.  Falling into temptation
Removing ourselves from temptation may be our best defense when we are faced in time-management crunches.  If you enjoy Facebook, for instance, but find it "sucks" you into a time void, then choose not to log-in until after you've accomplished the task at hand or set a timer.  Or consider asking a partner, roommate or spouse to remind you when your designated "break" time is over and then get back to the books.

10.  Little or no support network
Develop supports who will help you maintain your focus, accountability and priorities.  Create study groups or partnerships that support your priorities. Discuss your schedule and priorities with family members, roommates and friends.  Arrange agreements around times you need to study without interruptions.

~Keri Podell

Secrets to a Successful Term

First week of classes can be stressful.  Everything from finding parking, getting acquainted with new instructors and last minute schedule changes add to student nerves and excitement.  Impress your instructors and give yourself a strong start to the term.  Learn the Top 10 Secrets of College Success.http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/professors-guide/2010/08/17/top-10-secrets-of-college-success