May 20, 2008

Hold Onto Your College Notes

Hold onto and set up a place to store your college notes and even a couple of books to save and not sell back. They may come in handy as you begin entering upper level courses that are building off of what you have learned. Sometimes you may need a refresher that the course doesn't have the time to allow for.

For my success, my accounting book that I saved really came in handy as a reference as I began taking upper level accounting courses. Just like math I usually needed refreshing if it had been a semester or two since I had taken a course in a lower level.

Dog and College Success

Take a second thought if you're thinking about getting a dog while you're still in high school about to go into college. College will be taking first priority and a dog, especially a puppy may get in the way of your success. Especially, if you'll be going away I recommend you not get a dog as your dog will become the dog of whoever is looking after him or her.

Remember puppy's are very demanding and are not the best idea to have during college. Even if you'll be staying at home and going to college, plan ahead and know what you'll be getting into for your success in college.

If you're going away to college then I again recommend not getting a dog as he or she won't be your dog when you get back.

Good luck and success to you!

Your College Class Schedule

It's about that time where you're deciding on what courses to take and how to set up your schedule.

A key to success in your college courses is to set up a class schedule that is conducive to your college success. Meaning your schedule should allow for breaks in between courses if need be. Take this from me who was in college don't set up your schedule as tight as possible and on as few days as possible. It's possible to be successful in college and do this, however, it may be difficult depending on courses and load.

The key to success is giving yourself breaks in between those courses. As always good luck in college!

Feb 23, 2008

How to Study for Your First Accounting Exam

Oh, no. Your first accounting exam. Accounting at first can seem like a very difficult subject just due to the fact of how it is a whole different language for business. Your professor probably also understands the material 100% and you probably don't understand what he's saying. Well, let me tell you your first accounting exam will not be as bad as you may think it may be if you study in pieces.

First, the accounting equation. Remember the basics, Assets = Liabilities + Equity.

NEXT, Branch off of each in as many ways as you can think.

Assets = Accounts Rec., Supplies, Prepaid Rent, Land, etc.
Liabilities = Accounts Payable, Notes Payable, etc.
Equity = Common Stock, Retained Earnings, etc.

Know them, remember how to set them up. Remember what type of events and how they will effect the equation! Your professor, the book, and the assigned homework has prepared you for this! Just review it and you'll do fine!

Second, remember what your teacher went over. Bring your book to class and flip the pages that your professor covers and highlight what he or she covered. Your exam will be composed of what was covered in class almost 99% of the time! If you marked what you went over you know what to study and you can minimize the weight of your studies!

Third, go over the examples and re-do the homework you didn't do because it was too hard. The homework should be getting easier as you decompose the material you've been covering, try the homework, do what you can. If something is easy then don't do it, you know it. If it's hard make a note of it. The things in between, do and check.

For the hard stuff go back to the material the notes your professor or the accounting lab if your school has one.

Fourth, the financial statements. There's no trick to remembering these. Just review. I learned by covering the page and gradually moving down until I could say what was next on the financial statements and then until I could say them all without needing to look.

Fifth, it won't be that difficult.

Sixth, think to yourself that it won't be that hard and you can and already know most of it! Because you do, you just need to reinforce it before the exam.

How to Study for College Exams

College exams can be a lot different from what we were used to in high school. College exams are usually more comprehensive and could cover a quarter of a book to half of a book. Most often exams will cover a quarter of the book. You'll be tested on chapters 1,2,3 and 4. How do you study for a test that will cover four chapters?!

First, hopefully you have been preparing from day one. You have been coming to class with full attendance and with a notebook, pen and pencil. Hopefully, you have been printing out study guides or keeping up with the text.

If you don't have a study guide. After every lecture look back at your notes and re-read the topics the teacher covered from the book and make a note of them. Highlight/mark in your book the important topics. Make yourself footnotes in your book, circle pages, etc.

Second, review your text and notes for fifteen minutes a day. Study at least 30 minutes approximately one or two times a week to cover what you've just learned and reinforce what you already know.

Doing the above will help when it comes time to really hit the books and prepare for the test. You'll know what you're solid on and what's foggy. When you know what to zero in on you can prepare better.

Third, whatever homework/quizzes your teacher has given make sure to review. There's a good chance exam questions will be similar if not exact in some cases.

Hope this helps with your college exams!