Bears Season Opener.
Is It "Football"?
Many of you refer to soccer as "football," but in the United States when someone hears the word "football," especially in the fall, a different sport comes to mind: a field length of 100 yards, an eleven-man team, cheerleaders, a marching band, and a flag-line. A score, a touchdown, is six points, and you can have a field goal, a touchback, and an extra point.
Fans of football, like any sports fans, are passionate about the game. You can go to pep rallies and tail-gate parties to support your team, and you can wear shirts and hats with team logos in team colors. You might even wave a flag or blow a horn for your team. Football madness!
You have a chance this week to experience first-hand this rough, exciting sport. The UCA Bears will have their first game on Thursday, September 4, at 7:00 p.m. in Estes Stadium. They will play Abilene Christian, a Texas rival. Students can use their student I.D.s to attend the game gratis (free). Grab a classmate or a friend and support your team. Go Bears!
International Friends Is Back!
International students on campus need your support to bring back the International Friends Club. The first organizational meeting is during x-period (1:40-2:30 p.m.) on Thursday, September 4, in BBA 205. Please plan to attend and support your fellow international students. In the past, the club has sponsored picnics, parties, fairs, and banquets. It's a good opportunity to meet students from around the world.
Tips for Academic Success.
Be Prepared.
The first priority is to be prepared for class. Bring your materials and have your homework completed for that day. Professors expect you to be able to discuss the material that they have assigned for that day. It is expected that students will ask questions in class about the material they do not understand.
Go to Class.
Attendance is mandatory (required) in almost every university class. This rule is very different from other university systems in other cultures. Professors use classroom time to give you extra information that you cannot find in your textbook. They expect you to remember this information. In a language class, it is vital (very necessary) for you to be in class so that you can practice the language as well as hear the content.
Go Early.
Go to class a few minutes early, find a seat, and take out your materials. You should have a notebook for each class. At the top of the page, write the name of the class and the date. When the lecture begins, write the topic of the lecture on the top line of your notebook. You are ready at this point to take notes for the class.
Classroom Etiquette.
Etiquette refers to the behavior of a person in a certain situation. For example, when you attend a wedding or some other social event, you behave in certain ways because of the event. It is the same for the classroom. Professors expect you to be on time. If you are late, it shows disrespect for the professor and the other students. Do not leave the classroom during the lecture. Again, this behavior is disrespectful. If you need to leave early, tell the professor before class; if it is an emergency, simply make eye contact with the professor and leave quickly. Turn off any electronic equipment. Ask you professor about the rules for having food and drink in the classroom. Sometimes they will allow this, but sometimes they do not.
Review the Material.
As soon as you have time, review the material from each class. You should read over your notes, look at the handouts, and write down any questions that you have about the material or the vocabulary. Ask a classmate what they remember about the class and compare your notes with theirs. A "study-buddy" (someone you can study with) can help you with a review.
Homework.
Most university class require a lot of reading, but a language class also requires a lot of homework in order to practice the language. You will have homework almost everyday in all of your IEP classes, so you should make it a habit to do your homework the night before the class. Most of your instructors will collect your homework at the beginning of class because homework is a way to prepare for the day's lessons. Please note that some professors will not collect homework after class. This can affect your grade, so make sure that your homework is complete and ready to submit (turn in) to your professors on the due date.
More News
from Students from Afar.
Planet IEP has received news from several "graduates." It's always nice to hear from students who have moved to another state or country or have returned home. Li Qiang is working for a US fireworks company in China, so he spends his time commuting between China and the US. Now that's a long commute. Mai Tashima has transferred to a school in Missouri to study design. She sends a goodbye to all her friends and classmates at UCA. Jungmin Park writes from Korea that her Mom visited Conway (we guess to visit Minsoo, Jungmin's brother) and that she is studying for the TOEIC test, a university requirement there. Good luck, Jungmin! Dr. Souidi Anasse is now working for the Arkansas Health Department. What a success story! From IEP to MD. Anne Chukova finished summer school at UCA and has returned to Russia. She sends her goodbye and hopes to return next fall to UCA. We hope so, too!
Got Boredom?
Check Out the Important Dates.
If you are getting cabin fever (boredom), then read the Important Dates information below. Several opportunities are offered on campus for students to get involved and beat the ennui.
Admission free with Student I.D.
