BAMS: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO BECOMING A MASTER STUDENT is a new text created to promote student success by helping students discover their abilities and reach their full potential. The 160 page brief text encourages first-year students in an easy-to-read, short article format. Each page invites students to put new ideas into action immediately and select additional strategies as they plan for their future. BAMS: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO BECOMING A MASTER STUDENT is integrated with technology on every page. "One Click Away" is a feature noted within the text, highlighting in depth topic coverage available on the web site, as well as in the Online Multimedia ebook.

Table of Contents

Part I: DISCOVER...COMMITMENT. Start with the Discovery Wheel. Master Student in the house. Success essentials. Values-the invisible link to success. Commit to Thinking. Attitudes of a Critical Thinker. Critical Thinking Experiment #1: y r u @ school?. Master Students in Action. Commit to Action: Earn back the price of this book-and more. Power Process: Discover what you want. Part II: DISCOVER...YOUR STYLE. Discover the natural learner in you. More views of learning styles. Seeing the cycle of learning in action. You're using the cycle of learning right now. Commit to Action: Explore your learning styles. Critical Thinking Experiment #2: Discover the joy of bafflement. 45 ways to get smart. When learning styles conflict, you have options. Commit to Action: Create value from learning styles. "It's just who I am"-Resolving differences in style. Power Process: Risk being a fool. Part III: DISCOVER...YOUR RESOURCES. Commit to Action: Give your goals some teeth. Seven ways to take back your time. Forget about time management-Just get things done. Commit to Action: Discover where your time goes. Procrastination unplugged. 10 things you can do in 10 minutes (or less). Planning Sets You Free. Health matters. 10 ways to stay healthy in (almost) no time. Commit to Action: Take a fearless look at your health. Put an end to money worries. Use credit cards with care. Critical Thinking Experiment #3: Release money myths. Campus resources-You paid for 'em, so use 'em. Power Process: Be here now. Part IV: DISCOVER...YOUR READING. Question your text. Create outlines from headings. Read for answers. 8 ways to overcome confusion. Review the answers. Deface your book. Critical Thinking Experiment #4: "Yo, author-I don't necessarily agree". Decoding the deadly textbook: Three key strategies. Commit to Action: Five ways to make time for reading. Read across the curriculum. Critical thinking for online reading. Commit to Action: Experiment with active reading. Power Process: Ideas are tools. Part V: DISCOVER...YOUR NOTES. Notes that rock. Notes that rock: Set the stage. Take Effective Notes for Online Learning. Notes that rock: Show up for class. Cope with fast-talking teachers. Critical Thinking Experiment #5: Listen for key points. Notes that rock: Capture key words. Short and sweet-the art of abbreviation. Notes that rock: Predict test questions. Notes that rock: Play with formats. Take Notes While Reading. Notes that rock: Mine your notes for more value. Commit to Action: Transform your note taking. Power Process: Love your problems. Part VI: DISCOVER...YOUR GRADES. Grades: The truth. Be ready for your next test. Seven things to do with your study group. Six R's for remembering. Keep your brain fit for life. Test-taking errors-and ways to avoid them. Critical Thinking Experiment #6: Turn "F" into feedback. Relax-it's just a test. Five myths about test anxiety. Math essentials. Commit to Action: Transform your experience of tests. Power Process: Detach. PART VII: DISCOVER...YOUR VOICE. Your word creates your world. Take the mystery out of thesis statements. Narrowing your topic. Research: Digging for gold Take notes that won't get you into trouble. Writing without tears: Reduce resistance. Write e-mails that people actually read. Commit to Action: Avoid last-minute writing projects. Editing without fear: Revise for scope, structure, and style. Checklist for effective revision. Critical Thinking Experiment #7: Focus on solutions. Take the panic out of public speaking. Three ways to win over your audience. Avoid Power-Pointlessness. Commit to Action: Take the next step in finding your speaking voice. Power Process: Find a bigger problem. Part VIII: DISCOVER...YOUR RELATIONSHIPS. Thriving in a diverse world. Twelve tools for deep listening. Create relationships with integrity. Commit to Action: Practice the art of saying no. Five ways to resolve conflict. Commit to Action: Write an "I" message. Notice your "people pictures"-and let them go. Critical Thinking Experiment #8: Try on a new interpretation. Victory through surrender-Asking for help. Commit to Action: Renew a relationship through gratitude. You are already a leader. Leading high-performance teams [sidebar]. Power Process: Choose your conversations. Part IV: DISCOVER...YOUR FUTURE. Give up the myth of "some day". Discovering the skilled person you already are. 100 transferable skills. Commit to Action: Inventory your skills. Four ways to choose your major. Commit to Action: Declare your major today. Create your career. Commit to Action: Plan your career now. Finding your place in the new world of work. Critical Thinking Experiment #9: Examine beliefs about careers and jobs. The Discovery Wheel, reloaded. Commit to Action: Create your future. Power Process: I create it all.