Advice

As part of your last journal, I'll ask you to give advice to future SPCH 2 students about how to earn the best grade possible. Here are a few responses from prior students.

• I would advise students to take notes for every lecture, prepare days in advance before a speech, memorize citations and speeches/performance, and actively participate during class.
• I really enjoyed this class! Speak in class and you will have no problem. I also recommend trying to attend all class meetings, since we pretty much go over things that we have to keep in mind while doing your journals and exams.
• Show up. It's very important for every class not be absent unless necessary. As long as a student shows up to class, does their journals and has fun working with classmates then this will be an easy going and enjoyable class.
• Engage with the content. Readings, the required reading along with lecture notes reaches a common ground to understand the denotation of communication. To receive an A in the class means that you have applied class concepts to your class assignments and class building exercise through continuous interactions.
• Speech class is an amazing class to take especially if you love to talk. If you don't then it gives you an excellent opportunity to gain valuable skills that you can use in everyday situations. First of all, be prepared to open your mind. Be open to others' points of view. Second, breathe! If you practicied, you got this! Finally, I would say to read along with the class schedule. It helps you better understand the terminology.
• Definitely attend every class session. So many times students feel the urge to skip a class here and there and sometimes those absents will come back to hurt your overall grade. Attending every class is crucial in your success, not only in SPCH 2, but any course.  Save those two excused absences in case of an emergency.
• Stay on top of all assignments. Read the book and take plenty of notes with diagrams to help solidify the concepts being taught. And lastly, but more importantly, have fun! It can be nerve racking at times but it is all a learning experience and just need to have fun as well.
• Don't skip the journals - even if you have to do them at the last minute.
• Don't procrastinate. It can feel overwhelming with all assignments are due at once. Keep track of the syllabus. Make friends in the class. Speeches are a lot less nerve racking when you are saying it in front of people you get along with. It also makes group assignments and speeches a lot easier.
• Read the book on a regular basis. I have noticed that if I would have read before the lecture that was given, things would have been much easier to understand. Also come prepared on days you will give a speech and try your best to overcome speech anxiety.
• Complete every single assignment. For me, each assignment helped me understand so much information. Each journal, group speech, or individual speech furthered my knowledge and abilities.
• If I could turn back time and give myself advice, it would be exactly what I would tell others entering a speech 2 class - The main objective is to learn how to understand adn speak effectively to others, the class will teach you what is necessary to do this but the skills are already known to you through life. With this being said you must truly compare what you are learning with life experiences and when giving a speech do so as you are professionally talking to a close friend, give the audience the same attention and understanding.
• Best way to get the absolute best grade possible, is to attend every class meeting and stay on top of your work. Never be afraid to ask questions. Asking for help when you have a question or concern will only benefit your class experience.
• Come to class everyday with an open mind and being willing to participate. This is a very interactive class and it's vital to be able to talk to your peers. I would also suggest to be flexible with time and to take initiative in group projects.
• Do the assigned reading ahead of time before each class meeting. Befriend your classmates because once you go up there giving a speech your anxiety seems to be less (but not completely gone). Practice your speeches as much and as often as you can.
• Fully commit to the class as best they can. Missing class or not doing the homework is a killer to any grade, but this class in particular is not one to fall behind or place on the backburner.