Page 170 - Keys To Community College Success

student PROFILE

Aneela Gonzales

GOLDEN WEST COLLEGE, HUNTINGTON BEACH,
CALIFORNIA

About me: close attention to what the instructor lectured about and reread
I was born into a bicultural family: those topics in the text.
Hispanic American and Pakistani. I also learned it was important for me was to read in a quiet
My dad left the family when I was environment with few distractions. I read much better in the
3 months old and my mother became ill with cancer when I was 6. library with my phone off. When I didn’t understand something
She passed away when I was 11, and the next few years were I was reading, I went to the Tutoring Center. I found it useful to
very difficult. I had to move to a new state to live with my aunt talk about the reading assignment one-on-one with another
and uncle. person. Finally, I realized that outside stresses, such as having
to work to support myself through school, had an effect on my
What I focus on: reading skills. Learning to manage my stress helped me better
Ever since I was a child, I dreamed of being a nurse. However, once remember what I read.
I finally got to college to study nursing, I found that remembering
what I read was a problem and I struggled to pass exams. I had to What will help me in the workplace:
come up with specific techniques to help. One technique that I just graduated from college and started work as a nurse. I have
worked well for me was using different colored highlighters while much to read at work so it helps to apply some of the techniques
I read (pink for somewhat important and yellow for very impor- I learned in college. First, I find a quiet place to read. Then I skim
tant), typing out all the very important points, and then reviewing the material to find out if it is relevant for me. Finally, I slow
that sheet several times. To figure out what to highlight, I paid down and read only those portions I need. I find this saves me
a lot of time.

Evaluate Every Source

Because the reliability of Internet content varies widely, your Internet research is only as
strong as your critical thinking. Robert Harris, professor and Web expert, has developed
a system for evaluating Internet information called the CARS test for information qual-
ity (Credibility, Accuracy, Reasonableness, Support). Use the information in Key 5.12 to
question sources as you conduct research. You can also use it to test the reliability of
non-Internet sources.
Your future demands that you be able to read, understand, and critically evaluate
information on a daily basis in school, on the job, and in life (your 401[k] retirement
plan, local and world news, the fine print in a cell phone contract). Develop the ability
to read with focus, purpose, and follow-through, and you will never stop enjoying the
benefits.

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