Words of
Wisdom from Previous Students
The last few times I taught a statistics/methods class, I asked
students to reflect back on their experiences in that class
and to offer words of advice to future students. Here is what
those who responded had to say....
(Note: these comments are unedited except for the material in red which is my
clarification due to differences in course number or computer procedures)
|
Spring, 2005 |
| For
Psychological Statistics, some insight I would give would be to attempt
to have the power point slides for that day printed out so you can refer
to them during the classtime. It gets confusing trying to copy notes
from the slides, it's easier and you can pay more attention when you
have the slides infront of you. ALWAYS do the review questions, they are
really helpful, and if you don't understand them, be sure to clarify
your question before going to class so you can do the best possible on
the possible upcoming quiz. Keep up to date with your portfolio.
Everytime we finished a group of slides, I wrote up that portion of the
portfolio when I was doing the review questions for that topic. Not only
does this help you review, it also saves you from doing it all the night
before the first portfolio check. Ask Dr. Sciutto for help, he will do
the best he can to help you with anything you need. Lastly, as far as
problem sets and putting it together assignments, start them as soon as
you can after you receive them, they are confusing and you will probably
need a lot of time for questions and clarifications to produce good
work! (p.s. tell if Dr. Sciutto kicks the garbage can a few times, don't
be alarmed, this is normal... haha) |
| - Print out Power Points
ahead of time - Work on Portfollio at a steady rate as you learn the material instead of all at once - For the coin flip quiz determination it is better to call what side is face up |
| Dear Future students, I can't stress enough the importance of being on top of your portfolio. After a chapter be sure to go back and add on to your portfolio. Print out all of the power point slides before you get to class, even if it means that you have to arrive to class a few minutes early. Attend the workshops they really help before a quiz. The course is difficult, so don't go in thinking you can skip and sleep during class, stay on your toes. Overall, the class can be exciting, especially when you laugh at Dr. Scuitto's jokes- just laugh it makes him feel better:) |
| Review questions are great!
Whether or not there is a chance of a quiz, definitely do the review
questions. They are a good way of seeing if you fully understand what
was covered in class. It's easy to get any questions clarified before a
possible quiz. Also, try to print out the slides before class, it makes
it easier to take notes. If you don't have the slides, take good notes
and compare them to the slides after class. Good luck- it's a great
course to take! |
| Some things to keep in mind: ~ laugh at his jokes even if they aren't funny ;) ~ print out slides before class...it's MUCH easier ~ ask him anything you want - he's amazingly helpful ~ try to keep up with your portfolio to avoid all-nighters ~ save all of the SPSS worksheets to use in your portfolio!!! ~ CALL THE COIN TOSS WITH WHICHEVER SIDE IS FACE UP! Good luck! This class is difficult, but absolutly wonderful and taught in a wonderful style. You'll get through it! |
| This can be a challenging but
important class. Make sure to stay up to date with the material, since
much of it builds on each other. Do the review questions before each
class. They really prepare you for each quiz. Also, keep up to date with
the portfolio. It can take a lot of time, but will be very helpful for
the final and future classes and research in psychology. Also, printing
out the powerpoint slides before class can be really helpful. Good luck! |
| This class is a really great
class even if you cannot stand math. If you took stats and had touble
understanding things, you will understand the concepts from stats that
you did not understand previosuly in this class. The class is taught at
a very good pace and studying for each potential quiz is a really useful
way to reinforce the information. There is no reason to be nervous about
the class. There is a lot of work, but if you pace yourself you will be
fine. Additionally, it is important if you do not get a concept to ask
questions and go to the workshops because if you do not get one major
concept, it hinders your ability to see the bigger picture of when to
use each type of stats test. Also, for your portfolio, do a section as
you cover it in class so it is fresh in your mind and you do not have to
rush at the end of the semester to put it together. Good luck! |
|
Previous Classes (1998-2000) |
| Dearest student of torture (ha ha), I have one major
suggestion for you to survive in this class. Get the
notes off the R: drive [Blackboard]before class. It makes it so much
easier to follow along and if you save them you can work
right off of them for your portfolio. Also work on your
portfolio right after you finish a major topic (e.g.
t-tests). That's about it, good luck and may the force
be with you.
|
| Dear Future Student... You are about to embark on an
incredible journey through the realm of statistics...
sounds exciting???? Well, despite the dryness of
material, Dr.Sciutto does an awesome job in making the
class fun and interesting. By the time the semester is
over, you will have a greater appreciation of psych.
research and will feel more confident about your future
performances in other classes. This class teaches you
time management. I underestimated the difficulty of this
course...it is a necessity that you keep up with the
material, and not let yourself be intimidated or
overwhelmed by the material. It is very possible to excel in this course... Just like any other aspect of life....what you only get as much out of as you put in to this class. Good Luck and Godspeed.
|
| Research methods [This course was an
integrated statistics and methods course] is a tough class, but it is not
impossible. I enjoyed the class and did well in it. Some
hints for next year's students: 1. take good notes, even
if it means copying the powerpoints word for word; 2. try
to pay attention during class; 3. go to every class,
because there is so much material to learn; 4. ask
questions; 5. work on your research project and
portfolio throughout the semester, or you'll have
absolutely no fun the last two or three weeks of the
semester; and 6. study with other people. It really isn't
that bad.
|
|
Dear Psy201[PSY103] student, You are going to have to do a lot of work this semester and, at times, it is stressful and time-cosnsuming. But, overall, the class is interesting, not impossible, and worthwhile. If you keep up with your work (do not slack off even though that is tempting) and take advantage of Dr. Sciutto's willingess to help you out at any time, you can reduce the stress a lot. He goes to great lengths to make sure this class is as interesting and understandable as possible. If you just go to class, take really good notes (the notes on the R drive [Blackboard] and the handouts help) and take the quizzes seriously (they help immensely when it come to the exams), you will do fine. Don't worry!!
|
| Dear psych 201 [PSY103] students, some good advice for this
class is to actually do the study questions and study
them the night before, not 10 minutes before class. Also
keep up with your portfolio, it helps you study for exams
and also does not load you down at the end of the
semester. This class is a challenging one but it can be
done with minimal pain with good organization. GOOD
LUCK!!
|
| Please, please, please do this: Every week, when you
get your study questions in your email, take that as a
reminder to work on the matching section of your
portfolio. If you do it in one-week bites, it will be a
breeze and will serve as a study aid for that quiz as
well. To get the info from the PowerPoint program to the
Word program: Click on View and select Black and White
Then View and Slide Sorter Then Edit and Select any
graphics you want. Then Edit and Copy Then go to Word,
open a new document and click on Edit then Paste. Then go
back to PowerPoint and select View and Outline. Then Edit
and Select All Then Edit and Copy Then go to Word and
Edit/Paste. Now you have the entire presentation on a
document you can edit to your personal layout, add your
class notes to, and save and print! You have a limit of
pages per subject so check your syllabus for specifics.
If you don't get some of this, there are those who can
help you - especially Dr. Sciutto. Relax and enjoy the
course... you'll be surprised at how well you do. Dr. S.
is an exceptional teacher with superb teaching skills.
Good luck! ( on the daily coin toss ) :)
|
| Even though this class seems intimidating, it's not
that bad! Dr. Sciutto is an incredible teacher and he
will make the material interesting and understandable.
Take advantage of his concern for his students and go to
him if you are having trouble. You don't want to get
behind because everything carries over. Some suggestions:
(1)Print out the power points before class so you can
follow along & just add your own notes. This way you
can pay attention in class and they are great to study
by. (2)Take the study questions and quizzes seriously!
They get you ready for each exam and they are an easy
"A" if you take the time to learn them. (3)Work
on your portfolio after each section instead of waiting
for a week before the final like we all did. It is very
helpful for studying and it will be useful for senior
studies. (4)Save all your lab print outs and write-ups
for you porfolio That's about it! Good Luck and enjoy the
class!
|
| The best advice I can give you is to keep up with the
work. When you have questions to do, do them that
evening. Everything will be more understandable if you
keep up with the work. This class is a lot of work, but
in the end you will be glad you have taken the course. Be
sure to work on you portfolio as you go. It does work
well as a review for each test. May sure you include SPSS
print outs for every analyses. Also Include a sample
write up for each. Be sure to save all your labs as you
go. They will be helpful in the end. Dr. Sciutto is great
support so use him for what you can. Enjoy the class and
keep a positive attitude.
|
|
Dear Psy201 [PSY103] Student, 1. Take care choosing a topic for your group project [not relevant to PSY103]. Make sure it is something you are VERY interested in, because you will know more about it than you could imagine when you get done with your literature review. 2. Copy the R: drive [Blackboard] notes before class - then take your own notes on those pages. 3. Do NOT take advantage of Dr. Sciutto's good nature. He is dedicated to teaching YOU! He is a great teacher - be a great student. 4. Do go to EVERY class. 5. Do work on each section of your portfolio as you go. 6. In labs, write copious notes on your SPSS printouts. Know where each number in a summary table comes from. Get THOSE formulas in your portfolio. 7. The one thing you will really need to comprehend is the concept of IVs. Know the difference between "within" and "between" groups. Knowing this is vital in every application. If you don't get it, ask Dr. Sciutto for more examples and then try to come up with your own and ask him if they work. 8. To gain true understanding: Try to think of every concept in your own way - then bounce it off of Dr. Sciutto. 9. READ the assignments... before class! Even if it doesn't make sense when you are reading it - it will after class. 10. Memorize this line: If p is less than alpha - REJECT the Ho. 11. Memorize this line: T-test: TWO MEANS
|
| I know that alot of this doesn't mean anything to you
now... keep it handy and re-read these letters often.
They are full of really useful advice. I remember looking
at former students' portfolios and being totally
confused. "What IS all this stuff???" Go to Dr.
Sciutto for feedback often - he is extremely patient and
helpful. |