A course which requires significant hands-on skills may require for you an additional effort to build new habits. You must get back to a PC (personal computer) and practice outside of class. To use a metaphor, it is not sufficient to just pass the pilot's written exam, you must also pass the flying test. Further, with any tool as complex as a PC, you need to log ample "flying" time in the same sense that pilots must log so many miles each month to keep their license current. This is absolutely critical for effective learning in this course. In your weekly planner or calendar or however you plan and manage your time, mark out hours that you wish to use for PC practice time.
Sleep and Learning
The more complex the learning required, the more sleep deprivation detracts from your performance. The most recent research shows that good learning begins with a well rested mind as the new information as acquired. It takes a rested mind for the most effective retention of information in short term memory for the neuronal growth to begin. However, this information needs further integration and it takes a good night's sleep following intense learning events for the most effective long term retention of information. Teaching, learning and using computers are complex activities and I have high expectation levels of your performance. Please be adequately rested (Sleep to Remember, 2006).
Studies on the impact of sleep should be of concern to all of us, but especially educators. To put it bluntly, these studies report that insufficient sleep makes you remember poorly and act and think stupidly. You should no more come to class poorly rested than you should come to class drugged. Consequently, this is an issue for effective learning and a significant issue for your personal safety and the safety of others. Don't take my word for it: Losing Just 2 Hours of Nightly Sleep Hinders Thinking, Memory (March 2003 study); Google search on "sleep deprivation" and thinking.
Sleep and Safety
Many of these studies note that driving with insufficient sleep can be the equivalent of driving drunk or drugged, and nationwide causes just as many accidents and fatalities as drugs. It is my perspective from the front of the classroom that lack of sleep, not alcohol, is the collegiate drug of choice. But the problem goes far beyond college years. Nationwide, most Americans do not get sufficient rest. Current research on cell phone use even among well rested users is showing that cell phone use while driving is also just as bad as driving drugged.
Add sleepy drivers to cell phone use by people running late and driving faster and the problem is greatly magnified. Please be safe, especially those of you driving long distance to campus on the twisty roads in our mountain area. Manage your time so that you remain safe.
Manage your study time and sleep time with the same level of importance that you give to attending class and meetings. If you have difficulty sleeping, get help (e.g., meet with your advisor, see a counselor or visit a doctor). Set your times and meet them. Be wise and be alert!