Dave Ellis
Dave Ellis is a leadership coach, author, educator, and philanthropist. BECOMING A MASTER STUDENT, the best-selling
college textbook in America, has been published in three languages and is considered core material by college students
and faculty alike. In addition to this book, he has authored and co-authored seven others including FALLING AWAKE
and CREATING YOUR FUTURE. Dave Ellis is a respected lecturer and electrifying workshop leader who has captivated
audiences worldwide since first sharing his principles in 1979. Dave got started in education in 1976, when he
taught junior high school math. After getting a Master�s Degree in mathematics, he taught computer science at a
college for six years where he became Assistant Dean of Student Services. In 1979, he designed a course to improve
student retention and then traveled the country for a decade conducting workshops for teachers on ways to improve
student retention and test scores. He began training coaches in 1983 and started a public course for coaches in
1993. Dave Ellis puts into practice the principles he teaches, utilizing his remarkable system in his own life.
His friends and colleagues often describe him as the happiest person they know with an amazingly wonderful life.
He is president of Breakthrough Enterprises, a publishing and consulting company. He is founder and president of
The Brande Foundation, a nonprofit organization offering assistance to organizations working toward world sufficiency,
environmental integrity, human rights, and personal transformation. Ellis has contributed millions of dollars to
the work of his foundation and to other organizations. You can visit Ellis�s website at http://www.daveellisleadership.com.
Dave Ellis resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife Trisha. Together they have four daughters and one
granddaughter.
Summary
The thirteenth edition of the bestselling BECOMING A MASTER STUDENT continues to lead the way in meeting the changing needs of today's first-year users. Through interactive journaling, a motivational writing style, and hands-on activities that users can apply right away, this book helps users succeed in college and in life. The thirteenth edition's clean, sophisticated interior design appeals to both traditional users and adult learners. Tools like the Discovery Wheel, Discovery and Intention Journal, Power Process articles, Master Student Profiles, and the Kolb Learning Style Inventory (LSI) deepen users' knowledge of themselves and the world around them. In this latest edition, users will find even more ways to connect to the content with the new Master Users in Action feature and end-of-chapter Skills Snapshot exercise.
Table of Contents
Note: Each chapter begins with Master Student Map and ends with Put It to Work, Quiz, and Skills Snapshot.
INTRODUCTION: MAKING TRANSITIONS.
This book is worthless--if you just read it. This book is worth $1,000. Exercise #1: Textbook Reconnaissance. Get
the most out of this book. Exercise #2: Commitment. The Discovery and Intention Journal Entry System. Rewrite this
book. Discovery and Intention Statement Guidelines. Journal Entry #1: Recalling Excellence. Making the transition
to higher education. Journal Entry 2: Plan for transition. Classroom civility: what's in it for you. Succeeding
in higher education--at any age. Connect to resources. Extracurricular activities: Read the benefits. Link to the
world of work. You don't need this course--and you might want it. Ways to change a habit. Journal Entry #3: Choosing
your purpose. The Power Processes--a user guide. Power Process: Discover what you want.
1. FIRST STEPS.
First Step: Truth is a key to mastery. Journal Entry #4: Create value from this chapter. Exercise 3: Taking the
First Step. Exercise #4: The Discovery Wheel. Journal Entry #5: Roll your Discovery Wheel. Mastering Technology:
Supplement your text with computer resources. Learning Styles: Discovering how you learn Learning Style Inventory
Take a snapshot of your learning styles Scoring your Inventory Learning Style Graph Learning styles across the
curriculum Returning to the big picture about learning styles Balancing your preferences. Using your learning style
profile to succeed. When learning styles conflict, you have options. Claim your multiple intelligences. Learning
by seeing, hearing, and moving: The VAK system. The magic of metacognition. Journal Entry #6: Learning about learning--putting
it all together. The Master Student. The value of higher education. Motivation--I'm just not in the mood. Attitudes,
affirmations, and visualizations. Attitude replacements. Exercise #5: Reprogram your attitude. Practicing critical
thinking 1. Master Student Profiles. Power Process: Ideas are tools. Put it to work. Chapter 1 Quiz. Take a skills
snapshot. Master student profile.
2. TIME.
You've got the time. Journal Entry #7: Create value from this chapter. Exercise #7: The Time Monitor/Time Plan
Process. Journal Entry #8: reflect on how you spend the time of your life. Setting and achieving goals. Exercise
#8: Seeing where all the time goes. Exercise #9: Get real with your goals. The ABC daily to-do list. Exercise #10:
Create a lifeline. Mastering Technology: Use Web-based tools to save time. More strategies for planning. Stop procrastination
now. The seven-day anti-procrastination plan. Practicing critical thinking 2. 25 ways to get the most out of now.
Keep on going? Remember cultural differences. Beyond time management: Stay focused on what matters. Forget time
management--just get things done. Exercise #11: Master monthly calendar. Gearing up: Using a long-term planner.
Power Process: Be here now. Put it to work. Chapter 2 Quiz. Take a Skills Snapshot.
3. MEMORY.
Take your memory out of the closet. Journal entry 9: Create value from this chapter. The memory jungle. 20 memory
techniques. Exercise 13 Use Q-cards to reinforce memory. Set a trap for your memory. Journal entry: Revisit your
memory skills. Exercise 14 Remembering your car keys--or anything else. Keep your brain fit for life. Remembering
NAMES. Mnemonic devices. Exercise 15 Get creative. Mastering technology Use your computer to enhance memory. Notable
failures. practicing critical thinking 3. Exercise 16 Move from problems to solutions. power process: Love your
problems (and experience your barriers). Put it to work. Chapter 3 Quiz. Take a skills snapshot. Master student
profile: Pablo Alvarado.
4. READING.
Muscle Reading. Journal entry 11: Discover what you want from this chapter. How Muscle Reading works. PHASE 1 Before
you read. PHASE 2 While you read. Five smart ways to highlight a text. PHASE 3 After you read. Muscle Reading--a
leaner approach. Journal Entry XX: Experimenting with muscle reading. When reading is tough. Mastering technology
Find what you want on the Internet. Reading fast. Exercise 19 Relax. Read with a dictionary or laptop in your lap.
The twenty-first century researcher--using your library. Staying Literate in the Digital Age. English as a second
language. Reading with children underfoot. Practicing critical thinking 4. Power process: Notice your pictures
and let them go. Put it to work. Chapter 4 Quiz. Take a Skills Snapshot. Master student profile: Wilma Mankiller.
5. NOTES.
The note-taking process flows. Journal entry 12: Get what you want from this chapter. OBSERVE: The note-taking
process flows. Journal entry 13: Create more value from lectures. What to do when you miss a class. Record: The
note-taking process flows. REVIEW: The note-taking process flows. Journal entry 14: Reflect on your review habits.
Enroll your instructor in your education. Meeting with your instructor. When your instructor talks fast. Exercise
21 Television note taking. Taking notes while reading. Note this information about your sources. Exercise 22 revisit
your goals. Get to the bones of your book with concept maps. Taking notes . . . despite PowerPoint. Online classes--taking
notes and using other review tools. Practicing critical thinking 5. Mastering Technology Your mind, online. Power
process: I create it all. Put it to work. Chapter 5 Quiz. Take a Skills Snapshot. Master student profile: Harvey
Milk.
6. TESTS.
Disarm tests. Journal entry 15: Use this chapter to transform your experience of tests. What to do before the test.
How to cram (even though you "shouldn't"). Ways to predict test questions. Cooperative learning. Mastering
Technology: Collaboration 2.0. What to do during the test. F is for feedback, not failure. Words to watch for in
essay questions. The test isn't over until . . . The high costs of cheating. Perils of high-tech cheating. Let
go of test anxiety. Have some FUN! Exercise 24 Twenty things I like to do. Journal entry 16: Notice your excuses
and let them go. Journal entry 17: Explore your feelings about tests. Getting ready for math tests. Succeeding
in science courses. Exercise 25 Use learning styles for math success. Celebrate mistakes. Practicing critical thinking
6. Power process: DETACH. Put it to work. Chapter 6 Quiz. Take a Skills Snapshot. Master student profile.
7. THINKING.
Master Student Map. Critical thinking: A survival skill. Journal entry 18 Discovery/Intention Statement: Choose
to create value from this chapter. Becoming a critical thinker. Four more questions for critical thinking. Attitudes
of a critical thinker. Finding "aha!" Creativity fuels critical thinking. Tangram. Ways to create ideas.
Creative ways for groups to get "unstuck". Create on your feet. Don't fool yourself: Fifteen common mistakes
in logic. Uncovering assumptions. Gaining skill at decision making. Four ways to solve problems. Choosing your
major. Exercise 27 Make a trial choice of major. Asking questions--Learning through inquiry. Practicing critical
thinking 7. Think critically about information on the Internet. Mastering Technology: Rethinking email. Exercise
28 Explore emotional reactions. Exercise 29 Translating goals into action. Journal entry 19 Discovery/Intention
Statement: Reflect on choosing a major. Power process: Find a bigger problem. Put it to work. Chapter 7 Quiz. Skills
Snapshot. Master student profile: Twyla Tharp.
8. COMMUNICATING.
Communicating creates our world. Journal entry 20 Discovery/Intention Statement: Commit to create value from this
chapter. Communication--keeping the channels open. Exercise 32 Practice sending or receiving. Choosing to listen.
Choosing to speak. Journal entry 21 Discovery/Intention Statement: Discover communication styles. Developing emotional
intelligence. Five ways to say "I". Exercise 33 Write an "I" message. Managing conflict. Journal
entry 22 Discovery/Intention Statement. Recreate a relationship. Resolve conflicts with roommates. Five ways to
say no . . . gracefully. You deserve compliments. 7 steps to effective complaints. Criticism really can be constructive.
Exercise 34 V.I.P.S (Very Important Persons). Collaborating for success. Staying smart in cyberspace--safe social
networking. Text message etiquette--Five key points. Mastering Technology: Master students--get networked. Three
phases of effective writing. Journal entry 23 Discovery Statement: Take a First Step about writing. Academic integrity:
Avoid plagiarism. Mastering public speaking. Making the grade in group presentations. Practicing critical thinking
8. Power process: Employ your word. Put it to work. Chapter 8 Quiz. Skills Snapshot. Master student profile: Sampson
Davis.
9. DIVERSITY.
Waking up to diversity. Journal entry 24 Discovery/Intention Statement: Commit to create value from this chapter.
Diversity is real--and valuable. Building relationships across cultures. Exercise 35 Becoming a culture learner.
Overcome stereotypes with critical thinking. Students with disabilities: Know your rights. Dealing with sexism
and sexual harassment. Strategies for nonsexist communication. Leadership in a diverse world. Journal entry 25
Discovery/Intention Statement: Removing barriers to communication. Journal entry 26 Discovery Statement: Reflect
on the quality of a recent conversation. Practicing critical thinking 9. Mastering Technology: Making technology
accessible. Power process: Choose your conversations and your community. Put it to work. Chapter 9 Quiz. Skills
Snapshot. Master student profile.
10. MONEY.
Three paths to financial freedom. Journal Entry 27 Discovery/Intention Statement: Commit to a new experience of
money. Exercise 36 The Money Monitor/Money Plan. Journal entry 28 Discovery/Intention Statement: Reflect on your
Money Monitor/Money Plan. Make more money. Mastering Technology Protect your money online. Spend less money. Exercise
37 Show me the money. Managing money during tough times. Take charge of your credit. Common credit terms. If you're
in trouble . . . Money for the future. YOU can pay for SCHOOL. Education is worth it. Your learning styles and
your money. Exercise 38 Education by the hour. We live like ROYALTY. Free fun. Practicing critical thinking 10.
Power process: Risk being a fool. Put it to work. Chapter 10 Quiz. Skills Snapshot. Master student profile: Lisa
Price.
11. HEALTH.
Wake up to health. Journal entry 29 Discovery Statement: Take a First Step about your health. Choose your fuel.
Prevent and treat eating disorders. Choose to exercise. Choose mental health. Choose to rest. Choose to stay safe.
Observe thyself. Choose sexual health: prevent infection. Choose sexual health: Prevent unwanted pregnancy. Journal
Entry 30: Discovery/Intention Statement: Choose a new level of health. Men, consider your health. Mastering Technology:
Setting limits on screen time. Developing self-esteem. Emotional pain is not a sickness. Suicide is no solution.
Alcohol, tobacco, and drugs: THE TRUTH. Exercise 39 Addiction: How do I know . . . ? Some facts . . . From dependence
to recovery. Succeed in quitting smoking. Practicing critical thinking 11. Warning: Advertising can be dangerous
to your health. Journal entry 31 Discovery/Intention Statement. Crazed glazed donut runs amok. Power process: SURRENDER.
Put it to work. Chapter 11 Quiz. Skills Snapshot. Master student profile.
12. WHAT'S NEXT?
Master Student Map. Now that you're done--begin. Journal entry 32 Discovery/Intention Statement: Revisiting what
you want and how you intend to get it. ". . . use the following suggestions to continue . . . " Mastering
Technology: Continue your education at Internet University. Create your career now. Exercise 40 Create your career
plan--now. Exercise 41 Recognize your skills. Sample career plans. Jumpstart your education with transferable skills.
65 transferable skills. Use résumés and interviews to "hire" an employer. Exercise 42 Do
something you can't. Surviving your first day on a new job. Choosing schools . . . again. Contributing: The art
of selfishness. Becoming a Master Student goes green. Service learning: The art of learning by contributing. Practicing
critical thinking 12. Define your values align your actions. Exercise 43 The Discovery Wheel--Coming full circle.
Journal entry 33 Discovery/Intention Statement: Revisiting your Discovery Wheels. Exercise 44 This book shouts,
"Use me!" Exercise 45 Create your next semester. Power process: Be it. Put it to work. Chapter 12 Quiz.
Master student profile.