Students were asked if they could give advice on how to survive Linda Carvalho Cooley's Speech Class what would they say...
Thank you to everyone for responding to this question. Some of the responses were hysterical, and some well thought out.
Whether you liked me, the class or not I tried to judge the responses equally.
JUST A NOTE: the most frequent response is BUY THE BOOK, or READ THE BOOK that is a wonderful piece of advice!!
So that this page wasn't redundant I tried to pick other pieces of advice, they are listed below.
Summer 2005
Here are my top ten favorite replies from the Summer 2005 semester.
| # |
|
| 10 | Just do the work; she won't burn
you. (T. Tartaglia, Reedley) |
| 9 | Pay attention to key words or
phrases, you might see them again someday - on a bathroom wall. (J. Horn, COS) |
| 8 | Check your ego at the door it
will make you a way better speaker. (R. Franco, Reedley) |
| 7 | Even though it is a speech class
- you NEED the book. (B. Baker, COS) |
| 6 | Just enjoy the class, have fun
and remember Last Ditch Day is not fun so don't be there!
(S. Alvarez, Reedley) |
| 5 | Try to have fun and relax.
Remember everyone has to give their speech so your feeling what everyone
else is. It's better to go first and get it over with.
(O. Rodriguez, Reedley) |
| 4 | Only put key words on your notes
that you use during the speech. Otherwise you may be tempted to just read
your speech.
(A. Craig, Reedley) |
| 3 | Take advantage of the extra
credit, it is college and not many teachers do this. (A. Hernandez, COS) |
| 2 | When you do a speech there might
be one person who thinks you are a fool; but when you come and give a speech
unprepared everybody knows you are a fool.
(M. Kaiser, Reedley) |
And the NUMBER 1 piece of advice offered to my future students is.....
1. She's not as nice on Last Ditch Effort Day. (Lisa Longoria, Reedley College)
1. Loosen Up ! I didn't let my true colors fly until the end of the semester, which I regret!! (Chris Constantin, COS)
Spring 2005
Here are my top ten favorite replies from the Spring 2005 semester.
| # |
Fresno State |
Reedley |
| 10 | Don't be scared of her because
she comes off strong at first but she is nice inside. (S. Jepson) |
She's not joking when she says
read the book. (S. Amador) |
| 9 | To not stress out, she will work
with you. You only need to ask her. (R. Phelps) |
Go to the negotiation tournament
(if she offers it as extra credit) - it is actually fun. (J. Ochoa) |
| 8 | Go to class - discussions made
are sometimes part of the exams. You need to know what happened. (S. Aguirre) |
You can't pass the class if you
miss a speech - so don't do that. (A. Cruz) |
| 7 | Have fun with your speeches and
do a topic you like because if you don't like it why will the audience? (J. Lopez) |
Do not lag on your speeches
because being in class on last ditch day sucks. (L. Woods) |
| 6 | Always I mean always use your
minutes for the speeches. Never go under the time limit. (J. Cha) |
I think she is picky about
religion. (G. Reyes) |
| 5 | Go to her class with a positive
attitude. (A. Abarca) |
Have fun with it, don't look at it as homework or something you have to do.
Look at it like a challenge. (Z. Whited) |
| 4 | No one should fail her class,
Mrs. Cooley's class is not easy but pretty straightforward. (M. Pacheco) |
If you read the book, you will
get better grades on the tests. (T. Scarbery) |
| 3 | Make sure to cite your sources
during your speech. (A. Yang) |
"TYPE" your outline guys!! That
is the best tip I can give.
(J. Pirtle) |
| 2 | Stick to the syllabus and follow
the due dates. Don't allow the relaxed atmosphere of Ms. C's class to rub
off when preparing for tests and papers. (E. Edmerson) |
I myself had a fear of speaking
in public (my biggest fear # 1) but I stuck with it and faced my biggest
fear. Just do it!!
(E. Oronia) |
| # |
College of the Sequoias |
| 5 | Do your reflection papers. They
are easy points that will effect your grade drastically. (K. Estes) |
| 4 | Remember that the teacher wants
you to pass. (I. Lafferty) |
| 3 | Be a good audience member, people
are already nervous and an impolite audience will make it worse. (T. Robertshaw) |
| 2 | It will end. (A. Crawford) |
And the NUMBER 1 pieces of advice offered to my future students are.....
FRESNO STATE:
1. Show up for class every time even if it looks like she doesn't take attendance. She will KNOW who's here and who isn't. (Kaomai Lee)
REEDLEY:
1. Get to know your classmates it's a whole lot easier and more fun to give speeches to your friends and not to strangers. (Celina Sanchez)
College of the Sequoias:
1. Volunteer to go early. It may seem frightening but getting it over with is wonderful. You'll feel so much better. (Kaitlyn Crawford)
Fall 2004
Here are my top ten favorite replies from the Fall 2004 semester.
| # |
Reedley |
| 10 | Come to class prepared to listen
and laugh. (C. Arvizu) |
| 9 | The answers are in the BOOK!! (Y. Zaragoza) |
| 8 | Never wait until the last minute
to prepare a speech, Ms C will know and so will everyone else.
(K. Dall) |
| 7 | Don't show up late on Last Ditch
Day - she means it. (E. Hernandez) |
| 6 | Don't procrastinate, the tests
will bite you in the ass if you do. (H. Salcido) |
| 5 |
Use her outline, it was the most helpful material that I learned this
semester.
(J. Andres) |
| 4 | Practice your speech to your dog.
They will never mind you telling them the same speech over and over. (J. Koop) |
| 3 | Shed the outer world like a coat,
what happens in class STAYS in class. (C. Dunlap) |
| 2 | Pick topics that people will
remember and say "Wow I didn't know that!" (C. Dominguez) |
And the NUMBER 1 pieces of advice offered to my future students are.....
REEDLEY:
1. Spend less time worrying and more time having fun. (Cristina Alvarez)
Spring 2004
Here are my top ten favorite replies from the Spring 2004 semester.
| # |
Fresno State |
Reedley |
| 10 |
Turn things in on time. (K. Young) |
Practice
speeches at home. It makes a huge difference. No matter how confident you
are, it sounds better in your head than in reality. (A. Luna) |
| 9 |
Read the book in small parts, over time instead of in one sitting. (T. Stuntz) |
Do alot of
research for the speeches - she likes that stuff. (N. Lozano) |
| 8 |
You only receive what you put into the class. You have a choice between an A
or an F, try to aim for that A ! (V. Perez) |
Choose a topic that you are passionate about.
(S. Ngirmang) |
| 7 |
Actually DO your speeches you can't pass a communication class with out
doing speeches! (J. Jones) |
Don't be
afraid to use the whole classroom. Go ahead and move around. (M. Koontz) |
| 6 | You can speak
on anything you want. Take advantage of that.
(M. Mathis) |
Help your
classmates out when they are having trouble with a topic, you never know
when you might need their help. (J. Frost) |
| 5 |
Don't be too nervous, remember it is only 5 minutes of your life.
(A. Cook) |
Let loose and enjoy the class, Ms. C allows for a fun atmosphere, you just have to take advantage of the opportunity. (A. Parish) |
| 4 |
Start researching topic as soon as you know what your speaking about. (B. Franco) |
Don't miss
class, because that will mess you up. (C. Robles) |
| 3 |
She gives you lots of help. Use It!! (study guides, extra credit, etc.) (M. Mathis) |
Your speeches can be fun, so have fun with them as long as you do the
requirements. (B. Petree) |
| 2 |
She tells you her pet peeves for a reason, don't dismiss them. (A. Cook) |
Don't get
nervous for speeches, just get up and give them. Your classmates are the
most supportive you will ever have. (M. Waterman) |
And the NUMBER 1 pieces of advice offered to my future students are.....
FRESNO STATE:
1. Just be yourself when you speak, personality helps a lot. (Paul Rubalcaba)
REEDLEY:
1. Focus on writing a strong outline. It will make or break you. (Brandon Morrison)
FALL 2003
Here are my top ten favorite replies from the Fall 2003 semester. I just couldn't narrow it down so I picked the top ten for Fresno State and the top ten for Reedley...
| # |
Fresno State |
Reedley |
| 10 |
Don’t say “That’s It” @ the end of your speech. (A. Pitton) |
Above all Do
Not Sing “Feliz Navidade” – definite grade killer! (L. Garcia) |
| 9 |
Make her laugh and be a good student, when she is happy the class is happy.
(E. Garcia) |
She survives
on chocolate and Pepsi !! (S. Hurtado) |
| 8 |
Use your video as a tool, learn from your mistakes and correct them.
(T. Clutts) |
Remember chewing gum during your speech equals death.
(D. Gagnon) |
| 7 |
Turn your cell phone off, or you could die from embarrassment.
(H. Billings) |
She comes off
kind of mean, but really when you’re giving your speech her presence is kind
of comforting.
(J. Rosales) |
| 6 |
Make sure you read the material that is assigned for that date otherwise you
will be reading the whole book at the last minute.
(U. Cendejas) |
Really listen
when she goes over what will be on the test.
(A. DelBosque) |
| 5 |
When she puts you in groups, make an effort to get to know everyone… It will
make it a lot easier to speak in front of the class.
(E. Holloway) |
Read the webpage! (K. Torres) |
| 4 |
Use the purple and orange thing sitting on your floor at home, it’s a book
and it will help you tremendously!
(S. Warren) |
Don’t think
you can pull off an impromptu speech.
(J. Guerrero) |
| 3 | The last slide is always followed by another slide. (C. Boyle) | Whatever you do, don’t diss anyone or their beliefs. (A. Garcia) |
| 2 |
Have fun… everyone else will including Ms. Carvalho.
(E. Kowalski) |
At the
beginning of the semester it is all cool but, at the end she will burn you.
(G. Castillo) |
And the NUMBER 1 pieces of advice offered to my future students are.....
FRESNO STATE:
1. Always practice your speech because no matter how well it sounds in your head. it always changes when it is spoken (a lot of the times for the worse). (Valerie Hernandez)
REEDLEY:
1. It is not okay to miss one or a few assignments. Every point counts. (Doug Jackson)
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