Survive and thrive in college life

• Read, Read, Read! You need to be reading widely--a minimum of 5 newspapers and 5 magazines cover to cover every week (See below: Cultivating college smarts: the 'Survive-and-Thrive-recommended' Reading Resources). Vocabulary needs to be learned in context. The more words you expose yourself to, the better vocabulary you will have. First and foremost, use the context method explained below to figure out an encountered word's meaning. Don't forget that when you have finished the chapter or the article, look up all new words.

• Invest money--and time--in a personal vocabulary notebook. Following on from tip number one, write down new words in your own vocabulary notebook. Also write the definition and a sentence using the word. The front of this book use as a vocabulary log so that you can record new words day by day; At the back of the book, use one page for each letter of the alphabet and record the word again on its own page. Both systems facilitate ongoing consolidation and review.

• Practice, practice, practice. Learning new words is no use unless you practice them. Research shows that it takes at least 5 encounters to make a word part of your "owned" knowledge. As soon as you learn a new word, start using it. Review your vocabulary notebook--front and back--weekly. Say the words out loud to activate auditory memory. In addition, put the words into action when doing oral presentations and writing assignments.

• Think connotations and connections. The first important fact about any word is its connotation. Is this word good or bad? (Note this in your vocabulary notebook if relevant for a particular word.) Then relate the word to words you already know--for example, synonyms. For example, the word "Gargantuan" (a positive word meaning very large) has a similar meaning to the words gigantic, huge, large, etc. You could make an order relationship: microscopic, small, regular, large, GARGANTUAN. Think of as many things as you can that could be considered GARGANTUAN: an elephant, a space meteor, etc. Imagine pictures of the word's meaning that involve strong emotions. For example, "the GARGANTUAN creature was going to rip me apart and eat me piecemeal!"

• Develop mnemonics (memory tricks). For example, consider the word "ubiquitous". A visual mnemonic for example could features two extremely heavyset people who exclaim: When you're "as big as us" you feel "ubiquitous". (Ubiquitous, by the way, refers to the quality of being everywhere at once.) Such funny little word pictures help you remember what words mean, AND they are fun to make up.

• Own--and use--at least two dictionaries. Carry a portable one (electronic or paper) around with you every where you go. The other should be at your side when you study at home--preferably a reference or an unabridged dictionary. Use websites like Miriam-Webster Online. They have a toolbar there that you can attach to your browser and when you highlight any word and click, the meaning is given. How much easier can it get? In addition, smart students make extensive use of a thesaurus as part of their regular studying toolbox. As well as helping you when writing to find a word that fits best, a thesaurus is invaluable for looking up synonyms and antonyms of newly acquired words.

• Play word games. Play Scrabble, Boggle, and try crossword puzzles (note: the subliminal background message!). These and other word games are available on the computer, so you are not always dependent on a partner. If anyone has invested in the excellent Franklin Electronic Dictionary (which is ideal for your carry-around dictionary), that device features built-in word games.

• Use vocabulary lists. There are many worthwhile books with word lists that can give you increased word power especially if you are going to need to take tests, such as the GMAT and the GRE. The advantage of word lists is that they bring to your attention 1000 say important words that otherwise you would have had no opportunity to learn. There are also many interesting word sites on the Internet--such as 'www.awad.org' (which stands for 'a word a day')--which will send you a word every day by email. As a starting point, be sure to know the 14 words that make "all the difference" and the common college-confusables (which are both discussed below).

• Look for rich word sources around you. For example, the Reader's Digest Word Power and William Saphire's New York Times Sunday Magazine "On Language" column.

• Cultivate passion for words! "Words maketh the man!" and, of course, the woman too. Come to appreciate the intricacies and the subtleties of words. Are you aware of the difference between something that denotes and something that connotes? If not, go look it up. Learn to speak that which you really mean and discover the joys of being able to express yourself in writing. Your future can ride on how rich your vocabulary is. Word power is also central to the quality of your communication in both your professional and personal lives. So be in it for the long haul. Let building your vocabulary be a lifelong proposition. Remember: "In the beginning was the word." Until you have a word for something, it does not exist for you. Name it, and you have made your reality that much richer. "Carpe Diem", folks! (If you don't know that that phrase means "Seize the Day", you should go rent the classic movie "Dead Poet's Society").

Magazines

Websites

Newspapers (paper versions)

The Economist

Time

Newsweek

National Geographic

Discover

wired.com

slate.com

bbcnews.com

pbs.com

news.google.com

Christian Science Monitor

LA Times

The Times of London

NYT

Le Monde

alternate principally used as a verb meaning to switch back and forth; also used as a noun or adjective for a person or thing used as a substitute: an alternate delegate, an alternate route; or as an adjective for things that alternate: alternate numbers
alternative a noun or adjective used to mean option or choice; usually choice does a better job

ameliorate to improve: ameliorate the condition of the poor
militate to work or act (against), as of circumstances or evidence: the Dow’s rise failed to militate against poverty
mitigate to lessen the severity of: mitigate the effects of hunger

amiable friendly, social, genial
amicable peaceable, inclined toward good will

amoral lacking concern about morality; operating independent of moral thoughts
immoral contradicting moral rules

appraise to estimate or set the value of: appraise the diamond
apprise to make aware of; inform: apprise him of the situation

appropriate to take or claim, possibly without authority; to reserve or designate for a purpose
expropriate to take from another; to deprive one of property
appropriate apt, fitting, condign
apropos relevant, germane, pertinent; should be followed by of, not to

assent mental acceptance or approval, usually of something in the abstract or not of immediate concern to oneself; official or judicial concurrence
consent voluntary agreement or compliance with another’s proposal or wish

adverse negative in its impact; hostile, opposed: adverse criticism
averse disinclined towards; not attracted to: averse to taking risks
avert to turn away (something); to prevent or ward off

baleful full of malign or deadly influence; pernicious and injurious
baneful destructive, deadly
doleful full of sorrow or grief

biannual occurring twice a year
biennial occurring every two years, or lasting two years
biweekly occurring every two weeks or lasting two weeks (and so forth for other periods); to avoid confusion with semiweekly, use fortnightly
semiweekly occurring twice a week (and so with other periods)

boor someone who is rude or ill-bred, like a peasant
bore one who gives rise to boredom in others; an uninteresting person who thinks he is interesting

capital the town or city where a government conducts business
capitol the building where a legislature meets

careen lean, sway or tip to one side
career proceed at full speed

climactic deals with the climax, as in dramatic action
climatic deals with the climate, weather

cogent having the force to compel belief or assent; forcible or powerful
coherent internally consistent and hanging well together (of arguments); cohesive
cohesive sticking together (used for physical things)

collaborate to work together
corroborate to agree with

complacent indifferent; unconcerned; self-satisfied
complaisant wanting to please

complement something that completes or supplements
compliment a tribute or paean; an expression of praise

compose to make up, to be constituent in; a whole is composed of its elements
comprise to embrace, include; comprised of makes no sense; a whole comprises its elements

continual persistent and frequent, but with pauses: continual struggle
continuous ceaseless; occurring at every moment; without pause: continuous flow of water

council a committee
counsel one who advises, or the advice given

credible believable: a credible source
credulous believing, perhaps to the point of gullibility: a credulous child

demur verb: to disagree
demure adj.: sober, serious and modest: demure personality

deprecate to pray (against evil or something undesirable); to plead earnestly against or to express a wish against: deprecate against snow
depreciate to criticize or belittle; to lower in value or estimation: self-depreciating humor

derisive expressing derision
derisory expressing derision or worthy of derision

discomfit to throw into confusion; thwart
discomfort lack of comfort, ease

discreet prudent, sagacious, cautious, modest
discrete having defined values; noncontinuous

disinterested impartial, unbiased, dispassionate
uninterested showing no interest; unconcerned

educe to draw out something, usually something previously latent or unrealized
elicit to obtain a response by skill or effort
illicit unlawful
evince to manifest; to make evident; to prove; does not mean extract
evoke to draw out something that arouses something, such as a memory or feeling

effective producing the desired result
effectual accomplishing in a decisive or pointed manner
efficacious capable of producing the desired result
efficient accomplishing with economy of resources and time

egoist one who chiefly thinks of himself to the exclusion of others; this applies more to one’s thoughts
egotist one who speaks greatly of himself; devoted to self-praise; this applies to one’s words and deeds

amend to improve by removing errors and imperfections; to mend or repair
emend to purge of faults; to make better; used chiefly in the sense of editing text

empathy the power of projecting one’s personality into (and so fully comprehending) the object of contemplation
sympathy sharing the feelings of another; inclined to ally with another; affected in the same way as another; affinity

endemic constantly or regularly found among a certain people, or in a certain region; habitually present in a certain area and due to permanent local causes
epidemic prevalent among a people or community at a certain time, and produced by a temporary condition
pandemic prevalent over a whole region or the whole world; general, universal

enormity greatness in evil; outrageousness: the enormity of war
enormousness greatness of size: the enormousness of the ocean

epitaph inscription on a grave
epithet a term used in place of another; a pejorative or insult

equable uniform, unvarying; even-tempered
equitable fair and just

every day on each day; happening each day
everyday commonplace, ordinary

exacerbate to aggravate or worsen
exasperate to tire by irritation

exceptionable that which can be taken exception to; objectionable
exceptional exceeding the ordinary

expatiate to wander; to talk or write at great length
expiate to atone for sin

expedient useful for achieving a goal; opportune, advantageous; used as a pejorative
expeditious prompt, fast and efficient

factious composed of factions
factitious artificial; produced by human effort, rather than natural
fictive produced from the imagination; imaginary

farther deals with distance; the comparative of far
further deals with degree or extent

faze to disconcert
phase a stage of development

blatant noticeable and offensive; obstreperous and quite obvious
flagrant giving rise to shock and disbelief; done with foul intentions

flounder to struggle, as against demise; to move clumsily or with difficulty
founder to sink; this is done after floundering

flaunt to show off: flaunt her body
flout to violate willingly: flout the rules

ferment to agitate, excite, stir up; to subject to physical fermentation (as dough or beer)
foment to stimulate or encourage something (idea, action, conduct); used esp. in a bad sense

forego to go before
forgo to go without; to skip

fortuitous dependent on luck (not necessarily good luck); resulting from chance
fortunate blessed with good luck

frangible able to be broken; fragile
fungible interchangeable; easily substituted one for another

garner to store or collect: garner accolades
garnish to decorate or add flavor: garnish the potatoes; to furnish; to confiscate: garnish wages

gourmand a glutton
gourmet an epicure or one who appreciates good food

hardy rugged, sturdy: hardy shoe sole
hearty full of heart; thus, vigorous: hearty appetite, hearty laughter

healthful promoting health
healthy in good health; exhibiting health

historic significant in history; memorable: a historic battle
historical relating to history or its study: historical society

home to proceed toward: home in on the enemy
hone sharpen, perfect: hone your speaking skills

immanent dwelling within; inherent
imminent about to happen, looming, threatening

impertinent meddling beyond one’s domain; lacking respect in speech
impudent lacking shame or modesty; indelicate; forward and presumptuous
insolent disdainful; contemptuous of authority; treating superiors or equals with disrespect or offense

ineffable that which cannot be expressed in words; defying description
unspeakable too horrible to mention; nefandous

ineluctable that which cannot be escaped despite struggle (implies that an attempt at avoidance might wish to be made)
inevitable inescapable, unavoidable; that which will happen regardless of any action taken

ingenious marked by genius; clever
ingenuous sincere, noble, free of guile

instantaneously occurring in an instant or a very short interval
instantly immediately; at once

intense extreme in degree
intensive in great detail, extent or concentration

intensely done to an extreme degree
intently done with purpose

insidious lying in wait to entrap; lochetic
invidious marked or produced by ill will, envy or hate

jocose full of jokes; given to joking; playful
jocular intended as a joke; humorous
jocund expressing mirth or cheerfulness; light-hearted

judicial having to do with judgment, esp. that of courts
judicious exercising prudence or judgment

legible able to be read, in the sense of deciphered; able to be made out
readable able to be read with interest or enjoyment; worth reading

lend verb: to give money temporarily
loan this is a noun and should not be used as a verb

loath adj.: reluctant; usually used as I am loath to…
loathe to hate or despise

luxuriant having abundance; extremely fruitful
luxurious relating to opulence and extreme comfort

masterful wanting to act as the master; overbearing
masterly done in the manner of a master; expertly

mendacity relating to a liar or lying
mendicity relating to beggars, or mendicants

common held by many, related to many: our common friend; ordinary; a common complaint
mutual reciprocally acting or related; done by two or more persons at a time: a mutual endeavor

nauseated afflicted with nausea: after 100 beers, I was slightly nauseated
nauseous causing nausea: a nauseous sight

official pertaining to office; having authority
officious meddlesome; interloping; seeking to help

oral relating to the mouth
verbal relating to words, written or spoken

paradigm a pattern or example
paragon a model or example of excellence

perspicacious having keen sight, discernment or understanding
perspicuous easily understood; clear

populace the people in a population: the populace of Los Angeles is growing
populous having a large population: Los Angeles is populous

practicable feasible; capable of being accomplished under current conditions; capable of being used profitably
practical useful, capable of being used; derived from practice

precipitate hurried, hasty, rash; as a verb, to cause to happen quickly
precipitous like a precipice; steep and dangerous

currently now underway
presently soon, in a moment

perficient accomplishing a goal; having an effect
proficient very skilled, adept, expert

prostate a gland in male mammals
prostrate in the prone position; lying on one’s front

purposefully with determination; undertaken in a serious and intent manner
purposely with purpose or design; intentionally; on purpose

ravage to destroy, pillage
ravish to plunder or rob; to overcome or overwhelm; to rape

reign to rule a kingdom: reign over England
rein the ropes that control a horse; to control by means of ropes: rein in your underlings

restive obstinate, unwilling, froward, resisting
restless uneasy, continually moving

ridiculous unworthy of serious consideration; laughable because it is not serious (pejorative)
risible able to laugh or causing laughter; does not imply contempt

secession departure from a union; separation (these were confused on the front page of The New York Times)
succession one following another

sensual carnal; dealing with the flesh and appetite
sensuous affecting the senses; relating to perception

shameful scandalous or disgraceful; this and shameless both describe objectionable behavior or people, but shameless implies no concern on the part of the actor
shameless done without thought of propriety or fear of disgrace

sinewy marked by connective tissue and muscle
sinuous having intricate turns

solicit to entreat or make an offer to
solicitous worried, anxious; very careful

specious ostensibly correct but actually false or erroneous
spurious false, illegitimate, untrue

stanch to restrain, esp. blood from a wound
staunch unbending in opinion or support

stultify to prove someone mentally unsound; to make look stupid or foolish
stupefy to astonish; to make stupid or insensible (not just make it seem stupid)

prone lying on the stomach; inclined or likely
prostrate lying on the stomach as if in submission; lacking vitality or will power
supine lying on the back, face up; lazy, indolent, passive, otiose

tack the direction taken by a ship
tact good sense of what is appropriate and polite

taint to spoil or contaminate
tinge to color or tint

temerity rashness, boldness, recklessness
timidity diffidence, shyness

torpid lethargic, sapped of energy; noun is torpor
torrid scorched, burned, subject to high heat

turbid opaque, muddy
turgid bloated; overblown and pompous
turpid morally depraved

tortuous full of twists and turns; indirect or sinuous
torturous involving torture; painful and unpleasant

venal liable to sin or bribery
venial minor in severity, as a sin

PREFIX

ITS OTHER SPELLINGS

ITS MEANING

MASTER WORDS

ROOT

ITS OTHER SPELLINGS

ITS MEANING

de-

--

Down or away

detain

tain

ten, tin

To have or hold

inter-

--

Between

intermittent

mitt

miss, mit, mis

To send

pre-

--

Before

precept

cept

cap,capt, ceiv,ceit, cip

To take or seize

ob-

oc-of-op-

To, toward,

against

offer

fer

lat, lay

To bear or carry

in-

il-im-ir-

Into - not

insist

sist

stat, sta,stan

To stand, endure or persist

mono-

--

One or alone

monograph

graph

gram

To write

epi-

ep-

Over, upon, beside

epilogue

log

ology

Speech or science

ad-

a-ab-ac-af-ag-al-am-an-ap-ar-as-at-

At, to or towards

aspect

spect

spec, spi, spy

To look

un-

--

not

uncomplicated

plic

play, plex, ploy, ply

To fold, bend, twist, interweave

com-

co-col-

con-cor-

With or

together

non-

--

not

nonextended

tend

tens, tent

To stretch

ex-

e-ef-

Out or formerly

re-

--

again, back

reproduction

duct

duc, duit, duk

To lead, make, shape fashion

pro-

--

Forward or in favor of

dis-

di-dif-

Apart from

indisposed

pos

pon, post, pound

To put or place

over-

--

above

oversufficient

fic

fac, fact,

fash, feat

To make or do

sub-

suc-suf-sug-sup-sur-sus-

Under, supporting

mis-

--

wrong or wrongly

mistranscribe

scribe

scrip, scriv

To write

trans-

tra-tran-

Across or beyond