Comprehensive Guide to Title IX and Study Skills for College Success

Title IX

Federal law (1972) that bans discrimination based on sex in any education program or activity receiving federal funding.

Proportionality Test

Ratio of male to female athletes should reflect student enrollment (within ~5% deviation).

History of Progress Test

Institution must show a pattern of expanding opportunities for the underrepresented sex.

Accommodation of Interests Test

Must fully meet the athletic interests and abilities of the underrepresented sex.

Encoding

Putting info into memory.

Storage

Keeping it in memory.

Retrieval

Getting it back when needed.

Sensory Memory

Brief—visual (<1 sec), auditory (~2 sec).

Short-Term (Working) Memory

Holds 5-9 items, lasts ~30 seconds.

Long-Term Memory

Unlimited capacity, lasts indefinitely.

Chunking

Group info into meaningful units.

Rehearsal

Repeat or review to keep info active.

Spaced Review

Review after 10 min, 1 day, 1 week, 1 month.

Forgetting Curve

80% of info forgotten within 48 hours if not reviewed.

Effective Study Habits

Study consistently rather than cramming.

Sleep

Helps consolidate memories.

Decline in women coaches

90% → 43%.

Girls underrepresented in STEM

Persistent pay gap and underrepresentation in higher-paying fields.

Equal access to education

Women now earn over half of all bachelor's, master's, and professional degrees.

Misunderstanding of Title IX

The belief that Title IX 'hurts' men's sports (it does not).

Study schedule

Create a study schedule (begin at least one week before exam).

Short breaks

Take short breaks every 45-60 minutes.

Multiple Choice Exams

Watch for 'always' and 'never' (usually false). Read all options; eliminate clearly wrong ones. If unsure—guess (don't leave blank).

Essay Exams

Organize with thesis + body + conclusion. Answer exactly what's asked; underline key verbs ('describe,' 'explain,' etc.). Support points with examples.

Math Exams

Practice problems regularly. Understand how new topics build on previous ones. Focus on application, not just memorization.

Coping with Exam Anxiety

Prepare early and sleep well. Avoid 'all-nighters.' Control breathing to stay calm. Avoid comparing yourself to others. Use the 'memory dump' strategy—write key info down immediately.

Importance of Time Management

Poor time management can cost extra semesters and thousands in tuition. College = independent time control — must self-manage schedules and priorities.

Why We Procrastinate

Task seems boring, difficult, or overwhelming. Fear of failure. Distractions (phones, social media). Lack of energy or focus.

Effects of Procrastination

Loss of time, missed goals, stress & anxiety, lower self-esteem.

Salami Slicing Technique

Break big tasks into small, doable parts. Example: Write essay intro → section 1 → section 2 → conclusion.

Making Commitments

Set small, frequent deadlines. Example: 2 pages by week 3, 4 pages by week 5, etc.

SMART Goals

Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-bound.

Reward Yourself

Give yourself small breaks or treats after completing tasks.

Managing Time Effectively

Use digital calendars (Google Calendar, Trello, Toggl).

Eisenhower Matrix

Prioritize tasks: Urgent & Important: Do first; Important but Not Urgent: Plan for later; Urgent but Not Important: Delegate or minimize; Neither: Eliminate.

Tips for College Success

Predict how long tasks will take (and double your estimate). Stick to realistic schedules. Balance academics, work, and rest. Learn to say 'no' to distractions. Reflect weekly on what's working and what's not.

Historical Background of Title IX

Before 1972, women were largely excluded from athletics and many educational programs. 1872: Supreme Court said 'woman's place is in the home.' 1971: Connecticut judge claimed, 'Athletic competition builds character in our boys. We do not need that kind of character in our girls.' Only 7.5% of high school athletes were girls; 1 in 27 girls participated in sports. Colleges gave 2% of athletic budgets to women and <50 athletic scholarships to women nationwide.

What Title IX Covers

Admissions and recruitment, Athletics, Financial aid, Employment and benefits, Counseling, housing, facilities, Sexual harassment (includes harassment based on gender identity).

Growth in women's participation

Increase from 15% female college athletes in 1972 to ~44% today.

Stereotypes and inequities in STEM

Continued societal biases affecting women's participation in STEM fields.

Persistent pay gap

Ongoing wage disparities between genders in higher-paying fields.

Anti-Procrastination Strategies

Techniques to combat procrastination, including breaking tasks down and setting deadlines.

Memory dump strategy

Writing down key information immediately to aid memory retention.