1

FOURTH EDITION

GUIDE TO COLLEGESTUDENT SUCCESS

2

Tara Coleman, Gregory Eiselein, Kylie Kinley, Emily Lehning,

Mandi McKinley, Carmen Schober, Mariya Vaughan, Brent Weaver, and RJ Youngblood

The K-State First Guide to College Student Success:

The Essentials for First-Year Students at Kansas State University

Fourth Edition

3

Fourth Edition

Copyright © 2017 K-State First

New Prairie Press,Kansas State University Libraries

Manhattan, Kansas

Cover and layout design by: Mariya Vaughan

Electronic edition available online at:http://newprairiepress.org/monographs

This work is licensed under a Creative CommonsAttribution 4.0 International License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

ISBN-13:

Publication of The K-State First Guide to College Student Success was funded in part by the Kansas State University Open/Alternative Textbook Initiative which is supported through Student Centered Tuition Enhancement Funds

and K-State Libraries.

4

Introduction• WelcometoK-State.........................................

Chapter 1: History and Traditions• History..............................................................• Traditions.........................................................

Chapter 2: College Student Etiquette• Principles/ThingstoKnow...............................• ResidentialLife................................................• TheClassroom..................................................• TechnologyUse................................................• IDEA/TEVALForms........................................

Chapter 3: College Student Success• Motivation........................................................• GoalSetting......................................................• TimeManagement............................................• InformationLiteracy.........................................• Writing.............................................................• AcademicResources........................................• CriticalThinking..............................................• Diversity...........................................................• Health&Wellness............................................• FinancialLiteracy.............................................• StrengthsQuest..................................................• CareerCenter....................................................

Chapter 4: KSBN and The Common Book• Introduction:KSBN,CommonReading,and

The Curious Incident........................................• Resources..........................................................• DiscussionQuestionsforStudents...................

CONTENTS6

89

1314141718

202021222424262628303031

343538

5

INTRODUCTION

6

INTRODUCTIONByGregoryEiseleinDirectorofK-StateFirst

Welcome to K-StateK-StateFirstisourUniversity’swayofsupportingstudentsastheymakethetremendouslyimportanttransitionfromhighschooltocollege-levellearningandcollegelife.Wehavefourcoreprograms–CATCommunities,First-YearSeminars,GuidetoPersonalSuccess,andtheKSBNCommonReadingProgram–designedtoengagestudentsandassistwiththattransition.Butwealsowantedtopassalongsomecollectivewisdomabouthowtosurvive,thrive,andloveyourcollegeexperience.Thise-book,The K-State First Guide to College Student Success: The Essentials for First-Year Students at Kansas State University,isourattempttosummarizeinacompact,readableformsomeofthemostimportantknowledge,advice,andperspectivesyouwillneedtomakeyourfirstyearofcollegeasuccess.

Thisbookisbookisbuiltaroundfourchapters.ThefirstchapterprovidesacrashcourseintheessentialhistoryandtraditionsofKansasStateUniversity.Inchaptertwo,wetrytoclarifysometheunwrittenrulesofthecollegeexperiencebyexplainingsomeguidelinesofcollegestudentetiquette,manyofwhichboildowntobeingkindandbeingresponsible.Chapterthreecoverstheessentialskillsyouwillneedtosucceedandtograduate,fromtimemanagementandcritical

thinkingtohealthandwellness.AndweconcludethiseditionofThe K-State First Guide to College Student Successwithachapteraboutthisyear’scommonread,The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

Startingyourcollegeexperiencecanbeanexcitingandlife-changingexperience,thoughitalsooftenincludessomeunknownsandperhapsevenafewsituationsthatcanbeintimidatingatfirst.Thisbookwillprovidesolidadviceonnavigatingtheuncertaintiesandovercomingdifficultorchallengingnewexpectations.Butmoreimportantthananybookwillbethepeopleyoumeetandthefriendsyoumakeinthislearningexperience.OthersintheK-Statefamily–studentsandfriends,facultyandstudentlifeprofessionals,RA’sandLA’s,administratorsandcampusleaders,tutorsandadvisorsandmentors,alumniandstaff–areallheretosupportyouthroughoutthisjourney.Andtheywillprobablyendupbeingyourmostimportantresourcethroughoutyourcollegecareer.

IfIweretoofferwhatIconsidertobethesinglemostcrucialpieceofwisdomaboutsucceedingincollege,itwouldbethis:

MakemeaningfulconnectionswiththeothermembersofyourK-Statefamily–youradvisor,yourteachers,yourfellowstudents,andtherest.Makefriends.Gotoclassalways,butalsogotoyourprofessors’officehours.Bebraveandtrytomeetnewpeopleandmakenewfriendseachweek.Askforhelpwhenyouneedit.Takeadvantageofthepeoplearoundyouwhowanttohelpyou.That’swhythey’rehere–tohelpyou.Yourcollegesuccesswillultimatelybeyourresponsibilityandyourachievement,ofcourse,buttheothersyoumeetduringyourcollegeyearswillalsoplayanessentialrole.Learningissocial,andbecominganactivepartoftheK-Statefamilywillimproveyourlearningandensureyourcollegesuccess.

WelcometoK-State,andenjoyyourfirstyearhere!

7

CHAPTER 1:HISTORY AND TRADITIONS

8

HISTORYK-State: your first history lessonOurbeloveduniversitybeganasBluemontCentralCollege,andopenedtoitsfirststudentsin1860.Settlersintheareawerewell-educatedandfeltthatacollegewasanimportantaddition.Servingfirstasaprimaryandpreparatoryschoolforstudentsunderpreparedforcollege,BluemontCollegewasprivatelyrununtil1863.Atthattime,Kansashadalreadybecomeastate(January29,1861—bereadytocelebrateKansasDaynextsemester!)andhadacceptedtheMorrillAct,whichallottedeachstate30,000acresoflandforeachmemberoftheHouseandSenate.Theland,orproceedsfromsellingtheland,couldbeusedtostartacollege.With90,000acres,thestateofKansaswasreadytoestablishitsfirstcollege,followingtheprovisionssetforthbytheMorrillAct:

“…theendowment,support,andmaintenanceofatleastonecollegewheretheleadingobjectshallbe,withoutexcludingotherscientificandclassicalstudies,andincludingmilitarytactics,toteachsuchbranchesoflearningasarerelatedtoagricultureandthemechanicarts,insuchmannerasthelegislaturesofthestatesmayrespectivelyprescribe,inordertopromotetheliberalandpracticaleducationoftheindustrialclassesintheseveralpursuitsandprofessionsinlife.”

Toputitineverydayterms,theMorrillActaimedtocreatecollegesthatfocusedonagriculture,engineering,andmilitarytraining,whilenot

excludingotherareasofstudy,includingliberalarts,whichhadlongbeenthefocusforhighereducation.Thegoalwastooffereducationalopportunitiestoawidervarietyofstudents.ThesedemocraticidealssetthestageforthecultureandfeelofK-Statethenandnow.

Atthistime,BluemontCollegewasexperiencingfinancialdifficulties.Itsboardoffered100acres,abuildingandlibraryvolumestotheStateofKansas.TheStateacceptedonFebruary16,1863—K-State’sofficialFounder’sDay.OnMarch3rdofthesameyear,thelegislaturepassedanactestablishingKansasStateAgriculturalCollege.

Becauseoftheland“granted”tothestatethroughtheMorrillAct,KSACbecamea“landgrantcollege”.Thefirstclassof52studentswasexactly50%male,50%female,andincludedstudiesinmentalandmoralsciences,mathematicsandnaturalsciences,andmusic.Fromthebeginning,ourhistoryprovesourdedicationtobeingaco-educationalandraciallyintegratedinstitution.

KSACbecameKansasStateCollegeofAgricultureandAppliedSciencein1931,andKansasStateUniversityofAgricultureandAppliedSciencein1959.Buildingshavebeenadded,razed,burned,andrebuilt.OurmascotstartedoutasablackLabradornamedBoscoe(norelationtoourcurrentVicePresidentforStudentLife,Dr.PatBosco,butwhatacoincidence!)Later,K-StateusedarealwildcatnamedTouchdown,and,finally,adoptedWilliein1947.Williehasalsochangedsignificantly.YoucanseethemanyfacesofWillieandhisfullhistoryhere:www.k-state.com/s/1173/social.aspx?sid=1173&gid=1&pgid=411.

ThroughoutthemanychangesthatK-Statehasseenthroughouttheyears,thereareafewthingsthatremainthesame.Wehavedevelopedmanytraditionsthathonorourhistoryandwillcontinuetoshapeourfuture.

9

At K-State, we do FRIENDLYCan’tfindthebuildingwhereyouhaveclassstartingint-minustwominutes?Askthatpersonwalkingbyyouonthesidewalk.Wehaveallneededhelp,andourfriendlinessandwillingnesstohelpiswhatmakesusK-Staters.

K-Statersareknownfortheirfriendlydemeanor.Openadoorforafellowclassmateorprofessor.Directavisitingfamilyfumblingwithamap.Walkthegroupofnewfirst-yearstudents,standinginthequadwithabewilderedlook,tothebuildingtheyneed,thensprinttoyourownclass.Extraordinary?Nope,justtheK-Stateway!

At K-State, we do PURPLEPurplePrideicecreamatCallHalldairybar.Oneof30-plusflavors,allmadebystudents!

PurplePowerPlayatthePark.Joinmorethan20,000students,alumniandfansforfood,fireworksandmoreatthepeprallyheldtheThursdayandFridayeveningsbeforeourfirsthomefootballgame.

PurpleMasqueTheatre,hometostudent-directedperformances,ishousedintherenovatedWestStadium.

Purple!Purpleshirts,purpleshoes,purplebags,purplewaterbottles,purplepens.Ifitcanbemadeinpurple,youwillfindithere.Wearyourpurplewithpride!

At K-State, we do the WABASHAfterafireinthe1960’sleftthemusicdepartmentwithonlyonepieceofmusic,“TheWabashCannonball”hasbecomeaneasilyrecognizabletunethatrousesanyK-Statecrowd.Findashortvideohistoryhere:www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDBAf6yPZS0.Standup,clapyourhands,andgetreadytoWABASH.Youcanviewagreatvideoandstartpracticinghere:www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMOQ2wU6vGk.

Anothergreattraditionoccursatbasketballgames.Studentsatmen’sbasketballgamestearupnewspapersintotinybits,throwingtheminto

TRADITIONS theairattheintroductionofthehometeam.Youcanwatchhowtodoithere:www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUBoa-89m6Q.

At K-State, we are FAMILYInviteyourfamilytojoinyouonSaturday,October14,2017forour89thAnnualK-StateFamilyDay!Youcanviewdetailshere:www.k-state.edu/familyday/.

ParentandFamilyAssociationhelpsfamiliesofK-StatestudentsfeelconnectedtotheUniversity.Accesstoahotlineandinvitationstofamilyeventsoncampushelpourextendedfamilystayclosewherevertheyare.

BillSnyderFamilyStadium.Needwesaymore?

At K-State, we do GREAT FOODRememberthatCallHallicecream?Youcanalsogetyourfilloffresh-madecinnamonrollsandhotcocoa(amongothermouthwateringgoodies)atT-H-EBAKERYinthelobbyofDerbyDiningCenter.Also,eachWednesdayduringtheschoolyear,theBakeryScienceClubhostsabakesalewhereyoucanstockuponfreshbakedbread,monstercookies,browniesandmore.Thechocolatemilkattheresidencehalldiningcentersisalsoastudentfavorite.

Off-campus,youwillfindstudentfavoritesVarsityDonuts,Radina’sCoffeehouse,andTacoLucha,aswellasmanyotherlocaleateriesandshopping,innearbyAggieville.

At K-State, we do OPEN HOUSEEveryyear,foroneSaturdayinApril,theentirecampusthrowsopenthedoorsandwelcomesover20,000visitorstoseeallofthecoolprojectsstudentsandfacultyhavebeenworkingonallyear.Seerobotsinaction,watchaglassblowingexperiment,rideaweed-eaterpoweredbicycleandenjoyfreefoodthroughoutcampus.OpenhousewillbeheldonaSaturdayinearlyApril,andlookforopportunitiestogetinvolvedinyourdepartmentandstudentorganizations.

10

At K-State we CELEBRATE STUDENTSCheckinwith#kstate,@KansasStateUniversityandtheK-StateTodayemaileddirectlytoyourinboxdailytoseewhatisaccoladesyourfellowstudentsareearning.

Becomepartoftheactionbygettinginvolvedinresearch,takingleadershipinoneofour475-plusstudentorganizations,orservingyourresidencehall,sororityorfraternitythroughcommitteework.

At K-State, we LEARN TOGETHERInyourK-StateFirstFirst-YearSeminarorCATCommunity,youwillfindthatgonearethedaysoflectureafterlecture.Fromco-curricularactivitiesthathaveyourappellingdownacliffandwalkingthehistoryoftheOverlandTrailtoparticipatinginhands-onactivitiesside-by-sidewithyourprofessor,everyoneisengagedinacademicendeavors.

Eachyear,acommitteeofstudents,faculty,andstaffchooseacommonbookforthecampus.Thisyear,youreceived—andhopefullyread!—yourowncopyofthisyear’sbook.Peopleallovercampushavereadit,andyouwillbehearingmoreaboutitinyourclasses,atcampus-wideactivities,andwhentheauthorvisitsourcampus!(SeeKSBNchapterformorein-depthinformation.)

Researchopportunitiesareplentifulforundergraduates,andit’snotjustforscientists!Workwithaprofessortostudysustainableenergy,workwithpreschoolersattheHoeflinStoneHouseChildCareCenter,ordreambigintheElectronicsDesignLaboratory.Infact,K-StateisworkingtowardsbeingaTop50ResearchInstituteby2025.LearnmoreaboutResearch,ScholarlyandCreativeActivities,andDiscoveryandseewhateachcollegeoffershere:www.k-state.edu/2025/initiatives/rscad/.

Takeadvantageofthenumerousopportunitiesforco-curricularlearningofferedthroughoutcampus.WhetheritisaLandonLecture(www.k-state.edu/lectures/landon/),aclassfieldtrip,oracomedyactsponsoredbyUPC(seetheUPCline-upofpresentations,concerts,andmoreatwww.k-state.

edu/upc)youwilllearnjustasmuchoutsideoftheclassroomasyouwillinit—thoughitisstillnecessarytoattendthoseclasses!

At K-State, we SERVEK-StateProud,astudent-ledfundraisingcampaign,hasraisedmorethan$830,000overeightyearstohelpfellowstudentsinneed.Studentsraisemoneythroughsellingt-shirtstowearataspecifiedhomebasketballgameandthroughstudentdonations.ThatmoneyisusedtohelpfellowstudentswhoarefacingahardshipandneedhelpinordertostayenrolledatK-State.

Studentshelpstudents,andstudentshelpothers.HandsOnK-Stateplacesstudentsinmanyserviceandvolunteeropportunitiesaroundcampusandinthecommunity.StudentProgramCoordinatorsareavailabletohelpyoufindopportunitiesconnectedtoyourinterestsprovideservice-learningtrainingwhennecessary.Ifyouareaservice-mindedindividual,addjoiningHandsOnK-Statetoyourbucketlistthisfirstsemester.

JoinaStaleySchoolofLeadershipStudiesInternationalServiceTeamtoserveabroad.Youcanmasteralanguage,gainleadershipexperience,anddevelopculturalappreciationduringasummerofservice.

ExtendyourleadershipbeyondcampusthroughinvolvementintheManhattanGoodNeighborprogram.PartneringwiththeCityofManhattan,RileyCountyPoliceDepartment,USD383,ManhattanHousingAuthorityandothers,youcanhelpmaintainsafe,cleanandwelcomingneighborhoodsforUniversitystudents.

At K-State, we INCLUDEFromourfirstdaysasKSAC,inclusionhasbeentheK-Stateway.Throughoutourhistory,wehavemaintainedanear50/50enrollmentofmenandwomen.Ourfirstblackalumgraduatedin1899,andpresentlyoneofeverysixstudentsisblack,Hispanic,AmericanIndian,ormultiracial.

MilitarymenandwomenarepartofourK-Statefamily.OurArmyROTCprogramearnedK-StateadesignationasaTop30CollegeforMilitaryStudentsinMilitaryAdvancedEducation

11

Magazine.TheAirForceROTCprogramcontinuestocommissionexcellentofficers,andthecampusbuildingwhichhousesmilitaryscienceshasbeenrenamedGeneralRichardB.MyersHallafteroneofAFROTC’sdistinguishedalums.

Everyyear,militarymen,womenandfamiliesarehonoredatvarioussportingeventsoncampus.Infact,AthleticDirectorJohnCurriereceivedtheOutstandingCivilianServiceaward,oneofthehighestawardsaciviliancanbegivenbytheU.S.Army.

ThankyouforjoiningtheK-Statefamily.Wehopethatparticipatinginsomeofthetime-honoredtraditionsbecomesyourK-Statebucketlist!

BibliographyKansasStateAirForceROTC.“Det270History.”Kansas State University,23July2012.Web.28April2015.http://bit.ly/1JUopQ1

KansasStateAlumniAssociation.“K-StateTraditions.”Kansas State University,n.d.Web.28April2015.http://bit.ly/1JUohA8

KansasStateAthletics.“CurrieReceivesMilitaryAwardforFr.RileyPartnership.”Kansas State University,20Apr.2014.Web.28April2015.http://bit.ly/1KqOhQg

KansasStateFoundation.“K-StateProud.”Kansas State University,28April2015.Web.28April2015.http://bit.ly/1AL7kjf

Crawford,AnthonyR.,“K-StateKeepsakes”.NPP eBooks.Book3.2015.Web.28April2015http://bit.ly/1EVbGZ9

KansasStateParentsandFamilyAssociation.“ForParentsandFamilies.”Kansas State University,3September2014.Web.28April2015.http://bit.ly/1zRCqLi

KansasStateSchoolofLeadershipStudies.“InternationalServiceTeams.”Kansas State University,1April2015.Web.28April2015.http://bit.ly/1dSKqBA

KansasStateSchoolofLeadershipStudies.“ManhattanGoodNeighbors.”KansasStateUniversity,15April2015.Web.28April2015.http://bit.ly/1cvTnAm

KansasStateTheatre.“PurpleMasqueRenderings.”Kansas State University,23October2015.Web.28April2015.http://bit.ly/1ImxUHf

Academic lifeDon’tbeafraidtoaskforhelp.IwasapartofaCAT

CommunityduringmyfreshmanyearandwhenIdidn’tunderstandsomethingorneededhelpIspoketomyprofessoraboutit.Ittookacoupleweeksformetoaskforthathelp,butonceIunderstoodthatthisprofessorreallycaredIwenttohernotjustforclass,butrecommendationsorjusttoventaboutlife.DuringtheendofmysophomoreyearthesameprofessorthattaughtmyCATCommunityclassrecruitedmetobeherLAforthefollowingfallsemester.ThroughthisLAexperienceI’vegrownasaleader,butmoreimportantlyasaperson.Asmymomalwayssaid,‘Aclosedmouthdoesn’t

getfed.’

ShaunDowdell,ResidentialLearningAssistantfortheBetheChange:SocialJusticeCATCommunity*

*Containedineachspeechbubblewithinthebookarequotesfromstudentsthatdetailsomeoftheirexperiences.

12

CHAPTER 2:COLLEGE STUDENT ETIQUETTE

13

Three important truths1. Certainthingsareexpectedofyouincollege.

Thesooneryouknowhowtomeetandsurpassthoseexpectations,themoresuccessyou’llachieve.

2. Peoplejudgeyoubyyourmanners.Developgoodones.

3. Likeabilitygetsyoualongway.Ifyourespectothersandrespectyourself,youwillbemorelikeable.Youcan’tpleaseeveryone,butyoucanrespecteveryone.

Before you even show up, start thinking like an adultBeanadult.Evenifyoudon’tfeellikeoneyet;evenifyoudon’twantto;evenifit’shard.Youmayregretactingirresponsiblyorentitledorshort-sightedlikeateenager,butyouwillneverregretbeingresponsibleandgraciousandpatientlikeanadult.Howdoyoubecomeanadult?It’salifelongprocess,andyoudefinitelyknowpeoplewhohaven’tgottenthere,buthere’ssomeadvicetogetstarted.

Adults ask for helpAskyourprofessor,yourroommate,yourresidencehalldirector.Worriedabouthowyougetyourmail?Can’tfindyourclassroomonthe

PRINCIPLES/THINGS TO KNOW

firstday?Asksomeone.Can’tfindresearch?LibrariansEXISTtohelpyou.SodomostofthepeopleatK-State.Theyworkherebecausetheyenjoystudents.Don’teverworryaboutifaskingquestionsmakesyoulookstupid.Yourpeersaren’tlookingatyou.They’reworriedabouthowtheycanfindtheanswerstotheirownquestions.

Adults keep their commitmentsCan’tkeepupwithallofthem?Chooseafewandcommit100%insteadofflaking.

Adults have good mannersMannersaren’taboutbeingsnobbyorkeepingyourelbowsoffthetable.Mannersareaboutbeingconsiderate,respectful,andhonestwiththepeoplearoundyou.Collegeisanunfamiliarworld,butyouandthepeoplearoundyoushouldn’thavetofeeluncomfortableasyounavigatethatunfamiliarworld.ThefollowingadvicewillhelpyoubecomecomfortablewithyournewlifehereatK-State.

Professionalism“Sothefirstthingis,startpracticingonneversaying‘um’.”

I’msuremultiplestudentshaveheardthissuggestionfromEnglishteachersthroughouttheirhighschoolcareerbutitisactuallyanimportantpieceofadvisetofollow.Whentalkingwithprofessors,friends,coworkers,oranyonethatyouaretryingtomakeagoodfirstimpressionon,donotusethe

word“um”(or“like”forthatmatter.Infact“like”isworse).Withoutusingfillerwordssuchaslikeandum,youcan

comeacrossasmoreconfident,intelligent,andbelievable.Thisismostimportantinspeechesandjobinterviewsand

it’sbesttostartpracticingearlythanlearningthislessonthehardway.

DarrahTinkler,K-StateFirstStudentAdvisoryBoardMember

14

CommunityLivingwithhundredsofotherpeopleinthesamebuildingANDsharingaroomandbathroomishardwork,sothinkofyourresidencehallcommunityasajob.Yourcommunitymembersareyourbosses.Actrespectfullyandconsideratelysoyourbossesdon’twanttofireyou.Often,roommateconflictscanbesolvedwithsmallactsofthoughtfulnesssuchasusingearbudsinsteadofblastingyourfavoritesong,takingvisitorstothelobbyorothercommonspaces,andkeepingyourmessinesstoaminimum.

Itisnotuncommontohaveminordisagreementsormomentswhenyoufeeluncomfortableasyousetthegroundrulesforlivinginyourspace.Youshouldhaveconversationswithyourroommateaboutwhateachofyouneedstobesuccessful.Ifyou’rehavingaproblemwithyourroommateorcommunity,findingtherightinformationtosolvethatproblemisessential.Often,thepersonwhohasthatinformationisoutsideofthesituation.YourResidentAssistantorCommunityCoordinatoraretwooptionsforhelpingyoumediateanyconflicts,andtheycanhelpyoubuildyournewcommunity.

Greatcommunitiesaremadeupofpeoplewhocontribute.Considerservingasaleaderonyourfloororinyourhall.Youhavemanyopportunities,andyouaresuretofindawaytoapplyyourleadershipskillsthroughtheAssociationofResidenceHalls,NationalResidenceHallHonorary,housinganddiningambassadors,hallgoverningboardorjudicialboard.Youwillgaingreatexperience,anditwillhelpyourvoicebeheard.

Don’t be a moochBeconsiderateofotherpeople’stime,stuff,andmoney.Ifyou’relowoncash,paytheotherpersonbacklaterthatday,ifpossible.Ifyouborrowatowelorashirtfromyourroommate,returnitpromptly(andwashitfirst;otherwise–ew).Ifyoumakeacommitment,evenjusttohangout,showupontime.Noonewantstobethepersoneveryonequitsinvitingoverbecauseofthatperson’sextrememoochiness.

Go to classThisisn’tasecret.Showingupisessentialtosuccessincollege.

K-State Tuition (ONLY tuition –no fees, etc) Fun Facts:• In-statestudentspay$18.27pereachclass

sessionforaMWFschedule.• Out-of-statestudentspay$48.47pereachclass

sessionforaMWFschedule.• ForaTUschedule,in-statestudentspay

$27.11,andout-of-statestudentsspend$72.71perclasssession.

• Feellikesleepingin?Pretendyou’rethrowinga$20inthetrashasyouhitsnooze.

Also,disappearinghelpsno one.Familymembersick?Chronicallyill?TellyourinstructorandtellK-State’sOfficeofStudentLife.

Dress for the occasion Pajamas/yogapants/graysweatpantstellyourinstructorandyourclassmatesthatyouseeclassasadistractionfromyourbusylifeofworkingoutorsleepingorplayingvideogamesinsteadofasyourmainpriority.Ifyou’reonthewaytotheRec,packachangeofclothes.Yourinstructordoesnotexpectasuitoraballgown;jeansandaK-Statet-shirtareadequate.NoonewearspajamabottomstoBillSnyderFamilyStadium;yourclassroomdeservesevenmorerespect.(Note:However,justbecauseyouwearbodypainttofootballgamesdoesn’tmeanyoushouldwearthattoclass.)

RESIDENTIAL LIFE

THE CLASSROOM

Donot,Irepeat,donot,beatotalslobwithyournewroommate.ExamplesthatIcangive,fromexperience,includenotlettingyourapplejuicegrowmoldinyourcups,leaving

ramennoodlesinabowlforsolongtheycouldbecomethenewHooverDam,andbringinghomeatrashbagfullofwetclothesfromChristmasbreak,planningondryingthemintheresidencehalldryer,andthenfindsaidwetclothesstillinthetrashbagwhenyouarepreparingtoleaveforSpringbreak.Truestory.

DarrahTinkler,K-StateFirstStudentAdvisoryBoardMember

15

Don’t pack up before class is overEvenifyouhavetogettoanotherclassacrosscampus,thisisrudeanddistracting.Essentialinformationaboutupcominghomeworkassignmentsorexamscomesinthelastfewminutesofclass,soyou’renotjustsettingyourselfuptomisssomething,butyou’resignalingtotheprofessorthatyoudonotcare.Plus,thesoundofzipperszippingisloudandcontagious.Don’tbepatientzero.

Don’t ask, “Can we get out early?” – even on FridaysYourinstructorwillthinkyou’rebeingwhiney(becauseyouare),andyou’lllosetheirrespect.

Don’t compare grades in classYourgradeisprivate.Ifyouwanttodiscussyourgradewithaclassmateorafriend,that’syourbusiness,butdon’tdoitwhentheentireclass(includingyourinstructor)canhearyourjoyoryourdismay.

Don’t ask, “How do I get an A?” Firstofall,theinstructordoesn’t“give”grades;youearnthem.Instead,asksomethingalongthelinesof,“HowcanIlearnthemost?”Ifyou’reworriedaboutapaper,seeiftheprofessorwillmeetwithyouafewweeksbeforeit’sdueandgooveritwithyou.Thismeansyouhavetobeprepared,butifyoutrulywantthe“Excellent”designationratherthantheAverage(aC)oranAboveAverage(aB),youhavetoearnit.

Don’t follow your professor to their next class Thetenminutesbetweenclassesarecrucialforyourinstructortopreparefortheirnextclass,sotheycannotgiveyoutheirfullattention.Makeanappointment.You’llbothgetmoreoutoftheencounter.

When to stay home from classIfyouhavethestomachfluandarethrowingupinthetrashcaninthehallwayandyourclassmatesthenfeelpromptedtocallouttheirsympathiesfromtheirdesks(thisisfromreallife,BTW),youneedtostayhome.Youneverhavetogiveyourinstructorthegrittydetails.Asimple,“I’mnotfeelingwell,andIwillnotbeinclasstoday”issufficientinformation.

Eat discreetly/leave food at homeBringingPandaExpressfromtheuniontoclasseverydaywillgetonyourclassmates’nerves.ItmightmakemoremoneyforPanda,andthey’llappreciateit,butnooneelsewill.Sticktofoodsthatarequietandsmell-less.Thinkgranolabarsratherthanorangechicken.

Group project etiquetteEveryonehasanightmarishgroupprojectstory.Workinginasmallgroupwithnearlytotalstrangerscanbehard,buttheabilitytoworkwellwithothersisalifeskillthatyoucanusetoimpressemployersandbecomeapersonotherpeopleactuallywanttobearound.Cometothegroupmeetingsontime,takeresponsibilityforyourshareofthework(don’tbebossyanddon’tbelazy),andbeconsiderate,honest,andrespectfulofyourclassmates.

Tips for successful out-of-classroom learning1. Ifyouattendalecture,showupontimeand

staythroughthequestionandanswersession.Thelectureisnotoveryet,andleavingisrude.Thisisoftenwhenthespeakeristhemostengaging,soyoumightenjoyitevenmorethanthelecture.

2. Neveruseyourcellphone(noteventocheckthetime)duringplays,lectures,concerts,orfilmscreenings.Inthecaseofliveperformances,often,theycanseeyoubeingrudeandlookingatyourphone.ThinkhowmuchworkyourfellowK-Statestudentsorthevisitingartistshavededicatedtoprovideyouwiththisexperience.Thatdedicationdeservesyourfullattention.

3. Showupontimetotutoringsessions,advisormeetings,professormeetings,studygroups,andanyothercommitmentyoumake.Comepreparedwithquestionsoradraftofyourpaperoryouridealclassschedulesoyoumakethemostofthetime.

16

Email etiquetteThe perfect email has:• Specificsubjectline• Arespectfulgreeting• Clearmessagebodywithaneutralorfriendly

tone• Specificsignaturewithstudent’snameandthe

nameanddateoftheclass• Doesnotaskforinformationyourprofessor

alreadygaveyouelsewhere

Example:SUBJECT:Absentfromclasstoday

DearProfessorSmith,

Imissedclasstoday.IsthehomeworkforThursdaythereadinglistedonthesyllabus,ordidyoumakechangesinclasstoday?

Allthebest,RachelStudentENGL100TU9:30

A bad email has:• Nogreeting• Assumesclasswasnotimportant• Nospecificsignature

Example:Didwedoanythingimportanttoday?

Rachel

A REALLY bad email has:• Animpolitegreeting• Toomuchinformationaboutwhyyoumissed

class• Nosignatureatall(butwithanemailasbad

asthis,whowouldblameyouforpreferringtostayanonymous?)

Example:Yo,

Iwashungoverthismorninganddecidedclasswasn’tworthmytime.Didwedoanythingimportant?

Another really bad email has:• Animpolitegreeting• Accusatorytonewithcapitalletters• Nospecificsignature

Example:Hey,

ThegradeIgotonmypaperwasstupid,andWENEEDTALKASAP.

RachelStudent

Proper way to email your professor about your grade:• Evenifyoufeelyourgradeisunfair,you

needtobeanadultaboutit.Toreview,thatmeansyouneedtobehonest,considerate,andrespectful.

Example:SUBJECT:Discussionofrecentpaper

DearProfessor,

Couldwemeettodiscussthegradeonmylastpaper?I’mavailableonMondayandWednesdayafter1:30p.m.

Thanks!

Sincerely,RachelStudentENGL100TU9:30

Avoid alarm clock errorsAlwayssetanalarmfortherighttimeofday.Itdoesn’tdo

youmuchgoodtosetanalarmto9:00pmwhenyourclassisat9:30am.

CooperClawson,LearningAssistantfortheProfitabilityinLivestockEnterprisesCATCommunity

17

Effective uses within the classroomInsomecourses,professorswillallowyoutheuseofyourelectronicdevices(laptops,tablets,iPads,e-readers,andsmartphones)forclassroomactivities,learningengagement,andquickaccesstoinformation.Sinceweusemobiletechnologyinourdailylives,itcanbebeneficialtoincorporateitintotheclassroomtodevelopadditionalskillsforlatersuccess.

Appropriateusesoftechnology(throughinstructorpermission):• Recordingoflecturesordiscussions• TakingnotesonlaptopsoriPads• Collaborativenotetaking(livetweetingfilms,

events,etc.)• Useofsmartphonestocalendarevents/

assignments• Instantcommunication(pollingfeatures,study

guidegames)• Photocapturingforassignments• Research• Informationsharingforgroupwork

Whenusingtechnologyintheclassroom,besuretofollowthegroundruleslaidoutbyyourinstructorintheirsyllabusanddailydirections.Usethetechnologyasawaytoengageintheclass:donottextfriends,chat,takecalls,usesocialmedia,etc.unlessgivenexplicitinstructionorpermissiontodoso.

Regulated use within the classroomNotallinstructorsincorporateorallowtheuseofmobiledevicesintheirclassroom.Ifitisnotallowed,followtheirinstructions.Turnoffyourcellphone.Don’tcheckitthroughouttheclass,don’ttext,andseriouslydonottalkonit.Ifyouusealaptop(andcheckandmakesureyourinstructorallowslaptops),takenotesinsteadofsurfingtheweborgettingonsocialmedia.

Inappropriateuses:• Texting(typingorreading)• Talkingonthephone• Sending/readingpersonalemails• Checkinginwithsocialmedia• Gaming

TECHNOLOGY USE • Shoppingonline• Readingmaterials/articlesnotrelatedtoclass• Payingbills

LearningissocialjustlikeTwitter,andyoumaydistractyourpeersandappeardisinterested.Youcankillthelearningbuzz.Afterall,youaren’tjustinclasstolearnthematerial;youarehoningyourabilitytofocusonatopicand/orapersonforatleastanhouratatime,whichissomethingyouwillneedtodofortherestofyourlife.

Areyoubored?Thatcanbetheprofessor’sfault,butmostofthetimeit’syourown.Youcanchoosetoengagewiththelectureandthematerial,oryoucanchoosetositandthinkaboutwhatyou’reeatingforlunchorwhatyou’redoingonSaturday.You’llgetmoreoutofthe$18.27youarepayingforeachclasssession(MWF)ifyou’repayingattention.Plus,you’llfulfilltheoverallgoalofspendingfouryearsofyourlifeincollege:tolearnthemostpossible.

Pocket PointsNow,youcanearnrewardsthroughsomeK-StateUnionvendorsbystayingoffyourphoneduringclassthankstothePocketPointsapp.Simplycreateanaccount,lockyourphonethroughtheappduringclass,andearnrewards.Formoreinformation,checkoutthePocketPointswebpage:http://union.k-state.edu/pocket-points.

BibliographyPost,Peggyet.al. Emily Post’s Etiquette Guide: Manners for a New World, 18th edition.NewYork:WilliamMorrow,2011.Print.

Bedford/St.Martin’s.Bedford/St. Martin’s Insider’s Guide to College Etiquette.Boston:Bedford/St.Martin,2011.Print.

Post,Peter.Essential Manners for Men: What to Do, When to Do It, and Why.2nded.NewYork:WilliamMorrow,2012.Print.

“ProfessionalE-mail:AssignmentGuidelines.”Writing Communities and Identities.Ed.CynthiaDebesetal.8thed.Plymouth,MI:Hayden-McNeilPublishing,2012.32-36.Print.

18

Feedback and assessmentTherearetwodifferentkindsofassessmenttoolsusedatK-Statewhichallowyoutoprovidefeedbackaboutyourcoursesandinstructorsattheendofthesemester.ThesearetheTEVALandtheIDEAForms.

K-StateFirstusestheIDEAformsinallFirst-YearSeminarandCATCommunitycourses.Theseformsareabitlonger,andincludeopportunitiesforyoutoassesspartsofthecoursesthatareimportanttoyou,includingthelearningobjectives,criticalthinkingskillsgained,yourgeneraleffortandworkload,aswellastheteachingmethods,styles,andoveralleffectivenessofyourinstructors.

Weencourageyoutobeopenandhonestoneachquestionasyoufilloutthebubbles,andalsotoprovideadditionalwrittencommentsattheendoftheformtoofferdetailsaboutyourexperiences.Someguidingquestionstohelpyouwithyourwrittencommentsare:• Whatisonethingyourinstrutorisdoingreally

well?• Whatisonethingyourinstructorcould

improve?• Whatisonein-classactivity,co-curricular

event,assignment,etcthatyoufoundtobeparticularlyeffectiveinhelpingyoulearn?

Assessing the K-State First programTheIDEAFormresponsesarenotonlyhelpfultoyourinstructor,buttheyarealsobeneficialtotheK-StateFirstprogramasawholeasitallowsustheopportunitytolearnandgrowbasedontheevaluationofallcoursesandinstructorsintheprogram.Weusetheassessmentstohelpdetermineanyfaculty/stafftrainingneeds,aswellasawaytofurtherunderstandtheimpactourprogramhasonindividualstudentslikeyou.

IDEA/TEVAL FORMS

Cell phonesIwouldadvisefreshmentomakesurethattheyhavetheirphoneofforonvibratewhileinclass.MyfirstsemesterIhadmycellphonegooffduringaChemistryIlecture.Notonlywasitvery

embarrassing,butitalsodisruptedtheentireclass.

EricaSchmitz,LearningAssistantfortheArtofEngineeringCATCommunity

19

CHAPTER 3:COLLEGE STUDENT SUCCESS

20

GOAL SETTING

Motivation is the key to your success at collegeYouhavetohaveareasonforwhyyou’rewakingupeachday,takingclasses,andworkingtowardsgraduation.Youmayalreadybemotivatedbysomething–maybeyou’vealwaysdreamedaboutacertaincareer,oryouwanttogotograduateschool,oreventravelabroad.Ifsomekindofpurposeismotivatingyourworkitbecomeseasiertoworkhard(thoughduringtoughtimesyoumayhavetopauseandremindyourselfofyourpurpose).Ifyou’relesssureofwhyyou’retakingtheclassesyouare,orwhyyou’repursuingacollegedegree,takesometimeforsomehonestreflection:

• WhatdoIwanttogetoutofmycollegeexperience?Aspecificskillset?Exposureandaccessintoacertaincareerorprofession?Theabilitytoteach,research,ortravel?Astronggroupofpeers?

• WhatkindofopportunitieswillIgainfromearningmydegree?Higherpay?Morejoboptions?

• WhatdoIhavetoloseifIdon’tgraduate?

Thesequestionsarenotmeanttocauseyouanxietybutinsteadremindyouthatyoursuccessincollegehasasignificantbearingontherestofyourlife.Whenyoutaketimetorememberthat

Setting goals is an important aspect of motivation and time managementAgoalisdefinedas“theobjectofaperson’sambitionoreffort;anaimordesiredresult.”Essentially,agoaliswhatyouwantandwhyyou’redoingwhatyou’redoing.

When determining your goals, be S.M.A.R.T.

S – SpecificThinkaboutwhatyouwantinspecificterms.Doyouwanttograduatein2018,witha3.5GPAandaninternshipcompleted?Topayoffyourstudentloanswithinatwoyearsofgraduation?Don’tbevagueaboutyourgoals.Attachrealexperiencesanddatestoyourgoals.

M – MeasurableDeterminehowyou’regoingtomeasureyourprogress.Byyourgrades?Byacertaintimeline?Byawardsoraccomplishments?Youneedsomemarkersofprogressasyouworktowardsyourgoals.

A–AttainableAttainabilityismoreaboutattitudethananything.Youhavetobelievethatyoucanachievesomethingbeforeyoucanreallystrategizehowtogoaboutactuallyachievingit.Reflectonwhatyouwanttoaccomplishinlifeandbelievethatyoucangetthere–thenfocusonthehow.

R–RealisticCreategoalsthatyouarewillingandabletoworkfor.Ifyoudon’twanttogotoschoolfor6+years,youshouldn’tplanongettingaPh.D.Instead,thinkaboutwhatyou’rewillingtodotoandplanaccordingly.

T–TimelyItisreallyimportanttoattachreaddatesanddeadlinestoyourgoals.Notbecauseyourplanscan’tchange–theyprobablywill!–butit’smuchmoremotivatingtoworktowardssomethingwhenyoucanactuallyseeafinishline.

MOTIVATION

whatyou’redoinghereatK-Statereallymatters,it’llmotivateyoutokeepachievingandovercomechallenges.Anotherpracticethatcanincreaseyourmotivationisgoal-setting.

21

Tip:Deliberatelyoverestimatehowmuchtimeitwilltaketocompletelongorimportantprojects.Forexample,ifyouthinkitshouldtakeaboutsixhourstocompleteapaperforyourHistoryclass,allocateninehourstofinishit.Ifyoufinishtheassignmentinlesstimethanneed,you’llprobablybehappyabouthavingsomeunexpectedfreetime.Ifyouunderestimatehowlongitwilltake,youmayfindyourselfstayinguplate,skippingacoolmoviewithfriends,orturningininferioracademicwork(whenyouknowyoucouldhavedonemuchbetter).

2. PrioritizePutyourtimeandenergyintothoseeffortsthatyoucaremostaboutandthosethataremostcloselyconnectedtoyourgoals.Beawareofdeadlines,anddoyourbesttomakesureyouarriveateventsontimeandhandinassignmentsbytheduedate.Butyou’llalsowanttoprioritizeimportantworkwhosedeadlinemightseemfurtherawayatthemoment—papersandexamsthatcarryalotofpoints,conceptsorskillsthatyou’llneedtomastertodowellintherestoftheclass,ortopicsthatarefundamentallyimportanttothecareeryou’repreparingfororthekindofpersonyouwanttobe.

Carefulprioritizingcanreducestress.Bydecidingwhat’simportanttoyouandyourgoalsatcollege,youareoftenbetterpreparedtosay“no”tocommitmentsorobligationsoflesserimportanceforwhichyoureallydon’thavethetime.

College students are busyThereareclassesandlabstoattend,homeworktodo,projectstofinish,paperstowrite,andexamstostudyfor.Thereareeventsoncampus,activitiesinyourhallorlivinggroup,andmeetingsfortheclubsandorganizationsyoujoin.Thehappiestandmostsuccessfulstudentsalsomaketimeforeatingwell,sleepingthroughthenight,exercisingregularly,spendingtimewithfriends,andrelaxingandhavingfun.Timemanagement,goalsetting,andmotivationallgohand-in-hand.Whenyou’remotivatedbysomething,you’llstructureyourtimeinsuchawaytoachievewhatyouwant.Mostofushavesomekindofwaytokeeptrackofourtime–acalendar,aplanner,appsonourphonesorcomputers.Thoseareallgreat!Therearemultiplewaystomanageyourtimewell.Sohowdoyoufigureouthowtomakeeverythingfitintotheday,week,orsemester?Hereareafewtriedandtruestrategies.

1. Make a planGetanorganizer,planner,app,orcalendar,andplanouteachhour(orhalfhour)oftheentireweek.Whenwillyoubeattendingclass?Whenwillyoudoyourreading,preparation,homework,writing,andprojectsandpresentations?Whenwillyoubegettingabouteighthoursofsleepeachnight?Whenwillyoueat,exercise,andhangoutwithfriends?Whenwillyoubeworking?Whichmeetingsandcampuseventswillyouattendthatweek?What’sduethatweek?

Theexpertsrecommendstudyingabouttwohoursoutsideofclassforeveryhourspentinclass.Forexample,ifyouareenrolledin14credithours,youshouldplanabout28hoursoutsideofclasseachweektocompleteassignmentsandstudy.Mostsuccessfulstudentsreportthatbeginningthesemesterwithamorerigidandgenerousstudyscheduleservesthemwell.

Athoughtfullyplannedcalendarcanturnanoverwhelmingsituationintoarichandinterestingweekthatbalancesworkandplay,quiettimeandsocializing,challengeandfun.

TIME MANAGEMENT

OrganizationFrommyexperience,thebestadviceIcangiveistostayorganized.IhavefoundthatthemoreorganizedIam,thelessstressedIfeel.Onthefirstdayofclasses,takeyour

syllabusfromeachclassandcombinethecourseschedulesintoonespreadsheet.Byhavingallofyourduedateslistedinoneplace,itiseasytoseewhenyouhaveexamsorbig

projectscomingup.Ratherthanwaitingtothelastminutetostartstudyingforanexamyouforgotabout,thiscentralizedassignmentsheetwillhelpyouprepareaheadoftime.Ifyouarepronetoprocrastination,thisisawaytoensureyouwill

notfallbehind.

JennaSnell,LearningAssistantfortheHealthcarefortheHeartland:RuralMedicineCATCommunity

22

What is information literacy?Informationliteracyisknowingwhenyouneedinformation,beingabletofindtheinformationyouneed,andthenusinginformationeffectively.

Why should I care?Youwillbewritingpapers,preparingspeeches,creatingart,and/orconductingresearchincollege.Youwillneedinformationfortheseprojectsto:• discovernewideas• providecontextforyourideas• confirm(orquestion)ideas

WeareswimminginaworldofinformationsodeepitmightaswellbetheMarianasTrench(http://xkcd.com/1040/).It’sinbooks,ontheinternet,andinthememorybanksofourelders.Thereissomuchinformationthatyoucanaccess,andsomanyplacesthatyoucansearchthatitcanbeoverwhelmingifyoudon’thaveaplan.Informationliteracyistheplanthatwillhelpyou.

INFORMATIONLITERACY

Tip:Don’tspendtoomuchtimeonactivitiesorprojectsthatreallydon’tmatterthatmuch.Gamingandsocialmediacanconsumealotoftime,whenthey’renotmadeapartofalargertimemanagementplanthatcanincludesuchactivitiesbutprioritizesbigexams,classattendance,andsleep.Butevenwithinimportantactivities—anessentialclass,forexample—figureoutwhattoprioritize.Forexample,what’smoreimportant:claimingafewextracreditpointsthatrequireattendanceatatwo-houreventplusapaperthattakesanhourtowrite,orspendingthattimeonthefinaltermpaperthatwillmakeup30%ofyourfinalgrade?

3. Figure out your daily rhythms and habits and find your flowThebeststudentsoftengetlostinworkingontheirmostdifficult,challenging,andimportantacademicprojects.Theygetin“thezone,”andtheyproduceimpressivelyhighqualitywork.Thoughitcanbehardsometimestofigureouthowtogetinthezone,therearesomethingsyoucantrytoincreaseyourchancesoffindingthatgrooveorthatflowthatwillproduceyourbestwork.

Focus.Devoteyourattentionandenergytothetaskbeforeyou.Multitaskingdoesn’treallyhelpproducethebestwork.

Get rid of distractions.IgnoreyourTwitterfeed,closethedoorifit’snoisy,silenceyourphone.Dowhateveryouneedtokeepyourenergyfocusedonyourproject.Youremailsandtextswillbethereforyouwhenyou’redone.

Figure out when you do your best work.Areyouanearlybirdoranightowl?Whendoyoufeelatyourbest,confidentandreadytotakeonanything?Whenduringthedaydoyouslumporloseyourenergy?Ifyourdailyroutinehasyouenergizedinthelatemorningorearlyevening,thenblockoffthosetimesfordoingyourverybestwork.Usethistimetotackleyourmostimportantandmostchallengingacademicwork(yourhardestclass,achallengingbook,thatfinaltermpaper).Ifyouslumpafterlunchorfeelalittletoorelaxedlateatnight,youmightusethesetimesforlessimportantorlessconsumingkindsofactivities(catchinguponemail,forexample,orplanningyourweekend).

Tip:Onceyoufigureoutwhenduringthedayyou’reatyourbest,makeityourowntime.Don’tletNetflixviewing,busywork,unexpectedinterruptions,anextrashiftatyourjob,orotherlowerpriorityactivitiestakeover.Thisisyourtime.Useitforwhat’smostimportanttoyouandyourgoalsatcollege.

OrganizationGetaplannerandgetinthehabitofusingitdaily.Atthe

beginningofeachsemester,writedownallimportantdatesliketests,quizzes,papers,etc.,Thiswayyoucanstayontopofeverythingandmanageyourtimewell.Also,never

complainabouttheDerb,becauseyouwillmissitassoonasyoumoveoutoftheresidencehalls.

SarahPennington,LearningAssistantfortheWhatNottoWear:thePsychologyofFashionCATCommunity

23

How do I do it? Herearesomestepstoimprovingyourinformationliteracy:

1. Define the problem or taskWhatareyoulookingfor?Ifyourproblemorquestion,alsoknownasathesis,istoobroadorvague,youmaybeoverwhelmedwithinformation.Ifyourquestionistoonarrow,youmightnotfindanythingatall.Takeamomenttorefineyourquestion.Thisstepwillhelpyoufocusyoursearchandzeroinonwhatyouneedtofind.Aneasyruleofthumbisthatifsomeonehaswrittenanentirebookonyourtopic,it’stoobroad.Ifit’ssomethingthatonlyyouraunthasevertalkedabout,itmaybetoonarrow.

Question:Beingtallmakesyouabetterperson.

Discussion:First,isthatevenaquestion?No.It’sanassumption.Makeitaquestionthatinvitesinvestigatingmultipleperspectives(because,really,isashortpersongoingtoagreewiththatstatement?)And,whileyou’reatit,betterinwhatways?Howdoyoudefinetall?

Better question:Doesbeingtallerthanaveragehaveadvantagesintheworkplace?

2. Locate informationNowthatyouhaveyourquestion,wherewillyoufindbackgroundinformation,research,andotherinformationtohelpyouansweryourquestion?

Therearemanyplacestoaccessinformation:otherpeople,books,journalarticles,websites,videos,etc.Yougotocertaintypesofwebsitesfordifferenttypesofinformationyouwantforyourpersonallife(Reddit,Tumblr,Instagram,Hulu).Youwillalsogotodifferentresourcesforyourresearchincollege,dependingonwhatyouneed.Abookishelpfulforsomeinformationneeds,butothertimesarticlesoramusicrecordingwillbemorerelevant.

Agoodstartingpointistogotothelibrary’shomepage(www.lib.k-state.edu)anduseSearchIt.It’slikeGoogle,butsearchesforitems(books,articles,videos,etc.)thelibraryhasaccesstophysicallyandelectronically.

Notallinformationisequal.Onceyoufindwhatyouneed,it’suptoyoutodecideiftheinformationisaccurate,current,relevant,andunbiased.

3. Analyze the found information Onceyouhaveyourinformation,youneedtoverifythatit’slegit.• Currency:Checkthepublicationdateand

determinewhetheritissufficientlycurrentforyourtopic.

• Coverage(relevance):Considerwhetherthesourceisrelevanttoyourresearchandwhetheritcoversthetopicadequatelyforyourneeds.

• Authority:Discoverthecredentialsoftheauthorsofthesourceanddeterminetheirlevelofexpertiseandknowledgeaboutthesubject.

• Accuracy:Considerwhetherthesourcepresentsaccurateinformationandwhetheryoucanverifythatinformation.

• Objectivity(purpose):Thinkabouttheauthor’spurposeincreatingthesourceandconsiderhowthataffectsitsusefulnesstoyourresearch.

Youmightfindsourcesthatdisagreewitheachother.Whenthathappens,reviewthecriterialistedabovetofigureoutwhy.Youcandiscussthisdisagreementinyourpaper.

4. Back yourself up (a.k.a. cite it)Citingyourinformationsources• givescredittotheworkyouused• providesapapertrailthatwillhelpothersfind

theinformation• helpsyouavoidplagiarism

Note takingResearchthedifferentmethodsofnote-takingtoseewhichwillworkbestforyou.Makesureyoukeepallyournotesinoneplacesoyoudon’tloseany.Ifyoucanfindthetime,rewriteyournotesafterclassinabullet-pointedsummary(ittakeslessthanfiveminutes).Doingthiswillhelpyoureinforceandorganizetheinformationyoujustlearned.

Also,takenoteswhenyouarereadingyourtextbook.Ifyoukeepallofthesenotestogether,itwillhelpyoureduceyourstudytimebecause1)it’salltogetherinoneplaceand2)you

willactuallyknowmoreoftheinformation.

JaelWhitney,ResidentialLearningAssistantfortheTalkingPhysicsCATCommunity

24

Thinkofitthisway:apaper(oranargument)islikeanoutfit.Youputittogetherusingalotofdifferentdesigners.Abibliographyisyourwayofgivingcredittothedesignerswhomadetheclothesyouusedtocompleteyourlook.You’renotclaimingthatyouhand-sewedeachpiece,youjustknewhowtoputittogether.

TheOnlineWritingLab(OWL)atPurdueUniversityisagreatplacetolearnaboutcitingyoursources.

5. Review your thesisSometimeseverythingyoufindperfectlyanswersorsupportsyouroriginalquestion.Othertimes,youdiscoverthattheevidencecausesyoutoquestionorreviseyourthesis.Thisisokay!Itmeansthatyou’velearnedsomethingaboutyourtopic,whichiswhyyouaredoingtheresearch.Ifthefocusofyourprojectwillbedramaticallychangedorifyouwereassignedaspecifictopic,besuretotalktoyourprofessor.Butusuallyyoucanjustrefineyourthesisandprojecttoaccountforyournewknowledge.

You don’t need to know everything; you just need to know how to find it Alotoftheresearchyouwillbedoingwillbetowritepapersforyourclasses.Forhelpwithfindinginformationandwritingyourpaper,youcanusetheWritingaResearchPaperGuideasaplacetostart.Ifyouneedhelpatanytime,youcanalwaysaskalibrarian:www.lib.k-state.edu.Youcanchatone-on-onewiththem!

Writing is hard......anddon’tletanyonetellyoudifferently.Typing,tweeting,andtextingareeasybecauseyoupracticethem.Socollege-levelwritingwillonlybecomeeasierifyoupractice.Theprocessofputtingyourideasonpaperinadeveloped,cohesivemannerthateffectivelytranslatesthethoughtsinyourmindtoyourreader’smindisridiculouslyhard,somakesureyoupracticeasmuchaspossible.Thisistruewhetheryouarewritingaresearchpaper,aloveletter,ajobapplication,oranythingthathaspassion,truth,andsubstance.

WRITING

Haveyoulabeledyourselfa“badwriter”?Youshouldn’t;whathappenedtoyouinthepastdoesnotdefineyouridentityasacollege-levelwriter.Writersbecomegoodthroughreadingandwriting.Goodwritersaren’tborn;studentsbecomegoodwritersthroughthechoicestheymake.Asanewcollegestudent,youcanchoosetoreadthehomeworkandassignmentguidelines,meetwithyourprofessor,signupforatutoringsession,andgrowasawriter,oryoucanchoosetokeepallofyourbadhabitsandyourmediocrewritingskills.StudentsatK-Statehavebecomebetterwritersinthefirstmonth,afterthefirstsemester,orevenafterfourentireyears.Theirsecret?Hardwork.

ACADEMIC RESOURCESAcademic resources are for all students…...despitestigmathatmightmakeyouthinkotherwise.Somestudentsentercollegethinkingthatresourcessuchastutoringareonlyforstudentswhoarestrugglingintheircoursework,butweknowthatallstudentsbenefitfromacademicsupport.

Sowhydoesthismatter?Ingeneral,studentswhoconnectwithacademicresourcesstayontracktograduate(Cooper;ReinheimerandMcKenzie).That’simportanttoyou,right?

Luckilyforyou,K-Statehasfantasticresourcesavailable.Herearesomeoftheoptionsavailable:

Holtz Hall TutoringK-Stateprovidesfreetutoringtoallenrolledstudentsinavarietyofclassesinthreeconvenientlocations.TheHoltzHallTutoringCenteroffersseveraltypesoftutoringtoassistwithcoursecontentandlearningstrategies,includingweeklyscheduledsessionsthatmeetinasmallgroupwithapeertutorandonlinetutoringfordistancelearners.Additionally,walk-in-tutoringinaselectnumberofsubjectsisofferedbothdaytimeandeveningintheDerbyDiningCenterandHoltzHall.Formoreinformation,visittheHoltzHallTutoringCenter’swebsite.

25

The Writing Center at K-StateEnthusiasticandhighlytrainedwritingtutorswillspend30minuteshelpingyoubrainstorm,develop,orreviseanytypeofwritingatanystageofthewritingprocess.Scheduled,walk-in,andonlineappointmentsarealloptions.ThesetutoringsessionsareFREE,andyoucanfindoutmoreinformationaboutgettingatutorattheWritingCenter’swebsite.TheWritingCenterislocatedinRoom122DintheEnglish/CounselingServicesBuilding.

Supplemental InstructionSupplementalInstructionisofferedforvariouscourseseachsemester.SIconsistsofweekly,peer-facilitatedstudysessionsthatcomplementalargelecture.SIsupportsstudentsinfurtherengagementwiththeircourseworktoreinforcelearning.ThroughcollaborationwithpeersinthecourseandanSIleader,studentsworktocomparenotes,discusschallengingconcepts,sharestudyandtest-takingstrategies,anddemonstratelearning.Ifyouwanttolearnmoreaboutsupplementalinstruction,visitthesupplementalinstructionwebsite.

Academic CoachingTheAcademicCoachingProgramprovidesone-on-onesupporttohelpstudentswiththetransitionandexpectationsofcollegelife.StudentsparticipatingintheAcademicCoachingProgrammeetwithanacademiccoachasneededthroughouttheschoolyear.AcademicCoachessupportstudentstoworkthroughacademicandsocialtransitions,goal-setting,andprogress.Studentsbenefitfromtheindividualizedapproachthatincludesbuildingcommunity,engagingcoursework,anddevelopingskillstobesuccessfulatK-Stateandbeyond.Studentsinterestedinconnectingwithanacademiccoachshouldstopbyourofficeorgiveusacall.StudentswhodidnotmeetthequalifiedadmissionsstandardssetbytheKansasBoardofRegentsandwereadmittedbyexceptionarerequiredtoconnectwithourofficeduringorientationandworkwithanAcademicCoachduringtheirfirstyearatK-State.Formoreinformation,visittheacademiccoachingwebsite.

Department-Level TutoringAdditionally,somedepartmentshavetheirownlocalizedtutoringinstruction.Checkinwithyourspecificdepartmentstoseewhattypesoftutoringormentoringopportunitiesareavailable!

Get Connected!AsyoujointheK-Statefamily,rememberthattheseresourcesareheretohelpequipyouwiththeskillsneededtoreachacademicsuccess.Byconnectingwiththeresourcesyouneed,youwillbesetupforasuccessfulcollegecareer.

BibliographyCooper,Erik.“TutoringCenterEffectiveness:TheEffectofDrop- InTutoring.”Journal of College Reading and Learning,vol. 40,no.2,2011,pp.21-34.Reinheimer,David,andKellyMcKenzie.“TheImpactofTutoring ontheAcademicSuccessofUndeclaredStudents.”Journal of College Reading and Learning,vol.41,no.2,2011,pp. 22-36.

Using resourcesLikemostfreshmenincollege,IfoundthatthemajorIstartedinwasnottherightfitforme.Duringmyfirst

semester,Iwasverystressedabouttryingtodeterminewhatmajortoswitchinto.Duringthedecisionmakingprocess,IfoundthatK-Statehadtheresourcestohelpmemaketherightdecision.Ivisitedwithmyadvisor,facultymembersineachcollege,andmyResidentAssistant,andworkedwiththeAcademicandCareerInformationCenter.Eventually,theseconversationshelpedtofindtheperfectfitformeatK-State,andIknowthatiftheycanhelpme,theycanhelp

anyone.

EricaSchmitz,LearningAssistantfortheArtofEngineeringCATCommunity

26

coursematerial,attendinglecturesandplaysandsportingeventsandstrikingupconversationswithotherstudentssittingnexttoyouinclassinsteadofchoosingmindlessinteractionswithelectronicdevices–noneofthesewillkillyou.Curiosityandcriticalthinkingskillsdon’tkillthe‘Cats;theycreatethem.CriticalthinkingispartoftheWildcatWay.

What does it mean?Whatisdiversity?Itisawordyoumighthearalot,buthowcanwedefineitinameaningfulway,andhowcanweintegrateitintoourlivessowe’renotjustcheckingoffthe“diversity”box?

Diversity,initsmostbasicdefinition,issimplyagroupofpeoplewithdifferentsocialandculturalidentitiesworking,learning,playing,andlivingtogether.Youmighthearthetermdiversitytogetherwithmulticulturalism.HereatK-State,andinmostuniversitysettings,multiculturalismmeansweworktofosterrespectandunderstandingofvaryingsocialgroups,races,religions,ethnicities,sexualities,andcultures.Cultureencompassesthebeliefs,arts,andwaysofthinkingorbehavingofaparticulargroup;forexample,partofthecultureofK-Stateisthatweareafamily.Youshouldnotsimplybesurrounding,or“collecting”,peoplewhoaredifferentfromyou,butengagingwiththemtounderstandknowledgeandideasfromvaryingperspectives.

Someoftheformsandcategoriesthatweusewhendiscussingdiversityare:· Race· Ethnicity· Sex/Gender· GenderIdentity· SexualOrientation· (Dis)ability· Age· SocioeconomicClass· Religion· PoliticalAffiliation

DIVERSITY“Itisnotourdifferencesthatdivideus.Itisourinabilitytorecognize,accept,andcelebratethosedifferences.” ~AudreLorde

Critical thinking means thinking completely, deeply, and open-mindedlyCollegeisnotaboutteachingyouwhattothink.Collegeshouldteachyouhowtothink.

Youcannotrelyonyourparents,yourprofessors,oryourfriendstothinkforyou.Youarecapableofmakingyourowndecisions,choosingyourownactions,andforgingyourowneducation.Youmustlearntocraftwhatyouthink,whatyousay,andwhatyoudosoyoucanbethebestversionofyourself.

Thisisn’tmeanttopressureyou,buttochallengeandfreeyou.Ifyouaccomplishonethingyourfirstyear,strivetodevelopthesenseofcuriositythatcomeswithhoningcriticalthinkingskills.Adedicationtointellectualcuriositywillserveyoufortherestofyourlife.Youcanstartwitheverydaydecisions.Don’tlikeyourmajor?Becuriousenoughtolookintootheroptions.Afraidofjoiningaclub?BecuriousandaskaprofessororRAwhatclubstheyrecommend.Intimidatedbythecoursematerialinadifficultclass?Becuriousandfindaclassmateortutortoreviewsomeconcepts.Criticalthinkingisaboutneverhidingfromknowledgeandbeingmotivatedenoughtogettheresourcesyouneedtomakethebestdecisionpossible.Criticalthinkingisbeingawareofothersandknowinghowyourdecisionaffectsthemaswellasyourself;it’saboutabandoningselfishnessandthinkingforthegreatergood.

Criticalthinkingisalsoanimportantconceptindevelopingasascholar.Scholarsarepeoplewhodomorethanjustmemorizeforthetest;theylearnnewconceptsandconnecttheirlearningbetweendifferentsubjectsandclasses.Makingconnectionsbetweenseeminglyunrelatedsubjectsgivesyouaccesstoawholenewworldofknowledgeandtheapplicationofthatknowledgeiswhatcreatesagreatacademicexperience.

Theoldsayinggoes“curiositykilledthecat,”butforK-StateWildcats,that’snottrue.Curiosityandthedeterminationtosatisfythatcuriositythroughparticipatinginclass,engagingwith

CRITICAL THINKING

27

people.Enhanceyourunderstanding,andthewaysinwhichyoulearn.Rememberthatyouarenotanindividuallearninginthevastvacuumofspace;ratheryouarepartofalargercommunity,andotherpeoplewillhelptoshapeyouandthecultureyouengagewith.

Seeking and celebrating diversity“Ienteredtheclassroomwiththeconvictionthatitwascrucialformeandeveryotherstudenttobeanactiveparticipant,notapassiveconsumer...educationasthepracticeoffreedom....educationthatconnectsthewilltoknowwiththewilltobecome.Learningisaplacewhereparadisecanbecreated.” -bellhooks

Classes:Withintheuniversityyouhaveauniqueopportunityforengagedlearning.WhilehereatK-State,manydifferentpeoplefromvaryingbackgroundssurroundyou.Aworldofdifferenceisatyourfingertips.Activelyseekoutanychanceyoucantolearnfromthosearoundyou.

Whenfocusingonlearningwithintheclassroom,K-Statehasaninclusivecurriculumandmanyopportunitiesforyoutoexplore:TheK-State8generaleducationprogramhelpsstudentswidentheirperspectives,explorerelationshipsamongsubjectsandbuildcriticalandanalyticalthinkingskills.K-State8exposesstudentstoabroadrangeofknowledgeindifferentacademicareas.Theprogramshapeswell-roundedthinkersandhelpspreparestudentsforcareers,graduateschoolandotherpost-graduateexperiences.

Oneofthe8AreasisHumanDiversitywithintheU.S.inwhichmanyclassesfocusondiverseperspectives.Whendecidingonyourclassschedulewithyouradvisoryoucanactivelyseekoutclassesthatfallintothiscategory.

Student Organizations:Youreducationdoesnotendonceyouwalkoutofthoseclassroomdoors.Considerjoiningorgoingtomeetingsandeventsheldbydifferentstudentgroupsandorganizations.Thisisachanceforyoutogetinvolvedandmeetnewpeople!

Thinkoftheotherstudents,staff,andfacultyofK-Stateasyourcommunity.Weallhavedifferentbackgrounds,butweareworkingtogetherwiththecommongoaloffurtheringoureducationandcontinuallyengagingincriticalthinking.Thisisaneasiertaskwhenworkingrespectfullywithagroupofpeople.Partofbeinganeducatedpersonisknowingaboutothersandworkingeffectivelywithpeoplewhoaredifferentfromyou–collegeisagreatplacetogainpracticeforyourfutureprofessionalworkandplaceindiversecommunities.

Looking in before reaching outOftentimeswhenwethinkofdiversityourmindsimmediatelygotoothers,andhowtheyaredifferentfromus.However,animportantfirststepistolookinwardsandexamineourownidentitiesandbiasesbeforeengagingwithsomeoneelse.

Whoareyou?Thereareavarietyofdifferentidentitycategoriesthatinfluencethewaysthatweshapeourselves.Thesecategoriescanalsoinformouractionsintheworldandhowwerespondtothosethatdifferfromus.Theseinclude,butaren’tlimitedto,race,genderidentity,sexualorientation,physicalability,age,class,andreligion.Trytothinkcriticallyaboutthepersonalvaluesandbeliefsyouhold.Somewaystogetstartedaretoaskyourselfthefollowingquestions:

Whatinformsyou?Whoinfluencesyourunderstandingsofyourselfandofothers?Listsomeout,andtrytoaddsomespecificexamples(wemadeashortlisttogetyoustarted):· Parents· Peers· Media(television,movies,socialmedia, advertising,etc)· Specificpersonalexperiences

Afterlookingatsomeofyourinfluences,worktoexamineyourideasandbeliefsmorecritically.Doyouholdanybiasesorbelievestereotypesaboutcertaingroupsofpeople?Wheremightthesebecomingfrom?Howcanyoumovebeyondthose?

Trytokeepinmindthatmeretoleranceshouldnotbeyourendgoal.Gobeyondtoleranceandbegintorespectandcelebratethedifferencesamong

28

Getting involved1.GrabthreeorfourpeopleandgotoatleastoneUnionProgramCouncileventamonth.2.WeekOfWelcomeisaperfecttimetogainsomefriendsandgetsomefree

pancakes.3.Bealobbyperson,notabe-alone-in-your-roomperson,forthefirsttwoweeksofcollege.Youwon’tmeet

newfriendsbysittinginyouroom.

ParkerHeinze,ResidentialLearningAssistantforthePsychologyofPrejudiceCATCommunity

ExamplesofstudentorganizationsatK-State:· SexualityandGenderAlliance· BSU(BlackStudentUnion)· ChristianChallenge· InternationalBuddies

K-Statehashundredsofstudentgroupsthatyoucangetinvolvedwith.Forafulllistofpossibilities,checkoutwww.k-state.edu/directories.orgs.

Preventing and responding to discrimination and prejudiceK-Statehasaveryinclusivenondiscriminationpolicy:KansasStateUniversityiscommittedtonondiscriminationonthebasisofrace,color,ethnicornationalorigin,sex,sexualorientation,genderidentity,religion,age,ancestry,disability,militarystatus,veteranstatus,orothernon-meritreasons,inadmissions,educationalprogramsoractivitiesandemployment,includingemploymentofdisabledveteransandveteransoftheVietnamEra,asrequiredbyapplicablelawsandregulations.

Hatecrimesanddiscriminationarenottobeignoredortolerated.Butifyouseethishappeningoncampus,whatactionscanyoutake?Again,weaskthatyoulookinwardandexamineyourthoughtsandfeelingsonthematter.Howmightyourespondtodiscrimination?Whatifitdoesn’taffectyoudirectly?Haveyoueverwitnessedharassment?Whatcanyou,asabystander,dotopreventorintercede?

WhileanyinstanceofdiscriminationisunacceptableandmightreflectpoorlyonyourexperienceatK-State,theseinstancesalsoallowyoutheopportunitytounitewithstudents,faculty,staff,andadministratorstocreateapositiveimpactonyourcommunity.Somestepsyoucantakemightbetoattenddiverseevents,trainingsessions,workshops,symposiums,movies,guestspeakers,etc.

Alsokeepinmindthattherearemanycampusresourcesavailabletohelpyouoranyoneelsethathashadtodealwithdiscriminationorharassment,includingtheOfficeofInstitutionalEquality,the

Animportantfactorinyourcollegesuccessisyouroverallwellness.Yourwellnessisacombinationofhowyouarefeelingphysicallyandmentallyandtheinteractionofyouandyourenvironment.Collegeisanewenvironmentwithanewscheduleandnewfriendsandnewfood.Allofthat“new”canthrowoffyourhealthandfitnessplans.

Therearemanyresourcesavailabletopromoteahealthylifestyletokeepyoufeelinglikeyouhaveeveryopportunitytobesuccessful.

K-State Recreation Center (a.k.a. The Rec) recservices.k-state.edu/TherecentlyrenovatedandexpandedRecCenteroffersweightandfitnessareas,intramuralsports,fitnessclassesthatrangefromyogatoZumba,courtsforbasketball,racquetballandhandball,indoortracks,a40-footrockwall,andsomuchmore!StudentsaccesstheRecwiththeirstudentIDandmostactivitiesrequirenoadditionalcost.TheRecisaverypopularplacewithstudentsandnearly5,000peopleusetheReceachday.

HEALTH ANDWELLNESS

OfficeofStudentLife,theCenterforAdvocacyResponseandEducation(CARE),theLGBTResourceCenter,andtheCampusPolice.

29

Lafene Student Health Center www.k-state.edu/lafene/Lafeneisafullservicemedicalproviderthatoffersstudentsaffordable,convenientandhighqualityoutpatienthealthcare.ItislocatedjustwestofcampusonSunsetAvenue,neartheKramerresidencehallcommunity.Thisserviceisfundedinpartbytheprivilegefeeyoupayeachsemester.Youdonothavetopaytoseeadoctorandsomeservices(suchasprescriptions,labtests,andphysicaltherapy)arechargedtoyouatareducedrate.

Counseling Services www.k-state.edu/counseling/Collegeisanimportantandbusytime.Somestudentsfindthathavingsomeonetotalktoaboutissuesofstress,homesickness,career-decisions,orrelationshipsishelpfulinstayingontracktotheirgoals.Studentsmayalsodiscoverorseektreatmentforexistingconcernssuchasdepressionoranxiety.Youhaveuptofourfreesessionsperyearandadditionalsessionsareveryaffordable.

Office of Student Life www.k-state.edu/studentlife/Difficultsituationshappen.Itislikelythatyouwillencounterasituationwhereyouwillneedasoundingboardorwhereyoujustarenotsurewheretoturnforhelp.TheOfficeofStudentLifeisyourgo-toresourceforhelpifyouneedtoleavecampusforapersonalormedicalemergencyorifyouneedanadvocateinworkingwithaprofessorandcampusentity.Theprofessionalswhoworkinthisofficeprovidesupportandadvice.

Center for Advocacy, Response and Education (CARE)www.k-state.edu/care/TheCenterforAdvocacy,Response,andEducationprovides24-hourassistanceforK-Statestudentswhohavebeenvictimizedbyviolence.Wecanassiststudentsinworkingwithofficesandagenciesonandoffcampuswhohelpstudentswithlawenforcement,legal,medical,andacademicconcerns.

YOUR SAFETYK-Stateisaverysafecampus.Weenjoyasafeenvironmentbecausefaculty,studentandstaff

considercampussafetytobeanimportant,sharedresponsibility.

TheUniversityoffermanyprogramsandresourcestohelpkeepourenvironmentsafe.Thereisalsoanexpectationthatstudentslookaftereachotherandtakeastrongpersonalstancetokeepourcommunitysafeandsupportiveforeveryone.Utilizethefollowingresourcesandlearnmoreabouthowyoucanenhanceyourabilitytostaysafe.

Sign up for K-State Alerts www.k-state.edu/safety/alertsOpt-inforK-StateAlertsandsignupyourparentsandlovedones,too.K-StateAlertsisasystemthatwillsendtexts,e-mails,andphonemessagesintheeventsofsevereweatherorotheremergencies.

Use Wildcat Walk and SafeRideCall785-395-SAFEoruseoneofthebluelightemergencybuttonsoncampustohaveaWildcatWalksafetyescortwalkyouacrosscampus(oruptotwoblocksoffcampus).Youcanalsocallaheadandhavesomeonemeetyouintheparkinglottowalkyoubacktoyourresidencehalloranothercampusbuilding.

SafeRideisafixed-routeshuttleservicethatrunsThursdaythroughSaturdaynightsfrom11p.m.to3a.m.andoffersstudentsasaferidehome.Pickuplocationsandroutemapsareavailableonline.www.k-state.edu/osas/saferide.

Be aware of your surroundingsApointofprideatK-Stateisourtraditionofwalkingacrosscampusandlookingpeopleintheeye.Keepyoureyeoutforyourselfandeachother.Thecampusiswell-litandwehaveemergency/informationphoneboxesor“bluelights”aroundcampusinareaswithalotofstudenttraffic.Usetheboxestorequestassistanceortoreportacrimeorsuspiciousbehavior.

Protect your possessionswww.k-state.edu/studentlife/campussafety/theftTheftofpersonalpropertyisoneofthemostcommoncrimesoncollegecampusesacrossthecountry.Besuretoprotectyourstuff.Students

30

sometimesarelulledintothinkingthatManhattanisasmallcommunityandtheycanberelaxedabouttheseeminglylittlethings–likelockingcardoorsandresidencehallrooms.Purchaseasturdybikelock,watchyourlaptoportablet,andkeepothervaluablessecure.Youmaybenefitfromconsideringmoreideasaboutpreventingtheft.

Party safewww.k-state.edu/studentlife/campussafety/decisionsCollegelifeoffersmanyoccasionstocelebratewithfriends.Makinggooddecisionsaroundyouruseofalcoholanddrugsisanimportantpartofmanagingyourpersonalwellnessandkeepingyouontracktowardyourgoals.Checkoutthesetipsforstayingsafewhenoutwithfriends.

Prevent sexual violencewww.k-state.edu/studentlife/campussafety/stopsexualviolenceSexualviolenceisaveryseriousandrealproblemoncollegecampusesacrossthecountry.Protectyourselfandothersbyeducatingyourselfaboutconsent,waystopreventsexualassault,andhowtosupportthoseaffectedbysexualviolence.

Report suspicious behaviorIfyouseeanythingthatseemsoutoftheordinary,tellsomeone.TheOfficeofStudentLifeisagoodplacetobegin,785-532-6432.Ifitisanemergency,call911andyouwillbeconnectedtotheK-StatePolice.Ourpolicedepartmentisonduty24/7.

Powercat Financial CounselingCurrentstudentscanscheduleone-on-onefinancialadvisingappointments,andPCFCholdsseveraleventsgearedtoeducateyouaboutsmartfinancialdecisions.Theofficeislocatedonthefirstflooroftheunionintheofficeofstudentactivitiesandservices.VisitingPowercatFinancialCounselingwillansweryourquestionsaboutstudentloans,budgeting,credituse,identityleft,andotheraspectsofyourfinanciallife.

Financial assistance advisorYouwillalsofindthatyourpersonalfinancialassistanceadvisor,assignedtoeveryK-Statestudent,isagreatresource.YouradvisorcanassistwithquestionsabouttheFreeApplicationforFederalStudentAid(FAFSA),theavailabilityofloans,grants,workstudyandtuitionwaivers.StopbyFairchildHalltoscheduleanappointment.

MoneyMoneymanagementmightbethemostusefulskillyougainincollege,sostartearly.Youmightfeeloverwhelmedby$8,000tuitionbills,butrememberwhileyouarerequiredtopaybills,youstillmakethechoicesaboutwhatyoubuy.Coffee,thefoodcourt,andtheplethoraofgood-lookingK-Stategearavailablecanmakeyourmoneydisappear.Youcancontrolyourspending;youjustmightneedsometoolstohelpyoumakehealthfulfinancialdecisions.Tworesourcesoncampusare:

Leverage your StrengthsItcanbeeasytofocusonthingsthatyouarenotgoodat,butitisfarmorerewardingtoleverageyourtalentsandskillswhileatcollege.

Inanefforttoincreasetheretention,engagement,andoverallwell-beingofitsstudents,KansasStateUniversityhaspartneredwithGalluptobecomeastrengths-basedcampus.Whatthismeansisthatallincomingfreshmen,transfer,andinternationalstudentswhohaveattendedorientationandenrollmentatK-StatehavefreeaccesstotheCliftonStrengthsFinder®onlineassessment.

TheStrengthsFinderassessment,basedontheconceptofintentionallydevelopingyourstrengthsratherthanyourweaknesses,identifiesstudents’topfivestrengthsfromalistof34talents.Theassessmentisutilizedcampuswideinclassesandcommunities,asawayforyouasstudentstobetterunderstandwhatyouandothershavetooffer.

FINANCIAL LITERACY

STRENGTHSQUEST“Oneshouldwasteaslittleeffortaspossibleonimprovingareasoflowcompetence.Ittakesfarmoreenergytoimprovefromincompetencetomediocritythanittakestoimprovefromfirst-rateperformancetoexcellence” ~PeterDrucker

31

Strengths EquationTheStrengthsequationhelpstodeterminehowtouseyourstrengths:

Peer CoachingAfteryoutaketheassessment,it’sgreatthatyouknowyourtopfivestrengths—butwhatdotheyevenmean?Howcanstrengthsbeappliedintheclassroom,intheworkplace,inlife?

TheStrengthspeercoachingprogramseekstohelpyouanswerthosequestions.Strengthspeercoachingisperfectforstudentswhowanttolearnhowtobestleveragetheirstrengths.Inadditiontobuildinggeneralstrengthsknowledge,ourpeercoachesaretrainedtohelpfellowstudentssetbothshort-andlong-termgoalswiththeirstrengthsinrelationtotheiracademic,careerorpersonaldevelopment.StrengthsQuesthelpsyoutonameyourstrengths,claimthemthroughuseintheclassroomandbeyond,andthenaimthemyoutohelpyoureachyourcareerandpersonalgoalsafteryourtimeattheuniversity.

Get Started!www.k-state.edu/strengthsquest/VisittheStrengthsQuestsitetofindpartnersacrosscampus,getpairedwithastrengthspeercoach,andexploreideasonhowyoucanleverageyourstrengthstoovercomechallengesandreachyourownpersonal,academic,andvocationalgoals.

employerconnections,andastaffthatistrainedanddedicatedtoassistingstudentsinthecareerdevelopmentprocess.Services within the Career Center• Schedulinganappointmentforpersonalized

majorexplorationorjobsearchassistance.• Takingafreecareerassessmenttoexplore

theirinterestsandtohelpstudentsdecideonamajor.

• ShoppingtheCareerClosetandpreparingforinterviews.

• Researchingemployers,K-Statecurriculumguides,orgraduateschoolinformation.

• Droppingintohavetheirresumecritiquedoraskaquickquestion.

• Findingjoblistingsonline(part-time,internship/co-op,andfull-time).

AdditionalresourcesthatareprovidedwithintheCenterinclude:Employmentprofiles,salaryinformation,careerreferencebooks,K-Statecurriculumguides,graduateschoolinformation,andcareerplanningworkshops.

Career and Employment FairsTheCenteroffersvariouscareerandemploymentfairsduringboththefallandspringsemesters.Atthesefairs,employerstraveltocampusandrecruitK-Statestudentsforinternships,part-timejobs,co-ops,andfull-timejobs.InOctober,theCenteralsohostsan*eventforstudentstoexploremorethan250majors,minors,andcertificateprograms.

Upcoming events: • Part-TimeOpportunitiesFair–August• All-UniversityCareerFair–September• *Majors,Minors,andMoreFair–October• Agril-IndustryCareerFair–January• EngineeringCareerFair–February• BusinessCareerFair–February• EducationOn-CampusInterviews–March

TheCenteroffersajobportalthatisafreeserviceforstudentstoviewemploymentopportunities,maketheirresumevisibletoemployers,signupforon-campusinterviewsandfindemployercontactinformation.Theportalisanefforttoassiststudentsinenhancingtheirprofessionalnetworksandtoexpandtheiropportunitiesforemployment.

CAREER CENTER

Talenta natural

way of thinking,

feeling, or behaving

NAMEyour top 5

Strengththe ability to consistently

provide near-perfect performance

AIMyour strengths

Investmenttime spent practicing,

developing your skills, and building

your knowledge base

CLAIMyour talents

X

--> -->

=

TheAcademicandCareerInformationCenterandCareerandEmploymentServiceshavecombinedtobecometheCareerCenter.Theirprimaryresponsibilityistoassiststudentsintheiracademicpreparation,aswellastheircareerandemploymentreadiness,hereatKansasStateUniversity.Theirservicesincludeanextensivecareerlibrary,jobsearchtraining,careeradvising,

32

Career Center Accountwww.k-state.edu/careercenterThroughanonline,freeaccountwiththeCareerCenter,K-Statestudentscanviewpart-timejobopeningsoncampus.Somecampuspositionswillqualifyforfederal/stateworkstudyprograms,whileothercampusandcommunitypositionswillberegularpayrolljobs.Someofthelargestemployersoncampusinclude:BramlageColiseum,HousingandDiningServices,theK-StateStudentUnion,theDivisionofFacilities,andK-StateLibraries.

EDCEP 120 and StrengthsQuestWithintheCareerCenterwebpage,studentsmayfindmoreinformationregardingtheEDCEP120course.Thiscourseisdesignedtoenhancestudents’abilitytoapproachacademicandcareerdecisionsandisclassifiedasaK-State8requirement(1credithour).Alsowithinthesite,studentscanlearnmoreabouthowtheirStrengthsQuestassessmentcorrelateswithfuturecareersandparentscanfindresourcestohelpthemassisttheirstudent(s)inthecareerdevelopmentprocess.PleasefeelfreetoexploretheCenter’swebsiteforadditionalresources,aswellasmoreinformationaboutservices,programs,andassessments!

33

CHAPTER 4:KSBN AND THE COMMON BOOK

34

KSBN AND THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIMEWhat is KSBN?TheK-StateBookNetwork(KSBN)ispartofK-State’sfirstyearexperienceprogram,K-StateFirst.K-StateFirstwasestablishedtohelpfirst-yearstudentstransitiontocampusbyprovidingthemwiththeelementsnecessarytocreateasolidfoundationthatwillhelpstudentsbesuccessfulincollege.Theseelementsarementoring,smallinteractiveclasses,community,andasharedacademicexperience.

KSBN’sgoalistohelpguidethetransitionfromhighschooltocollegebygivingstudentsasharedacademicexperienceandsocialactivitiescenteredaroundabook.

Why read a common book?K-Staterswearpurple,do“TheWabash,”andreadbooks.Thisyear,weinvitetheK-StatecommunitytoreadThe Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-TimebyMarkHaddon.Acommitteeofover50students,staff,andfacultyselectedthisbookbecausetheybelievethebookwillprovideagreatintroductiontotheacademiccultureatK-State.

By participating in this common reading you will• beintroducedtothought-provokingideas• participateinengagingdiscussions• learnpersistence• buildcommunitybyinteractingwithothersin

activitiesanddiscussionsbuiltaroundthebookandtheissuesitraises

• usewhatwaslearnedfromthebookinothersettings,bothintheclassroomandmorebroadlyintheuniversitycommunity

How to read a book in a scholarly manner/tips for reading criticallyNomatterwhatyourskilllevel,everyonecomesacrossatextthatisdifficulttoread,hardtofollow,orjustnotinterestingatleastonceintheircollegecareer.Regardlessofthereason,thesetipscanhelpyougetthroughthetextandretaintheinformationsoyoucanbesuccessfulonyournexttestoressay.

Environment• Doyoudobetterreadinginaquietspace

oralotofbackgroundnoise?Takethatintoconsiderationwhenbeforeyoupickupyourbook.

Read• Readinmanageablesections.Don’tforce

yourselftoplowthroughtheassignedreadingsallatonceifyourbrainisfightingit.

Take notes & summarize• Underlineorhighlightsectionsthatseem

importantorsparkquestions.Breaktherulesandwriteinthemarginsofyourbook,noonewilltell.Writeashortsummaryinyourownwordsofthechapter,section,orparagraphyoujustread.Itwillmakeitmucheasiertoreviewwhenitcomestimetostudyforthetest.

Talk about it• Makeanewfriendinclassandtalktohimor

heraboutwhatyoureadorexplainthetexttoyourroommate.Remember,ifyoucan’texplainwhatyoureadsimply,yousimplydonotunderstandwhatyouread.

35

Summary of the bookThe Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Timeisa2003mysterynovelbyBritishwriterMarkHaddon.Thenovelisnarratedinthefirst-personperspectivebyChristopherJohnFrancisBoone,a15-year-oldboywhodescribeshimselfas“amathematicianwithsomebehaviouraldifficulties”livinginSwindon,Wiltshire.Healsohasamysterytosolve:thesuspiciousdeathofaneighborhooddog.Alongtheway,Christopher’sinvestigationrevealsimportanttruthsabouthiscommunity,hisfamily,andhimself.

CalderdaleNas(2017).The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.Retrievedfromhttp://www.calderdalenas.org.uk/resources/curious-incident-dog-nighttime/.

K-State (clickformoreinformation)• OneStopShop• AcademicAdvising• PowercatFinancial• K-StateLibraries• CenterforAdvocacy,Response,andEducation• CareerandEmploymentServices• MulticulturalStudentOrganizations• HandsOnK-State• StrengthsQuest

Other titles of interestRead-a-likes:• The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-

Time - SimonStephensandMarkHaddon• Thinking in Pictures -TempleGrandin• Angels & Demons - DanBrown• Murder on the Orient Express - Agatha

Christie• The Hound of the Baskervilles - ArthurConan

Doyle• Eat, Pray, Love - ElizabethGilbert• The Call of the Wild - JackLondon• The Little Paris Bookshop - NinaGeorge

Watch-a-likes:• Temple Grandin• The Body in the Library• Angels & Demons• Call of the Wild• Cube• Eat, Pray, Love• Forrest Gump

Videos (clickformoreinformation)• OfficialTrailerforTheCuriousIncidentofthe

DogintheNight-TimePlay• TEDTalk:Gotawickedproblem?First,tell

mehowyoumaketoast• TEDTalk:Doschoolskillcreativity?

RESOURCES

36

Facts, Statistics, and Terms to KnowBritishEducationSystem• ASandAlevels–examsthathelpdetermine

whatuniversitystudentswillgetinto• PrimarySchool-ages4-11• SecondarySchool-age11-16

Sources:• BBC.(2015).ASandAlevels.Retrievedfromhttp://

www.bbc.co.uk/schools/parents/alevels/print• UniversityofColoradoBoulder.(n.d.).UK

EducationSystem.Retrievedfromhttp://www.colorado.edu/suep/top-scholarships/explore/studying-uk/uk-education-system

• DepartmentofDefenseEducationActivity.(nd).GuidetoBritishEducation.Retrievedfromwww.dodea.edu/nonDoD/upload/UK_ed_.pdf

EnglandvsGreatBritainvsUnitedKingdom• Englandisacountrythatsharesborderswith

Wales,Scotland,andtheAtlanticOcean.GreatBritainisanislandthatincludesthecountriesofEngland,Scotland,andWales.

• TheUnitedKingdomisacountrymadeupofGreatBritainandNorthernIreland.

• SeealsoTheDifferencebetweentheUnitedKingdom,GreatBritainandEnglandExplainedbyCGPGrey

Sources:• GreatBritain.”BritannicaAcademic,Encyclopædia

Britannica,3Feb.2017.academic.eb.com/levels/collegiate/article/Great-Britain/37843.Accessed17Apr.2017.

• “England.”BritannicaAcademic,EncyclopædiaBritannica,7Dec.2016.academic.eb.com/levels/collegiate/article/England/110752.Accessed17Apr.2017.

SlangTermstoKnow• Telly-TelevisionorTV• Cashpointmachine-AutomaticTellerMachine

(ATM)• Cashpointcard-Debitcard• Quid-Buck(money)• Givearing-Callsomeone• Bobby-Coporpoliceofficer• Tube-LondonUnderground(public

transportation)

Compare and ContrastBritishDemographicsvsAmericanDemographics

Sources:• CIAWorldFactbook

37

Compare and Contrast

Sources:• AmericanFactFinder• OfficeforNationalStatistics

CitySwindon,EnglandLondon,EnglandWichita,KSKansasCity,KSManhattan,KS

Population209,1568,538,700382,368145,78652,281

Year20112014201020102010

Four rules to live by

1.DrinkthechocolatemilkintheDerb

2.GOTOCLASS

3.Learnhowtonavigatethelibraryanddon’tbeafraidtoasklibrariansquestions

4.Alwayscheckyouremail!

MeredithClark,K-StateFirstStudentAdvisoryCouncilMember

Meet the Major CharactersChristopherJohnFrancisBooneChristopherisafifteen-year-oldboywholivesinSwindon,Englandwithhisfather,Ed.Heisdifferent,butthatdoesnotstophimfromsolvingadvancedmathproblemsandfiguringoutsomeoftheworld’sgreatestmysteries.Christopherusesscientificreasoningtoexplainwhythingsexistastheydo.ASherlockHolmesfan,ChristopherusesArthurConanDoyle’sstoriesasinspirationintodiscoveringtheanswertoTheCuriousIncidentoftheDogintheNight-time.Throughthisdiscovery,Christopherbreakshiscomfortzone,andsetsoffaloneonajourneythatchangeshislife.

EdBooneEd,Christopher’sfather,ownsaheatingmaintenanceandboilerrepairbusinessinSwindon,England.Thetwotrusteachother,thatis,untilEdtellsawhitelieheisunabletohidefromChristopher.

JudyBooneJudy,Christopher’smother,livesinLondon,England.Initiallybelievedtohavediedfromanunexpectedheartattack,Christophersetsoutonthejourneyofalifetimetoreunitewithher.SiobhanSiobhanisChristopher’steacheratschool.Sheistheonlycharacterwhotrulyunderstandshim.SiobhanhelpsChristopherwritehisbookasamurdermysterynovel,andencourageshimtoexpandhishorizonssociallyandacademically.

38

By Themes:Problem-Solving1. Christopherexperiencestheworld

quantitativelyandlogically.Histeacher,Mr.Jeavons,tellshimthathelikesmathbecauseit’ssafe.ButChristopher’sexplanationoftheMontyHallproblemgivesthereadermoreinsightintowhyhelikesmath.Howismathsafe?HowdoesMr.JeavonsunderestimatethecomplexityofChristopher’smindandhisresponsestointellectualstimulation?

2. Christopheruseslogicalmethodstocontrolandorganizehislife.HowdoesthisconceptassistinunderstandingChristopher’spersonality?Howdoyouidentifywiththeideaofusingorderandorganizationtocontrollife’suncertainties?

Family3. WhatcausedthebreakupoftheBoone

family?Isthereanythingthatcouldhavebeendonetomakeiteasierforthefamilytocope?

4. Howdoyoudefinefamily?WhoispartofChristopher’sfamily?

5. WhatareallthewaysChristophergivesandreceiveslovefromhisfamily?

GeographicInformationSystems6. Ifthisbooktookplacetodayratherthan2003,

howwouldChristopherhaveapproachedfindinghismother’shomedifferently?

7. Intheageofsmartphones,whatisthevalueoflearningtoreadamap?

AnimalCompanionship8. WhatcanwelearnfromChristopher’s

affectionforanimals?Whyisheabletoconnectwiththemmoreeasilythanhecanwithhumanbeings?

9. Howdoanimalsmakeushuman?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Education10.Howistheeducationsystemportrayedinthe

bookdifferentfromthesystemyougrewupwith?Whataresomeimportantdifferencesbetweenthosesystems?Howdothosedifferencescontributetothesuccessorfailureofstudents?

11.WhatisanA-levelmathtest?WhywasitimportantforChristophertobesuccessfulatthattest?

Creativity12.Howdoeslogicdifferfromcreativity?13.HowdoesChristopherusecreativityinstead

oflogicwhensolvingthemysteryofthemissingdog?

THE

OF THE

IN THE

CURIOUSINCIDENT

NIGHT-TIME

DOG

39