tri-c's challenger’s guide: practical advice for college success and personal growth

7/25/2019 Tri-C's Challengers Guide: Practical Advice for College Success and Personal Growth

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Tri-C Challengers Guide

Practical advice for college success

and personal growth

Compiled by:

Ryan Rodriguez (English)

Toni Pickens (Counseling)

Lisa Belcher-Nelson (Counseling)

Diane Gaston (Philosophy)

Cindy Holland (Psychology)


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ABLE OF CONTENTS

1. College 101: The Welcome Mat

Introducing students to the academic world, this chapter will outline how Tri-C fits into the worldof higher education, how having the right disposition and attitude will help you succeed, and will

discuss Tri-Cs Student Handbook including student rights and responsibilities.

2. Connections

Discussing the importance of engagement, how to engage effectively, this chapter stresses the

resources available at Tri-C and the opportunities they present to help student success.

3. Tech Support and Library Resources

Stressing the importance of technology in the modern world, this chapter highlights the key

elements of understanding and using computers and technology.

4. Time is on Your SideHighlighting goal setting, this chapter introduces concepts important to personal time managementand setting and reaching clear goals.

5. Making the Grade

Covering basic best practices in the academic world, this chapter addresses the importance of

critical thinking, good study and test taking practices, and introduces students to the basic elements

of writing essays and exams, improving test-taking skills, and completing projects.

6. Planning Your Career Path

Addressing the importance of having a clear path towards a fulfilling career, this chapter provides

a self-evaluation of personality, values, skills, and interests. In addition, it provides the resourcesavailable to students in Career Services and Academic Counseling.

7. The Whole Self

Physical, social, and emotional components of our lives are reviewed to stress the importance of

finding a good working balance in our personal and professional existence.

8. Money Matters

Basic concepts in personal and academic finances are reviewed to improve financial literacy and

better understand how to properly plan and budget for school and life.

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HAPTER TEMPLATE:

Introduction:An overview of each chapter, its importance and content.

Subtopics:Addresses the main components of the larger chapter topic.

Activities/Exercises: Activity suggestions are included in each chapter.

References to relevant websites, applications, and campus places are included.

One of the activities in each chapter is a "walkabout" exercise, physical in nature.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Additional Resources:

Student Handbook

Another important resource to help in your transition to college is the Tri C Student Handbook.

The Handbook is an informative document that provides our mission, vision and values In

addition, this resource provides you with a hands on resource for information about essential

life skills, time management, goal setting, and creating an academic plan. It also contains

important phone numbers, an academic calendar, college policies and procedures (including

student rights!), links to academic support systems, grading criteria, graduation, enrollment

information, financial aid information, online services, and student services and special

programs. Review this resource and use it to your advantage.

Supplemental Blackboard Site

FYE Blackboard SiteThe supplemental Blackboard site (which contains this manual) will provide additional resources

including hyperlinks to articles and YouTube videos.

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HAPTER ONE: College 101: The Welcome Mat

You've made a big decision. Becoming a college student is a large investment in your time, money,

and most importantly, an investment in your greatest resourceyou.

It is our goal as a college community to help you succeed in making this investment pay off.

According to Dr. Patricia Windham and the graph below (Florida Department of Education, 2006)students are more likely to stay enrolled, be academically successful, transfer, and graduate if they

have had a FYE course. In Florida, FYE courses are labeled SLS (Student Life Skills) courses.

The moral of the story is don't see this course as an impediment, something you "have to do,"

rather, see it as an opportunity to increase your chances of success. Our goal, and the goal of this

course, is to aid you in getting the most out of your college experience, and of course to earn thatall-important, and helpful, degree.

Be sure to check out this article from US News, by Alexendra Pannoni. The article addresses

frequently asked questions about community colleges:www.usnews.com/education/community-colleges/articles/2015/02/06/frequently-asked-

questions-community-college

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Your time at Tri-C is important. Gaining your degree is important. Engaging with Tri-C faculty

and staff, your FYE instructor, the FYE Resource Manual, and the BB Resource Site will increaseyour chances of success.

How do you increase your odds of succeeding in college?

Each faculty person you meet has encountered many of the same challenges you are now facing.They are experienced. Rely on faculty to increase your odds for success! Faculty learned years ago

how to navigate the sometimes treacherous waters of college (and they are still learning!). We allhave challenges. Use the expertise of the person in front of your classroom: talk with them beforeor after class; meet with them during their office hours.

One of the biggest mistakes students make is to stop communicating, especially when lifehappens. Every person at this college knows life is often very challenging and in these cases you

may need extra, specific help. Faculty and staff are here to help you conquer your roadblocks.

Many Tri-C programs are designed to assist you in these areas and are presented in the next

chapter.

In fact, our success as a college is based on your achievement. We know, working together, you

will become the high-level scholars, health care workers, athletes, entertainers, film editors, police

officers, chefs. . . (the list goes on and on) of the future. We encourage you to set goals, reachthem, and add your future victories to our community of success stories. Our institution was

designed to make this happen. If you choose to engage with a committed and open mind, notgiving up quietly when things get rough, but facing your challenges head on with our college

family squarely in your corner, you will find success.

Part of making this happen will include asking you to reflect on your own skills and attitude as

you undergo the challenge of earning a college degree. We will work to find ways to help you

succeed in academics and excel in work force training. The goal is to help you succeed in life.

The academic success process includes you cultivating the skills you possess and discovering newtools for the future.

Even the most prepared students have questions about college: Would you like to be moreconfident in writing or math? Want to know how to better engage in our community? Need to find

a clear path to a good career? Want the best odds for a return on your college investment? No

matter where you fit inthis class isfor you. If you are very confident in your chances for successin college, get to know ourcollege! Use our many resources and flourish in our programs. Excel

and make connections in this course as you learn about our community and grow from engaging

and sharing with your peers.

In short, the Tri-C community is here to support you. With that in mind, the First Year

Experience course is designed to help you succeed through information sharing, best practices,

peer and community interaction, and self-introspection. Lets get going and lets have some fun

along the way.

(1863-1947)

Comingtogetheristhe

beginning...working

togetherissuccess.


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Disposition and Attitude

It can be argued (quite convincingly) that having a good attitude is the most important criteria for

success. Shawn Anchor was a former scholar and researcher at Harvard University and hisresearch suggests that success in the classroom has less to do with intelligence and more to do with

dispositionattitude. Click on this link to see how Eric Barker reported on Anchors work:

http://observer.com/2015/04/harvard-research-reveals-a-fun-way-to-be-more-successful/.

The good news is that our attitudes are highly malleable. People change their attitude multipletimes in a day. You cancontrol the way you think and feel about your college experience.

So what makes up a good attitude?

Faculty are often frustrated with victim talk. The following statements are taken from the City

University of New Yorks, ASAP College Success Seminar manual (www.cuny.edu/asap). Howand why are these statements self-defeating? How would the people you know and respect respond

to the situations below?

Im too shy to ask questions in class, even when Im confused.

Hes a lousy instructor. Thats why I failed the test.

I hate group projects because people are lazy and I end up doing most of the work.

I wish I could write better, but I just cant.

My friend got me so angry that I cant even study for the exam.

The financial aid form is too complicated to fill out.

I work nights so I didnt have time to do the assignment.

I wouldnt be late so often if I had more time


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A good attitude is primarily a positive attitude, but is also realistic. Positive doesnt mean that life

doesnt pose challenges, just that it is logical to find solutions instead of dwelling on the problem.Ask for help! Ask for clarification! Seek solutions!

How do you make the change to have a better attitude more often?

Accept personal responsibility and develop internal motivation.

Ask for help when needed.

Consider and change the language you use to think/talk aboutproblems.

Focus on positive aspects of the situation and seek solutions within your control.

Know yourself and your limitations and challenge them, and strive to be the person you

want to be.

Model the positive traits you see in others.

Prioritize and manage your own time and energy.

Become a lifelong learner and be curious about the world around you.

Understand your emotional triggers and responses.

Your positive attitude gives you an advantage in life; believe in yourself.

Success is not a matter of chance

it is a matter of choice.

-Anonymous

ELIMINATE CANT!


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DIFFERENCES AMONG HIGH SCHOOL,

FULL-TIME WORK, AND COLLEGE

High School Full-Time Work College

Attendance is mandatory in

order to meet requirements; atleast 6 continuous hours spent

in class each day

Attendance mandatory in

order to stay employed; atleast 8 continuous hours spent

at work each day

Attendance possibly not

mandatory; different amountsof time spent in class and

between classes each day

Very little choice in what

classes you take and when youtake them

May have little choice in work

assignments and when thework is to be completed

More flexibility in when you

work on assignments and howsoon you complete them

before the due date

Moderate to no outside work

necessary to be successfulModerate to no overtime work

necessary to complete jobduties

Substantial amount of outside

work to complete assignmentsand to be successful

Teachers check homework

and keep you up to date onprogress; will informyou ifyou are not completing

assignments and notprogressing well

Supervisors check completion

and quality of work at regularintervals; will inform you if

you are not meeting the

standards for the position

Professors choose whether to

check all homework orprovide feedback on progress

at regular intervals; may not

inform you if you are notmeeting the standards of the

course

Teachers review material and

expect that you rememberfacts and information

Employers provide basic

information and expect thatyou use it to complete the job

effectively

Professors present conceptsand theories and expect you to

evaluate the ideas, synthesizethe ideas with other concepts

you have learned, and develop

new theories

Frequent tests over smallamounts of material with

opportunities for grades to be

raised if needed

Employee improvement plansallow you to improve your

ratings if needed

Professors have standards and

grading criteria, that oftenallow only a few chances

(through infrequent

testing/assignments) to meet

themWhat are your expectations of college? It isnt the 13thgrade of High School. It is challenging

and adjustments will need to be made to fit into your new environment. It is important as you

enter college to consider the differences above. Which of the differences above is the biggest

change for you? Which difference is the biggest challenge?


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Why is a college degree valuable in regards to your pocketbook?

Your college degree or certificate program is almost always worth the money and time invested.

(United States Department of Education, Adult College Completion Toolkit Tolbert, Michelle

2013)

Nelson Mandela (1918-2013)

Education is the most powerful

weapon with which you can change


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ctivities

Activity 1: Qualities of Successful PeopleA. List the qualities of a successful student. List the qualities of an unsuccessful student.

B. List the qualities of a person you know and respect. Compare the qualities of a successfulstudent and those people you know and respect. Which qualities are learnable skills and

which qualities are learned behaviors? How can you develop and cultivate these qualitiesthat successful people share. Discuss as a class.

Activity 2: Understanding the Student Handbook

Presented by your instructor with various problems and scenarios you might find in college, findthe solution in the Tri C Student Handbook.

Activity 3: Play the RoleWorking in a group, write a short scene that demonstrates disrespect in the classroom (keep itclean!). Act this scene out. As a class, decide which qualities arent acceptable in a college

atmosphere and why.

Activity 4: SelfieIn a small group, take a selfie with a college employee at the campus. Write a caption that gives

their name, title, and a description of their role with the college. Options can include but arent

limited to the presidents office, deans office, counseling center, financial aid, the enrollmentcenter, career center, academic affairs, the tutoring center, bookstore, etc.

Activity 5:Educational AutobiographyDescribe your relationship with formal education throughout your life. Start from your childhood

and work your way to the present day. Discuss the peaks and valleys, expressing your opinion

about your education and how your attitude towards it has changed.

Activity 6:Entrance Interview

Answer your instructors questions about your station in life which may include your educational

background, employment/volunteer history, predictions and concerns about your college

education, and big worries you might have in the future.

A


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hapter 2: Connections

The first decision you make when first entering a college classroom is where to sit. Sitting near

the front wont guarantee your success or failure at college. However, just going from the parkinglot to an isolated seat, not joining class discussion, not talking with many of your peers, and

immediately returning home does not bode well for your success.

Make connections at college! Communicate with people. Join a club . . . engage! Quite simply,

your engagement with the college community is one of the most important element in a positive

college experience.

--Alexander Astin from What Matters in College? (1993)

What is quality engagement and involvement?

Besides creating the right disposition for success (see Chapter 1), honing your classroom skills(Chapter 5), attending class regularly, and understanding instructor and classroom expectations

you should consider the following steps to create productive engagement with faculty:

Request the syllabus and meet your instructor before the start of class

Utilize instructor office hours to discuss any concerns you may have with the course

Come to class prepared (complete reading assignments and homework); being preparedhelps to overcome self-doubt

Utilize class time to clarify concepts you might not understand. Listen and engage in the

classroom activities

Treat your instructors with respect; utilize good manners and exhibit professional behaviors

Remember, your instructors are people too!

C

Frequentinteractionwithfacultyismorestronglyrelatedto

satisfactionwithcollegethananyothertypeofinvolvement.


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The connections we make to faculty and peers dont just help you succeed in the classroom. Afteryou graduate, the connections you make often serve you in the professional world. For example,

almost every job requires references (often written letters of reference and evaluation).

Transferring to other academic pursuits certainly requires additional recommendations about thequality of your work, and the quality of your character. Faculty members and staff are great

resources in this regard. Obviously, if you dont create these relationships, you may miss out on

important resources. When you have a particularly good class, send a thank you email, stop byand tell the instructor what you most liked about a course. Ask questions. Be curious. Most

instructors like to talk!

You should also look to create productive relationships with your peers. Not only can they providesupport, direction, share information and advice, but you are sharing the same experiences. You

are going to college, the same college, and facing many of the same hurdles. Learn from on

another. Share with one another. There is room for all of us to succeed. In fact, everyone meetingtheir goals is exactly what we want!

Maybe the most important way (after fully engaging in your classes) to connect to the college isthrough the many programs and opportunities Tri-C offers.

Connect Directly!

Some of the best ways to connect are outside of the classroom. Our college has an abundance of

ways to connect academically, socially, and through volunteer activities. We also have

opportunities for employment! The following is a list of some of the various ways to connect:

Each Tri C campus has a Student Life and Athletics/Recreation Office that oversees various

programs and activities including . . .

Drama Club

Breakwall Literary Magazine

History Club

International Club

Phi Theta Kappa (honors society)

The Voice (student newspaper)

Xtreme Fitness and Wellness Club

Disney Fanime Club

. . . and many more! Search the following link to find more club opportunities:

http://www.tri-c.edu/student-life/

Campus Specific Connections

Because Tri-C has four main campuses, many clubs and programs are only located in one specific

location. Make sure to check online for information about clubs and programs available on your

main campus.

Our college is an active place. Check the Tri C calendar for events on each campus to keep up to

date with what is going on each day!

http://events.tri-c.edu/


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Student Governance

In addition to clubs you could think about joining student government. Check out the followingwebsite to learn how to participate:

http://www.tri-c.edu/student-life/student-government.html

Student Support Programs

Tri-C programs that directly support students in different ways include:

Access - The Access Program supports students with disabilities at any Tri-C campus.Common disability types include learning disabilities, sensory limitations, psychiatric

conditions, physical mobility conditions and chronic health issues. All matters related to a

persons disability are kept confidential.

TRiO -Student Support Services (SSS) helps students graduate with an associate degree or

transfer to a 4-year school for a bachelor's degree. The program is open to students who

are either low-income or whose parents did not graduate with a bachelor's degree.

Tech Prep- The Tri-C Tech Prep Program enables high school students in grades 11 and

12 to participate in state-approved career and technical programs to earn articulated college

credit upon high school graduation.

Career Services - The Career Center provides free services to support and prepare

students, alumni and community members for a successful job search through workshopsand individual career coaching. Assistance is provided with identifying co-op/internship or

full-time employment through job fairs and on campus recruiting days.

Mentoring- The Mentoring Program matches students with faculty and staff members to

provide personalized support and connection to campus resources.

Financial Aid- This office is dedicated to helping students navigate financial aid options

for paying for their college expenses. Students can meet with a Student Financial AidAdvisor to obtain information about various financial aid options, which includes grants,

scholarships, student loans, and public benefits.

Project Go- This grant funded program provides support and assistance to students who

may face financial challenges while working toward their educational goals. Tri-C staff

and interns act as benefit coaches for students. Participants are able to determine eligibilityand apply for public benefits from 4 campus locations.

Black American Council - This organization provides comprehensive programs for

students through community outreach and involvement, career development opportunities,

workshops and forums, and cultural awareness through activities and field trips. Thegroup's Mentoring Program links students, faculty, and staff in relationships that encourage

student excellence and provide continuous support. Scholarships are awarded to students

each year based on achievement.


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Hispanic Council- This organization facilitates the implementation of Hispanic initiatives

to benefit Tri-C and the Hispanic community. The Council offers student support for

admissions and registration, help with the financial aid process, advocacy, and connection

to Tri-C programs, services, faculty and staff, including members who are bilingual.

Women in Transition - This non-credit, eight-week session is designed to positively

transform the participant and empower them to move forward in their lives through

education and training. Curriculum is based on Personal Development, Career Exploration,Computer Class, and Workshops.

Tutoring - All tutoring services are free of charge to Tri-C students for the courses in

which they are currently enrolled and are available by appointment or walk-in! Please

bring your Student ID to your campus Learning Center to receive tutoring services.

Writing Center- The consultants in the Writing Center can help writers during any phaseof the writing process, on any subject, from brainstorming to a final copy and anywhere in

between. They assist in document preparation, citation style, research, and other technical

aspects of the writing process. They also help with creative writing, personal writing,

technical communication, and college entrance essays.

Veterans Services - Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces are provided with access toaffordable education and workforce training programs that allow them to transition

successfully from military to civilian life. Veteran Campus Support Teams are comprisedof specialists from key departments throughout the college for areas of support in which

veterans require services.

Counseling- The Counseling Center provides academic, career, and personal counseling

to students. Success Workshops are also offered to help students excel inside and outsidethe classroom.

You can find out more information about any of the services above by searching for them on theTri-C website.

Volunteering and connecting to the larger community

Tri-C is directly connected to the community in a variety of ways. From our High School Rock

Off to the Tri C Jazzfest, corporate sponsorships to partnerships with other colleges and

Universities, Tri-C is very active in the community. As a part of this, we partner and support manynon-profit organizations that have volunteer opportunities. To help you engage, consider some of

these opportunities to enhance your own community!

Connect to the following web link to get a full list of volunteer opportunities:

http://www.tri-c.edu/student-life/documents/volunteer-opportunities.pdf

Some of the organizations include:

Domestic Violence and Child Advocacy Center

Cleveland Animal Protective League

The Cleveland Orchestra


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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cleveland

Cleveland Metro Parks

Ronald McDonald House

The Free Medical Clinic of Greater Cleveland

Habitat for Humanity

Wounded Warrior Project

Business Volunteers Unlimited

Peruse some of the following social media sites to see how our college is active online:

www.tri-c.edu/about/follow-us.html

Facebook Linkedin Twitter Youtube Google

Check out the Tri-C Mobile App for your smart phone!

Tri-C Mobile lets you access a wide range of essential college life

information and services like interactive campus maps, Blackboard courses, financial aidinformation, campus news, and the campus directory, all on the go, directly from your

Smartphone. Best of all, it is free of charge!


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ctivities:

Activity 1: Research a Tri-C program or volunteer activity and write a paragraph about it

describing it and your interest in it. *Homework option:Bring in a perishable food item to class.

Find out where the Student Food Bank drop box is and help someone out!

Activity 2:Research a club or student organization either online or in person.

http://www.tri-c.edu/student-life/student-clubs/index.html.

Present a 1-2 minute presentation on the club or organization you are interested in to your peers.

Activity 3: Review Tri-Cs online social media presence. Choose one of the social media outlets

listed on the link above and send a message to us, post a comment, and/or explore and engage!

Write a paragraph describing the online experience.

Activity 4: In small groups, go to one of the following campus places and find out what events

and activities are unique to your specific campus.

Student Life and Recreation Counseling

Academic Affairs

Welcome/Information Desk

Presidents Office

Career Center

Present the information about your campus to the class.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

A


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hapter 3

Tech Support and

Library Resources

Make no mistake, we live in a digital world. Our jobs, our entertainment, our social networks, our

education, our communication, all happen digitally and within the framework of a rapidlyshrinking globe. Almost every aspect of our lives is affected by technology. This digital world

will not decrease in importance. In fact, you can be almost certain you will need to be

technologically aware, and skilled, in order to reach your goals.

If you feel very overwhelmed when you think about technology, know that you have help with thebasics. If you dont know much this chapter offers Tri-C help: computer classes, free workshops,

online tutorials, including tutoring in the Technology Learning Center (TLC), and much more.

The internet has created the largest collection of information the world has ever known. From the

famous library of Alexandria to the library of Congress, no place compares to our current WorldWide Web. Having this tremendous resource for information, however, does not equal knowledge

and wisdom. How wefindand interpret this information is crucial to our success in academics, in

the marketplace, and can readily help us live our lives more productively and fully.

The devices we use to communicate change rapidly. How we interface with these devices,

fortunately or unfortunately, significantly contributes to our successes in life, academics, and theworking world. Read the material below to learn information which will help you with two criticaltopics around which your life at Tri-C will often be centered. The first topic explains the different

types of formats in which classes are offered. The second topic covers the Tri-C Library resources

and Information Literacy.

Technology in the Classroom

There are three ways to take classes at Tri-C: brick and mortar (face-to-face), fully online courses,

and blended/hybrid courses. It is important to understand the differences in these formats and

perhaps more important to understand which format fits you best.

Online courses allow students to complete all course requirements without coming to a Tri-C

campus. Students engage with their faculty member and other students, complete assignments, andparticipate in instruction all via the Blackboard Learning Management System. *Tests may be

online or in a suitable proctored environment.

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Students that succeed in online courses:

Are computer savvy (including accessing and understanding Blackboard) and can easily

navigate the internet

Are self-motivated, self-disciplined, manage time well, and are independent learners

Know how to stay in communication with the class and professor

Blended learning courses, also called hybrid classes, blend online and face-to-face classroominstruction. Students participate in classroom instruction with a faculty member and other course

activities in the virtual environment. Watch this video to find out more about Blended Learning:

http://youtu.be/nmJkGA0YOdc

Students that succeed in hybrid/blended courses:

Are computer savvy

Want some face-to-face contact with professor

Know how to stay on task with few face-to-face prompts

Brick and Mortar or Face-to-Face courses are the most common format for classes. These

traditional courses may or may not include an online component.

Students that succeed in face-to-face courses:

Like the energy and community created in a classroom

Are comfortable taking notes, speaking in front of people, and interacting with peers andfaculty

Ultimately each course is different. Just because you have an online course, this doesnt mean youwont be expected to come to campus for certain assignments. This is true for blended learning

classes and brick and mortar/face-to-face courses. Although there are standard definitions for each

specific class format, professors sometimes like to change things up to keep them fresh. The best

suggestion for you as a student, is to email the professor before you register and ask for a copy of

the syllabus so you know exactly how the class will run.

When you sign up for your courses, make sure that you have the right course format! This islocated to the far right on the description of the class (it is large and red type below but not on the

course search! See the screenshot below for an example:

80974 ENG 1010 West 3.000 CollegeCompositionI

M 11:30 am-01:20 pmDay

20 4 16 12 0 12 InstructorName

09/08-12/1314-WeekSession

-West LiberalArts B 212

BlendedLearning

82068 ENG 1010 West 3.000 College Composition I 26 0 26 12 0 12 InstructorName

08/24-12/13Full Term

Online


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Go to the following link to find out more about these various learning formats, online programs,

e-learning, electronic student services, and more!

http://www.tri-c.edu/online-learning/index.html

Library and Information Literacy

The Learning Commons is the name given to the all-important Tri-C resources including theLibrary, Technology, and Media Services. Here is the link:

http://www.tri-c.edu/learning-commons/index.html.

We cannot overstate the importance of these resources. A successful college experience requiresreading, researching, and communicating on a daily basis. Become familiar with the Learning

Commons right now!

The Tri-C Library provides students, faculty, staff and community patrons access to a wealth of

information resources including books, journals (both print and electronic), media, and more.

The Technology Learning Center (TLC) provides students, faculty, staff and community usersaccess to computers with high speed Internet and various software applications. The TLC's are

equipped with both Windows and at some sites MAC workstations. There are over 2000

workstations installed college-wide. Each campus TLC has an open lab with network laser printersand support staff to assist users with technology.


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Do you need help with the following? If so, here is a where-to-go guide.

Basic computer skills: Visit the Learning Commons staff is available to help in person.

Blackboard support: Please call 216-987-4257

Know your S number and CRN for the course in question when calling. Support staff areavailable 24 hours per day.

Student may also access various resources via the Blackboard home page.

For additional resources to online technologies visit:

http://www.tri-c.edu/online-learning/elearning-technologies/elearning-technologies-

students/index.html

If you just need basic Blackboard help, you can also visit the Learning Commons in person.Depending upon the program or class it may be most appropriate for you to contact your instructor.

The Learning Commons staff will do their best to assist you with the applications on the

computer. Please keep in mind that outside of Microsoft Office, knowledge of the many

applications available is limited.

The Learning Commons contact and location information:

`

Campus Location/Room Number Phone Number

Eastern ESS-3100 & ESS-3200 216-987-0595

Metropolitan MTLC-256 216-987-3679

Western

Brunswick University Center

WTLC GT111

BUC - 214

216-987-5656

216-987-3877

WestshoreCCW

SHCS-130SCCW-221

216-987-3888216-987-5888


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ctivities:

Finding Information: The Amazing Library Race

Students often need to find quality information for research papers, speeches or presentations.

This activity will give you some practice doing various types of searches, and keeping track of

your sources.

Challenge 1: Create a document and find a topic.

Create a Word document and call it FYE Library Race. Your name.

Start at the library homepage (http://www.tri-c.edu/learning-commons/library/index.html) and click on Subject Guides

Click on the General Studies then GEN 1803: First Year Success Seminar link.

Click on Opposing Viewpoints in Context and select a topic from the front page or

click on Browse Issues to see more topics. Record the topic in your Word document and the members of your group if working in

a group.

Challenge 2: Find an article related to your topic.

From the First Year Success Seminar LibGuide: Click on Academic Search Completeto find a relevant magazine or scholarly article.

Type your topic in the search box and click search.

Select an article on your topic by clicking on the title.

Get the MLA citation for your article by clicking on Cite (in the right hand column)

Copy and Paste the citation in your Word document.

Challenge 3: Find a book related to your topic.From the First Year Success Seminar LibGuide: Click on Encore: Tri-Cs library catalog.

Type your topic in the search box and click the arrow.

Select a book on your topic by clicking on the title.

Copy and Paste the book title, call number, publication information and which campushas the book in your Word document.

Challenge 4: Find a website related to your topic that would be appropriate to use in college.

From the First Year Success Seminar LibGuide: Click on Google.

Type your topic in the search box. If your topic is a natural phrase put in quotes

global warming To locate quality websites look for a site from .gov/.edu/.org domains.

Record the website title and Copy and Paste the URL in your Word document.

Adapted from Noel T. and Petruniak, J. 2008. High ExpectationsTransforming First Year Students into Ethical Scientists INTested Studies for Laboratory Teaching, Vol. 30 (M.A. ODonnell, Ed). Proceedings of 28thWorkshop/Conference of the

Association for Biology Laboratory Education (ABLE).

A


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Activity 1: Blackboard Introduction

Login to the course site on Blackboard. Answer the question(s) that your instructor poses.

Activity 2 (walkabout): The Amazing Library Race

The Amazing Library Race is an assignment taught by library faculty. This one-hour activity

will lead you through the process of finding an appropriate and quality topic, finding books andarticles, utilizing web searches, and finding other online resources that support your research.

Activity 3: On Being Well Read

Identify and list what you read on a regular basis. Then list the other media you engage with on aregular basis (online, television, radio, gaming, etc.). Then read the article on being well read

in the 21stcentury. Write a reflective essay (one page) on how you can engage in the world of

knowledge and information in productive ways. Identify how this may be important to yourpersonal and intellectual growth as you become a lifelong learner.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2011/04/21/135508305/the-sad-beautiful-fact-that-were-all-going-

to-miss-almost-everything

After you complete the assignment, consider the following sources to add to your regular reading

and engagement.


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hapter 4: Time is on Your Side

Life will get busier in college. It certainly should. Considering how college time works and

improving your time management skills will go a long way towards helping you succeed in

academics, in the work force, and in life.

Productive people know how to manage time to achieve clear goals. Planning time wisely isessential to your success. Managing your time actually saves you time! You can actually cut

stress, and worry less when you have plan your work and work your plan.

Keeping track of your own time!

(1706-1790)

You can buy any variety of fancy time management tools if you think they will help. The realityis that if you dont have a calendar of some sort that helps you keep track of your requirements,

you will probably begin to miss important items as your college schedule gets busier. You dont

needto get anything complicated to help you manage time. If you use your cell phone or someother electronic devices, it makes sense to investigate time management tools in these

formats. However, you can just as easily keep track of your time with a cheap monthly calendar

printed off the internet or splurge on a calendar with pictures of smiling cats. Indeed, for ourpurposes, you can use the calendar provided in the student handbook.

The reality is that if you write important items down, you will remember thembetter. On those days when you have a cold or are distracted, having a calendar can help you

stabilize your life. A wisely maintained calendar serves as your anchor when life begins to feeloverwhelming.

C

Dostthoulovelife?Thendonot

squandertime,forthatisthe

stufflifeismadeof.

BenFranklin


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To Do lists work better when items are assigned a corresponding

time. Importantly, this will help you get things done.

Procrastination

Procrastination is a formidable foe. We often put off the most important items because they aredifficult to deal with. We may sit down to do an important task and immediately get up to make

a snack or do something that doesnt cause us stress . . . that distracts us. Another common

procrastination tendency is to wait for the right time. There is no right time; there is only now.However, these are all natural tendencies that effect everyone (you cant be perfect!). The most

successful people learn to acknowledge their time-wasting tendencies and work to overcome them.

The first key to overcoming procrastination is recognizing it:

Know that often the most unpleasant tasks take a back seat; recognize the difficult tasksyou might face, but also consider their importance so you can make a smart plan for dealingwith them.

If you have perfectionist tendencies, know that you may often put things off because you

arent in the right frame of mind to do it perfectly.

With the most difficult tasks, often we just dont know what to do or how to do it. Thiscan overwhelm us and cause procrastination.

Procrastination is habitual, a part of our everyday behavior in many cases. Once you recognize

the degree (and reality) of your own procrastination, you are ready to start making yourself more

productive. Some tips:

Make rewards for yourself based on your difficult tasks. And, recognize how good it feelsto get a difficult task completed. The rewards for hard, smart work arent always tangible,

so it is important for us to appreciate our own work, relish the positive feeling hard work

provides.

Ask people to check up on you. Research shows us that peer pressure helps us accomplishthings!

Recognize the unpleasant realities in notdoing your task.

Focus on one task at a time. This creates more efficient use of your time and can cut down

on that overwhelming feeling when our lives get busy.

Plan, schedule, and set goals . . . (we will get to this shortly!)


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Time Stealers

One thing to consider before we look at how to set good time management habits is to look at our

time stealers. Take a hard look at how you actually spend your time. Consider your cell phone,your friends and family, your shopping habits . . . all of the items that make up how you actually

use your time. Which of these gives the time away? Can you point a finger at any of these Usual

Suspects?

Social Media- Spending countless time texting,face-timehas you captivated, hooked on

Instagram, Pinteresthas your interest.

Television- You promised yourself you would only watch one episode of your favorite

showhowever you managed to binge watch the entire season!

I cant say no!- Every time you say yes to an additional commitment you must be able

to balance it with something else already on your plate. When you say yes, you either needto drop or complete an equivalent project, or be prepared to allocate more time for the new

one.

Procrastination- The biggest time stealer, as mentioned above, is not decision making but

it is the avoidance of making a decision. By reducing the amount of procrastinating you

do, you can increase the amount of time to complete all that you need to do. Remember,we all get the same 24 hours in a day. How will you decide to use yours?

Lack of priorities/objectives- This is probably the biggest/ most important time thief. It

affects all we do academically, professionally and personally. People who accomplish the

most in a day know exactly what they want to accomplish. Unfortunately, too many of us

think that goals and objectives are yearly things (big picture ideas) and not things we need

to consider daily. This results in too much time spent on minor things and not on the things

that are important to our lives.

Here are some strategies for defending your time against the time stealers:

You dont have to answer the phoneDo not jump every time someone decides theywant to buzz you and talk about things that are not a benefit to your success! Remember

your phone is for your convenience. Otherwise people will steal your time when it is

most inconvenient.

Block your time This is a very powerful strategy for reclaiming your time, both school,work, and personal. Try blocking your time by scheduling yourself for time periods that

you need to keep for yourself, your projects, or whatever. Ironically, it is not kind to say

to a classmate, I cannot talk with you because I have something more important to do,but it is ok to say, I have another commitment at his time. You dont need to reveal

that the commitment is with yourself.

Avoid those who waste your time Many people believe it is important not hang outwith toxic people. This needs to include those who waste your time. You will find that a

specific subset of people are responsible for the majority of time-wasting. Avoidassociating yourself with them too much or you will find yourself hanging out for hours

to discuss last nights TV shows or stupid behaviors of other people.

Set Expectations If you set expectations that your time is valuable, then other people

will start to value it also. Your behavior will actually train those around you as to what isacceptable by example. It is your timeguard it carefully!


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Goal Setting and Planning

Goal setting is something all successful people do. Professionalathletes, business owners, musicians, even good parents create goals.

Consider the following for practical advice in creating smart,

realistic goals:

Step 1:

Before you start setting goals it is useful to consider your recent past. Consider whatyouve accomplished, what disappointed you, what you learned, and the limits you put on

yourself. Refer to the assignment at the end of this chapter for help in goal setting.

Consider what you want to achieve, why you want to achieve it, and when you hope to get

it done.

Consider the steps needed to get this done. Who/what can help with these steps? Whatobstacles will you face (internally and externally?)? And finally, what are the solutions tothese steps?

Step 2:

Start big! List your lifetime goals in increments of time throughout your life (2-year goal, 5-year,

etc.). Consider your education, career, finances, attitude, family life, values, artistic achievements,

public service, entertainment and personal health.

When you are in your golden years, how do you want to look back on your life? It is important at

this point in your life to make sure you are honest with yourself, not relying just on what familymembers or society tells you is a good goal. With this in mind, know that your goals would (and

should) change over your lifetime.

Step 3:

List short term goals with a calendar. These smaller steps are extremely useful on a day-to-day

basis. They should help us accomplish tasks that lead to shorter term goals and life-term goals.

Refer to the assignments at the end of this chapter to get started.

A common element in goal setting is to consider the SMARTgoal anagram:

Specific and/or Significant: Who? What? Where? When? Why?Measurable and/or Meaningful: If you cant measure it you cant manage it.Attainable: These are Action steps!

Relevant and/or Rewarding: Realistic? Is it doable?

Time Bound and Trackable: Is it traceable and able to be tracked?


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In addition, consider your own energy and when you are best prepared to handle different types of

tasks. For example, if you are not a morning person, dont sign up for a Math class at 8am! Dont

try to figure out your financial aid before you eat breakfast! Schedule easy work at times when

you arent at your peak energy. Schedule your most difficult tasks when you are at your best.

Planning your weekend and leisure time is important as well. It may seem strange (or even wrong!)

to plan your leisure time, but research shows that you are happier when you plan your freetime. Indeed, doing nothing doesnt lead to happiness (when we have the time we tend to

gravitate towards doing nothing). If you plan your leisure time to some degree, it will be more

memorable and generally more enjoyable. In fact, studies show anticipation of actually leads tohappiness. Obviously, if you dont plan, you cant anticipate and you lose out on the fun of looking

forward to something you really want to do.

Stopping Bad Habits and Creating Good Habits

We know from many years of research that two of the most important qualities to possess inorder to achieve your goals are perseverance and the ability to delay gratification. In plain

English, perseverance means the ability to stick-to-it, to not give up, to keep working hard. Delay

of gratification means that you are able to hold off on that pleasure you might love to have right

now because you know you have important work to do first. Follow this link to see an example

of the classic Marshmallow Experiment that was initially done 40 years ago.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mWc1Y2dpmY

You will laugh hysterically while you observe the young childrens struggle with trying not toeat a marshmallow right now, so they could earn two marshmallows in the future. While you are

laughing, you will also recognize that we all have this same struggle every day, just not with

marshmallows. Deciding not to go to a party right now so you can study for a Math testtomorrow (and as a result earn a higher grade in Math at the end of the semester), is just as

tough for us as delaying eating the marshmallow was for the preschoolers.

Know that delay of gratification paid off for the preschoolers who were able to hold off, and it

also pays off for us. The higher willpower children later scored higher on their SATs, had betterBMIs thirty years later, and forty years later still tested higher in delay of gratification, which

demonstrates willpower. If you would like to read a very shortAmerican Psychologistarticle

describing these facts, follow this link:https://www.apa.org/helpcenter/willpower-gratification.pdf

If you would like to work on improving your willpower, or "harnessing" it, follow this link for

concrete suggestions:

http://apa.org/helpcenter/willpower-harnessing.aspx.

If you have trouble with these two important qualities, know you are in good company. Here are

some suggestions for stopping bad habits and creating good, new habits. These suggestion can be

found at:

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/featured/18-tricks-to-make-new-habits-stick.html.


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With a small amount of initial discipline, you can create a new habit that requires little effort to

maintain. Here are some tips for creating new habits and making them stick:

1. Commit to Thirty Days Three to four weeks is all the time you need to make a habit

automatic. If you can make it through the initial conditioning phase, it becomes much easier to

sustain. A month is a good block of time to commit to a change since it easily fits in your calendar.

2. Make it Daily Consistency is critical if you want to make a habit stick. If you want to start

exercising, go to the gym every day for your first thirty days. Going a couple times a week willmake it harder to form the habit. Activities you do once every few days are trickier to lock in as

habits.

3. Start Simple Dont try to completely change your life in one day. It is easy to get over-

motivated and take on too much. If you wanted to study two hours a day, first make the habit to

go for thirty minutes and build on that.

4. Remind Yourself Around two weeks into your commitment it can be easy to forget. Placereminders to execute your habit each day or you might miss a few days. If you miss time it defeats

the purpose of setting a habit to begin with.

5. Stay Consistent The more consistent your habit the easier it will be to stick. If you want to

start exercising, try going at the same time, to the same place for your thirty days. It is easier tomake them stick when cues like time of day and place and circumstances are the same.

6. Get a Buddy Find someone who will go along with you and keep you motivated if you feellike quitting.

7. Form a Trigger A trigger is a ritual you use right before executing your habit. If you wantedto wake up earlier, this could mean waking up in exactly the same way each morning. If you

wanted to quit smoking you could practice snapping your fingers each time you felt the urge topick up a cigarette.

8. Replace Lost Needs - If you are giving up something in your habit, make sure you areadequately replacing any needs youve lost. If watching television gave you a way to relax, you

could take up meditation or reading as a way to replace that same need.

9. Be Imperfect Dont expect all your attempts to change habits to be successful immediately.

It took me four independent tries before I started exercising regularly. Now I love it. Try your best,

but expect a few bumps along the way.

10. Use But When you start to think negative thoughts, use the word but to interrupt it. Im

no good at this, but, if I work at it I might get better later.

11. Remove Temptation - Restructure your environment so it wont tempt you in the first thirty

days. Remove junk food from your house, cancel your cable subscription, throw out the cigarettes

so you wont need to struggle with willpower later.


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12. Associate With Role Models - Spend more time with people who model the habits you want

to mirror. A recent study found that having an obese friend indicated you were more likely to

become fat. You become what you spend time around.

13. Run it as an Experiment - Withhold judgment until after a month has past and use it as an

experiment in behavior. Experiments cant fail, they just have different results so it will give you

a different perspective on changing your habit.

14. Swish - A technique from NLP. Visualize yourself performing the bad habit. Next visualize

yourself pushing aside the bad habit and performing an alternative. Finally, end that sequence withan image of yourself in a highly positive state. See yourself picking up the cigarette, see yourself

putting it down and snapping your fingers, finally visualize yourself running and breathing free.

Do it a few times until you automatically go through the pattern before executing the old habit.

15. Write it Down A piece of paper with a resolution on it isnt that important. Writing that

resolution is. Writing makes your ideas more clear and focuses you on your end result.

16. Know the Benefits - Familiarize yourself with the benefits of making a change. Get books that

show the benefits of regular exercise. Notice any changes in energy levels after you take on a newdiet. Imagine getting better grades after improving your study habits.

17. Know the Pain You should also be aware of the consequences. Exposing yourself to realistic

information about the downsides of not making a change will give you added motivation.

18. Do it For Yourself - Dont worry about all the things you should have as habits. Instead tool

your habits towards your goals and the things that motivate you. Weak guilt and empty resolutionsarent enough.

(adapted from http://www.lifehack.org/articles/featured/18-tricks-to-make-new-habits-stick.html)

Heres what you can learn about time management from very successful people:

1.Do a time log. See how long things take and when your best windows are.

2.Plan the whole week. Focus on your core competency and what makes you happy.

3.Have a morning ritual that gets you closer to your long term goals.

4.Set 3-5 anchor events for the weekend.

5.

Plan something fun for Sunday night. (from lifehack website listed above)


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ctivities

Activity 1: Academic/Personal calendar creation

Go to the calendar in the student handbook, your phone or a digital device, or some other calendar(that you will see every day!). Utilizing the syllabi from all your courses, mark in test dates and

project/paper due dates. Mark in your final exam times and other college activities you are

interested in. In addition, write in your work schedule, family activities, social activities, and reallyany relevant plans.

Activity 2: Goal Setting

Go to the Blackboard website for this activity about overcoming the Big Rocks in your life.Dr. Steven R. Covey Article and YouTube Video:

FYE\Big Rocks of Life.htm Big Rocks YouTube Video

Activity 3(walkabout): What Time is It?

Students will seek out faculty/staff and ask them questions about how they manage time (faculty

would identify willing faculty/staff participants).

VS

A


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Activity 4: Whats My Motivation?

Having desired goals to reach is a commonality that we all share. The important piece is takingour goals from a notion to reality. General goals may be stated as I want to be financially

secure, or I want to be happy. But just like one would need the GPS to be specific on a journey,

goals should be specified as well, to guarantee a timely arrival. For example, saying I want toearn my Associate of Science degree within two years, and transfer to a four year college to major

in Pre-Physical Therapy, versus I want to get a good education. A powerful process in achieving

desired goals is to plainly write them down.

1. Make a to do list for the rest of the day. You may include tasks like Return a friend or

family members phone call. Keep it simple and prioritize (realistically) items youd liketo accomplish.

2. Set one or two short term goals to be completed within a week. Most productive people

keep some type of written record of what they would like to accomplish. An example mayinclude I will clean my car out.

3. Contemplate on and write down up to three midterm goals that can be fulfilled within thenext 1 to 3 years. The objective can be educational, financial, or personal.

4. Envision and list your top 3 to 5 long term goals. One that will be achieved in the next 5 to10 years. How you see your life in the larger scheme of things will guide what you list here.

Remember to make it meaningful, as you consider your internal values.


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Introduction to critical thinking:

Critical thinking is a vital skill in a variety of ways. It helps us determine right from wrong. It

helps us make good decisions about our lives and families. It helps us determine if the

information we are presented with is true or not. Modern research tells us employers valuecritical thinking as much as any other skills. Critical thinking is also crucial to academic success.

The discipline of philosophy is concerned with the search for what is true. Critical thinking is a

subset of philosophy which concerns itself with evaluating arguments. Modern society offers

many competing viewpoints and arguments on how to live, think and act. To be a functioning

member of society one must have the ability to discern and judge these viewpoints. Your parents

and past teachers have undoubtedly worked to teach you good critical thinking skills. Your

college professors will help you to develop those skills even further. Be sure to apply your

critical thinking skills to everything you see, hear, and read. You will then be better able to judge

the value of the input you are bombarded with daily. Once you apply your critical thinking skills

you will determine some views are more informed than others. Critical thinking is a process ofopen-ended inquiry in which viewpoints are judged based on their logic and how they relate to

the outside world, not based on popular opinion or an overbearing authority figure. Everyone

has an opinion on a topic but some opinions are better based on the quality of the evidence.

The process of critical thinking

Open-ended exploration is your friend. No idea is a bad idea in the brainstorming phase.

Discuss the topic in a small group. Jot down ideas. Make a list. Also, when you are initially

collecting research do not judge the information. Sometimes in a research paper you will need to

present both sides of the issue. Therefore an opinion you dont agree with can still be valuable

for your research. One of the best ways to win an argument is to know the other side as wellas your own.

Once you have scoured your own brain for ideas, you will begin to join the conversation about

your topicand begin your road to scholarly research. Your original ideas are important,

however, you want to know how they fit into the larger conversation the world is having about

your topic.


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What is a research topic?

In many college courses you are asked to prepare a research paper or speech on a complex issueor topic. Finding a focusedtopic that fits the required assignment length is important. A topic

such as the death penalty might be too broad to cover in just a few pages whereas an

investigation into whether or not minors should be subjected to the death penalty may be

possible to cover in a shorter span.

Common Research Topics in the Academic World

Health and Medicine

Euthanasia (or Assisted Suicide)

Legalization of marijuana (medical and/or recreational)

Society and Culture

Abortion

Affirmative Action

Gay Marriage (or Same Sex Marriage)

Gun control

The Death Penalty (or Capital Punishment)

Energy and Environmentalism

Climate Change / Global Warming

Fracking

Try picking one of the focused topics that you generate and then complete the Amazing LibraryRace assignment (Chapter 3; Assignment 2).

English and Writing: From Short Answers to Essays

Most academic majors and programs require satisfactory completion of ENG 1010 and ENG 1020.

These are fundamental courses in the academic world and transfer broadly to other institutions of

higher learning. While you work toward passing these "gateway" courses, whether you need somedevelopmental coursework or not, some practical guidance to writing may serve you well.


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The reality is high quality writing and reading is fundamental in the academic world and the skills

involved transfer broadly to the working world, to real life. In your classes you will be asked toread and write in abundance.

Generally, writing is a skill but also a craft. As such, it takes workingat the craft of writing tobecome a better writer. Many people have strong blocks to become a better writer. For example,

they think Im not a good writer and immediately handicap themselves. Other people experience

writers block and use this as an excuse to procrastinate.

For writers block, try the following tips:

Just write/type whatever is in your brain. Let your fingers move and create words. Knowthat you will erase most of these words, but you are just working to get at your good

ideasyou are doing this to clear your mind, reduce clutter, and get more focused.

Change your environment. Many people find that they work best in loud areas, quiet areas,or while listening to music. Change up your situation!

Type instead of using a pen/pencil or write longhand instead of typing. This simple switchcan help get you over the hump, get you started.

Make a list of ideas in bullet form rather than using full sentences. This can take thepressure off of having to have each sentence perfect when you first sit down to write.

In fact, you know how to write already. All you are doing in college is working to become a better

writer and learning the type of writing used at a collegiate level (including improving your researchskills). This takes time.

Becoming a good writer also means reading as a writer. When you read, try to figure out howand why the author organizes their work in a certain way. Learn from how they use punctuation,

quotes, or other writing craft devices. For example, if you dont know how to write dialogue, pick

up a novel or two and see how they handle the back and forth of conversations.

Common Collegiate Writing Assignments:

Short Answers and Essay Exams:

Read the question carefully. Consider the key words that you may address and the specific point(s)to be addressed. Directly address the question in your response (don't get caught up writing

"anything you know" about the contents of the question). Note how the question is framed and

whether the question is asking for your opinion, a definition, or asking you to synthesize severalideas.

Don't rush! Gather your thoughts on a separate page. Don't start writing on the exam itself (online

or on paper) until you have framed your answer.

Craft a topic sentence that directly answers the main question and includes the appropriate key

words. It is normal to use language from the question in your response (key words).


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Depending upon the length required by the question and the complexity of the question, craft

supporting sentences. These should explain key concepts, provide direct evidence to youranswer/topic sentence, and generally support your topic sentence. If your answer is more than 3-

4 sentences in length, consider a concluding statement that reinforces your main point(s).

Essay Writing:

Engage. Engage. Engage. Too many people think writing a paper and learning to write, are

isolated activities. This doesn't have to be the case. In fact being more open with your writingprocess will help you learn faster and create better papers. Below are some practical ways to make

writing essays more engaging, manageable, and help you make the grade:

Read the assignment sheet carefully: Ask your instructor for clarification and furtherguidance if an assignment isn't clear.

Go to the writing center! Each campus has a writing center that you should familiarizeyourself with.

Discuss the essay with your peers.

Start early. Make a plan to complete a full draft of the paper well before the due date. Ina best case scenario for your important papers, you should spend as much time revisingand editing as you do creating the first full draft.

Pay careful attention to any remarks you might get from your instructor about your writing.If they have written "comma splice" on your paper over and over, seek help with commasplices! If you pay attention to the repetitive errors you are making, your writing will

improve drastically in a short period of time.

Guide your writing with an introduction that addresses the purpose of your writing directlyand outlines how the paper will proceed. Allow supporting paragraphs to support yourpurpose (often called a thesis). This is a basic formula for essay writing and you shouldpay attention when and how an assignment deviates from this basic formula.

Let someone else read your paper and suggest changes. A second pair of eyes is essential.You may choose to adopt their changes, or not, but inevitably a fresh pair of eyes will catchsome typos you missed.

Revise writings, especially the papers that most profoundly impact your grade. Revisingdoesn't just mean re-reading the paper for small errors. Consider each element of your

assignment carefully. Try different methods of careful reading and editing, includingreading out loud (this slows you down, allowing you to see more mistakes).

Don't wait until the last hours to write your papers! This is a terrible habit for your growthas a writer and your grades. The reality is that, even if you "work best under pressure,"

you won't get the best quality writing and you won't learn as quickly waiting until the last

minutes. If you need help with your writing skills, don't shy away from the challenge. Ifyou enjoy writing and have gotten "pretty good grades" to this point, you still have room

to grow. Again, writing is a craft. It takes time to perfect.


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Test Taking:

Test anxiety is real for many people. You probably know if you are a good test taker or not. If

you are a good test taker, keep doing what you are doing! If not, consider the following to helpabate the stress of exams which will allow you to focus and test at a higher level:

Develop good study habits.

Take and review class notes.

Eliminate/control lifestyle distractions.

Organize your class materials (find a good strategy and stick with it!).

Study with a group or partner and utilize the colleges writing center, math lab, and tutoring center.

Dont be afraid to ask for help!

Add study time in your personal calendar.

Organize the material you need to cover. Create a step-by-step guide to be studied and learned.

Avoid dwelling on outside pressures: grade, graduation, peer pressure, family pressure, etc.

Review your past test performances and learn from them!

If you know the type of exam you will be taking, try a practice test so you are comfortable with the

procedure.

Approach the exam with confidence in a positive frame of mind (it is obviously much easier to do

when you have prepared well).

Choose a comfortable test taking spot.

Allow yourself the full time allotted.

Avoid planning for the cram session; this heightens anxiety.

Exercise can help with your concentration and sharpen your mind.

Dont go to an exam on an empty stomach and take a snack; sugar levels have proven to vastly

effect mental performance.

Read the test directions carefully.

If you draw a blank skip the question and go back to it.

Change body position to help yourself relax.

If you get really anxious and overwhelmed, choose one question and start writing what you know.

This can help trigger better answers.

Dont panic when other students start handing in their papers. There is rarely a reward for

finishing first.


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Public Speaking, Performance, and Special Projects

racticing and Delivering a Speech

There are two points of interest that must be focused on when preparing a

speech: your audience and YOU. Lets begin with the audience Imagine

if you were the person acting as the observer. Would you want to sit

through your speech? Design it so that your answer is an emphatic YES! You want to

let your audience know how this information is useful to them. You can do that by relating

the topic to something your listeners already know and care about. Your audience does

not have to particularly agree with your topic, so when you acknowledge differences of

opinion, do it tactfully. For the listeners that do not have any interest in your topic, be

sure to highlight how your speech can help the listeners gain new insight. Now lets get

specific on the three most important phases of speech presentation.

1. Organizing your presentation

Write the introduction

Develop the main body

Construct the conclusion

Create speaking notes and supporting visuals

2. Practicing your presentation

Use your speakers voice before the big day

Listen for repeated phases i.e. (Um. Kind of. Ya know?)

Practice in the room you will deliver the speech

3.

Delivering your presentation

Dress for the occasion

Make eye contact

Acknowledge nonverbal communication (nail picking, posture, etc.)

Project your voice Have fun!

Performances and Special Projects:


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The key to large projects utilizes many of the same skills as test preparation and completing long

papers. Organize your work, stick to your deadlines, read and understand the assignment carefully.

ctivities

Activity 1: Good Behavior?

Make a list of the types of behaviors you have observed in successful students (how they act in the

classroom). Make a list of the types of behaviors that are disruptive in the classroom atmosphere.

As a class, make a collective list of these opposing behaviors. Which of these behaviors give youthe best chance for success?

Activity 2:Syllabus Quiz (requires preparation)

Bring in syllabi from all classes. Note the differences and similarities in the following importantclass components for each syllabus. How do you make the grade for each course? What is the

policy for granting Incompletes? What are the differences in the way the instructors describe their

preferred mode of communication? What are the policies for make-up tests?

Activity 3: Sudden Speech

You have five minutes to prepare a 30 second response for and against a topic provided by

your instructor. Make sure to have a representative to speak on either side. Review the tips for

writing a good speech in this chapter. Note how good preparation leads to higher quality.

Activity 4: Sands of the Hourglass

Based on your instructors prompt, write a timed-essay using the skills presented in this chapter.

A


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hapter 6: Planning Your Career Path

Finding the right job and career is probably an important part of your reason for being in college.

Finding the right job can often feel like a job itself . . . it should! It takes hard work, understandingof self, diligence, and preparation to land the career and job that best fits you.

This chapter will outline a strategy for success in formulating a smart plan to getting that job,starting that career. It will also provide a plan for those who just dont know yet what career would

work best for them.

Being undecided in college is normal, but it also means you have some extra work on your plate.

As a Tri-C student, you have access to the following resources that guide you through designed

action steps toward your career path.

C

MyPlanis a self-assessment that helps students andprofessionals plan more fulfilling lives by making

well-informed decisions about their education and

careers.

An Academic planwill provide an outline of

courses for each semester to help you to be more

successful, and help reach your goal of

graduation.

The Career Centeris here to connect you

with employers and career-related

resources during your education and afterdegree completion.

Choose a job you love and you will never

have to work a day in your life. Con ucius (559-471 BC)


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Step One: My Plan/Self-Assessment

MyPlan is a computerized self-assessment that helps students and professionals plan more

fulfilling lives by making well-informed decisions about their education and careers. The program

gives an objective take on aspects of yourself most important to academic major decisions andyour fit in the workforce. Whether youre deciding on what college to go to, choosing a major,

planning ahead for your first career, or thinking about making a career change, MyPlan evaluates

the following four areas:

Values- helps identify your underlying work needs and motivations to be successful in

your career

Interests- helps you find out what your interests are and understand how they relate to the

world of work

Personality- provides insight to help you understand what careers are right for you

Current Skills- is a profile used to identify your skill set as it relates to chosen selectedcareer

Whether you complete a MyPlan in class or on your own at the Career Center website, be sure to

meet with a Counselor for interpretation of the results, in order to make the most of the information.

The MyPlan website is located below:

http://tri-c.myplan.com/

You may also find this online video, by Tri-C faculty member Dr. Michelle Nicopolis, helpful in

that it takes you through the process of completing MyPlan and helps you understand how tointerpret the results:

http://oxygen.tri-c.edu/presentations/Nicopolis,%20Michelle/MyPlan_Overview_-_Flash_%28Large%29_-_20130505_09.54.00AM.html

Step Two: Counseling/Academic Plan

Creating an academic plan is one of the most important tasks for college students. A good plan

will provide an outline of courses for each semester to help you to be more successful, and help

reach your goal of graduation. Here at Tri-C, My Academic Plan (MAP) is a tool we use thatequips you with specific, long-range, and accurate plans for the completion of your academic

goals. Academic plans should be reviewed and revised with the assistance of a Tri-C Counselor.

In the event you decide to change your major, or transfer to a different college than your originalplan; MAP should always reflect any changes (refer to chapter two for counseling services

description). After completing the interpretation of the self-assessment using the MyPlan andmeeting with an academic counselor, you will want to investigate and utilize career services tohelp you transition into the working world.


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Step Three: Career Center/Job Search

The Career Center is committed to providing a variety of free services to support and prepare

students, alumni and community members for a successful job search through workshops and

individual career coaching. They can assist you with identifying co-op/internship or full-timeemployment through job fairs and on campus recruiting activities. They are here to connect you

with employers and career-related resources during your education and after degree completion.

Knowledge is power. Knowing what your skills and interests are will help you find a good careermatch.

A Career Center is located on each campus. The Career Center online can be found at:

http://www.tri-c.edu/career-services/

While self-assessment and understanding your academic path is crucial to complete first in your

college journey, the career center should be utilized to assist you in this search. You can easily

peruse their website (URL located above) to get information on employers, job search engines andjob fairs, interview tips, and workshops. It is also recommended that you stop by and engage with

Career Center staff so that they can provide individualized assistance based on your needs.


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ctivities

Activity 1: MyPlan

Complete the MyPlan assessment online. Set up an appointment with an academic counselor tohelp interpret your results and how they might help you clarify your academic and career goals.

Prepare 3 questions about your results and your path forward through academics and into the

workforce before you go to your counseling appointment.

Write a summary of what you learned after the appointment and create a plan of action for utilizingcareer services/putting yourself in the right spot in your career field. This plan of action should

contain a list of action items that will get you to your clear goals. This may include job

shadowing, internships, co-ops, etc.

Activity 2 (walkabout): Meet and Greet

Meet with a faculty member in your chosen discipline (if you have one) and have one or more

specific questions prepared about the academic and vocational sides of your field of interest. Inone-page of writing, describe what you learned.

Activity 3 (walkabout): Moving on up . . .

Sit in on an upper level class in your prospective major or a field of interest. Write a page aboutyour observations from the experience and discuss the biggest challenges you foresee in your path

to success in your chosen field.

Activity 4: College Central Network

Sign up for the college central network: www.collegecentral.com/tri-c. Once youve signed up,

write a paragraph describing the general services provided by the website and which might be mostuseful to you.

A

Success is often the result of taking a misstep in the right direction

Al Bernstein


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hapter 7: The Whole Self

I keep fit, I work out, I eat pretty damn well, I dont drink like a fish, and all

of those things are tempered with a holistic mind-set that you need to damn

well respect the vehicle that youre walking around in. Mick Fleetwood

Balance isnt only about eating right and keeping an open mind. All of lifes experiences overtime contribute to establishing balance. Living with a healthy spiritual understanding, fostering

fruitful relationships, establishing a fulfilling career, finding emotional stability, and increasing

our knowledge and fostering wisdom are all great challenges. Finding the balance between theseimportant elements of healthy living can help us reach our goals, provide for our families, and live

to our potential.

Imagine you are a bicycle wheel, full of air, working properly and

efficiently, rolling along as any good wheel would. As you are

traveling along your path, you hit an object that punctures your wellbalanced wheel. What happens to that wheel? Yes, you are correct .

. . the wheel is now flat! As you may have guessed, a punctured

wheel does not roll well. The image of a wheel is you and how you

balance all areas of your well-being. As a college student your healthand wellness are essential to your academic success. One of the most

important things you can do a college student is taking responsibility

to make choices that will help you maintain all aspects of your well-being. Wellness can be definedas a purposeful, enjoyable deliberate lifestyle choice that promotes balance through healthful

practices and a

tri-c's challenger’s guide: practical advice for college success and personal growth

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