Getting the Right Start :Courtney Milleson, M.Ed. STSU 0211 Based on Focus on Community College Success By Staley Getting the Right Start


Challenge Case :Challenge Case Darnell Read the narrative about Darnell Answer the questions in REACTION Do you agree that Darnell’s high school teacher is at fault? Why didn’t the instructor give Darnell a grade? Does “See me” always mean there’s a problem? What are the differences between high school and college?


Welcome to College! :Welcome to College! Going to college is fun, challenging, and rewarding You’re part of a growing segment of the population who chose to attend community college. 48% of all college students nationwide attend community college In Texas that number is even larger. In 2007, Texas colleges and universities graduated 40,000 more students than there were jobs. In 2007, Texas community colleges graduated 7,000 fewer students than there were jobs. You’re making a good choice by attending community college.


Differences between high school & college :Differences between high school & college


So why do people choose community colleges? :So why do people choose community colleges? Some people choose community college because: Testing the waters – can I really do this? Cost & convenience – it’s expensive living away from home paying university fees & tuition Stop-out, Stop-in – you’ve been here before but life got in the way Whatever your reason, community college is a good choice. AC can provide you with a firm foundation for achieving all of your educational goals.


What can 2 years at a community college do? :What can 2 years at a community college do? So you go to AC for two years then… Most AC students are working towards one of two goals Training for a specific career (nursing, wind technology, etc.) Basics to transfer to complete a degree at a four-year university (education, broadcasting/mass communications, pharmacy school, accounting, etc.) Your goals will drive what courses you take, and what educational goals you meet Certificate – allow you to finish coursework sooner and be trained for specific careers (15-50 credits) Associate’s Degree (AA, AS, ADN, AAS) – include core classes (Speech, English, history, government, science, etc.) that can transfer to a four year university


How College Works :How College Works Learning how to play the ‘game’ of college is critical to your long-term success. So – what are the rules? Don’t just add it on – you’re going to have to make time for college, it can’t just be added onto a growing list of personal responsibilities you currently have. Class time is only for Class – not for doctor’s appointments, not for babysitting, not for anything else except class Do your homework (well & on time) – there are no reminders or do-over's in college Be on time and leave when dismissed – showing that you respect your instructors time also means you respect the class work as well (don’t start packing up your things before your dismissed either)


How College Works :How College Works Learning how to play the ‘game’ of college is critical to your long-term success. So – what are the rules? Dress the part – no one, and I mean no one, wants to see your plumbers crack or your cleavage crack. Sorry to be brutal, but there it is. Also, pj’s are not typically acceptable. And remember to shower – especially when you’re working in close quarters. Look like you know something about something. Ask questions/don’t pretend you know everything – at some point your instructors are going to say something that you don’t understand. Not asking them questions about that information is your fault – Instructors assume that if you don’t ask – you understand.


How College Works :How College Works Learning how to play the ‘game’ of college is critical to your long-term success. So – what are the rules? Come prepared – Read the textbook before you arrive, have a pen/pencil/paper/laptop ready to take notes, before the instructor arrives review your notes from last time and prepare to ask questions about what you didn’t understand from your studying Play well with others – many jobs now are team-centered, college is a good place to hone that skill Take charge – don’t wait to be told what to do. Ask questions. Take responsibility for your educational future. THINK! – Don’t be the Scarecrow. Use your brain. Instructors aren’t there to entertain you – they are there to educate you. Participation on your side is critical to your education!


Having a Plan of Action :Having a Plan of Action Most students know what they want to achieve with their education. Regardless, everyone needs a plan. A degree plan is a road map that defines what courses you need to complete in order to achieve your educational goals. There are two types of classes: Core – these classes improve upon skills you probably don’t think you’ll ever need (but trust me, you will) Major (concentration) – the classes that directly deal with your field of study


You are not alone… :You are not alone… Deciphering the crazy world of degree plans can be challenging. AC understands this and wants to help you navigate your ‘road-map’ successfully Understand remedial doesn’t mean ‘stupid’ Remedial courses are designed to get you ready for college-level work. It has nothing to do with your intelligence or ability to learn, just what you currently know. Meet with your campus/major advisor regularly Meet with them during ‘off-season’ times to get more individualized attention (don’t expect to have an hour conversation during the peak of registration) Keep up with degree plan, grades, and the number of hours you’ve taken Review pgs. 12-13 for more tips


What’s a GPA? :What’s a GPA? GPA or grade point average is how your academic success in college will be judged. Each class you take will earn you grade points based on the grade you earn. A’s = 4 points B’s = 3 points C’s = 2 points D’s = 1 point F/W/I’s = 0 points


What’s a GPA? :What’s a GPA? GPA or grade point average is how your academic success in college will be judged. College classes are talked about in ‘hours’ All that means is that each week, you’ll sit in one class for ‘x’ number of hours. ENGL 1301 = a three hour course BIOL 2401 = a four hour course (it has a lab attached) Knowing the number of hours is important because you will multiply this number times the corresponding grade ENGL 1301 = A 3 x 4 = 12 grade points Once you’ve completed this for every class, add up the grade points and divide by the number of hours attempted


What’s a GPA? :What’s a GPA? GPA or grade point average is how your academic success in college will be judged. So say you were taking the following load: STSU 0211 – A MATH 0303 – B PHED 1101 – A ENGL 1301 – C BIOL 2401 – W What would your GPA be? 3.0 GPA


What’s a GPA? :What’s a GPA? GPA or grade point average is how your academic success in college will be judged. Here’s how I got there: STSU 0211 – A (2 hours x 4 grade points = 8) MATH 0303 – B (3 hours x 3 grade points = 9) PHED 1101 – A (1 hour x 4 grade points = 4) ENGL 1301 – C (3 hours x 2 grade points = 6) BIOL 2401 – W (4 hours x 0 grade points = 0) TOTAL of 27 grade points TOTAL of 9 hours taken (the W doesn’t count for hours) What would your GPA be? 27/9 = 3.0 GPA


All that junk at the beginning of the term :All that junk at the beginning of the term Top ____ things I hate to hear students say: You don’t need the book. I didn’t study. I can skip class and get notes from my friend. It’s just the first day of class. They don’t do anything but the syllabus. While it may seem that instructors are all too happy to talk their heads off the first day of class, it is really there to set the ground-rules for the semester.


The Syllabus :The Syllabus This is a contract between you and the instructor Showcases what you will learn How you will learn it What is expected from you How your performance in the class will be judged Critical deadlines How you are to act in class Attendance policies Grievance procedures And other non-negotiables


Have we been here before? :Have we been here before? If you’re taking classes on campus you know how easy it is to just drive right by without stopping and searching for a parking spot! Imagine how easy it is to not turn on your computer or log in to AC Online for this class. Being involved in your coursework will increase your chances of being successful. We will work throughout this class to help you feel connected even if it’s just through an online experience!


Campus Resources :Campus Resources Each week during this class we’ll look at one campus resource. Why? Doing college alone isn’t fun – and it’s not how we want you to do it. Having helpful guidance from professionals is key to your ultimate success You will be required to do your part – but why make it harder than it has to be?


Being Successful in College :Being Successful in College As you might note, this class is titled Student Success. In taking this class, we are giving you the tools you need to be successful – in college that is. It is ultimately YOUR choice. You can choose to consider the things we’ll discuss and apply as needed OR You can choose to ignore the things we’ll discuss and test your luck. Either way is fine. I’ve got my degrees. You?


So why should you graduate from college? :So why should you graduate from college? More money Better chance of being hired Actually knowing stuff Learning the world isn’t flat Becoming someone who knows stuff


Ultimately – It’s up to You! :Ultimately – It’s up to You! ‘College will change you.’ No one really tells you this, but you will change because of your academic experiences in college. You can control that change – by acting on your true desires Freedom to explore areas of interest Permission to think for yourself Ability to question what you’ve always known Courage to ask yourself ‘What else can I do now?’ Make the most of this opportunity by actively participating in the process. Going through the motions rarely yields meaningful results – which showcases itself in your success after college


Homework for this chapter :Homework for this chapter After completing this chapter please complete the following assignments and turn them in to the appropriate drop-boxes or take the appropriate quizzes. Read Chapter 1 in FOCUS on Community College Exercise 1.1 – discussion board posting Exercise 1.2 – drop-box Syllabus Quiz – quiz based on syllabus for this class Review Financial Aid FAQ’s (pg. 23) and AC Financial Aid page – quiz based on information