Probation Alleviation StrategiesCounseling-75A Sections 1028 & 8116 :Taught by Dennis Franco, Counselor Probation Alleviation StrategiesCounseling-75A Sections 1028 & 8116


Introductions :Dennis Franco Counselor at Diablo Valley College Former student at DVC Transferred to UCSB then to University of San Francisco Graduated with BA in Psychology Graduated with a MA in Counseling Psychology from John F. Kennedy University Ice breaker activity Interview your partner Name, Where from, Why at DVC, Something surprising or unusual Name Game Introductions


Class Guidelines :Be respectful of everyone Turn off (or vibrate) cell phones – Please no texting! No sideline conversations Maintain confidentiality Participate, participate, participate You can speak generally if you want to avoid details Be on time at the beginning of class and after breaks Class Guidelines


Agenda :Agenda Discuss and review types of probation Strategies for improvement Support Services What do you want out of this class?


What is in a transcript? :What is in a transcript? There are four columns associated with a course Units Attempted (reflects that a student attempted a course) Units Completed (reflects that a student completed a course) The letter grade, W, I, or P/NP Grade Points (number of units completed X letter grade value) A = 4.0 grade points B = 3.0 grade points C = 2.0 grade points D = 1.0 grade points F = 0.0 grade points


Transcript Sample & GPA Calculation :Transcript Sample & GPA Calculation To calculate a GPA you must: Add up units attempted Add up grade points Divide units attempted by grade points For above semester, units attempted is 12 and grade points is 39 39 grade points/12 attempted units = 3.25 GPA


What is Academic Probation? :“If a student’s cumulative record shows that he or she has completed at least 12 letter-graded units, that student must maintain a grade point average of at least 2.0, or be placed on academic probation” Found on page 41 of 2008-2009 DVC College Catalog Stage 1 First time on probation, student suggested to see a counselor Stage 2 Second time on probation, student takes this course What is Academic Probation?


How do I get off of acacdemic probation? :How do I get off of acacdemic probation? Students are removed from academic probation when the overall GPA rises to 2.0 or better Academic Renewal Renewal through course repetition Renewal without course repetition DVC Catalog pg. 39


What is Progress Probation? :“If a student’s cumulative record shows that he or she has enrolled in at least 12 units, that student must successfully complete more than 50 percent of all those units, or else be placed on progress probation”. Student placed on progress probation if at least 50% of units are given a W, I, or NP Stage 1 First time on probation, student suggested to see a counselor Stage 2 Second time on probation student takes this course What is Progress Probation?


What happens next? :Academic Probation Once student brings cumulative GPA to or above 2.0, no longer on probation If after on academic probation for two consecutive terms and in most recent term student’s GPA is less than 2.0, student is subject to dismissal Progress Probation Once student complete more than half of cumulative attempted units, no longer on probation If after on progress probation for two consecutive terms and in most recent term student does not complete more than half of attempted units, then subject to dismissal What happens next?


Activity: What brought you here? :Take a few minutes to write down some ideas about what lead you to the point of probation Some things to consider Was it something in your control or out of your control? Were there things that you could have done differently or different choices that you could make to avoid probation? Is there something that you needed that you didn’t get to help you succeed? Share with your small group – any common themes? Nominate a group leader, recorder, and reporter Pick one or two common themes to present to the class Activity: What brought you here?


Assessing my learning style :Assessing my learning style What are the different types of learning styles? The VAK System Visual Auditory Kinesthetic Understanding how you learn can help you enhance the methods you use to learn and study


Learning styles :Learning styles Visual Learner may think in pictures and learn best from visual displays including: diagrams, illustrated text books, overhead transparencies, videos, flipcharts and hand-outs Auditory Learner learn best through verbal lectures, discussions, talking things through and listening to what others have to say Kinesthetic Learner learn best through a hands-on approach, actively exploring the physical world around them


Activity: VAK Questionnaire :Activity: VAK Questionnaire By yourself, complete the handout Once complete, get together with a partner and discuss your results See if you can come up with some ideas to use your learning style to your advantage Now that you know this info, would you change the way you study?


Strategies for the Visual Learner :Strategies for the Visual Learner Using a highlighter, highlight key points in your reading Write out key points from lecture or reading Make flashcards for key words or definitions Type up notes and print out for frequent review Write out explanations of diagrams or illustrations


Strategies for the Auditory Learner :When studying, talk out loud to aid recall Tape record lectures (with the instructors permission) Create your own auditory books by reading into a tape recorder and then playing back For math problems, talk your way through the problem Strategies for the Auditory Learner


Strategies for the Kinesthetic Learner :When studying, walk back and forth with textbook, notes, or flashcards in hand and read the information out loud When reviewing new information, copy key points onto a chalkboard, easel board, or other large writing surface Listen to audio files on an MP3 player while exercising, make your own files containing important course information Strategies for the Kinesthetic Learner


Time Management :Time Management What is time management? Set of skills, tools, and systems to help you get more value out of your time with the aim of improving the quality of your life How do I know if I need help with this? Do you say things like: "I always end up cramming for exams." "I never have enough time to do my work." "My work always takes longer than I expect it to."


Managing my time :Managing my time How do I go about better managing my time? First, you must take account of how you spend your time currently Second, you must learn to prioritize things in your schedule Third, you must implement a new schedule using the things that you’ve learned and STICK TO IT!


Charting my time (for homework) :Charting my time (for homework) Part of effective time management is knowing where you are spending your time In order to do this effectively, you must be honest with yourself Try not to modify your behavior yet in order to get an accurate assessment of what you are currently doing Use the handout as a guide for the final results but write everything down in a notebook first


Charting my time (continued) :Charting my time (continued) For the next seven days, monitor your activities to get a detailed picture of how you spend your time Monitor time in 15 minute intervals for 24 hours for 7 days This is not meant for you to do forever, just to get an idea of how you are spending time Once you know how you are spending time, you can adjust and manage it fully Use what works best but whatever you do, WRITE IT DOWN!


Charting my time (continued) :Charting my time (continued) Things to chart Everything…including: Sleeping, eating, bathing, grooming, etc. Socializing whether in person or via email, Facebook, etc. Recreation Exercise Commuting Work Familial responsibilities (watching a brother or doing chores) Errands Extracurricular activities (clubs, athletics, etc.) Classes and homework


Important Elements of Time Management :Important Elements of Time Management Begins with using a calendar or planner Write everything in your planner Be flexible, write in pencil Make use of ALL your time Includes time on the bus, in between class, etc Learn to say no and stick to the plan!


Taking Notes – Why should I? :Taking notes forces listening and tests understanding of the material Provide a gauge to what is important in the text Personal notes are usually easier to remember than the text Writing down of important points helps you to remember them Taking Notes – Why should I?


Essentials of Notetaking :Don't write down everything that you read or hear Focus on the “meat” of what is being said Notes should consist of key words or very short sentences Take accurate notes (when using own words, don’t change the meaning) Have a uniform system of punctuation and abbreviation that will make sense to you (i.e., outline) Keep your notes short and to the point Essentials of Notetaking


Notetaking – How do I do it? :Be an active listener Listen for the main point Listen for an organizational structure Pay attention to organizational cues Notetaking – How do I do it?


Notetaking – How do I do it? :Develop proper techniques for writing and lecture notes Write down the date and the topic of the lecture Learn to write quickly Write down definitions Don't copy outline or PowerPoint notes word for word If your instructor indicates that something is important, mark it If your instructor is going too fast or is unclear, say something Err on the side of writing down too much Notetaking – How do I do it?


Notetaking – How do I do it? :Reviewing your notes After the class period is over, rewrite or type your notes as soon as you can Read over your notes before each class period Mark anything that doesn't make sense to you and ask about it Make friends with a studious fellow student Get help when necessary! Notetaking – How do I do it?


Activity: Free Write :Take a few minutes to write about what you hope to accomplish: In this class In this semester By the time you leave DVC In the next five years In the next ten years There are no right or wrong answers, just self discovery Activity: Free Write