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College Success

v2.0 Bruce Beiderwell, Linda F. Tse, Tom Lochhaas, and Nicholas B. deKanter

Chapter 1 You and Your College Experience

Figure 1.1

College student walking down a crowded hallway

Where Are You Now?

Assess your present knowledge and attitudes.

YesUnsureNo
1. I understand the benefits of a college education for my future life.
2. My career interests are clear and I have already planned my college program to prepare me best for my future.
3. I understand how my previous education has prepared me for college work.
4. I have all the personal traits of a successful college student.
5. I know how people learn and make an effort to maximize my learning at each step in this process.
6. I know my personal learning style and use it to my advantage when learning new things.
7. I know how to pay attention to gain the most from my classes.
8. I know my college’s policies for academic honesty and behavior on campus.
9. I know where to find my college's resources that can help me succeed both academically and personally.
10. I am confident I can earn the grades I need to succeed in my courses.
11. I know the first year of college will be the most difficult, but I am fully prepared and take responsibility for my own success.
12. I am taking steps every day to make sure I succeed in every aspect of college.

Where Do You Want to Go?

Think about how you answered the questions above. Be honest with yourself. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your present skills for succeeding in college?

Not very strongVery strong
12345678910

In the following list, circle the three most important areas in which you think you can improve:

  1. Having strong personal values for education

  2. Choosing a program or degree major

  3. Finding the best career for my interests and skills

  4. Being prepared for college-level work

  5. Developing a positive attitude for college

  6. Successfully using each step of the learning process

  7. Adapting and broadening my personal learning style

  8. Getting the most out of classes large and small

  9. Following all college policies

  10. Taking advantage of college resources

  11. Getting the best grades I can

  12. Successfully transitioning to college and completing my first year

  13. Doing everything I can every day to ensure I succeed in college

Are there other areas or skills that need more attention in order for you to succeed in college? Write down other things you feel you need to work on.

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How to Get There

Here’s what we’ll work on in this chapter:

  1. Viewing college in terms of your personal values

  2. Recognizing the importance of making a commitment to succeed in the first year of college

  3. Discovering the career and college major that best match your interests and skills

  4. Understanding the obstacles students like you may have to overcome when transitioning into college

  5. Figuring out how to learn best in each step of the learning process

  6. Using your personal learning style effectively while also including other forms of learning

  7. Staying motivated and succeeding in large lecture classes as well as small discussion classes

  8. Working with your academic advisor to select courses and plan your program

  9. Discovering the resources your college offers for succeeding not only in classes but also in your personal and social life

  10. Understanding why grades matter

  11. Understanding the financial costs and benefits of college

  12. Understanding why the first year of college is so critical and how to ensure you make it through

  13. Knowing what steps you can take starting today and every day to ensure your success in college