You Made It, Now What? A College Student's Guide to Success
Edition: 1
Copyright: 2021
Pages: 236
Edition: 1
Copyright: 2021
Pages: 236
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So, you made it to college! Now what? College is full of new opportunities and new challenges for you. You Made It, Now What? A College Student's Guide to Success offers strategies that will help you develop your path to success whether your college is large or small, and regardless of your personal background or your educational experiences up to this point. We know that ALL students, including you, can achieve success in college! We encourage you to get started with successful habits now, so that you can earn your college degree, and then reap the benefits of a happier, healthier, and more financially comfortable life.
The trick to immediate college success is making good choices and developing the essential skill sets that are proven to lead to successful outcomes. This workbook gives you an avenue for self-discovery through activities and reflective practice, as well as a step-by-step approach to college success skills that are practical, directly applicable to your college experience, and tailored specifically for you. The skills and habits you will encounter in this book are all supported by real student experiences. These include not only the most recent best practices in college and life success, but also testimonials from students who have already achieved success as a result of the same practices.
You have made an important investment in your future by enrolling in college. Follow the steps in this book to make your college experience as enjoyable and rewarding as possible!
Chapter 1: Getting Settled and Starting Strong
Welcome!
What is College Success?
How to Use this Book
Getting Ready for Your First Week of Classes
Grit, and Why it Matters
How Gritty Are You?
Grit and Goals
College vs. High School
Tips for Making a Successful Transition to College
Assuming Responsibility and Creating Opportunity
Avoiding a Victim Mindset
You Choose What to Bring with You
Managing Family and Old Friends
The College Syllabus
Time Management and Your Study Plan
Be aware of how you spend your time
Avoid distractions
Make a to-do list
Establish a routine
Use a planner
A note about study time
Take time off daily and weekly
A Basic Success Plan
Student Conduct and Civility
Getting Involved with Student Life Early and Responsibly
Creating a Living Space Agreement with Your New Roommate
Chapter Summary
End-of-Chapter Activities
I. Syllabus Analysis Activity
II. Time Tracker Activity
III. Monthly Planners
IV. Weekly Planners
V. Roommate Agreement
References
Chapter 2: Foundations for Success
Introduction
The Iceberg Model of the Self
University and College Organizational Structure
Colleges vs. Universities
Common College and University Organizational Structure
College Cultures
A Brief History of Higher Education in the United States
Normal Schools
Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Tribal Colleges and Universities
Hispanic Serving Institutions
College and University Mission and Value Statements
College Traditions
Athletics
Faculty at Your College or University
Communicating with Faculty and University Staff
College Vocabulary
Activating Your Brain for Learning
Inquiry-Based Study: Asking Questions and Talking it Out
Overcoming Stress for Better Learning
Here is an example of how stress affects learning
Setting SMART Goals
Self-care: Taking Good Care of Yourself
Nutrition
Physical Fitness
Stress Management
Sleep and Rest
Homesickness
Common Barriers to College Success according to Research
Chapter Summary
End-of-Chapter Activities
I. Attend Office Hours
II. Write a Professional Email
III. Practice De-Stressing
IV. Be a Social Learner
V. Create SMART Goals
VI. Wellness Check
References
Chapter 3: Using Your Resources
Introduction
Asking for What You Need
Academic Advising
General Education
Majors
Minors and Concentrations
Course Delivery Options
Career Centers
University Registrar
Student Records
University Catalog
University Academic Progress Standards
University Calendars
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA)
Revisiting Material From Ch 1: Ready for Midterms
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Forms of Aid
Credit Cards
Being a Smart Consumer
Working While in College
Accessibility Resource Centers
Emotional Support or Counseling Centers
Gender and Multicultural Support Centers
Student Health Centers
Recreation Centers
Chapter Summary
End-of-Chapter Activities
I. Create a midterm study plan for each class
II. Make A Monthly Budget
III. University Service Scavenger Hunt
Chapter 4: Engaging with Student Life Outside of the Classroom
Introduction
Finding Your Hidden Potential
Knowing Yourself / How You Fit In
Active Engagement
Opportunities for Active Engagement Outside of the Classroom
Campus Events
Student Clubs and Organizations
First-Year Experience
Student Government
Residential Experience
Service Opportunities
Chapter Summary
End-of-Chapter Activities
I. Personality Inventory Revisit
II. Engage with a Campus event, Club, or Program
III. Wellness Check
References
Chapter 5: Building your Success Toolkit
Introduction
Developing Self-Empathy and a Growth Mindset
Next-Level Academic Skills
Understanding How You Learn
Planning and Goal Setting
Content and Process Goals
Note-Taking Strategies
Outline Method
Cornell Notes Method
Visual Notetaking
Lecture Transcription
Annotated Slides
Taking it up a Notch
Active Listening
Reading at the College Level
Test Preparation
Different Types of Tests
Multiple Choice: Choosing Answers
Matching Tests: Factual Knowledge
True–False: Two Choices
Completion: Blanks You Fill In
Essay Questions: Organize Ahead
Chapter Summary
End-of-Chapter Activities
I. Grit Revisit
II. Try a New Note-Taking Method
III. Test Preparation Checklist
References 166
Chapter 6: Mindfulness
Introduction
Letting Go
Emotional Intelligence
Cognitive Distortions
How Your Emotions Affect Your Learning
Your Network and Emotional Fuel
Overcoming Delays and Detours to Achieving Your Goals
Building Resilience
Saying “No”
Making Effective Decisions
Overcoming Anxiety and Stress
Breathing Technique for Reducing Anxiety
Hope
Chapter Summary
End-of-Chapter Activities
I. Wellness check
References
Chapter 7: Continuing the Journey
Introduction
Revisiting Goals
Study Habits Self-Assessment
Staying Motivated
When Your Motivation Needs a Boost
Passengers and Drivers
Preparing for Finals
Registration and Advising at the End of Term
Summer and Winter Terms
Making Housing Plans for Next Year
Accessing Financial Aid for the Next Academic Year
Final Thoughts
End-of-Chapter Activities
I. Goals Self-Assessment
II. Staying Motivated
III. Finals Study Planner
IV. Cost of Living Activity
References
Dr. Brian Jacob Gorman serves as Associate Dean of University College at Ball State University. He has held roles in student success at The University of Alabama, Western Carolina University and Eastern Illinois University. Prior to moving into higher education, Dr. Gorman was a high and middle school social science teacher in Illinois. Dr. Gorman earned his BA in Social Sciences Secondary Education as well as his MS in College Student Affairs from Eastern Illinois University. He received his Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration from the University of Alabama in 2020.
Dr. Gorman’s primary responsibility in higher education has been successful holistic transition of first-time-full-time freshmen populations including traditionally admitted, underserved and underrepresented groups, gifted populations, and exploratory or undecided students. Dr. Gorman has taught numerous first-year experience and college success courses and has been responsible for developing the curriculum for several. Many concepts, lessons, and activities included You Made It, Now What? are a collection of what he considers to be best practices for teaching college students new to their university how to thrive, regardless of college environment. These courses, plus a variety of student success initiatives led by Dr. Gorman have improved GPA, credits earned, and retention at each institution he has served.
Dr. Gorman’s research is primarily on special and conditional admission student success and retention, as well as first-generation college students. Dr. Gorman has presented his research as well as a variety of other student success topics at multiple professional conferences nationwide, including American Educational Research Association (AERA), National Academic Advising Association (NACADA), North American Association for Summer Sessions (NAASS), and Association of International Educators (NAFSA).
Dr. Jennifer Louise Roth-Burnette serves as Director of the Learning Commons within the Capstone Center for Student Success at The University of Alabama (UA), where she also develops curriculum for and guides faculty in teaching first-year compass courses campus-wide. In addition, she is Director of the QEP (Quality Enhancement Plan), part of UA’s reaffirmation of accreditation and continuance of high standards and high achievement in student success and student learning. Dr. Roth-Burnette’s career has included several roles embracing the transition from high school to college, holistic student development and wellbeing, cohort-based student success programs, active learning and pedagogy, faculty development, innovative teaching and emerging technologies, data analytics, and communication strategies.
Dr. Roth-Burnette’s passions include working with underserved and underrepresented student populations, supporting students in their transition to college study, and inspiring and guiding faculty as they develop their skills in pedagogy, mentorship, leading by example, and engaging students in active learning. She actively enjoys analyzing and identifying the data trends that enable her teams to curate and develop innovative and personalized interventions to increase student success in courses, persistence in their studies, credit hour completion, and retention through to graduation. Dr. Roth-Burnette has published and presented nationally on topics as diverse as innovative approaches to teaching and learning, first-year student success, just-in-time academic interventions, the meaningful intersections of technology and pedagogy, best practices and strategies for successful transition to college study and college life at any age, medieval sacred music metadata analysis, and global hip-hop. In You Made It, Now What, Dr. Roth-Burnette offers what she has found to be the most effective strategies and best practices for student self-management, learning and holistic success, based on her work described above and over 25 years of experience teaching, leading and mentoring students in transition to college-level study.