College Survival Skills

1
College Survival Skills

• A Learning Enhancement Center Workshop

2
Let us help you get the support you need!
3
This Workshop

• Is about the growing number of non-traditional
  students in U.S. colleges.
• Non-traditional students include anyone who is
  not attending college right after high school.
• If you arent a non-traditional student, this
  workshop will make clear many of the problems
  your fellow students can run into.

4
Feeling Alone?

• The average age for college students is 27.
• Non-traditional students are the fastest growing
  group of college students, and growing!
• Non-traditional students make up over close to
  50 of all college students.

5
So then

• Non-traditional students are anything but
  non-traditional in todays colleges.
• In this workshop, well replace the term
  non-traditional student with adult learners.

6
Life ExperiencesDiscussion

• Think of three or more things you are good at.
• How can you apply these skills in college?

7
Doubts and FearsSome common concerns of adult
learners are

• Im out of practice. I havent studied in years.
• Im not sure I can read or write well enough to
  take college courses.
• I wont fit in. Instructors wont like me.
• My friends and family will suffer.

8

• Fear, if not confronted, can be the enemy of
  growth. If confronted, fears provide opportunity
  for growth. (Al Siebert, Portland State
  University)

9
Discussion

• What are some of your own fears?
• How can you begin to ease some of these concerns?

10
Support Networks

• Adult learners tend to have little contact with
  other students.
• Forming friendships and support buddies is very
  important to becoming a successful student.

11
How to Form a Support Network

• Get together with a few other beginning students.
  
• Meet in a comfortable place (the LEC conference
  room can be reserved).
• Take turns talking about your impressions of
  college, your goals, and the courses youre
  taking.

12
more

• Discuss the benefits of having a small support
  group. (It might be helpful to get together to
  study for tests, read each others papers, and to
  encourage each other).
• Plan to meet again, and exchange phone numbers or
  e-mail addresses.
• Congratulate yourselves for having the courage to
  take this important step.

13
At the very least

• Take advantage of those precious few moments when
  a fellow student begins to talk to you about
  similar challenges. Plan to study together, have
  lunch, or exchange phone numbers. Keep building
  your network!

14
The Time Crunch

• Adult learners tend to have multiple commitments
  and responsibilities.
• Time management and making priorities are
  critical skills to learn.

15
Here are adult learner tips

• Keep a calendar. Write down everything that has a
  deadline (including bills, exam times, financial
  aid, scholarship dates, and payment deadlines).
• Prioritize the entire semester. Be aware that
  during high-stress times such as finals, those
  priorities will shift. Let your friends and
  family know so that they can support you.

16

• Also, always have a Plan B. If something gets
  cancelled or you miss the bus, have an alternate
  plan so that you dont waste your time.
• View the LEC Time Management workshop for more
  tips.

17
Fitting In

• Adult learners may feel that they arent on a
  level playing field with younger students. How
  do you get up to speed?

18
Fitting In

• Attend other LEC study skills workshops.
• Take the courses you need to succeed. Be
  realistic about your skills talk to an advisor.
• Become familiar with available library and
  learning resources. Ask for a tour of the LEC
  take a tour of Cline Library.
• If the thought of computers makes you nervous,
  take a computer literacy course.

19
You may be better than you think!

• Adult learners tend to be achievement-oriented
  and highly motivated. These are two
  characteristics of highly successful people.
  Instructors love the eagerness and knowledge
  adult learners bring to the classroom.

20
A quote from an instructor

• To be involved in a classroom situation with a
  group of non-traditional students is to be in a
  classroom where the presence of enthusiasm and
  excitement is easily felt. (They) bring with them
  a wealth of experience, both personal and work
  related.
• (Hofinger Lehman, Purdue University)

21
Additional Resources

• LEC workshops - View others on the internet at
  http//www.coconino.edu/lec/workshop.htm.
• The website for the Association for
  Non-traditional Students in Higher Education
  http//www.antshe.org/
• Study skills videos in the LEC.
• Learning assistance for math, sciences, English,
  writing, and more in the LEC.
• CCC Self Pride Program for support.

22
The End!

• The Learning Enhancement Center is designed to
  serve the students of CCC. We are eager to be a
  facilitator of successful learning. Please let us
  know what your needs are, and we will design ways
  to meet them. Thank you for attending this
  workshop.