Chapter 1 Understanding the New Environment

Syllabus --ReviewWhy take SLS?The Scissors GameChapter 1 Learning Outcomes

◦ Define positive psychology◦ Describe how High School differs from College◦ Describe the principles of a “College Culture”◦ Describe what it takes to be successful in College

◦ Describe support systems available to you at college in the roles of faculty, staff, and administrators.

◦ Explain why it is important to establish relationships with all of these people.

◦ Define work ethic, values, and priorities◦ Complete and understand the results of a Work Ethic Inventory

◦ Complete and understand the results of a Commitment Inventory

◦ Complete an Academic Contract

Why take SLS?Relationship to retentionRelationship to successEffective transition course

Retention— persisting from semester to semester

Effect of taking SLS on student success in College Prep and College credit classes

Among students responding to the survey, three-fourths agreed with the SLS requirement policy, and 84% said they would recommend the course to a friend.

SLS 1103 and SLS 0001 Scholarship Survey 2006

What FSCJ Students Say

What FSCJ Students SayAn overwhelming majority (94%) said they planned to continue their studies, and of those planning to continue, 77% had already registered for the summer or fall term.

SLS Survey

Good Morning!Place your signed application and commitment letter on the shelf marked

3A.It's faith that will take you through, and determination that will drive you.

~Jonathan Anthony BurkettHow determined are you to achieve your college graduation? Give me 3

adjectives to describe your determination. Today’s AgendaCommitment InventoryScissor GameHigh school vs CollegeWhat one need to be successful in collegePositive PsychologyGoals and Motivation Assignment

Motivation, Autonomy, Agency, Metacognition,

Strengths, grit, Resilience, Information Literacy,

Neuroplasticity, Creativity, Resourcefulness, Critical

Thinking, Well-Being, Goal Setting, Curiosity, Time

Management, Strategic planning, Emotional

Intelligence, Engagement, Belonging, Growth & performance!

Commitments and ChoicesCommitment—a promise or pledge to do something for or

with someone or something◦ Formal—often (but not always) involves a legal contract (marriage

or something important like completing a college degree)◦ Informal—less structured (agreeing to get together every week

with your friends)Will enhance your ability to earn your degreeInvolves choices about the direction you wish your life to take

◦ Informed choices vs influenced choices—with informed choices, you understand the power other people’s opinions have on your choices, but you ultimately make the final decision. With influenced choices, you let other people’s opinions have the final say, even if they conflict with your own values.

Commitment Survey

The Scissors GameThe Scissors Game

Why play the Scissors Game?

To play a game well, you need to know the rules

If you don’t know the rules, you feel uncomfortable and start feeling like you don’t want to play the game at all

Moving from high school to college is like going to a new game where you don’t know the rules

How does high school differ from college?

With your elbow partner list at least 5 ways high school and college differ. -5 mins

How does high school differ from college?

Choice in class selectionChoice in class days and timesFlexible attendance policyGreater expectations of doing work outside of class

Emphasis on why an answer is correct – can you support your answer?

Responsibility for learning the material is on the student—you need to step up to the plate

What are the characteristics of a “college culture”?“College talk”--clear, ongoing communications with students about what it

takes to get to collegeClear expectations Information and resourcesComprehensive counseling modelTesting and curriculumFaculty involvementFamily involvementCollege partnershipsArticulation or transfer agreements with other colleges

What does a student need to be successful in college?

Which your elbow partner, discuss and write down 5 characteristics, traits etc.

What does a student need to be successful in college?

Positive outlook and attitude Skills—Communication, Critical Thinking, High Level Math

Ability to work in teams Positive work ethic—responsibility, motivation, people skills

Ability to set Values, Priorities, Goals Ability to make a commitment with informed rather than influenced choices

Time management skills Organizational skills Motivation and ambition Understanding of the culture of college Supportive relationships both in and out of college

Strong Work EthicA belief in work as a moral goodResponsibility—acceptance of a duty or action and being

accountable for itMotivation—something or someone that creates an

incentive or drive to actionPeople skills—positive habits, attitudes, behaviors or

manners we use around other people

Other needed vocabulary!

Success—a favorable or desired outcome or the attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence

Hope—perception you can reach your goalsExpectation—to consider something reasonable, due or

necessary such a an obligationPurpose—something set up as an object or end to attain,

or a resolution or determinationAmbition—the effort or drive with which you pursue your

dreams and goalsAttitude—should be a “can do” approach which in the

case of your College will include being prepared, paying attention, taking part in class activities and completing assignments on time

Value—a principle or characteristic that is important to someone

Priority—a task, duty, or other action that is more important than others at that moment in time

Goal—the end toward which effort is directedAll are important to success

Positive PsychologyStudy of positive emotions, positive character traits, and

positive institutionsDoes not negate the reality of bad things that occur or

bad situations, but assists you in focusing on what is good to help you move forward

Traits that contribute to positive psychology◦ Subjective well-being◦ Optimism◦ Happiness◦ Self-determination

Benefits of Positive PsychologyMore success in your work or schoolGreater ability to persevere Less depression and stressBetter overall healthBetter relationships with other people

GOALs and Motivation -Individual class assignment To help motivate you as you begin your college journey, look at magazines or publications and choose a picture or photograph that represents your dream of how you wish life to be when you have graduated from college. Describe the picture or photo that you chose. Why did you choose that particular one? Put the picture or photo where you are likely to see it often, to inspire and motivate you. Next to your picture, put one of your favorite quotes. If you find yourself thinking about giving up or not pursuing your goals, read your quote and think about the picture you chose.

Welcome! I hope that you had a great weekend.Take out your quote and picture assignment . We will share if you would like. Turn in you application if you have not already Warm UpScissor game AgendaCollege resources

fill in chart from Wed.Work Ethic InventoryChapter 1 discussion or Stress and college students article analysisChapter 1 reflection- individually

Why play the Scissors Game?

To play a game well, you need to know the rules

If you don’t know the rules, you feel uncomfortable and start feeling like you don’t want to play the game at all

Moving from high school to college is like going to a new game where you don’t know the rules

Who will support you? Faculty—Full-time professors and instructors, Adjunct (part-time) professors, and in large universities Teaching Assistants◦ Will assist you in class◦ Will assist you during office hours◦ May be able to provide other information about your field

Counselors and Advisors◦ Can help you stay on track with coursework◦ Can assist when you are having difficulty◦ Can refer you to a mental health counselor if you are having

personal problems College administrators—especially Deans and Associate Deans◦ They are there to help you if you have problems ◦ There are Academic Deans and Deans for Student Success

Mentors Library and Learning Assistance Center Staff Other College Staff Your Classmates Your personal support system

What other support is available ?

Library and Learning Assistance Center Resources

College CatalogStudent PlannerOnline ResourcesConnections homepageBlackboard

Work Ethic Inventory

Use the results of your commitment and work ethic inventories as you complete your Chapter 1 Reflection Journaling activity

Read and Fill out Your Academic Contract

Hello lovely peoplePlease turn in your reflection assignment

Today’s AgendaReturn papers

Chapter 1 open book quiz- thins time ONLY

College major worksheet-due Sept 10thCollege scavenger Hunt-due Sept 10th

“Good character is more to be praised than outstanding talent. Most talents are to some extent a gift. Good character, by

contrast, is not given to us. We have to build it piece by piece by thought, choice, courage and determination.”

—John Luther

 

Class AssignmentCollege major worksheetCollege scavenger huntCollect the following information about a college that you plan

to attend. Include the information in a PowerPoint presentation. We will work on this in class Thursday 9/3, Tuesday 9/8 and your PowerPoint will be due on Thursday 9/10. WHAT’S NOT COMPLETE IN CLASS MUST BE COMPLETED AT HOME BEFORE ARRIVING TO SCHOOL ON THURSDAY SEPT. 9th. Everyone will present. Your presentation should be no longer that 3 mins. Make it interesting. Save everything to a flash drive and bring it to class. You may email me your presentation in advance if you would like. Your worksheet will be due on Thursday 9/10 as well.

When grading I will be looking for the follow: 1. Cost of attendance itemized (on campus vs. off campus living, meal plan)-(remember you live in the great

state of Florida so you will be paying OUT OF STATE tuition if you attend college in another state) 2. Graduation Rate and retention rate 3. Undergraduate advising office: location, hours, contact information 4. A campus map, dorms, example of a dorm room (picture of dorm rooms) 5. Choose a major and find the department website -include the link 6. Who is the department chair of your major? How do you contact the department chair? 7. What the course requirements are for the major (meaning how many types of courses do you need to take

in order to graduate with your specified major) 8. Find at least eight (8) courses you would take in that major, listing the course titles and descriptions (the

information you completed on the worksheet) 9. If the college has an intramural sports league, what are they and where do they meet for the spring

semester? 10. What official college sports does your college have? Choose two of the sports and indicate where they

play and what conference they are in? (Make sure to have lots of pictures) 11. What is the endowment for your college? 12. Where is the library location? What are the hours and resources available? 13. Make sure that you have interesting pictures of your campus (at least 15 different pictures throughout all

the slides, NO ONLY TEXT slides) 14. List 3 scholarships that your school offers that you would qualify for. Include information about the

requirements, amounts and deadlines 15. What are the application deadlines and the start dates for the year/semester you plan to start at that

university/college?