Creating a College-Going IdentityRevised 7/2013

Agenda

Why College

Have a small-group discussion on the following topics:

1. Why do you want to go to college?

2. What excites you the most about going to college?

3. What interests do you want to pursue in college?

Agenda

Who Are You?

I want you to ask yourselves a big question: who are you?

On a sheet of paper, write your name and jot down five adjectives that describe who you are:

Example: My name is Anna Batie. I am female, Irish American, an outdoorswoman, multilingual, and outgoing.

Who Are You?

I want you to ask yourselves a big question: who are you?

On a sheet of paper, write your name and jot down five adjectives that describe who you are:

Sample adjectives: female/male, African American, Latina, bilingual, outgoing, shy, runner, gamer, basketball player, reader

Who Are You?

Next, I want you to answer another big question: what parts of my identity am I the most proud of and why?

For example: I’m really proud of being multilingual. I speak Bosnian, Croatian, and Serbian. It was hard work learning those languages, and I’m proud to have the ability to communicate with people who speak a different language.

Who Are You?

Next, I want you to answer another big question: what parts of my identity am I the most proud of and why?

For example: I’m really proud of being bilingual. I speak Spanish at home and English at school. I like being able to translate for my family members at school events. It makes me feel helpful.

Who Are You?

What parts of my identity do I want to explore in college?

Example: As an Irish American, I’ve always wanted to learn more about my family heritage and history. I’d love to go to a college where I can take a class on the history of Ireland and the history of immigration in the United States.

Who Are You?

What parts of my identity do I want to explore in college?

Example: Family heritage, history, cultural groups, language

Who Are You: Exploring Your Identity in College

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lyxtT-gz3M

Agenda

College and My Community

Why might making a connection between college and community be important?

How many of you are nervous about leaving your community to go to college? Why?

College and My Community

1. Identify an aspect of your community that you would like to change or improve.

2. Make a list of the steps you need to take in order to make that change.

3. Discuss where and how college fits into your project.

Agenda

Getting to College: Staying on Target

Make a list of five things you need to do in order to get to college.

Ex: Do well in my classes, take four years of English.

Getting to College: Staying on Target

Next to your list of tasks, make a list of obstacles that get in the way of completing those tasks.

Ex: Instead of doing your homework, you procrastinate by watching TV, playing video games, talking with your friends on the phone

Getting to College: Staying on Target

Next, I want you to figure out how to get around those obstacles to complete your goal and stay on task.

Ex: If I get distracted by TV after school, then I will wait to watch TV until after I finish my homework.

Getting to College: Staying on Target

Last, identify at least two adults who can help keep you on track.

Who are they? How can they help you?

Agenda

My Life in College

Imagine yourself graduating from high school. How do you feel? What are you proud of? What obstacles have you had to overcome?

Daydream about your life in college. What classes are you going to take? Where do you envision yourself making friends? What clubs and activities do you plan on being involved in?

Final Message

College is a great place to learn more about who I am, where I come from, and who I want to be.

Going to college doesn’t mean I have to leave home forever. There are ways I can help my community with a college degree.

It takes hard work to get to college. I need to take responsibility to keep myself on target.

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