{"id":1657,"date":"2016-10-06T17:15:24","date_gmt":"2016-10-06T17:15:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/engcomp1-wmopen\/?post_type=chapter&#038;p=1657"},"modified":"2016-10-06T17:15:24","modified_gmt":"2016-10-06T17:15:24","slug":"habits-for-success","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-fmcc-engcomp1-2\/chapter\/habits-for-success\/","title":{"raw":"Habits for Success","rendered":"Habits for Success"},"content":{"raw":"<h2>Introduction<\/h2>\n<div class=\"textbox learning-objectives\">\n<h3>Learning Objectives<\/h3>\n<ul><li>develop a personal definition of success<\/li>\n \t<li>identify specific strategies to achieve success<\/li>\n \t<li>identify support network options<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\nA college education is aligned\u00a0with greater success in many areas of life. While enrolled in college, most students are closely focused on making it through the next class or passing the next test. It can be easy to lose sight of the overall role that education plays in life. But sometimes it helps to recall what a truly great step forward you are taking!\n\n<img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2071\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/884\/2016\/10\/06170550\/6008303606_92b2a4381e_z.jpg\" alt=\"Five young men in graduation gowns\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\"\/>\n\nIt\u2019s also important to recognize, though, that some students do not succeed; they drop out within the first year. Sometimes this is due to financial problems or a personal or family crisis. But too frequently,\u00a0students drop out because they\u2019re having trouble\u00a0passing their courses.\n\nIn this section, we examine the elements of college success. Are there patterns of success you strive for but aren\u2019t yet reaching? Where might you shore up your support? What strategies can you use\u00a0to achieve success in your college endeavors?\n\n<hr\/><h2>A Personal Definition for Success<\/h2>\n<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-850 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/884\/2016\/10\/06170553\/16603146966_81ba4e5d4f_z-228x300.jpg\" alt=\"Woman sitting in office, holding a paper up to the camera and smiling broadly\" width=\"228\" height=\"300\"\/>How do you define college success? The definition really depends on\u00a0you. You might think that \u201csuccess\u201d is earning an associate\u2019s degree or attending classes in a four-year college. Maybe success is a bachelor\u2019s or master\u2019s degree or a PhD. Maybe success means receiving a certificate of completion or finishing skill-based training.\n\nYou might be thinking of other measures of college success, too\u2014like grades. For instance, you might be unhappy with anything less than an A in a course, although maybe this depends on the difficulty of the subject. As long as you pass with a C, you might be perfectly content. But no matter how you define success personally, you probably wouldn\u2019t think it means\u00a0earning a D or lower grade in a class.\n\nTo help you start to define what success means to you, take this quick self-assessment about your college goals and beyond. How many\u00a0of these items\u00a0are important to you?\n<div>\n<table><tbody><tr><th>I Want to Be Able to . . .<\/th>\n<th>YES<\/th>\n<th>NO<\/th>\n<\/tr><tr><td>Change my major during my college years<\/td>\n<td\/>\n<td\/>\n<\/tr><tr><td>Have good relationships with my professors<\/td>\n<td\/>\n<td\/>\n<\/tr><tr><td>Be eligible for financial aid<\/td>\n<td\/>\n<td\/>\n<\/tr><tr><td>Be eligible for scholarships<\/td>\n<td\/>\n<td\/>\n<\/tr><tr><td>Get awards<\/td>\n<td\/>\n<td\/>\n<\/tr><tr><td>Get reductions on my car insurance<\/td>\n<td\/>\n<td\/>\n<\/tr><tr><td>Prove to my employer that I can work hard<\/td>\n<td\/>\n<td\/>\n<\/tr><tr><td>Keep my parents happy<\/td>\n<td\/>\n<td\/>\n<\/tr><tr><td>Make connections to get a job after graduation<\/td>\n<td\/>\n<td\/>\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\nFinally, consider that we can't be successful all the time at everything. \u00a0We have to balance our energy and our focus, to get what we really want. \u00a0The following video stresses the external factors that shape what we consider \"success\" as a society, and encourages us to think beyond these factors to determine what it really is that motivates us, personally--what we hope will define us, and our value, to others.\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/MtSE4rglxbY\n\n<\/div>\n\n<hr\/><h2>Strategies to Achieve Success<\/h2>\nIf most students believe that passing a class is the minimum requirement for \u201csuccess,\u201d and if most\u00a0students want to be successful in their courses, why aren\u2019t more college students consistently successful in the classroom?\n\nPerhaps\u00a0some common misconceptions are at play. For example, we often hear students say, \u201cI just can\u2019t do it!\u201d or \u201cI\u2019m not good at math,\u201d or \u201cI guess college isn\u2019t for me...,\u201d or \u201cI\u2019m not smart enough.\u201d But these explanations for\u00a0success or failure\u00a0aren\u2019t\u00a0necessarily accurate. Considerable research into college success reveals\u00a0that <strong>intellect usually has nothing to do with having difficulty in\u00a0or failing college courses<\/strong>. More often, success depends on how fully you\u00a0embrace and master the following seven strategies:\n<ol><li>Learn how to take effective notes in class.<\/li>\n \t<li>Review the text and your reading notes prior to class.<\/li>\n \t<li>Participate in class discussion and maybe even join a study group.<\/li>\n \t<li>Go to office hours and ask your instructor questions.<\/li>\n \t<li>Give yourself enough time to research, write, and edit your essays in manageable stages.<\/li>\n \t<li>Take advantage of online or on-campus academic support resources.<\/li>\n \t<li>Spend sufficient time studying.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nSo if you feel you are not smart enough for college, ask yourself if you can implement\u00a0some of these skills. Can you make more time for learning? One approach is to create a regular study schedule and make sure you allow yourself ample time. Most college success experts agree that students should study two hours outside of class for every hour in class. Only break away from your committed schedule if an extreme situation prevents you from sticking\u00a0to it.\n\nAnother strategy to consider implementing is group study. For example, rather than relying just on your own knowledge, notes, and skills, try studying with other students in your difficult classes. Studying in a group gives every group member a chance to ask questions and talk about concepts.\n\n<img class=\"alignright wp-image-840 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/884\/2016\/10\/06170557\/2701347277_f917f9cf72_z-300x201.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2016\/04\/12193344\/2701347277_f917f9cf72_z-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2016\/04\/12193344\/2701347277_f917f9cf72_z.jpg 640w\" alt=\"Four college students, smiling, leaning over papers on a table in a sunny room\" width=\"300\" height=\"201\"\/>You can also add a tutor to your study group. You will really be able to notice a positive difference. Tutoring is generally free in college, and the strategies and knowledge you gain will be invaluable. Usually tutors have taken the class you are currently enrolled in, and they are trained to get the best out of you.\n\nOverall, students struggle in college not because of natural intellect or smarts, but because of poor time management, disorganization, and lack of quality study time. The good news is that there are ways to combat this, specifically by doing things like creating a regular study schedule, studying in groups, and taking advantage of your school\u2019s academic resources, like a tutoring center, instructor office hours, and any available online help.\n\n<hr\/><h2>Campus Support Networks<\/h2>\nWhether your campus is small, tall, <em>grande<\/em>, or <em>venti<\/em>, you are probably amazed by\u00a0the array of institutionally supported student activities available for your enrichment and enjoyment. Perhaps your biggest challenge is deciding how much extra time you have after studying and which added activities yield\u00a0the greatest reward.\n<h3>Benefits of Participating in Student Life<\/h3>\nHow is it that becoming fully involved in student life can have such a positive impact on student satisfaction and academic success?<a href=\"https:\/\/courses.candelalearning.com\/lumencollegesuccess\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1110\/2016\/02\/14878601750_b326ee6fa4_z.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-330\"><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-330\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/884\/2016\/10\/06170559\/14878601750_b326ee6fa4_z.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1110\/2016\/02\/02025034\/14878601750_b326ee6fa4_z-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1110\/2016\/02\/02025034\/14878601750_b326ee6fa4_z-225x150.jpg 225w, https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1110\/2016\/02\/02025034\/14878601750_b326ee6fa4_z-350x234.jpg 350w, https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1110\/2016\/02\/02025034\/14878601750_b326ee6fa4_z.jpg 640w\" alt=\"Photo of a Eagle mascot sitting on the lap of a woman in bleachers, while people around her smile\" width=\"501\" height=\"334\"\/><\/a>\n\nThe <a href=\"http:\/\/nsse.indiana.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\">National Survey of Student Engagement<\/a>\u2014a survey measuring student involvement in academic and cocurricular activities\u2014shows that student success is directly linked to student involvement in the institution. In fact, survey results show that the higher the level of student involvement is, the higher student grades are and the more likely students are to reenroll the next term. All of this seems to translate to satisfaction. The following lists some of the many benefits and rewards that result\u00a0from active participation in campus and student life.\n<ul><li><strong>Personal interests are tapped<\/strong>: Cocurricular programs and activities encourage students to explore personal interests and passions. As students pursue these interests, they learn more about\u00a0their strengths and possible career paths. These discoveries can be lasting and life-changing.<\/li>\n \t<li><strong>A portfolio of experience develops<\/strong>: Experience with just about any\u00a0aspect\u00a0of college life maybe relevant to\u00a0a prospective employer. Is freshman year too soon to be thinking about r\u00e9sum\u00e9s? Definitely\u00a0not! If you gain leadership experience in a club, for example, be sure to document what you did so you can refer back to it (you might want to keep track of your activities and experiences in a journal, for instance).<\/li>\n \t<li><strong>Fun leads to good feelings<\/strong>: Students typically pursue cocurricular activities because the activities are enjoyable\u00a0and personally rewarding.\u00a0Having fun is also a good way to balance the stress of meeting academic deadlines and studying intensely.<\/li>\n \t<li><strong>Social connections grow<\/strong>: When students are involved in cocurricular activities, they usually\u00a0interact with others, which means meeting new people, developing\u00a0social skills, and being a part of\u00a0a community. It\u2019s always good to have friends who share your interests and to develop these relationships over time.<\/li>\n \t<li><strong>Awareness of diversity expands<\/strong>: The multicultural nature of American society is increasingly reflected and celebrated\u00a0on college campuses today. You will see this not only in the classroom but also in the\u00a0cocurricular activities, clubs, organizations, and events. For example, your college might have a Black Student Union, an Asian Pacific Student Union, a Japanese Student Association, a Chinese Student Association, and many others. Having access to these resources gives students\u00a0the opportunity to explore different cultures and prepare to live, work, and thrive in a vibrantly diverse world.<\/li>\n \t<li><strong>Self-esteem grows<\/strong>: When students pursue their special interests through cocurricular activities, it can be a real boost to self-esteem. Academic achievement can certainly\u00a0be a source of affirmation\u00a0and satisfaction, but it\u2019s nice to have additional activities that validate your special contributions in other ways.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nAll in all, being involved in the campus community is vital to every\u00a0student, and it\u2019s vital to the college, too. It\u2019s a symbiotic relationship that serves everyone well.\n\nThe key to getting the most out of college is to take advantage of as many\u00a0facets of student life as possible while still keeping up with your academic commitments. That\u2019s pretty obvious, right? What may be\u00a0less obvious is that focusing exclusively on your academic work and not getting\u00a0involved in any of the\u00a0rich and diverse cocurricular activities\u00a0on campus can come at a real price and even hamper your\u00a0success.\n<h3>Major College Resources and How To Use Them<\/h3>\n<blockquote><div>Professors do care about how you are doing in their class; they genuinely want you to succeed, but they will give you the grade you earn. There are people and resources on campus for you to utilize so you can earn the grade you want. Your professors are one of those resources, and are perhaps the most important. Go see them during office hours, ask them questions about the material and get extra help if you need it. ... Another resource to utilize can be found in the campus learning center. ... The first time I took a paper there, I recall standing outside the door for about ten minutes thinking of an excuse not to go in. Thankfully I saw a classmate walk in and I followed suit. ... Thanks to that first visit, I received an A- on the paper! \u00a0--Kristen Mruk, \"The Student Experience\"<\/div><\/blockquote>\nCollege resources to help you reach your educational and career goals are plentiful on most campuses. Here are several campus resources to know about and find early in your college career. You may not need them right away; some you may not need at all. But you will at least find several to be vital. Be familiar with your options. Know where to find the services. Have contact information. Be prepared to visit for help.\n<h4>Advising<\/h4>\n<img class=\"wp-image-855 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/884\/2016\/10\/06170601\/15980295568_dc92fc6c87_z-300x155.jpg\" alt=\"Looking inside library windows at night\" width=\"417\" height=\"217\"\/>Most colleges and universities assign an academic adviser to each student. The adviser may be associated with your major. There may also be an office or department that provides\u00a0advising. Call upon your adviser or the advising office if you have an issue with your adviser or you need other help.\n<h4>Tutoring and Writing Centers<\/h4>\nTutoring and writing centers are established for all students, and seeking help\u00a0from them is expected and to your advantage. Such services are covered by your tuition dollars, and they\u00a0can richly\u00a0enhance performance in any area of your studies. Know where to find these centers and how to schedule appointments.\n<h4>Other Academic Support Facilities<\/h4>\nYour college may also offer academic support in various other forms: for example, computer labs with trained assistants, tutors, mentors, peer advisers, and more. You can research what kinds of special support are available and be ready to take advantage of them.\n<h4>Library Reference Desk<\/h4>\nCollege libraries are staffed with professionals whose main function is to assist you and the college community in finding needed resources. Don\u2019t hesitate to find the reference desk and get to know the reference librarians. Invariably you will learn about valuable resources\u2014many of them online\u2014that you didn\u2019t know existed. Reference librarians are also educators, and they\u2019re there to help you.\n<h4>Campus Health Center<\/h4>\nIn the event that you need any health services whatsoever, the campus health center can be your first destination. Stop into the center and learn about the services offered, the hours of operation, emergency provisions, and routine health services available.\n<h4>Campus Counseling<\/h4>\nCounseling is an essential service that colleges and universities invariably provide. Services can ranges from life-saving care to assistance with minor concerns. Life stressors, such as deaths and divorces in the family, issues with friends, substance abuse, and suicide are just a few of the many issues that college students may experience or witness others struggling with. \u00a0Don\u2019t take matters into your own hands. Get help! The counseling center can help you and support you in gaining solid footing during difficult times. Don\u2019t hesitate to take full advantage of the services and help they offer.\n<h4>Career Services<\/h4>\nOne of the most important purposes of college is to prepare students for a career. All colleges and universities have a career office that can assist you with many critical aspects of finding a suitable career. It may also help you find a campus job or review\u00a0options for your major, help you get an internship, draft your r\u00e9sum\u00e9, and practice interview skills. Visiting the career office is a must for every student, and it\u2019s worth doing early and often (rather than waiting until you\u2019re about to graduate).\n<h4>Spiritual Life<\/h4>\nMost college campus have interfaith facilities to meet the spiritual-life needs of the entire college community. You may find these facilities to be a refuge in special moments of need or resources for your ongoing involvement. A healthy spiritual life can bring greater balance to your student life.\n\nAdditional support centers that students may wish to visit include offices for financial aid, students with disabilities, housing, diversity, student organizations, athletics, continuing education, international students, child care, and many others. Refer to your college Web site or other college directory for information about the many, many services that can be part of your college experience.\n<h2>Self-Check<\/h2>\nhttps:\/\/assessments.lumenlearning.com\/assessments\/1242","rendered":"<h2>Introduction<\/h2>\n<div class=\"textbox learning-objectives\">\n<h3>Learning Objectives<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>develop a personal definition of success<\/li>\n<li>identify specific strategies to achieve success<\/li>\n<li>identify support network options<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>A college education is aligned\u00a0with greater success in many areas of life. While enrolled in college, most students are closely focused on making it through the next class or passing the next test. It can be easy to lose sight of the overall role that education plays in life. But sometimes it helps to recall what a truly great step forward you are taking!<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2071\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/884\/2016\/10\/06170550\/6008303606_92b2a4381e_z.jpg\" alt=\"Five young men in graduation gowns\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" \/><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s also important to recognize, though, that some students do not succeed; they drop out within the first year. Sometimes this is due to financial problems or a personal or family crisis. But too frequently,\u00a0students drop out because they\u2019re having trouble\u00a0passing their courses.<\/p>\n<p>In this section, we examine the elements of college success. Are there patterns of success you strive for but aren\u2019t yet reaching? Where might you shore up your support? What strategies can you use\u00a0to achieve success in your college endeavors?<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>A Personal Definition for Success<\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-850 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/884\/2016\/10\/06170553\/16603146966_81ba4e5d4f_z-228x300.jpg\" alt=\"Woman sitting in office, holding a paper up to the camera and smiling broadly\" width=\"228\" height=\"300\" \/>How do you define college success? The definition really depends on\u00a0you. You might think that \u201csuccess\u201d is earning an associate\u2019s degree or attending classes in a four-year college. Maybe success is a bachelor\u2019s or master\u2019s degree or a PhD. Maybe success means receiving a certificate of completion or finishing skill-based training.<\/p>\n<p>You might be thinking of other measures of college success, too\u2014like grades. For instance, you might be unhappy with anything less than an A in a course, although maybe this depends on the difficulty of the subject. As long as you pass with a C, you might be perfectly content. But no matter how you define success personally, you probably wouldn\u2019t think it means\u00a0earning a D or lower grade in a class.<\/p>\n<p>To help you start to define what success means to you, take this quick self-assessment about your college goals and beyond. How many\u00a0of these items\u00a0are important to you?<\/p>\n<div>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th>I Want to Be Able to . . .<\/th>\n<th>YES<\/th>\n<th>NO<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Change my major during my college years<\/td>\n<td>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Have good relationships with my professors<\/td>\n<td>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Be eligible for financial aid<\/td>\n<td>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Be eligible for scholarships<\/td>\n<td>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Get awards<\/td>\n<td>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Get reductions on my car insurance<\/td>\n<td>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Prove to my employer that I can work hard<\/td>\n<td>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Keep my parents happy<\/td>\n<td>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Make connections to get a job after graduation<\/td>\n<td>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>Finally, consider that we can&#8217;t be successful all the time at everything. \u00a0We have to balance our energy and our focus, to get what we really want. \u00a0The following video stresses the external factors that shape what we consider &#8220;success&#8221; as a society, and encourages us to think beyond these factors to determine what it really is that motivates us, personally&#8211;what we hope will define us, and our value, to others.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"oembed-1\" title=\"A kinder, gentler philosophy of success | Alain de Botton\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/MtSE4rglxbY?feature=oembed&#38;rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Strategies to Achieve Success<\/h2>\n<p>If most students believe that passing a class is the minimum requirement for \u201csuccess,\u201d and if most\u00a0students want to be successful in their courses, why aren\u2019t more college students consistently successful in the classroom?<\/p>\n<p>Perhaps\u00a0some common misconceptions are at play. For example, we often hear students say, \u201cI just can\u2019t do it!\u201d or \u201cI\u2019m not good at math,\u201d or \u201cI guess college isn\u2019t for me&#8230;,\u201d or \u201cI\u2019m not smart enough.\u201d But these explanations for\u00a0success or failure\u00a0aren\u2019t\u00a0necessarily accurate. Considerable research into college success reveals\u00a0that <strong>intellect usually has nothing to do with having difficulty in\u00a0or failing college courses<\/strong>. More often, success depends on how fully you\u00a0embrace and master the following seven strategies:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Learn how to take effective notes in class.<\/li>\n<li>Review the text and your reading notes prior to class.<\/li>\n<li>Participate in class discussion and maybe even join a study group.<\/li>\n<li>Go to office hours and ask your instructor questions.<\/li>\n<li>Give yourself enough time to research, write, and edit your essays in manageable stages.<\/li>\n<li>Take advantage of online or on-campus academic support resources.<\/li>\n<li>Spend sufficient time studying.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>So if you feel you are not smart enough for college, ask yourself if you can implement\u00a0some of these skills. Can you make more time for learning? One approach is to create a regular study schedule and make sure you allow yourself ample time. Most college success experts agree that students should study two hours outside of class for every hour in class. Only break away from your committed schedule if an extreme situation prevents you from sticking\u00a0to it.<\/p>\n<p>Another strategy to consider implementing is group study. For example, rather than relying just on your own knowledge, notes, and skills, try studying with other students in your difficult classes. Studying in a group gives every group member a chance to ask questions and talk about concepts.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-840 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/884\/2016\/10\/06170557\/2701347277_f917f9cf72_z-300x201.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2016\/04\/12193344\/2701347277_f917f9cf72_z-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2016\/04\/12193344\/2701347277_f917f9cf72_z.jpg 640w\" alt=\"Four college students, smiling, leaning over papers on a table in a sunny room\" width=\"300\" height=\"201\" \/>You can also add a tutor to your study group. You will really be able to notice a positive difference. Tutoring is generally free in college, and the strategies and knowledge you gain will be invaluable. Usually tutors have taken the class you are currently enrolled in, and they are trained to get the best out of you.<\/p>\n<p>Overall, students struggle in college not because of natural intellect or smarts, but because of poor time management, disorganization, and lack of quality study time. The good news is that there are ways to combat this, specifically by doing things like creating a regular study schedule, studying in groups, and taking advantage of your school\u2019s academic resources, like a tutoring center, instructor office hours, and any available online help.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Campus Support Networks<\/h2>\n<p>Whether your campus is small, tall, <em>grande<\/em>, or <em>venti<\/em>, you are probably amazed by\u00a0the array of institutionally supported student activities available for your enrichment and enjoyment. Perhaps your biggest challenge is deciding how much extra time you have after studying and which added activities yield\u00a0the greatest reward.<\/p>\n<h3>Benefits of Participating in Student Life<\/h3>\n<p>How is it that becoming fully involved in student life can have such a positive impact on student satisfaction and academic success?<a href=\"https:\/\/courses.candelalearning.com\/lumencollegesuccess\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1110\/2016\/02\/14878601750_b326ee6fa4_z.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-330\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-330\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/884\/2016\/10\/06170559\/14878601750_b326ee6fa4_z.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1110\/2016\/02\/02025034\/14878601750_b326ee6fa4_z-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1110\/2016\/02\/02025034\/14878601750_b326ee6fa4_z-225x150.jpg 225w, https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1110\/2016\/02\/02025034\/14878601750_b326ee6fa4_z-350x234.jpg 350w, https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1110\/2016\/02\/02025034\/14878601750_b326ee6fa4_z.jpg 640w\" alt=\"Photo of a Eagle mascot sitting on the lap of a woman in bleachers, while people around her smile\" width=\"501\" height=\"334\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"http:\/\/nsse.indiana.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\">National Survey of Student Engagement<\/a>\u2014a survey measuring student involvement in academic and cocurricular activities\u2014shows that student success is directly linked to student involvement in the institution. In fact, survey results show that the higher the level of student involvement is, the higher student grades are and the more likely students are to reenroll the next term. All of this seems to translate to satisfaction. The following lists some of the many benefits and rewards that result\u00a0from active participation in campus and student life.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Personal interests are tapped<\/strong>: Cocurricular programs and activities encourage students to explore personal interests and passions. As students pursue these interests, they learn more about\u00a0their strengths and possible career paths. These discoveries can be lasting and life-changing.<\/li>\n<li><strong>A portfolio of experience develops<\/strong>: Experience with just about any\u00a0aspect\u00a0of college life maybe relevant to\u00a0a prospective employer. Is freshman year too soon to be thinking about r\u00e9sum\u00e9s? Definitely\u00a0not! If you gain leadership experience in a club, for example, be sure to document what you did so you can refer back to it (you might want to keep track of your activities and experiences in a journal, for instance).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fun leads to good feelings<\/strong>: Students typically pursue cocurricular activities because the activities are enjoyable\u00a0and personally rewarding.\u00a0Having fun is also a good way to balance the stress of meeting academic deadlines and studying intensely.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Social connections grow<\/strong>: When students are involved in cocurricular activities, they usually\u00a0interact with others, which means meeting new people, developing\u00a0social skills, and being a part of\u00a0a community. It\u2019s always good to have friends who share your interests and to develop these relationships over time.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Awareness of diversity expands<\/strong>: The multicultural nature of American society is increasingly reflected and celebrated\u00a0on college campuses today. You will see this not only in the classroom but also in the\u00a0cocurricular activities, clubs, organizations, and events. For example, your college might have a Black Student Union, an Asian Pacific Student Union, a Japanese Student Association, a Chinese Student Association, and many others. Having access to these resources gives students\u00a0the opportunity to explore different cultures and prepare to live, work, and thrive in a vibrantly diverse world.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Self-esteem grows<\/strong>: When students pursue their special interests through cocurricular activities, it can be a real boost to self-esteem. Academic achievement can certainly\u00a0be a source of affirmation\u00a0and satisfaction, but it\u2019s nice to have additional activities that validate your special contributions in other ways.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>All in all, being involved in the campus community is vital to every\u00a0student, and it\u2019s vital to the college, too. It\u2019s a symbiotic relationship that serves everyone well.<\/p>\n<p>The key to getting the most out of college is to take advantage of as many\u00a0facets of student life as possible while still keeping up with your academic commitments. That\u2019s pretty obvious, right? What may be\u00a0less obvious is that focusing exclusively on your academic work and not getting\u00a0involved in any of the\u00a0rich and diverse cocurricular activities\u00a0on campus can come at a real price and even hamper your\u00a0success.<\/p>\n<h3>Major College Resources and How To Use Them<\/h3>\n<blockquote>\n<div>Professors do care about how you are doing in their class; they genuinely want you to succeed, but they will give you the grade you earn. There are people and resources on campus for you to utilize so you can earn the grade you want. Your professors are one of those resources, and are perhaps the most important. Go see them during office hours, ask them questions about the material and get extra help if you need it. &#8230; Another resource to utilize can be found in the campus learning center. &#8230; The first time I took a paper there, I recall standing outside the door for about ten minutes thinking of an excuse not to go in. Thankfully I saw a classmate walk in and I followed suit. &#8230; Thanks to that first visit, I received an A- on the paper! \u00a0&#8211;Kristen Mruk, &#8220;The Student Experience&#8221;<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>College resources to help you reach your educational and career goals are plentiful on most campuses. Here are several campus resources to know about and find early in your college career. You may not need them right away; some you may not need at all. But you will at least find several to be vital. Be familiar with your options. Know where to find the services. Have contact information. Be prepared to visit for help.<\/p>\n<h4>Advising<\/h4>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-855 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/884\/2016\/10\/06170601\/15980295568_dc92fc6c87_z-300x155.jpg\" alt=\"Looking inside library windows at night\" width=\"417\" height=\"217\" \/>Most colleges and universities assign an academic adviser to each student. The adviser may be associated with your major. There may also be an office or department that provides\u00a0advising. Call upon your adviser or the advising office if you have an issue with your adviser or you need other help.<\/p>\n<h4>Tutoring and Writing Centers<\/h4>\n<p>Tutoring and writing centers are established for all students, and seeking help\u00a0from them is expected and to your advantage. Such services are covered by your tuition dollars, and they\u00a0can richly\u00a0enhance performance in any area of your studies. Know where to find these centers and how to schedule appointments.<\/p>\n<h4>Other Academic Support Facilities<\/h4>\n<p>Your college may also offer academic support in various other forms: for example, computer labs with trained assistants, tutors, mentors, peer advisers, and more. You can research what kinds of special support are available and be ready to take advantage of them.<\/p>\n<h4>Library Reference Desk<\/h4>\n<p>College libraries are staffed with professionals whose main function is to assist you and the college community in finding needed resources. Don\u2019t hesitate to find the reference desk and get to know the reference librarians. Invariably you will learn about valuable resources\u2014many of them online\u2014that you didn\u2019t know existed. Reference librarians are also educators, and they\u2019re there to help you.<\/p>\n<h4>Campus Health Center<\/h4>\n<p>In the event that you need any health services whatsoever, the campus health center can be your first destination. Stop into the center and learn about the services offered, the hours of operation, emergency provisions, and routine health services available.<\/p>\n<h4>Campus Counseling<\/h4>\n<p>Counseling is an essential service that colleges and universities invariably provide. Services can ranges from life-saving care to assistance with minor concerns. Life stressors, such as deaths and divorces in the family, issues with friends, substance abuse, and suicide are just a few of the many issues that college students may experience or witness others struggling with. \u00a0Don\u2019t take matters into your own hands. Get help! The counseling center can help you and support you in gaining solid footing during difficult times. Don\u2019t hesitate to take full advantage of the services and help they offer.<\/p>\n<h4>Career Services<\/h4>\n<p>One of the most important purposes of college is to prepare students for a career. All colleges and universities have a career office that can assist you with many critical aspects of finding a suitable career. It may also help you find a campus job or review\u00a0options for your major, help you get an internship, draft your r\u00e9sum\u00e9, and practice interview skills. Visiting the career office is a must for every student, and it\u2019s worth doing early and often (rather than waiting until you\u2019re about to graduate).<\/p>\n<h4>Spiritual Life<\/h4>\n<p>Most college campus have interfaith facilities to meet the spiritual-life needs of the entire college community. You may find these facilities to be a refuge in special moments of need or resources for your ongoing involvement. A healthy spiritual life can bring greater balance to your student life.<\/p>\n<p>Additional support centers that students may wish to visit include offices for financial aid, students with disabilities, housing, diversity, student organizations, athletics, continuing education, international students, child care, and many others. Refer to your college Web site or other college directory for information about the many, many services that can be part of your college experience.<\/p>\n<h2>Self-Check<\/h2>\n<p>\t<iframe id=\"lumen_assessment_1242\" class=\"resizable\" src=\"https:\/\/assessments.lumenlearning.com\/assessments\/load?assessment_id=1242&#38;embed=1&#38;external_user_id=&#38;external_context_id=&#38;iframe_resize_id=lumen_assessment_1242\" frameborder=\"0\" style=\"border:none;width:100%;height:100%;min-height:400px;\"><br \/>\n\t<\/iframe><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t <section class=\"citations-section\" role=\"contentinfo\">\n\t\t\t <h3>Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t <div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <div id=\"citation-list-1657\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <div class=\"licensing\"><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">CC licensed content, Original<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>Revision, Adaptation, and Original Content. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: Lumen Learning. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\">CC BY: Attribution<\/a><\/em><\/li><\/ul><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">CC licensed content, Shared previously<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>College Success. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: Linda Bruce. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: Lumen Learning. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/lumencollegesuccess\">https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/lumencollegesuccess<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\">CC BY: Attribution<\/a><\/em><\/li><li>Image of graduates. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: Nottingham Trent University. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/a9W8ku\">https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/a9W8ku<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-nd\/4.0\/\">CC BY-NC-ND: Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives <\/a><\/em><\/li><li>Image of woman smiling. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: Felip1. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/riat9A\">https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/riat9A<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc\/4.0\/\">CC BY-NC: Attribution-NonCommercial<\/a><\/em><\/li><li>Instructional Support: Options and Resources. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: California Community Colleges Online Education Initiative. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/apps.3cmediasolutions.org\/oei\/11-Instructional-Support\/story.html\">https:\/\/apps.3cmediasolutions.org\/oei\/11-Instructional-Support\/story.html<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\">CC BY: Attribution<\/a><\/em><\/li><li>Image of four students. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: UBC Library Communications. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/57H7r4\">https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/57H7r4<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-nd\/4.0\/\">CC BY-NC-ND: Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives <\/a><\/em><\/li><li>Image of mascot on woman&#039;s lap. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: Georgia Southern. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/oELHWo\">https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/oELHWo<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-nd\/4.0\/\">CC BY-NC-ND: Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives <\/a><\/em><\/li><li>Image of library windows. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: Matthias Ripp. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/qm8c8o\">https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/qm8c8o<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\">CC BY: Attribution<\/a><\/em><\/li><li>Foundations of College Success: Words of Wisdom. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: Thomas C. Priester, editor. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: Open SUNY Textbooks. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/textbooks.opensuny.org\/foundations-of-academic-success\/\">http:\/\/textbooks.opensuny.org\/foundations-of-academic-success\/<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/4.0\/\">CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike<\/a><\/em><\/li><\/ul><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">All rights reserved content<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>Alain de Botton: A kinder, gentler philosophy of success. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: TED. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/MtSE4rglxbY\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/MtSE4rglxbY<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em>All Rights Reserved<\/em>. <strong>License Terms<\/strong>: Standard YouTube License<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t <\/section>","protected":false},"author":19,"menu_order":2,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"College Success\",\"author\":\"Linda Bruce\",\"organization\":\"Lumen Learning\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/lumencollegesuccess\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by\",\"license_terms\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Image of graduates\",\"author\":\"Nottingham Trent University\",\"organization\":\"\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/a9W8ku\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by-nc-nd\",\"license_terms\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"original\",\"description\":\"Revision, Adaptation, and Original Content\",\"author\":\"\",\"organization\":\"Lumen Learning\",\"url\":\"\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by\",\"license_terms\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Image of woman smiling\",\"author\":\"Felip1\",\"organization\":\"\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/riat9A\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by-nc\",\"license_terms\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Instructional Support: Options and Resources\",\"author\":\"\",\"organization\":\"California Community Colleges Online Education Initiative\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/apps.3cmediasolutions.org\/oei\/11-Instructional-Support\/story.html\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by\",\"license_terms\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"copyrighted_video\",\"description\":\"Alain de Botton: A kinder, gentler philosophy of success\",\"author\":\"TED\",\"organization\":\"\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/MtSE4rglxbY\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"arr\",\"license_terms\":\"Standard YouTube License\"},{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Image of four students\",\"author\":\"UBC Library Communications\",\"organization\":\"\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/57H7r4\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by-nc-nd\",\"license_terms\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Image of mascot on woman's lap\",\"author\":\"Georgia Southern\",\"organization\":\"\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/oELHWo\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by-nc-nd\",\"license_terms\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Image of library windows\",\"author\":\"Matthias Ripp\",\"organization\":\"\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/qm8c8o\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by\",\"license_terms\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Foundations of College Success: Words of Wisdom\",\"author\":\"Thomas C. 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