College Textbook Blog

As we stated before, where to go for help and what resources are available are fairly consistent on each campus. The primary resource is the counselor office. Usually students have a counselor assigned to them. After that, they can develop course advisement, degree planning, and identify and address barriers to academic success.

Student’s interaction with the counselor should be one-on-one discussions of the student’s current strategies and developing new strategies.  It could be signing the student up for an upcoming workshop or tutoring session.  It could be specific “school” counseling, like business school or medical school or just career investigation.

It seems that most issues stem from math or English and there are usually many math and writing centers as they are most common resources made. Other resources include tutoring programs, supplemental instruction, workshops on note-taking, test-taking, time or stress management, and many specific studying in groups.

Some of the successful strategies to help students are:

• Begin with the freshman orientation session.
• Seek help at the first sign of trouble and before you fail or need to drop the class.
• Use all study groups & workshops.
• Develop a career strategy so you do not become undecided.
• Not having a major or having the wrong one may contribute to problems.
• Talk to your professors & get to know them because they will help you.
• Get advice from your professors or teacher assistants regarding what is wanted, and how to convey it.
• The professors may also give suggestions as to how and what to study.
• Take a course in one of your weak areas during the summer semester.
• Consider going to a community college to get your direction as it has less demands and fewer students so you get more direct teaching at a lower cost.

Even though most student have an idea of what they’re doing wrong, they may not know how to fix it, but they do know what they should and should not be doing.  Counselors and other professionals who work with college students can help identify and direct students to successful solutions.

One thing that students need to realize is that one test, one midterm grade, the grade in one class, or a semester’s grades do not make or break a college career.  Courses can be re-taken, majors changed, new skills learned, and most important, you learn what your career goals are to become.

Some students do very well with grades in high school, but struggle when they get to college.  What they need are resources to help in these situations and how to seek assistance.

Many have difficulty with the transition from high school to college.  For some students, figuring out how to fix the issues takes a lot longer than for others.  When the difficulties occur they normally fall into two major categories;  first the student has not learned how to study, and secondly they don’t seem to get the subject matter. So what happens?

1. Students become overwhelmed & get behind in a class.
2. Have trouble understanding what the professor wants or expects
3. Stress or anxiety over testing and not understanding why the questions were not covered in class.
4. Lack of focus for studying or not knowing how to study in college
5. Choosing to do other things over studying like partying.
6. Choosing not to do the home work.

Understanding each of these areas can be addressed using college resources that are available on campuses, and using mind mapping strategies for organizing. However, the solutions lie with the student and how they react to the issues.  They must recognize and accept that there is an issue, and then seek to fix it.

Where to go for help and what resources are available are fairly consistent on each campus.  The primary resource is the counselor office. They should speak with the counselor assigned to them and figure out how to get back on track. After that, they can develop course advisement and degree planning, and identify and address barriers to academic success.

Before you decide what to take to college, if you live alone it will be easy to decide, however if you will have a roommate, you need to call them and decide what each of you will bring. There’s nothing worse than having two stereos and no refrigerators.

Here is a partial list of things that come in handy and hopefully you have thought of all but if not, we are happy to help.

Supplies - laundry bag or basket, laundry soap, personal toiletries, bath linens, stain remover, sewing kit, eating utensils, cups and plates, bedding & blankets, backpack, bike and lock, first aid kit, shower bag & flip flops.

Clothes to march the weather – raincoat, boots, swimsuit, shorts, workout clothes, sportswear from your new college, “dress” clothes, blazer , few ties, “helper” clothes to clean up yard or paint the siding, seasonal clothes for weather changes.

Comfort items are most important to keep you focused & feel at home – favorite snacks, room decorations like posters, stuffed animals, family photos, computer games, your worn-in sports equipment, schedule trips home and place them on your calendar.

Electronics to help pass the time - television, stereo, DVD player, microwave, mini-fridge, cell phone, digital camera, I-Pod or MP3 player, computer and peripherals, power strip & extension cords, desk lamp, alarm clocks, and a fan or air conditioner.