Guidance 6 week two

Week Two: Overview	Strong work habits and communication skills are essential to success in college. For many students, making the transition to college can be especially difficult because it is the first time when they are completely on their own to structure their time and be responsible for attending classes, completing assignments, and following through with numerous commitments. Because of the freedom and flexibility that is often associated with with college, many find that they are easily sidetracked by other responsibilities such as work, family, and extracurricular commitments. In addition, students are often times not realistic about how much they will be able to successfully manage while juggling several priorities. Many also fail to budget their time properly since so much of the work in college is done outside of the classroom. Taking a proactive role in communicating with instructors and fellow students is also critical to success in college. Students are expected to initiate communications with instructors and to use a variety of materials to gather the information they will need. Very often, instructors will not go out of their way to let students know if they are doing poorly in a class or if their attendance is problematic; it is expected that students will seek out assistance if they need it and that they will take responsibility for finding out what happens in the classes they miss. In addition, the college expects students to be aware of the rules and policies that affect them and to know where to gather the information they need. "Nobody told me" is no longer an excuse. Interactions with others in addition to instructors will also play a key role in college success. Classmates, counselors, coaches, and administrators can all contribute to positive experiences, both inside and outside of the classroom. Learning and practicing a variety of ways to strengthen these relationships will lead not only to success in college, it will assist students in forging positive and productive relationships in all areas throughout their lifetimes.
Reading	*Textbook:* Chapters 3, 4, and 5. Gavilan College Catalog: Pages 21 - 28
Assignments	Forum: Access the Gavilan College Catalog and the Schedule of Classes either online or in print. After reviewing each one, give a brief description of the differences between the two and identify two specific pieces of information that can be found in each. Post by June 27th. Journal Entry: Briefly discuss some of the concerns that have occurred to you regarding your own college survival skills. What steps will you take to address these concerns? Complete this by June 27th. Chapter Three exercises: 3.7 (Reflection) and 3.8 (Critical Thinking) from the Companion Website. Email exercises to instructor upon completion by June 27th. Chapter Three Quizzes: Multiple Choice, True-False, and Essay from the Companion Website. Email to instructor upon completion by June 27th. Chapter Four exercises: 4.4 (Critical Thinking) and 4.6 (Practice) from the Companion Website. Email to instructor upon completion by June 27th. Chapter Four Quizzes: Multiple Choice, True-False, Fill in the Blank from the Companion Website. Email to instructor upon completion by June 27th. Chapter Five exercises: 5.2, 5.6, and 5.13 (Reflection) from the Companion Website. Email to instructor upon completion by June 27th. Chapter Five Quizzes: Essay questions #1 and 2 from the Companion Website. Email to instructor upon completion by June 27th.

Strong work habits and communication skills are essential to success in college. For many students, making the transition to college can be especially difficult because it is the first time when they are completely on their own to structure their time and be responsible for attending classes, completing assignments, and following through with numerous commitments. Because of the freedom and flexibility that is often associated with with college, many find that they are easily sidetracked by other responsibilities such as work, family, and extracurricular commitments. In addition, students are often times not realistic about how much they will be able to successfully manage while juggling several priorities. Many also fail to budget their time properly since so much of the work in college is done outside of the classroom.

Taking a proactive role in communicating with instructors and fellow students is also critical to success in college. Students are expected to initiate communications with instructors and to use a variety of materials to gather the information they will need. Very often, instructors will not go out of their way to let students know if they are doing poorly in a class or if their attendance is problematic; it is expected that students will seek out assistance if they need it and that they will take responsibility for finding out what happens in the classes they miss. In addition, the college expects students to be aware of the rules and policies that affect them and to know where to gather the information they need. "Nobody told me" is no longer an excuse.

Interactions with others in addition to instructors will also play a key role in college success. Classmates, counselors, coaches, and administrators can all contribute to positive experiences, both inside and outside of the classroom. Learning and practicing a variety of ways to strengthen these relationships will lead not only to success in college, it will assist students in forging positive and productive relationships in all areas throughout their lifetimes.