Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. Chapter 1 Preparing for Success in College

Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.

Chapter 1Chapter 1

Preparing for Success Preparing for Success in Collegein College


The purpose of this chapter is to The purpose of this chapter is to perk your thoughts on how to perk your thoughts on how to

take charge right away and get a take charge right away and get a strong start in college.strong start in college.


Are you ready?Are you ready?


Learning OutcomesLearning Outcomes

Clarify your reasons for going to college. Appreciate the advantages of a college education. Become socially and academically involved in your

school community. Use your school’s resources and services. Understand your school’s policies. Develop an efficient transportation plan. Make the most of financial management strategies and

student financial aid options. Balance the demands of work, school, family, and

friends.


You won’t regret doing You won’t regret doing your best in college!your best in college!

Genius without education Genius without education

is like silver in the mine. is like silver in the mine.

——Benjamin FranklinBenjamin Franklin

What did Benjamin mean?What did Benjamin mean?


Review text Exercise 1-1:Review text Exercise 1-1: The reasons I’m going to college The reasons I’m going to college

Let’s conduct a quick class survey on the top 2 reasons Let’s conduct a quick class survey on the top 2 reasons you are going to college.you are going to college.

Based on our class survey, what seems to be the top 2–Based on our class survey, what seems to be the top 2–3 most compelling reasons to go to college?3 most compelling reasons to go to college?

How can your reasons for going to college motivate you How can your reasons for going to college motivate you to succeed in college?to succeed in college?


-Small Group Discussion--Small Group Discussion-Think about it!Think about it!

1.1. What do you like most about college?What do you like most about college?

2.2. What do you like least about college?What do you like least about college?

3.3. What do you fear most about college?What do you fear most about college?

4.4. How would the above relate to a new job?How would the above relate to a new job?


Financial Advantages of Financial Advantages of a College Educationa College Education

College graduatesCollege graduates:: earn higher wages. earn higher wages. are more likely to receive employer-provided are more likely to receive employer-provided

health insurance & pension benefits.health insurance & pension benefits. receive a broad education. receive a broad education. gain expertise in their field. gain expertise in their field. Any other advantages?Any other advantages?


U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)2007 Reports:2007 Reports:

“ “Generally speaking, jobs that require high Generally speaking, jobs that require high levels of education and skill pay higher levels of education and skill pay higher wages than jobs that require few skills and wages than jobs that require few skills and little education.” little education.”


Earnings and Education, Earnings and Education, 4th quarter 2008 (DOL) age 25 and up4th quarter 2008 (DOL) age 25 and up


Wages in Healthcare Practitioner and Wages in Healthcare Practitioner and Technical Occupations Technical Occupations (DOL 2007)(DOL 2007)


National Compensation SurveyNational Compensation Survey

Occupational Wages—U.S. (June 2006)

Link to hourly earnings listed by occupation

http://www.bls.gov/ncs/ocs/sp/ncbl0910.pdf


Taking Control Taking Control Balancing School, Balancing School, Work, Family, Friends, and MoreWork, Family, Friends, and More

1.1. Control your schedule—time management Control your schedule—time management skills are one of the most valuable skills for skills are one of the most valuable skills for college, career, and personal success. college, career, and personal success.

The “Making Time Work for You” chapter will help The “Making Time Work for You” chapter will help you adopt time management strategies.you adopt time management strategies.

2.2. Keep a firm grasp on your priorities.Keep a firm grasp on your priorities. Understanding what your PRIORITIES are each Understanding what your PRIORITIES are each

and every day is one of the biggest keys to college and every day is one of the biggest keys to college success. success.


-Small Group Discussion--Small Group Discussion-Think about it!Think about it!

1.1. What obstacles and/or distractions What obstacles and/or distractions could keep you from doing your best in could keep you from doing your best in college?college?

2.2. How can you overcome the obstacles How can you overcome the obstacles and distractions to succeed in college?and distractions to succeed in college?


Get Connected: Social and Academic Involvement Get Connected: Social and Academic Involvement at Your College is a Good Investmentat Your College is a Good Investment

National student engagement research has National student engagement research has shownshown::

When students invest themselves in school-When students invest themselves in school-related activities for socializing or learning, they related activities for socializing or learning, they become more attached to their school become more attached to their school andand achieve their educational goals.achieve their educational goals.


Be Academically Involved at SchoolBe Academically Involved at School

1.1. Actively participate in class activities.Actively participate in class activities.2.2. Study in the library or campus study areas.Study in the library or campus study areas.3.3. Meet with your instructors and advisor.Meet with your instructors and advisor.4.4. Join a student organization or student chapter of Join a student organization or student chapter of

your professional organization.your professional organization.5.5. Get tutoring as soon as you encounter difficultiesGet tutoring as soon as you encounter difficulties

—even if you just need a little help. —even if you just need a little help. 6.6. Attend special school lectures and events.Attend special school lectures and events.7.7. Start or join a study group.Start or join a study group.


Anything holding you back Anything holding you back from being academically from being academically

involved in school?involved in school?


Get Socially Involved at SchoolGet Socially Involved at School

What types of social events and activities are What types of social events and activities are provided at our college?provided at our college?

• What?What?• Where?Where?• When?When?• Cost?Cost?• Can you bring family or friends?Can you bring family or friends?


Using Your School’s Resources Using Your School’s Resources and Servicesand Services

Our college offers student services to help you Our college offers student services to help you succeed both academically and personally. succeed both academically and personally.

In small groups, list as many services as you In small groups, list as many services as you

can think of that our college makes available to can think of that our college makes available to you.you.


Understand Your School’s PoliciesUnderstand Your School’s Policies

Knowing the college’s rules, policies, and Knowing the college’s rules, policies, and procedures can help you succeed and avoid procedures can help you succeed and avoid costly mistakes.costly mistakes.

Review your responses to Review your responses to Exercise 1-6: Getting Exercise 1-6: Getting acquainted with your college’s academic acquainted with your college’s academic requirements and proceduresrequirements and procedures

What questions or concerns do you have What questions or concerns do you have concerning any of our college’s rules, policies, or concerning any of our college’s rules, policies, or procedures?procedures?


Got Transportation? Got Transportation? What about a backup plan?What about a backup plan?

SituationSituation You have graduated from your You have graduated from your college program. You are employed full-college program. You are employed full-time by XYZ Company in time by XYZ Company in ((locationlocation))..

Think about what your transportation Think about what your transportation backup plan would look like while you are backup plan would look like while you are working for XYZ.working for XYZ.

Explain your backup plan to a classmate Explain your backup plan to a classmate next to you.next to you.


Managing Your Money Managing Your Money -Think Fast -Think Fast Small Group Competition- Small Group Competition-

(1 point for each correct item)(1 point for each correct item)

1.1. Recall and list the textbook credit card tips.Recall and list the textbook credit card tips.

2.2. Recall and list textbook tips for maximizing your Recall and list textbook tips for maximizing your risk for identity theft.risk for identity theft.

3.3. Based on the textbook Budgeting Plan Based on the textbook Budgeting Plan Worksheet, write a concise list of guidelines for Worksheet, write a concise list of guidelines for creating a budget plan.creating a budget plan.


Financial AidFinancial Aid1.1. College is expensive. Costs may include food and College is expensive. Costs may include food and

lodging, tuition, fees, and books. lodging, tuition, fees, and books. 2.2. Your college’s Financial Aid Office can inform you about Your college’s Financial Aid Office can inform you about

many sources of financial aid. many sources of financial aid. 3.3. Also consider other possible sources of financial aid.Also consider other possible sources of financial aid.4.4. Meet all deadlines for submitting applications and Meet all deadlines for submitting applications and

documentation and documentation and be accuratebe accurate..5.5. Respond quickly and completely to all requests for Respond quickly and completely to all requests for

additional information.additional information.6.6. Be persistent in following up your application.Be persistent in following up your application.7.7. If you do receive financial aid, meet all requirements to If you do receive financial aid, meet all requirements to

keep and continue your aid.keep and continue your aid.


Need-Based Aid Funding SourcesNeed-Based Aid Funding Sources

Financial aid packages generally include two Financial aid packages generally include two forms of assistance: forms of assistance: grantgrant and and scholarship scholarship fundsfunds and and self-help funds.self-help funds.

The first portion of each student's demonstrated The first portion of each student's demonstrated need is generally met with self-help funds. need is generally met with self-help funds.

Need in excess of self-help funds is met with Need in excess of self-help funds is met with grant and scholarship funds.grant and scholarship funds.


Grant and Scholarship FundsGrant and Scholarship Funds

1.1. Do not need to be repaid.Do not need to be repaid.

2.2. Are available from a variety of sources Are available from a variety of sources (institutional, federal, state, and local). (institutional, federal, state, and local).

3.3. When packaging student aid awards, colleges When packaging student aid awards, colleges generally include those federal and state generally include those federal and state resources for which the student is eligible.resources for which the student is eligible.

4.4. Scholarship funds are derived from a variety of Scholarship funds are derived from a variety of sources including contributions to your school.sources including contributions to your school.


Most Common Federal Government Most Common Federal Government Grant ProgramsGrant Programs

1.1. Pell GrantsPell Grants Based on eligibility determined by the Department of Based on eligibility determined by the Department of

Education's review of information provided on the Education's review of information provided on the FAFSA.FAFSA. Generally available to low-income students. Generally available to low-income students.

2.2. Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG)Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG) For undergraduates with exceptional financial need.For undergraduates with exceptional financial need. Priority is given to those who receive Pell Grants.Priority is given to those who receive Pell Grants. Eligibility is determined by the Financial Aid Office. Eligibility is determined by the Financial Aid Office.

3.3. State Student Incentive Grants (SSIG)State Student Incentive Grants (SSIG) Consist of federal and state funds and are made available Consist of federal and state funds and are made available

by the student's home state. by the student's home state.


Other GrantsOther Grants

1.1. Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant (TEACH Grant) (TEACH Grant)

2.2. The Academic Competitiveness Grant The Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)(ACG)

3.3. The National Science & Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant The National Science & Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (National SMART Grant)(National SMART Grant)

4.4. Institutional GrantsInstitutional Grants—Colleges provide institutional grants to help make —Colleges provide institutional grants to help make up the difference between college costs and what a family can be up the difference between college costs and what a family can be expected to contribute through income, savings, loans, and student expected to contribute through income, savings, loans, and student earnings.earnings.

5.5. Other Institutional GrantsOther Institutional Grants—merit awards or merit scholarships are —merit awards or merit scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic achievement. awarded on the basis of academic achievement.

Find out about other types of grants that our college may award.Find out about other types of grants that our college may award.


Self-Help FundsSelf-Help Funds

1.1. Self-help funds are made up of low-interest, Self-help funds are made up of low-interest, deferred payment, subsidized deferred payment, subsidized loans,loans, and and work-work-study jobsstudy jobs. .

2.2. Subsidized Subsidized loansloans may be deferred until after may be deferred until after the student completes his or her education. the student completes his or her education.

3.3. Work-study jobsWork-study jobs provide eligible students with provide eligible students with campus earnings opportunities. campus earnings opportunities. Funds earned are paid directly to the student and Funds earned are paid directly to the student and

may be used to support educational or personal may be used to support educational or personal expenses. expenses.


Financial Aid InformationFinancial Aid Information

• Free Application for Federal Student AidFree Application for Federal Student Aid FAFSAFAFSA http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

A completed FAFSA will put you in consideration for A completed FAFSA will put you in consideration for federal, state, college and private scholarships, and federal, state, college and private scholarships, and it’s completely free. it’s completely free.

The only thing you’ll spend completing your FAFSA The only thing you’ll spend completing your FAFSA is a few minutes of your time, and you could get is a few minutes of your time, and you could get thousands of dollars of financial aid in return. thousands of dollars of financial aid in return.


Student Aid on the WebStudent Aid on the Web

For information about federal student aid from For information about federal student aid from the U.S. Department of Education, visit the U.S. Department of Education, visit www.studentaid.ed.govwww.studentaid.ed.gov. .


Key Chapter PointsKey Chapter Points

1.1. Use your reasons for going to college to keep Use your reasons for going to college to keep you you motivated to succeedmotivated to succeed in college. in college.

2.2. A college education will provide you many A college education will provide you many employment benefits now and in the future.employment benefits now and in the future.

3.3. When you invest yourself in school-related When you invest yourself in school-related activities for socializing or learning, you activities for socializing or learning, you become more attached to your school and become more attached to your school and achieve your educational goals.achieve your educational goals.

4.4. Our college offers services to help you Our college offers services to help you succeed both academically and personally.succeed both academically and personally.


Key Chapter Points Key Chapter Points continuedcontinued

5.5. Knowing the college’s rules, policies, and Knowing the college’s rules, policies, and procedures can help you succeed and avoid procedures can help you succeed and avoid costly mistakes.costly mistakes.

6.6. Determine a backup transportation plan for Determine a backup transportation plan for school, just as you would for your job.school, just as you would for your job.

7.7. Make the most of financial management Make the most of financial management strategies and student financial aid options.strategies and student financial aid options.

8.8. Time management skills are one of the most Time management skills are one of the most valuable skills for college, career, and personal valuable skills for college, career, and personal success.success.


Quick Assessment Quick Assessment Write a response to Write a response to the following and turn it in to your instructor.the following and turn it in to your instructor.

What is/are your biggest challenge(s) that What is/are your biggest challenge(s) that you are concerned may interfere with your you are concerned may interfere with your college success?college success?

What is/are your greatest strength(s) that What is/are your greatest strength(s) that you believe will help you be successful in you believe will help you be successful in college?college?

What are the top skills and/or habits you What are the top skills and/or habits you want to improve to be successful in want to improve to be successful in college?college?


See the light?See the light?

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Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. Chapter 1 Preparing for Success in College