Whether enrolling in college for the first time or returning after an extended absence, this motivational guide provides adult students with a wealth of practical guidance. This thorough handbook explores not only how to succeed academically while balancing family, work, and other important responsibilities, but also addresses how students can learn to confront their fears, increase their self-confidence and resiliency, and create support groups. Containing essential information on financing education through loans, grants, and scholarships as well as practical tips for managing time, preparing for tests, taking effective notes, and using internet resources, this one-stop reference also includes action review checklists.
The Adult Student's Guide to Survival & Success...
Choosing a Program That Calls to You
Find Out What Courses Are the Path to Your Vocation
Do you know what the word “vocation” means? It means “a calling.” It is a path with heart. It is “work” you enjoy doing so much that you are delighted to be paid for doing it. People who have
found their “vocation” are generally more motivated than people taking courses simply to get a college degree.
Take time to look carefully through the college catalog. List the courses you will have to take to graduate. Even if you haven’t settled upon a degree fi eld yet, you will have to take several general education courses required of all students in a degree program.
The college catalog describes all the courses offered and explains which ones you will be required to take if you want to receive a degree or certifi cate. Read the requirements carefully.
The college catalog is a kind of contract. The college agrees to award you a degree if you do all the required work as indicated
in the catalog in force during your initial enrollment into degree course work. Keep a copy for future reference.
If a course sounds interesting, check to see if you have to take a prerequisite course before taking it. A prerequisite course is one that students must take and complete before they can get into a more advanced course.
Some courses are so popular there are many sections scheduled during a day with different instructors. If you have a choice, find out which instructors other students recommend and why they recommend them. Keep in mind, however, that an easy teacher
may not be the best for your future. You are in college to get a solid education, not just a degree.
Once you know the courses you want, look at the schedule of
classes. The schedule will tell you the time, location, and instructor for each course. If you do not fi nd that a course you want is available at this time, contact the department. Ask the secretary when the course you want will be offered next and who will teach it.
Department secretaries are a gold mine of information. Not every course is offered every term or semester, so it might be practical to outline a two-year schedule for yourself at this time.
If you live in an area with several public colleges, you might fi nd it more convenient to be enrolled at one college, but take a
course at another if the course is offered at a better time, for a lower cost, or not offered at your main campus. So many college students do this, there is now a name for it: “ swirling.” It is legal to do, and in most cases with state-funded schools, a basic course such as introduction to sociology must be accepted for full credit
when transferred back to your primary college.
You and your academic advisor will need to decide how many
courses and credit hours you should take. Full-time students usually take four to fi ve classes per quarter, or about three where on semesters. If you take two or three courses for less than about 12 credit hours, you may be considered a part-time student, depending on the college. Note that being enrolled part-time versus fulltime
can affect your eligibility for financial aid.
Certificate and Degree Choices
Community colleges offer vocational certificate programs in such fields as food services, nursing, dental assistant, computer science,
television production, software specialist, internet associate, and hotel hospitality services.
Community colleges also offer Associate Degree programs that
take about two years to complete as a full-time student. Most courses in these Associate Degree programs will be accepted by your state’s four-year
Table of Contents
1 Lots of Help is Available ............................ 1
2 Fears and Concerns: How to Confront
and Overcome Them .......................... 9
3 How to Choose Your Program,
Get Financial Help, and Become Oriented ........ 19
4 Actions That Lead to Success in College .............. 33
5 Online Learning ................................ 41
6 The Best Way to Study ...................... 48
7 How to Get High Grades on Tests .......... 65
8 How to Write Excellent Papers ............... 81
9 Learning Styles and Teaching Styles:
How to Infl uence Instructors .................. 91
10 How to Gain Support and Encouragement
from Your Family .............................. 103
11 How to Balance Going to College with Working ....... 113
12 How to Handle Pressure Well ................ 119
13 Resiliency in a World of Non-Stop Change ......... 128
Resources and Selected Reading ................ 144
Online Resources ........................ 149
Index ....................................... 154
Reviews
Albert Sheppard, PhD, executive director, College Financial Aids Foundation...
"A good guide to 'learning how to learn' . . . any student who takes the time to read and thoroughly digest the material will become a better student and have less stress."
Fran Polk, Alternative Learning Center, Portland Community College...
"An extremely insightful, personable, informative, common-sense, and inspirational manual for those students who work, have a family, and want more from life."
Grace B. Martin, PhD, head of psychology, director of general studies, Armstrong State College...
"This is a book that had to be written."
Diane J. Willis, coordinator of undergraduate advising and student services, Washington University...
"[This book] will help me do my job better. The book is timely, filled with insight, well-organized and fun to read!"
About the Author
Al Siebert, PhD, is the author of award-winning The Resiliency Advantage and The Survivor Personality and the coauthor of Student Success: How to Succeed in College and Still Have Time for Your Friends. He has taught adult education classes and management psychology for more than 30 years at Portland State University. He lives in Portland, Oregon.
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The Adult Student's Guide to Survival & Success
by Al Siebert
