Pathways to College Success

Freshman Survival Skills

Presented by: The Counseling Center of Gulf Coast State College

What do you do?It is your first day of class. You have never been in a college class andhave no idea of what to expect. What do you do? It is your first day of class and have heard horror stories about theinstructor!!! You are not sure what to do or how to act. What do you do?

It is your first day of class and you walk out of the class feelingextremely overwhelmed by the amount of work and the level ofknowledge needed for the class. What do you do? You have always been afraid to approach your instructors, but now havequestions about the material he/she talked about in class. What do youdo?

Your instructor posted an incorrect grade. You have the assignment to show what the actual grade is. What do you do?

An instructor made inappropriate comments to you or a classmateoutside of class. What do you do?

You say “my instructor just doesn’t like me!” What do you do?

You say “I have no idea how to be a good college student!!!” What do you do?

What do you do you say? Continue with the workshop andmany of your questions will be answered.

Remember, help is always available.

Good Luck with your academic endeavors.

The Counseling Center Leigh Bailey and Cindy Boshelle

Start Out on the Right Foot

oHave the correct materials for class.

oBe prepared for class. Always read over the material for thenext class. This will allow you to ask the right questions and get more out of the lecture.

oDo assignments in a timely manner. Be aware of deadlinesand begin assignments early.

oUse the syllabus. Each class is given a syllabus containinginformation about the class, assignment due dates, and testing information.

oBe respectful in class. Getting upset in class is never the bestsolution. Challenging or asking questions can be done in a civil manner.

oStay focused. Day dreaming in class can be costly since youwill miss out on important information and announcements. Stay active by taking notes. Being prepared for class will help you stay concentrated in class. Try to overcome distractions in class by sitting near the front, turning off electronic devices, and keeping an open mind to the discussion.

oCheck ANGEL account and GDXD e-mail on a daily basis. All e-learning classes use ANGEL for the class. Many on-campus classes use ANGEL as an addition to the classroom.

Student Code of ConductThe Student Code of Conduct is found on the Student Handbook located on the GCSC web-site. Violation of any college rule, policy, regulation, or violation of any law on college premises, college sponsored or related activities, or activities which adversely affect the interests of the college community, including those standards provided below, subject the student(s) to disciplinary action according to published college disciplinary procedures.

For further explanation, See GCSC Code of Conduct

Located on www.gulfcoast.edu

Click Student Resources

Then click Code of Conduct

Taken from the 2012-2013 GCSC Student Handbook

Failing a Class

Ask for help as soon as possible. Talk with your instructor, meet with tutors, or talk with a counselor.

Relating to Your InstructorsMany students have a difficult time relating to their instructors. Students may feel that instructors are out to get them or they try to fail as many students as possible. Many students are intimidated by instructors, feeling that the instructor will think the student is “dumb” for asking a question.

In most cases this is not true. All instructors have posted office hours so that students may meet with them concerning problems with the class or to ask questions. Each instructor will also give students a syllabus with their name, phone number, office location, and e-mail address.

The best way to connect with your instructor is to become a “Distinctive Student” (Santrock). A “Distinctive Student” is a student who is serious about learning. “They come to class prepared, do assignments in a timely manner, call the instructor ahead of time if he/she has to miss a class, behaves appropriately in the classroom, asks related questions, and seeks assistance in a timely manner.” (Santrock)

Solving Problems withYour Instructor

Hopefully, you will never have a situation that causes a problem with your instructor. However, the following are four problems that may prompt you to take self-protective action. They are:

• The course is taught at a higher level than anticipated• Managing personal boundaries with instructors.• A disagreement concerning the completion or grading of yourwork.

• Problems concerning the instructor’s conduct.

Procedures to handle problems with your instructor are found in the GCSC Student Handbook. You may wish to speak with a counselor concerning the problem and how best to handle the situation. • Initial Informal Procedures The student shall initiate the informal

procedures within ten college working days after the student firstperceives the alleged violation on which the grievance is based. (For thepurposes of this policy, “college working days” are defined as weekdaysduring which regular credit classes are scheduled, as per the collegecalendar. For reasonable cause, the Vice President for Academic Affairs(VPAA) may extend this time requirement.)

• At any point during the informal procedures, either of the principalsmay request the assistance of the Director of Student Services.

• The informal procedures outlined as follows must be initiated prior to aformal grievance being filed:

• A. Whenever possible, the student shall meet with the faculty memberwhose actions are the object of the complaint to discuss the issue andattempt to resolve it satisfactorily.

B.If the complaint has not been resolved in conference with the faculty member, or if the student cannot meet with the faculty member, the student will discuss the complaint with the faculty member’s immediate supervisor / division chair, who will attempt to help resolve the complaint. C.If the student does not feel the problem has been resolved within a reasonable time after the conference with the division chair, the student may then initiate the formal academic grievance procedure.

***See the GCSC Student handbook via www.gulfcoast.edu for additional information on informal and formal academic grievance procedures.***

GCSC Help Reference Guide*Melissa Lavender – VP of Student Services & Ombudsman – 747-3211*Leigh Bailey – Counselor – 769-1551 x4861*Cindy Boshelle – Counselor – 769-1551 x2829*Linda Van Dalen – Disability Support Services – 872-3834*Michalle Barnett – Chair, Language and Literature Division – 873-3515*Angelia Reynolds–Chair, Mathematics Division – 872-3852*Fledia Ellis – Chair, Natural Sciences Division – 872-3848*Greg May – Chair, Public Safety Division – 769-1551 x5601*Wes Keen – Chair, Social Sciences Division – 872-3826*Melody Boyd –Chair, Business & Technology – 872-3876*Rosie O’Bourke – Chair, Visual & Performing Arts Division – 872-3887*Gregg Wolfe – Chair, Wellness and Athletics Division – 872-3830*George Bishop – Vice President of Academic Affairs – 872-3803*Student Handbooks are available at www.gulfcoast.edu

ReferencesYour Guide to College Success: Strategies for Achieving Your Goal – 1999 –

Wadsworth Publishing Company – Santrock and Halonen – pp. 30-45.

***

Gulf Coast State College 2012-2013 Student Handbook.