Troy's Academic Success Blog

"Hey, don't forget me," says the semi-colon.

2012-01-31T07:48:00.000-08:00

A colon - as previously described - is used 1) to connect a definition to an independent clause, 2) to start a list, 3) following a formal salutation, and 4) to connect an independent clause to a direct quotation.

But what about the colon's little brother - or perhaps more social cousin - the semi-colon?

First, a semi-colon is used to connect two independent clauses (complete sentences) that are related to one another. In this situation, you could also use a period but would elect to use a semi-colon if the two independent clauses relate or interact with one another.

1. It was a dark and stormy night; our hero put on a raincoat. (correct)
2. It was a dark and stormy night. Our hero put on a raincoat. (also correct)

Here both examples are correct and mean basically the same thing. The use of a semi-colon (sentence 1) indicates that there is a direct relationship between the weather and the action of the hero.

3. It was a dark and stormy night: our hero put on a raincoat. (incorrect)
4. It was a dark and stormy night: by 4:00 AM over three inches of rain had fallen. (correct)

Here we are getting into the subtle difference between a colon and semi-colon. In sentence 3, the second independent clause does not define the first. Thus, the colon is incorrect. In sentence 4, however, the second clause does define the first. Thus, the colon is correct.

Second, a semi-colon is used to connect two independent clauses when using "however," "therefore," "furthermore," or "thus" (conjunctive verbs). Once again, it is also correct to use a period. Whether we use a period or a semi-colon, the use of the conjunctive verb already indicates that there is a relationship between the two independent clauses. Thus, in this instance, the only reason to use a semi-colon as opposed to a period is to add variety to your sentence structure. In other words, it is a matter of style, not grammar.

5. Cement is very expensive; therefore, it is cheaper to build a house with wood. (correct)
6. Cement is very expensive. Therefore, it is cheaper to build a house with wood. (correct)

Here is a tricky point. If you are connecting two independent clauses with "and" or "but" (coordinating clauses), then you cannot use a semi-colon (sentence 7). In this case, you need to either remove the coordinating clause (sentence 8) or use a comma (sentence 9).

7. Cement is very expensive; but it is cheaper to build a house with wood. (incorrect)
8. Cement is very expensive; it is cheaper to build a house with wood. (correct)
9. Cement is very expensive, but it is cheaper to build a house with wood. (correct)

Third, a semi-colon is used to add clarity to a list that already has commas (sentence 10). In this case, the semi-colon brings order to an otherwise confusing sentence.

10. At the grocery store, Victor bought everything he needed to make dinner: a round steak, which he plans to use as a roast; frozen mixed vegetables; and bakery-fresh brownies, his daughter's favorite dessert. (correct)
11. At the grocery store, Victor bought everything he needed to make dinner: a round steak, which he plans to use as a roast, frozen mixed vegetables, and bakery-fresh brownies, his daughter's favorite dessert. (incorrect and confusing)
12. At the grocery store, Victory bought everything he needed for dinner: a round steak, mixed vegetables, and brownies. (correct)

Note that in a simple list (sentence 12), a comma will suffice. Think of the semi-colon as the Sheriff of a sentence with a list that only needs to intervene when a comma fails to bring order and clarity to the sentence.

Let's Talk About Colons!

2012-01-27T10:53:00.000-08:00

You might be expecting a medical post, but let's talk about colon the punctuation mark as opposed to colon the bodily organ. How do you use a colon?

First, a colon is used to mark off an explanation that follows an independent clause. (An independent clause is a statement that can stand on its own as a complete sentence.) A colon states, "I am going to explain what I just said."

1. It was a beautiful day: new snow was falling.
2. That test was extremely challenging: I did not study long enough.
3. A colon - the punctuation mark - has an elegant look to it : the colon consists of two dots stacked neatly on top of one another.

Second, a colon is used to separate a quote from an independent clause. The key here is that the quote is preceded by an independent clause.

4. Note the amazing point that Troy makes: "Be sure to use your colon correctly!"
5. The weather man said something extremely disappointing: "It is going to be a beautiful warm sunny day!"

Third, use a colon after a salutation in a formal letter. You will use a colon in this manner when you are writing a cover letter or scholarship statement.

6. Dear Financial Aid Appeals Committee: Please consider my circumstances when evaluating my financial aid status.

Fourth, use a colon to mark off a list.

7. A colon has a number of appropriate placements: preceding an explanation of an independent clause; separating a quote from an independent clause; after a salutation in a formal letter; and before a list.

I think you will find that - when done correctly - using your colon can be an extremely exciting process. Enjoy!

Filing Income Taxes and Education Credits

2012-01-16T07:40:00.000-08:00

When filing your 2011 income taxes, students are able to have a portion of their tuition, fees, and educational expenses refunded. In essence, this means that students are able to get back some of the money that they use to pay for college. In technical terms, this education refund is called the American Opportunity Credit.

This education refund is available only for out-of-pocket expenses. Out-of-pocket means the money either comes directly from you or from an educational loan. Out-of-pocket funds do not include scholarships, Pell grants, or Colorado grants.

To determine if you are eligible, review your 1098-T form available through the Financial Aid Office or online student portal (CCD Connect). The two important boxes on 1098-T are Box 2 (Amounts billed for qualified tuition and related expenses) and Box 5 (Scholarships or Grants). If the number in Box 2 is greater than the number in Box 5, you have qualified out-of-pocket expenses. A certain percentage of these out-0f-pocket expenses is refundable through a 2011 income tax return.

You may also add additional educational expenses that you paid out-of-pocket to the number in Box 2. Primarily, this includes textbooks and supplies required for coursework. However, this does not include room and board, insurance, medical expenses, or other personal, living, or family expense.

You may be eligible for the education credit if you, your spouse, or a dependent you claim on your tax return was a student enrolled at a college or university. You cannot receive the education credit if you are claimed as a dependent on another person's tax return, your filing status is married filing separately, or if you or your spouse were a non-resident alien for any part of 2011.

Peer Mentors on the Transfer Experience

2011-12-14T11:57:00.000-08:00

Recently, the TRIO Peer Mentors put on a workshop to describe their experiences with transferring from a community college to a four-year school. The main points raised include:

1) Prepare to be more self-sufficient. Community colleges provide access and support to anyone interested in college - this is their strength. Once you transfer to a four-year college or university, expect a different culture. There are still faculty and staff ready to support your academic goals, but the onus is much more on the student to be self-sufficient.

2) Prepare for higher academic expectations. As you move into junior and senior level courses, expect more reading, more writing, and more testing. Expect to receive no credit for late assignments. Expect to not have extra credit. You can prepare for these higher expectations by taking more challenging courses at the community college, such as Honor's courses.

3) Follow a degree plan while at the community college. The four-year college or university is specific about the courses accepted as transfer credit. By following a degree plan while at the community college, you can be sure to take proper courses. Note, however, that you still may need to take additional courses at the four-year school if you decide to change your major when you transfer.

This may all sound a little scary but the Peer Mentors reassured the students that they are capable of being successful. The students need, however, to make appropriate preparations and be prepared for a challenge. The more students, staff, and faculty that you talk with at your four-year school, the easier the transfer process becomes. And the earlier you are talking with your transfer institution, the better.

Develop a Student Support Network

2011-12-13T12:42:00.000-08:00

The Final Steps of the Transfer Process

2011-11-28T07:24:00.000-08:00

Since your first semester at the community college, you have done your "transfer homework." You have researched your transfer options and visited campuses. You have registered for coursework according to a transfer guide. You have worked hard in school and participated in extracurricular activities to build a strong resume. Now you are nearing completion of your Associate's degree. What next?

1) Complete the admissions application. In most cases, you will find an online application via the Admissions Department web page of your transfer institution. Fill out the application as thoroughly and as accurately as possible. There is often an application fee, but sometimes an Admissions Office will waive this fee based on a student's income.

2) Include a personal statement with your application. Some transfer institutions require a personal statement, for other institutions it is optional. In either case, include a personal statement - an essay about your background, strengths, and goals - with your application. A personal statement strengthens your application for admission and scholarships.

3) Complete your admissions application long before the deadline. If you plan to start at the transfer institution in the fall, complete your application by February 1. If you plan to start at the transfer institution in the spring, complete your application by September 1. By completing your admissions application early, it will be much easier to complete financial aid and course registration in a timely manner.

4) Complete the scholarship application for the transfer institution. Often times, an institution allows students to apply for multiple institutional scholarships through one application. If so, be sure to complete this scholarship application.

5) Visit the Financial Aid office at the transfer institution. Make sure that you have all required documents and forms turned in.

6) Meet your academic advisor at the transfer institution. The Admissions Office will connect you with an academic advisor to help register you for the proper courses.

7) Create a budget. A four-year institution will likely cost more. Take a look at your financial aid award, your income, the cost of attendance, and your expenditures. Will you need to take out an educational loan? Will you need to go to school part-time and work part-time to pay the bills?

8) Send your official transcripts from all previous colleges to the transfer institution. The best time to submit your official transcripts may vary from one transfer institution to another, so check in with the Admissions office.

9) Get signed up for Transfer Student Orientation. Most transfer institutions offer an opportunity for you to get familiar with the people, programs, and places of the campus.

10) If possible, start fall semester at your transfer institution. In most cases, the financial aid process operates on a fall-start schedule. You can start in the spring, but it will likely be more difficult to get scholarships and work-study.

Statements of Intrigue

2011-11-22T08:43:00.000-08:00

There is a saying in higher education circles: Students don't do optional. The track record seems to support this statement; if a group of students is told an optional task only about 10% of the students will complete the task.

Since you are reading an academic success blog, I gather that you are one of the 10% of students that do optional activities. Good for you. Going the extra mile will pay great dividends in your future.

Personal statements are sometimes listed as optional on transfer admissions applications. But as you might guess, I strongly suggest you include a personal statement with your admissions application. A personal statement can be the difference between being accepted and being denied, between getting a scholarship from the transfer institution and not getting a scholarship.

But what to write?

Similar to a scholarship essay, your personal statement tells your unique story. Admissions Committees read hundreds if not thousands of personal statements, so avoid writing generic statements that hundreds of other students might write. "I am a creative hard working student and leader. I participate in extracurricular activities." SNOOZE!

Rather, take some time to think deeply about who you are, what experiences have shaped your life, and how you plan to use your unique strengths and experiences to achieve something in life. Use the below questions to start brainstorming ideas for an intriguing personal statement.

What life circumstances or opportunities have shaped you as a person?

How have these life experiences informed your educational and career goals?

Who are your role models? Who inspires you?

How have you contributed to your family, community, school, religious organization, place of employment, et cetera? Why do you volunteer in these types of activities?

What challenges do you face as a college student?

What do you overcome these challenges?

How will you use your education to make the world a better place?

News Flash: Go to Class, Do Better!

2011-10-21T08:03:00.000-07:00

Research has long held that a student's academic preparation in previous schooling significantly impacts how well a student does in college. Today, researchers are looking more and more at another significant impact on success: student behaviors that predict success.

By the time you get to college, there is not much you can do to change the academic preparation you have received in the past. It just may be that you have to overcome more hurdles than another student. However, right here and now, you can change how you do things in school.

According to higher education researcher Paul Gore, there are six non-cognitive factors that significantly impact your success in college. All of these factors are behavioral and thus within your control.

1. Academic Engagement: go to class, complete homework, study, get tutoring

2. Academic Self-Efficacy: take initiative, ask questions, take responsibility

3. Educational Commitment: identify motivation, see value in your education

4. Campus Engagement: get involved in extracurriculars (but don't overdo it)

5. Social Comfort: get to know other students, attend social-cultural events

6. Resilience: never give up

Put Motivation into Action

2011-10-21T07:55:00.001-07:00

Defusing Classroom Conflict

2011-10-18T08:30:00.000-07:00

Example A

Student: "All you do is lecture! Then you test us on things that you never talk about. I am not learning anything and I am failing the class because you do not know how to teach!"

Instructor: "You never come to class on time! You never do your homework. You sleep in class instead of listen. I am not suprised you are failing the course!"
--

Conflict in the classroom happens. Emotions flare. Accusations abound. Often, classroom conflict is indirect and under the surface. That is, students vent with advisors while instructors complain to other faculty. But it is conflict nonetheless, which negatively impacts the outcomes for both instructor and student.

As a student, if you have a concern about the action and behavior of an instructor, you have the right and the responsibility to voice your concerns. However, there is a constructive, positive way to manage conflict and an egotistical, negative way to manage conflict. I suggest you focus on the former.

Here are some constructive conflict resolution strategies that may help remedy your concerns with an instructor.

1. Always start by meeting with the instructor, face-to-face whenever possible. No one likes to be "told on" or undercut. Give the instructor a chance to dialogue. If you do not feel comfortable meeting one-on-one, ask a neutral academic advisor or staff member to mediate the conversation.

2. Avoid jumping to conclusions. It seems intensely human to see what we want to see in any particular situation. This goes by the names bias, stereotypes, prejudice, jumping to conclusions, et cetera. Check your perceptions at the door and listen to the instructor's perspective.

3. Acknowledge the instructor's point of view. You do not need to agree, but try to understand where s/he is coming from.

4. Use "I" statements, not "You" statements. Describe your perceptions, feelings, and actions rather than blaming or complaining about the instructor. If you have made a mistake, own it.

5. Focus on the desired outcomes. Lost in all the conflict might be the fact that both the student and instructor have the same desired outcome - student success! Focus on the actions both parties can take to help reach that desired outcome.

Example B

Student: "I have a hard time learning through lecture, so it is challenging for me when most of the class is lecture-based. Then I feel like you test us on things not in the lecture. I feel frustrated, and so I don't feel it is worth my time to do my homework, though I know this is not a good excuse. I am not learning as much as I would like and I am failing the course. I want to do better and I hope we can work together to come up with solutions."

Instructor: "I feel like you would learn more if you came to class on time, did your homework, and stayed awake in class, but I see that you are facing some challenges that discourage you from putting in the work. What can I do to help? I know not all students learn through lecture. Perhaps I can help students form a study group. Also, I am willing to meet with you during office hours. I want you to do well!"
--

Admittedly, conflict resolution is often messier than this, and it does not always work. But by taking proactive steps to defuse classroom conflict, you are taking personal responsibility for achieving your desired outcomes in college.

Take Personal Responsibility for your Success

2011-09-28T15:00:00.000-07:00

True Grit

2011-09-27T07:55:00.000-07:00

New beginnings make for easy motivation. The vision of success before us is exciting! We see ourselves with a college degree in hand, or at the finish line of a marathon, or publishing our first book of insightful essays. Will we accomplish our goal? Of course! Nothing will stop us!

On a motivation high, we start out strong. We complete all our homework on time and review class notes each day. We rise before the sun and go for a long run. We clear space and time for our writing. We proceed toward our goal.

Slowly, however, our motivation descends from the airy heights and merges with day-to-day realities - an ill child, an extra project at work, a lack of sleep, a poor test score, a dearth of good ideas. Slowly our vision of success fades and a more narrow view creeps in. Now we just try to make it through each day. We are still fighting, still trying, still hoping to reach our goal. Yet our goal seems to be farther away, not closer. The vision of success that seemed a foregone conclusion at one point now seems to be slipping away.

Suddenly, motivation is much more difficult to come by. The time when you need it the most, it is nowhere to be found. You ask yourself: Why not just give up? It was just a silly idea, anyway. A college degree? Nah...that was just a stupid dream.

But wait: it did not have to end this way.

True motivation is gritty. True motivation allows you to get knocked down nine times, and get up ten. True motivation gets stronger as the going gets tougher. So, how do you create this type of motivation?

Motivation is a combination of value and expectation.

Value: why is it important that you complete this goal? Why does it matter? To engender true motivation, you need to be absolutely clear why you are pursuing this particular goal. And you need to frequently revisit the value of what you are attempting. Do you want to complete a college degree to set a positive example for your child? Then put a picture of her on the front cover of your daily planner.

Expectation: do you believe that you have the ability and the fortitude to complete your goal? To create true motivation, you need to believe that you will be successful. And I don't mean a fluffy belief not grounded in reality. I mean a gritty belief in yourself, the belief that no matter how many times you get knocked down, you will get back up.

By articulating and frequently revisiting the value and expectation of your endeavor, you will develop a tough as nails motivation that can withstand any challenges thrown at it. Remember, it is when the going gets tough that motivation is the most difficult to come by, but it is also when you need it most.

A Mindful Approach to Critical Thinking

2011-09-22T07:44:00.000-07:00

We live in the era of constant partial attention. Simultaneously, we may be listening to music, checking our text messages, thinking about dinner plans, and talking with a friend. There may be advantages to multi-tasking, there may be disadvantages to multi-tasking.

On the other end of the spectrum, we find mindfulness (a practice with roots in Eastern tradition that has also taken root in Western psychology). Jon Kabat-Zinn defines mindfulness as “paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally.”

The practice of paying full attention in a sustained, directed manner is a useful approach to critical thinking. For, critical thinking is the opposite of snap judgment; critical thinking involves patience and time; critical thinking involves paying attention to different possibilities.

As you may know, the process of critical thinking includes: 1) viewing a problem or situation from multiple perspectives, 2) analyzing the strength of evidence offered by each perspective, and 3) forming conclusions that take into account such an analysis.

Whereas partial attention often leads to snap decisions, expedient action, and unexamined judgment, mindful attention creates the space to step back and fully observe each possible perspective.

Yes, I know - critical thinking takes time. And it takes effort. And it requires your full attention.

Yes, I know - life circumstance often makes short supply of these assets.

But if you want to be a powerful critical thinker - with consequent benefits in college, work, and life - you need to make space for the process. You need to stop the four things you are doing and focus on just one.

Some strategies for a mindful approach to critical thinking:

- First things first, stop everything else and focus squarely on the problem or situation. Take a deep breath to center yourself on the task of understanding the problem or situation.

- Second, explore your biases and experiences that lead you to see things a certain way. How does your culture, your value judgments, your political persuasions, your upbringing, your former teachers influence the way the problem or situation looks to your eyes?

- Third, observe the problem or situation from another person's shoes or another place. How does it look differently?

- And now you are in a position to move from non-judgmental observation to thoughtful judgment. What solutions or explanations are enlivened by a deeper, more attentive observing of the situation or problem?

So you want to do well on your test...

2011-09-14T07:58:00.000-07:00

The most significant thing that you can do to improve your test-taking is to come prepared; that is, study consistently and effectively and your test scores will improve dramatically.

With that being said, there are a few strategies to utilize while taking a test that can improve your final score.

Pace yourself. When you first get the test, review it quickly to see how much work you have to do. Then check the clock and work at a pace that allows you to get halfway through the test by the midpoint of class. Check your progress every 10-15 minutes; adjust your pace if need be.

Relax. Take a few deep breaths. Tell yourself, "I can do this." Focus on one question at a time. Repeat.

Eliminate answers first. If you are taking a multiple choice test, read each question completely and then review each answer choice. Your first task is to eliminate all answers that you know are incorrect - cross them out. Once you complete this task, then choose the correct answer from the remaining choices. Ideally, you will only have one or two options to choose from at this point.

Read test questions carefully. Take your time when reading test questions and answers. Often times, the correct answer hinges on one key word or phrase. Be forewarned: the obvious answer is not always the correct one.

Create quick outlines for essay questions. Before you start writing an essay response, organize your thoughts on scratch paper or the side of the page. Also, focus on using key terms and phrases that were taught in class as much as possible. A test essay is not about your thoughts and feelings, but about explaining a concept taught in class.

Review your answers. Once you complete the test, review each question and answer one-by-one. You may not have time to review your whole test, but get as far as you can. Do not turn in your test early unless you have reviewed the entire test.

Review your results. When your test is returned, closely review the areas where you lost points. This can help you focus your studying for the next test - for example, focus more on the readings, focus more on the lectures, spend more time on the homework, study more overall, et cetera. Also, is there a particular type of question that gave you problems? Did you do poorly at the beginning, or at the end? Use this feedback to improve your future test-taking.

Again, study in advance. The most important thing to do that will increase your test scores is to come prepared.

More than just a college degree

2011-08-24T11:14:00.000-07:00

In the book Academically Adrift, authors Richard Arum and Josipa Roska produce evidence that the average college student in America develops their critical thinking and communication skills little - if at all - while in college. Meanwhile, the development of critical thinking and communication skills is touted as one of the primary objectives of a college education by institutions of higher education. At the same time, many career development specialists point to the increasing importance of critical thinking and communication skills required to land a job in today's competitive workplace.

For example, in the article "Preparation for Work,"Barbara Hofer writes, "In a knowledge economy where professional roles change rapidly and many college students are preparing for positions that may not even exist yet, the skill set needed is one that prepares them for change and continued learning. Learning to express ideas well in both writing and speech, knowing how to find information and synthesize ideas, knowing how to do research and interpret data — these are all solid background skills for a wide variety of roles."

Which brings us back to the rather troublesome conclusion of Academically Adrift: the average college student in America develops their critical thinking and communication skills little - if at all - while in college.

Now, that is not to say that students do not, cannot and should not develop these skills in college. Quite the opposite. However, it is to say that a student can probably earn a college degree without developing lasting learning, critical thinking, and communication skills (unfortunately) . And in today's competitive economy, you will need not just the degree, but also these crucial skills to land a good job.

So, what can you do to build your learning, critical thinking, and communication skills while in college? Many things, but here are a few suggestions:

- seek out (rather than avoid) liberal arts courses that require extensive reading, writing and research
- seek out (rather than avoid) challenging courses and instructors outside of your major
- seek out (rather than avoid) science and technical courses that require hands-on experiments and problem solving
- develop study strategies focused on understanding, not memorizing (for example, peer teaching, concept diagrams, examples and questions that you create, interdisciplinary associations, annotating notes, debates and discussions, interdisciplinary essays, et cetera)
- always question assumptions, review evidence, look from multiple perspectives, challenge your own confirmation bias (confirmation bias is the tendency to only see the evidence that supports what we want to believe while disregarding anything to the contrary)
- always ask, "What is missing? What else do I need to know? What does this mean?"
- seek extracurricular opportunities that allow you to solve problems, create plans, communicate with stakeholders, develop programs (leadership roles in student clubs, for example)

See your professors or academic advisors for further guidance on developing learning, critical thinking and communication skills.

College Culture

2011-08-17T15:03:00.001-07:00

When I talk about "college culture," I am not talking about art shows in the student union or the freewheeling social lifestyle often depicted in movies set in college. Rather, I am talking about the norms and expectations held by the students, faculty, and staff on your campus. That is, how are you the college student expected to act and communicate?

You may protest: "Who cares what is considered normal or respectable?!? I am going to be myself and if you don't like how I act or communicate, that is not my problem!"

I see your point. But consider this: how you act and communicate will shape others' perception of you. Right or wrong, this perception may impact your academic opportunities, your social capital, your job prospects, and more.

Look, as a working professional in the world of higher education, I think the idea of professional attire is bunk. In my opinion, professional attire is counterproductive, superficial, aristocratic, and based on unexamined and irrational assumptions. But will I show up to a job interview in jeans and a t-shirt? Put slightly differently, do I want others' perceptions to rule me out before I say a single word? Cultural change takes time, and sometimes we need to pick and choose our battles.

So - my personal agitations aside - it is to your benefit to accomodate the norms and expectations of students, faculty, and staff at college. By in large, college culture also aligns with the expectations of the professional working world. Some of the major expectations of college culture include:

- Use decent and respectful language at all times
- During class, silence and disregard all mobile electronic devices not associated with learning
- Use proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling in any college communication - essay, discussion, e-mail, text message, et cetera
- Complete all required work on time
- Be on time for class, meetings, appointments
- Respect and listen to viewpoints different from your own
- Self advocate if you need help
- Ask questions if you have them
- Look to challenge yourself rather than seek the easiest path
- Take action to solve problems rather than blame or complain

Choose to Be Great: Prepare, Commit, Succeed

2011-08-17T14:42:00.000-07:00

Allow me, if you will, to tell you why I like the TRIO Summer Bridge theme - Choose to Be Great: Prepare, Commit, Succeed.

First, it starts with choice. Our circumstances are sometimes beyond our control, and certainly we cannot go back and change the past, yet how we choose to respond to the situation this moment is always our choice. Knowingly or not, each day we make thousands of choices, and aggregated together, these choices form the contours of our life path. Will you choose your destiny, or will you let the winds of fate determine your future?

Second, success only comes after preparation and commitment.

We prepare by choosing to invest our time and energy into education. We prepare by planning ahead with goals and developing strategies for reaching these outcomes.

We commit by choosing to do all the necessary work, no matter how long or hard the road might be. We commit by seeing it through to the end, never giving up on ourselves or our dreams.

And only then do we reach success.

Take Initiative with Student Loans

2011-07-20T08:06:00.000-07:00

In some cases, students take out unnecessarily large student loans. In the short term, life is good. In the long term, these students will be financially-burdened by debt for many years.

In other cases, students refuse on principle to take out any student loans whatsoever to pay for college. If you can financially manage to avoid debt and stay in college, great! But sometimes these students will go so far as to drop out of college instead of taking out a student loan.

When used prudently, student loans can be a great investment in your future. According to the Hamilton Project, college tuition in recent decades has delivered an inflation-adjusted annual return of more than 15 percent. For stocks, the historical return is 7 percent. For real estate, it’s less than 1 percent.

A student makes prudent use of loans by taking initiative in the lending process. Before you take out a loan, you need to know:
A) Is a loan necessary to keep you in college?
B) Exactly how much loan funds do you need?
C) Is the value of a college education greater than your debt incurred?

Accordingly, a proactive student:

- creates a detailed budget before taking out a loan;

- pursues other financial options first: grants, work-study, scholarships, tuition remission programs, savings, et cetera;

- uses a tool such as a SLOPE calculator to know in advance a reasonable debt limit;

- uses a rational decision-making process to weigh the positives and negatives of student loans before making decisions about college enrollment;

- reflects on the value of a college education and knows why college is important (or not) to them.

Your academic and financial success is ultimately determined by the choices you make each and every day. Take ownership of your education and finances to increase your success!

Defining Success

2011-07-05T10:01:00.000-07:00

Imagine it is your 85th birthday party. Look around. Who is all there?

Now look closer. There are pictures along the wall from various highlights in your life. What do you see?

Finally, you sit down as various family, friends, and community members offer toasts. They talk about your accomplishments. They offer kind words about the way you have carried yourself over the years. They express thanks for the things you have done on their behalf. They celebrate a life well-lived. What do you hear?

The people, the places, the stories from your 85th birthday party: this imagery reflects your definition of a successful life. You may have seen career accomplishments, community contributions, recreational experiences, meaningful relationships, educational attainments, earned respect, some combination thereof...

This exercise is part of the important first step of goal setting: reflecting on your vision of success. Now it is your responsibility to create this success through thoughtful goal setting and determined effort.

Textbook Resources

2011-06-20T08:23:00.000-07:00

Textbooks are expensive. And this just in, rain comes from clouds.

While anyone who has experienced textbook buying knows it can be a spendy enterprise, there are a lot of great resources available that may help reduce the burden.

Online Bookstores: BigWords.com offer textbook-specific shopping comparisons where all the Web's best deals are organized and visible in one place. Other sites include AbeBooks.com, valorebooks.com, textbooks.com and many others.

Textbook Rental: CampusBookRentals.com and Chegg.com offer textbook rental (as do most of the online bookstores listed above), which may be a better deal if you do not plan to keep your books for future reference.

Used Books: Amazon.com and Half.com are great places to shop for used books, as well as your local campus bookstore. Used books will be less expensive than new books in most cases. Just be sure to get the appropriate edition for your class.

Free at the Library: Check with the campus library and public library to see if you they carry your textbook. This works especially well for literature courses and upper-division courses that tend to avoid generic singular textbooks. Be sure to ask your librarian about inter-library loan, which greatly increases availability.

Other Students: Peruse the campus bulletin boards for other students selling their used books at reasonable prices. Check in with friends and classmates for good deals. Also, you may be able to share a book with another student but have a sharing plan in place from the beginning.

E-textbooks: More and more e-textbook offerings appear each day for Kindle, i-Pad, and laptop computers. Shop around online for availability and pricing. Obviously, you need access to an appropriate device to utilize these resources.

Smartphone Search: Check out the free smartphone app Bakodo. Scan the barcode of any textbook in the bookstore, and Bakodo will search the web for the best price available.

Shop around! With a vast marketplace at your fingertips via the internet, explore your options for the best price. Take into account any shipping costs, return options, resale options, and seller ratings as well.

Plan ahead and order at least two weeks before class starts. Contact your professor or academic apartment in advance to get the list of required textbooks. Create a financial budget as you may need to order books before your financial aid is available.

Get creative, but definitely get access to your textbooks. If your professor states that a book is required for the class, do not expect to do well without it. Like it or not, textbooks are part of your college investment. Get them by the first day of class.

Choosing Where to Transfer: Cost and Value

2011-06-20T07:39:00.000-07:00

Look at these three sandwiches. Tell me, which is the best cost and which is the best value?

The best cost is relatively easy to determine - just look at the price tag. But value is more complicated. The price might be right, but is it what you are looking for? Alternately, it might be the most expensive sandwich out there, but is it necessarily the best? Value depends on cost, but it also depends on what you specifically want and need.

Metaphorically, the same considerations impact your selection of a transfer institution. You are ultimately looking for the best value, the most bang for your buck, the best investment of your money based on your particular situation. Cost is a large part of this equation, but certainly not the only factor to consider when choosing a transfer institution.

If you choose the most inexpensive transfer option but it does not adequately prepare you for the career you wish to pursue, is it a good value? Alternately, you may find everything you are looking for at expensive university, but if you cannot repay your debt after graduation, is it worth it? It all depends on you.

Not all colleges and universities are the same. Ultimately, you are looking for the "best fit" based on your unique circumstances. To do so, consider these different factors:

- congruent with academic and life plans
- "feels right"
- unique programs or opportunities
- alumni success
- reputation
- the price is feasible
- financial aid packages available

From New Mexico, Thoughts on Transferring

2011-06-15T08:20:00.000-07:00

Recently, TRIO traveled to southern Colorado and New Mexico with a group of students in order to explore the academic, social, cultural, and geographical opportunities to the south of Denver. The group toured three different transfer options: Colorado State University Pueblo, University of New Mexico, and Adams State College. In addition, the students engaged in experiential learning opportunities: exploring the Albuquerque Biopark, touring the oldest city in America (Santa Fe), and hiking through inclement weather in Great Sand Dunes National Park.

Reflecting on the trip, a number of considerations come to mind for students making transfer plans.

1. Do not be afraid to explore new horizons. You will not know what is there unless you look. And you can always come back if you do not like what you see.

2. Not all transfer options are the same. The degrees offered, financial aid options, living arrangements, extracurricular activities, the size of campus, alumni success: colleges and universities differ greatly on these types of variables. Look around and find the best fit for you!

3. No matter where you go, you can find friendly, helpful people. They might be students, faculty, staff, or community members. Seek out this type of person and get to know them.

4. Earning a college degree - and life in general - is like a road trip. It is good to have a plan, but expect there to be many bumps in the road. Each day you make navigational decisions - left or right, north or south - and these day-to-day decisions determine when, where, and how you arrive. You may only be able to see as far ahead as your headlights shine, but as long as you do the best you can in each moment, you will stay out of the ditch and on course to your destination.

Finals, Cramming and "All-Nighters"

2011-05-02T10:34:00.000-07:00

You can see the light at the end of the semester's tunnel! Put on the coffee, hit the books, put in the long hours! Right?

Actually...with planning and consistent effort, these highly ineffective methods can be avoided, much to your advantage.

Avoid late nights: According to the Director of Stanford’s Sleep Medicine Center, sleep deprivation has been linked to deficiencies in short-term memory, focus and attention. This sounds like a recipe for academic disaster! Sleep 7 to 9 hours each night, especially during finals.

Avoid cramming: At best, cramming commits facts and figures to your short-term memory, allowing you to do well on an exam. But short-term memory is just that: short-term. If you are at college to learn - not just to pass - consider long term study strategies.

Avoid excessive stimulants: Large amounts of caffeine, sugar, and other stimulants may help you focus in the short-term, but at some point, your body will need to relax, and you may "crash."

With time management, consistent effort (don't procrastinate), and long term study strategies, you can avoid these short-term, ineffective methods.

Letters of Recommendation

2011-04-12T15:09:00.000-07:00

Scholarship organizations, admissions committees, and hiring panels often request a letter of recommendation before making a decision. This third-person perspective often makes a difference in whether or not you receive the scholarship, are admitted into the four-year university, or are selected for the job.

A letter of recommendation highlights your unique strengths and experiences. It is written on your behalf by respected professional that knows you well. This person might be a former supervisor, teacher, coach, volunteer coordinator, academic advisor, or religious official.

More often than not, a person will write you a letter of recommendation if you ask. However, if you want it to be a good letter of recommendation, follow a few key steps:

- Ask an individual who knows about you, your work ethic, and your performance.
- Give the individual at least two weeks to write the letter.
- Provide your resume or personal statement to the individual.
- Ask politely and respectfully.
- Clarify the purpose of the letter: scholarship, admissions, employment, or general portfolio.

You may collect letters of recommendation at any time. If you have good rapport with a respected professional or you feel you have completed exemplary work under his/her guidance, then ask for a general letter of recommendation. Thereby, create a portfolio of recommendations that you can later share with scholarship organizations, admissions committees, and hiring panels as appropriate.

Why your credit score matters

2011-03-30T08:13:00.000-07:00

How likely you are to repay money that you borrow - this is what your credit score indicates.

However, your credit score determines much more than your ability to take out a loan and the interest rate you will pay. Insurance companies, landlords, and even prospective employers may view your credit score before making decisions.

Credit includes educational loans, car loans, personal loans, mortgages, and credit cards.

A complex mathematical formula determines your credit score. It is based on your credit payment history, the total you owe, how long you have used credit, your amount of new credit, and type of credit.

There are a few basic strategies to follow to increase your credit score: pay all of your bills on time, use credit to purchase things sometimes but not always, avoid opening more than two credit card accounts (no matter how nice the introductory offer), and avoid bills going to collections.

Once per year, use AnnualCreditReport.com to view your credit report for free. Make sure that all of the credit accounts listed on the report are accurate. If something looks unfamiliar, report it to your lender immediately, as you may be a victim of identity theft.

Check out EducationCents.org for even more great information.

Setting Goals, Part I: Do or Do Not

2011-03-08T10:28:00.000-08:00

We each dream of the ideal life, the perfect world, the way things ought to be. Likely, our individual dreams all look a little differently, all operate on varying conceptions of success. Nevertheless, we are all faced with the same concern: How do I get from here to there?

“Do or do not. There is no try,” muses Yoda of Star Wars fame. The fact is, you are not very good at accomplishing things that you never do. The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step that you take in this moment because, after all, there never is anything other than this moment.

Along these lines, goal setting is a concerted effort to turn our highest hopes into realities. It is both a starting point and a lifelong process.

Setting Goals, Part II: The Multiple Personalities of Goals

2011-03-08T10:27:00.001-08:00

Some people require a high degree of detailed planning to function in their lives, other people completely revolt at the idea of constraining their freedom on mere speculation. Most of us fall somewhere on the spectrum between these two poles.

The fact of the matter is, most traditional approaches to setting goals resonate more so with those on the planning side of this spectrum. Goal setting, however, need not be this way.

For example, let’s invent a person and call him Bert. Bert prefers to create a detailed plan to travel from point A to point B. For Bert, goals are a tool for achieving a desired outcome and are strategically-planned in advance.

Now let’s make-up a second person and call him Ernie. Ernie wants to travel, too, but he does not want to necessarily limit himself to point B. Ernie would rather follow the open road and explore the new places he encounters on the way. For Ernie, goals facilitate the process of becoming and are opportunity-driven.

Both Bert and Ernie – and everyone in between – can benefit from setting goals and identifying actions to take right now to progress towards accomplishing them. The important thing is to utilize a goal-setting approach and strategy that resonates with your personality.

Setting Goals, Part III: The Nuts and Bolts

2011-03-08T10:22:00.000-08:00

There are different approaches to setting goals but all approaches share the same purpose: facilitating self-reflection to guide action toward an outcome/experience that you deem important.

A helpful entryway into goal setting is backwards planning. We look into the future, decide where we want to go, and then write down each step to get from today to that future goal.

Depending on your personality, you might define “where you want to go” as a specific outcome or a more general experience. Nevertheless, the process – self-reflection guiding action – is the same.

Start with your dreams, the big picture outcomes or experiences. What do you need to do in the next five years to get to those dreams? And then what do you need to do in the next year to make progress toward your five year goals? And then what do you need to do in the next month to accomplish your one year goals? And so on until you get to the beginning, this moment: What do you need to do right now?

After giving some thought to your dreams, there comes a very important part: WRITE DOWN your dream, your five-year goals, your one-year goals, and your month goals. Again, WRITE THESE DOWN.

By writing down your goals, you are creating a system of self-accountability; that is, time passes, you review your goals, and you decide whether you did or did not accomplish them (the planners out there love this).

When you write down your goals, you are creating a living document. Circumstances change, opportunities arise, new interests are learned, and accomplishments take more/less time than planned – no worries. As a living document, you periodically review your written goals and make adjustments, edits, or new additions. Change is fine: it is all about the process of developing and growing your goals throughout your life (the free spirits out there love this).

Lastly, when writing your goals, utilize the DAPPS principle. That is, goals should be:

Dated – give yourself a deadline;

Achievable – set your sights high but be sure to have a viable path to reach your goals;

Personal – something that is important to you;

Positive – goals indicate actions you will complete, not actions you will avoid;

Specific – goals define a desired outcome or experience in clear terms so that you know whether you have achieved it or not.

What Science Tells Us About Reading

2011-01-28T07:44:00.000-08:00

We have all been there: after you finish reading the last page of a book chapter you come to the grim realization that you cannot recall a single thing you just read. Were your efforts a waste of time? Probably.

The field of cognitive psychology started studying this problem decades ago. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging to measure neural activity, cognitive psychologists are able to assess which reading strategies stimulate the learning centers of the brain and which do not.

According to Jim Baucomb, the science strongly supports three simple strategies that greatly increase your memory and comprehension when reading a textbook, your notes, or anything else.

1. Generate your own questions as you go along.

2. Create visuals that represent what you are learning.

3. Stop periodically to summarize in your own words what you just read

Develop a student support network

2011-01-27T10:34:00.000-08:00

Your success as a student is ultimately up to you. That does not mean, however, that you need to go it alone.

According to Skip Downing, "Successful students create a support network, using an interactive, team approach to success."

Who can help you write a resume? Where can you go for an immunization? What if you are falling behind in a class?

There are people and programs all around campus to support your efforts: instructors, classmates, academic advisors, educational case managers, peer mentors, administrators, student support services and many others.

Off campus you can find help from family and friends, health professionals, social workers, employers, government agencies, financial aid advisors and much more.

As Oprah states, "Surround yourself with people that are going to lift you higher." Will you take the initiative to connect with these people, programs and resources? Go see an academic advisor or educational case manager today to get started!

Strategies for Writing a Financial Aid Appeal

2011-01-04T15:42:00.001-08:00

At Community College of Denver, your financial aid might be suspended for at least one of three reasons: your cumulative GPA is below a 2.0; your cumulative completion rate is below 67%; or your cumulative credit hours exceed 150% of those required to earn your respective degree.

When writing a financial aid appeal letter, your goal is to offer a convincing argument that you can and will turn things around in the upcoming semester. The Appeals Committee wants to know: Will you use the financial aid invested in you to successfully reach your educational goals? What will change from previous semesters to ensure that this happens?

Below is a sample format for writing your appeal letter. TRIO Scholars recommends writing a rough draft and then meeting with your educational case manager for final review. In addition to the appeal letter, you must also provide any documentation of the circumstances that you faced in previous semesters.

First Paragraph – Briefly introduce yourself: provide your full name, student identification number, and reason why your financial aid is suspended (GPA, completion rate, and or credit level).

Second Paragraph – Describe any barriers or circumstances that prevented you from doing well or completing all of your courses in previous semesters. You do not need to provide every last detail but honestly describe your situation. Accept responsibility for any mistakes you may have made.

Third Paragraph- Describe your plan for doing better in the upcoming semester. Use “I” statements with concrete details. “I will meet with my educational case manager three times.” “I will talk with my instructor after class at least once per week.” Some other strategies include: form a study group, attend a study skills or time management workshop, request less hours at work, turn in all homework on time, spend three hours per week in the Academic Success Center, and so on.

Fourth Paragraph – Briefly describe your educational goals and motivation. Why is it important to you that you stay in college and complete your degree?

Fifth Paragraph – Thank the Appeals Committee for taking time to consider your appeal.

The Stress Response and Academics

2010-12-08T14:14:00.000-08:00

Back in the day, sabre-toothed tigers hot on your heels caused stress. Now it is more likely to be bill collectors triggering your body's natural "fight-or-flight" reaction.

No matter what produces stress in your life - finances, homework, busy schedules, relationships, sabre-toothed tigers - your body's physiological response is the same: increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, boosted energy supplies, increased sugars (glucose) in the bloodstream, enhanced brain use of glucose, and the reduction of functions that are non-essential to short-term survival (such as your immune system).

Short-term stress is helpful; it has helped the human species survive over the millennia. Long-term stress, however, is extremely physically damaging. According to the Mayo Clinic, "If your mind and body are constantly on edge because of excessive stress in your life, you may face serious health problems."

Do you feel constantly stressed out?

If so, your physical body is not performing at 100%. Chronic stress makes you much more susceptible to heart disease, sleep problems, depression, obesity and memory impairment. Likely, your immune system is weakened and your energy levels are low.

None of these conditions bode well for the energy, focus, and endurance required to be a successful student.

Some ideas for managing your body's stress response include:

- Eat a healthy diet, get regular exercise and plenty of sleep

- Utilize time management skills

- Practice relaxation techniques

- Foster healthy friendships

- Seek laughter

A Happy, High Achieving Career

2010-11-24T08:43:00.000-08:00

The strengths-based approach to career development argues that your career path should steer toward work that fundamentally benefits from and encourages your natural ways of thinking, being, and doing; your passions; and your values.

Such a career path may be different than what the world, the culture, or other people expect of you. It may or may not lead to the "sexy" job title, to "power" and "prestige" as defined by the world, or to the highest income possible.

However, a strengths-based career path empowers you to make the most significant and compelling contributions that you are capable of making. And research shows that you are much more likely to be happy and content while doing so. This is no small matter, given the amount of time you will spend working during your life.

The world is as it is and you are as you are: bear this in mind when you look to the horizon and see paths leading to different mountains. Career paths that benefit from and encourage the utilization of your natural talents, passions, and values will produce your greatest outcomes, and you will very likely be happy while doing so.

When all is said and done, how do you define success?

Good versus Evil: Debt

2010-11-19T07:39:00.000-08:00

Not all debt is bad; in fact, some debt is even considered good.

The difference: "bad debt" digs you into a financial hole, "good debt" helps you earn more money in the future.

Some examples of bad debt include high interest credit cards, pay day loans and cash advances, financing for excessive luxury items (such as a big screen television), and loans from questionable sources.

Some examples of good debt include educational loans, business start-up loans, and property mortgage loans (but always borrow only what you need!).

Some ideas for reducing or eliminating your bad debt:

- Do not open more than one or two credit card accounts (no matter how great the "rewards" program)

- Create a budget to pay off your high interest credit card debt

- Pay your entire credit card bill on time each month (if you cannot do this, you are borrowing too much)

- Budget ahead of time so you never, under any circumstance, have to use a pay day loan or cash advance (which charge astronomical interest rates)

- Use savings - not financing - for luxury items

- If you are having trouble making ends meet, consider the prudent use of educational loans instead of high interest credit cards or pay day loans

Learn How to Self-Register for Class

2010-11-11T07:08:00.000-08:00

Registering for courses contains many hidden pitfalls that can make for a challenge. However, with some basic knowledge about registration, you will have no problem self-registering for the correct classes and sections in a timely manner.

First things first, depending on your degree, there are specific courses you should and should not take. If you have any questions at all about your academic planning guide, meet with an educational case manager.

If you know the correct courses and sequence for your degree, your main concern is identifying the correct section. Let's look at ENG 121 450 for an example. The digits after the course number - in this case 450 - are the section number. There is a rather complex code behind section numbers. For example, we know that this is an evening class since it starts with a 4.

You may see 0,4,5,7, A, Z, LC, V and more in the section number. Do not worry about the specifics of the code. Rather, review the location, time, and dates for the different sections you are considering.

Some courses start late or end early in the semester. You will be able to determine this by reviewing the start and end date.

Some courses are online. If the time states TBA, it is most likely an online course. You can also determine this by reviewing the campus, which is listed under CMP. DAC is Auraria Campus, DON is CCD Online, and DCN is Community College System Cnline.

Remember to review the time and location to make sure they fit with your schedule.

Some courses have pre-requisites or require department approval. If you do not have the appropriate course or approval, you will see a registration error message when you try to register.

If you are completing an SP for a 030, 060, or 090 course, you will not be able to register for the next course in the sequence until your SP grade posts at the end of the semester.

On a final note, register within one week of the first day to do so. You can always change your schedule later if need be.

In the end, it is always a good idea to have an educational case manager review your registration. Send an e-mail with your courses and section numbers to your ECM so that s/he can double-check your work for hidden pitfalls.

Wants versus Needs

2010-10-29T07:38:00.000-07:00

All around, we are told what we need: stylish clothing, the newest cell phone, the slickest car, the most convenient, tastiest hamburger. This day and age, we are inundated by messages telling us what we need to buy in order to be successful and happy human beings.

But the question is: Do you really need the newest, shiniest, coolest, fastest thing? If so, at what cost?

One principle of money management is to think about your purchases in terms of wants versus needs. Before you buy something, stop for a second and ask: Do I really need this? Or will a less shiny, less cool, less expensive version do the trick? Maybe can I do without this product entirely?

When you create a spending plan for the semester, start by identifying all the things you actually need: food, housing, transportation, health care, rainy day savings. With the remainder, look at some of the things you want.

Before buying, always stop to think: Is this something I really need or just want? How - if at all - will it contribute to my success and happiness?

Becoming a Leader

2010-10-18T14:38:00.000-07:00

In a comprehensive review of leadership, Ralph Stodgill concluded that there are "almost as many definitions of leadership as there are persons who have attempted to define the concept." Leadership, it seems, means different things to different people.

For our purposes, let's define the concept as such: Leadership is proactively applying your unique strengths and experience toward a shared outcome in such a way that inspires others to do the same.

By this definition, anyone can be a leader but it must be earned; leadership must not be confused with position, power, or title. Leadership can be shared. Each individual should lead in his or her unique way.

Would you like to be a leader in your course, your student club, your place of employment, your home, your place of worship, your...? Consider these principles of leadership.

1. Live Authentically (lead by example)

2. Value Every Person (empathy, diversity, empowerment)

3. Inspire a Vision (where are we going? more importantly, why?)

4. Take bold thought-full action (learn, strategize, act, reflect, learn, strategize, act, reflect...)

5. Be(come) who you are! (let your light shine)

Discovering Self-Motivation

2010-09-24T10:24:00.000-07:00

If you see no reason to do something, are you motivated to put in an effort? Or if you see no possibility of completion, will you give it a try?

Skip Downing suggests that motivation equals value times expectation (V x E = M). Accordingly, when searching for motivation to complete a task, the first questions to ask yourself are: Why is this important? How will this impact my life?

Having an answer to these questions is extremely important for students facing the rigors and challenges of completing a college degree. Have you thought about all of the benefits that will result from the long hours and sacrifices? Have you dreamed about the life you will be able to lead? If not, your motivation might be lacking.

The second question is a little trickier: Can I do this? It is tricky because we often underestimate our ability to do something. We place too much stock in people who say that we are not able or do not belong. We do not give ourselves a "fighting chance" because we just give up or quit when things get difficult.

The bottom line is: You can complete a college degree, but that doesn't mean it will be easy. Will you put in the effort to become a better student? Will you reach out to programs and people that can help? Will you set goals and a plan for reaching them? Will YOU?

When you feel like giving up, take a close look at all the possibilities and opportunities that you are forfeiting by quitting. Then look yourself in the eye, "This might not be easy, but I will be successful."

Now create a plan for reaching your goals...

Bibliography: Skip Downing, On Course: Strategies for Creating Success in College and Life. Boston, MA:Wadsworth, 2011.

Very Important (But Very Boring) Things

2010-09-17T08:42:00.000-07:00

Syllabus What could be more exciting than a syllabus, right? Nevertheless, your syllabus is a road map for a course. It is also a contract between you and your Instructor, identifying expectations in terms of content, attendance, and grading.

Glance over your syllabus for each course and identify:
- your Instructor's office hours and contact information;
- textbooks and other materials required for the course;
- the due date of assignments and tests; and
- the quantity and quality of work required to get the grade you want.

Academic Integrity Policy Yawn! Everybody knows that you will get in trouble if you cheat, right? But what is plagiarism, exactly? And how about multiple submissions and complicity? Even group work may be considered cheating, depending on the context. Shoot...you might be cheating without even knowing it; nevertheless, if you are caught, you will receive zero points for that assignment or test. When in doubt, ask your Instructor first!

CCD Connect I am sure you are all up to speed on CCD Connect, right? You know, the place to go to register for classes, check your grades, review your financial aid status, learn about upcoming extracurricular events, and all that. You can also access Desire to Learn here, the online home of all your courses. And don't forget to click on the Student E-mail icon; CCD will only contact you through your @student.cccs.edu e-mail account.

I am sure you are enraptured by these fascinating details about syllabi, policies, and online portals, but that is all for today, folks!

You're in the Driver's Seat

2010-09-09T07:50:00.000-07:00

Skip Downing, in the book On Course, states, "Successful students adopt the Creator role, believing that their choices create the outcomes and experiences of their lives. Struggling students accept the Victim role, believing that external forces determine the outcomes and experiences of their lives."

In other words, whether or not you succeed in college is significantly dependent upon you and your choices.

Imagine that you are a single parent, working long hours, and now your child is sick. You choose to stay home with your child (a responsible choice), and thus miss your Math test. Now your Math instructor states that you received a zero for the test. Tough situation, right?

A student acting as a Victim might say that life is not fair and just drop the course. Or, the Victim might blame their zero score on the inflexibility of the instructor.

On the other hand, a student acting as a Creator might provide documentation of his child's sickness, and discuss the instructor's academic policies related to legitimate absences. Or, the Creator might identify how to handle the situation differently in the future by calling his professor as soon as he knew he would miss the test.

Your child got sick; there is not a whole lot that you can do to prevent this situation (in the short term). But, you do have control over how you respond to the circumstance, either as a Victim or as a Creator.

The question is: Which response is more likely to keep you on track to reach your academic and career goals?

Check out the Finish Strong video on SimpleTruths.com, which nicely encapsulates the Creator philosophy.

Bibliography: Skip Downing, On Course: Strategies for Creating Success in College and Life. Boston, MA:Wadsworth, 2011.

Web Highlight: Education Cents

2010-07-28T11:23:00.001-07:00

Financial literacy is the know-how to get the most out of your money, both now and in the future. Financial literacy helps you navigate safely through the complex world of credit, debt, and investing. Financial literacy guides you to a more sustainable and secure relationship with money.

Education Cents is an informative web resource to build your financial literacy. At www.educationcents.org you will find details on money management, saving & investing, credit, taxes, identity theft, and more.

As an extra bonus, each time you log into www.educationcents.org, you earn points. With these points, you are able to "buy" chances in scholarship drawings.

Financial literacy may not be the most interesting topic, but solid financial know-how can have a significant impact on your life circumstances. Check it out!

Disaster Recovery

2010-07-21T08:09:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately, our global village has experienced a number of disasters this year. The causes of some are completely beyond human control, such as the earthquake in Haiti. The causes of others are completely within human control, such as the oil spill in the gulf. But in either case, our response to disaster is our responsibility.

The same can be side of an academic "disaster" you might experience. Maybe you are failing a course because you were too busy to bother with homework. Or maybe you are failing a course because you were struck with illness during the semester. In both cases, recovery is your responsibility.

So, what to do when the worst happens in your academic life?

1. Consult with your instructor. If you know, beyond a doubt, that you will not be able to pass a course, it is better to withdraw from a course than to fail a course. Pay attention to deadlines, use withdrawals sparingly, and be aware that you may face consequences with financial aid.

2. Check your financial aid status. Your financial aid may be in suspension as a result of your poor academic performance. Start working on a financial aid appeal as soon as possible. Gather any documentation you can: medical bills, a letter from your employer, et cetera.

3. Learn from the situation. If the "disaster" was your own making, what can you do differently next semester to change the situation? You only get so many chances and only have so much time, after all.

Taking good notes

2010-07-16T12:42:00.000-07:00

1. Use an organization system that works for you.
- Leave open spaces within your notes so that you have room to add details during review. The side column or bottom of the page often works well as an open space.
- Create relationships between the different topics within your notes: emphasize main points, use outlines or lists, use arrows or diagrams.

2. Capture the main idea, not every word.
- Do NOT try to write down everything that your instructor says.
- Write down key points, concepts, terms - you will fill in the details later.
- Listen actively to your instructor and try to understand what s/he is teaching.
- Ask questions when something is unclear.

3. Review and add to your notes immediately after class.
- Highlight, underline, or star main ideas that stand out as especially significant.
- Use your open space to fill in definitions, examples, and details.
- Write down any comments or questions and share them with your instructor.
- Some people find it helpful to rewrite and summarize their notes.

Fill Up

2010-06-29T08:55:00.000-07:00

Inspiration is like fuel for your car. It is not the only thing you need to get you from point A to point B; you still need the car, the driver, the system of roads, the directions, the idea of Point B. But inspiration provides the energy to move you forward. Like fuel for your car, it has the potential to come from many different sources. And like fuel for you car, it can be depleted and needs to be refilled now and again.

What inspires you? Do you know? Does your life feel sluggish, like you are running on empty? Or do you wake up each morning excited about the possibilities of the day?

Take time to think about what inspires you, what matters to you, what is important, why you are here. Take time to experience what inspires you - a sunset, a child, a faith, a song, a book, a daydream.

"Happiness is when what you say, what you think, and what you do are in harmony." -Mahatma Gandhi

"Whatever reason you had for not being somebody, there's somebody who had that same problem and overcame it." -Barbara Reynolds

"Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today." -Malcom X

The genius in all of us

2010-06-16T11:22:00.001-07:00

"One common characteristic in all successful adults is that, at some point in their lives, they come to realize how much the process of improvement is within their own control," writes David Shenk in the book The Genius in All of Us.

The main point Shenk argues is that our genetic make-up - our "natural ability"- does not determine our capability to do different things. The current scientific research instead indicates that the environment of our lives - our circumstances, our education, our diets, et cetera - play a significant role in how close we come to meeting our natural potential. Genetically-speaking, we are all capable of much more than we will actually accomplish, whether we are talking about learning math, playing a musical instrument, or running a mile.

This scientific thesis flys in the face of much conventional wisdom. Conventional wisdom has it that some of us are naturally gifted to be excellent students or professional athletes. The rest of us can never achieve the outcomes of those "just born with great talent." The rest of us can only be average. However, the genes times environment thesis (GxE) explained in Shenk's book argues that superior achievements are a result of relentless personal improvement (environment) within a person's area of natural strength (genes). Moreover, each of us are capable of far more than we perceive.

Our environment signficantly shapes the expression of our genes from conception through death: your mother's nutrition during pregnancy, the culture of your home life, the qualify of your education, the opportunity in your society, the amount you exercise, the purity of the water you drink, the presence of role models, your work ethic, and so on. Some aspects of environment are beyond your control, or impacted you in the past. But many aspects of your environment are within your control right now.

Shenk argues that greatness did not come easy or naturally for Michael Jordan, Wolfgang Armadeus Mozart, or Albert Einstein, to name a few. While these individuals focused on their areas of natural strength, they only achieved greatness through an unrelenting drive to improve through hours and hours and hours of hard work. Shenk notes that psychologists call this deliberate practice.

According to psychologist Anders Ericcson, deliberate practice "does not involve a mere execution or repetition of already attained skills but repeated attempts to reach beyond one's current level which is associated with frequent failure."

Do not limit yourself by saying that you cannot do math, that you are not intelligent enough for college, that others learn so easily but you do not. Your mind and your body possess far more potential than you will ever need, but it must be unlocked through hard work, a willingness to try new things (and fail), and long hours of dedication.

Your success is largely determined by the choices you make, not by the genes you are born with.

Two-Wheeled Stress Management

2010-06-02T08:33:00.000-07:00

Are you feeling overwhelmed? Ride a bike!

No, I am not suggesting that you simply bike away from all your responsibilities. However, an established exercise routine can go a long way in reducing your stress levels. Exercise leads to the release of chemicals in your body (endorphins) that counteract stress. Psychologically, 30 minutes on a bike - the wind blowing through your hair and the sun shining on your face - may help whisk your stress away. So, rather than sitting in traffic to and from school, ride a bike!

Denver has a wide variety of bike routes and trails. Here is a map of all paved bike trails in Denver.

As a student, you also have access to the PE Building on the Auraria campus, which has free weights, treadmills, a climbing wall and a swimming pool. You may also participate in free classes through the Auraria Healthy Moves program, including yoga, dance, and nutrition.

Lesson in Futility: Cramming

2010-05-26T09:22:00.000-07:00

Don't you just love studying for a test into the late hours of the night? Maybe you just got off work, or just put the kids to bed: aren't you looking forward to spending the next four hours buried in math problems? Your eyelids feel like lead weights, each sentence in your textbook seems to be written in a foreign language: isn't this great?

Late night "cramming" is not fun. Moreover, it is an incredibly ineffective way to study and learn.

Some tips for more effective review:

1. Review homework assignments and readings immediately before class starts. You may raise any questions or confusions that you have during class.

2. Review class notes immediately after class; you will get more "bang for your buck." Spend twenty minutes immediately after each class doing one of the review techniques below.

3. Annotate your class notes: read through your notes; fill in your notes with as many details as you remember from class; highlight words or problems that are unclear; write down questions that you have.

4. Create test questions from your class notes: read through your notes; write down potential test questions on one side of an index card; write down the answer to the question on the opposite side of the card; review your index cards from previous classes.

5. Remember, short-term memory is the first thing to go. Learn the material by explaining it to another person, creating a visual representation of the information, making connections between chapters or disciplines, or summarizing and comparing the material in a short essay.

Better Money Management

2010-05-12T09:19:00.000-07:00

Financial distress is one of the main causes leading to student drop-out from college. A number of money management strategies can help you get more out of your money and avoid financial problems that can imperil your educational goals.

1. Budget any Pell grant money you receive so that it lasts all semester. Importantly, do not spend your Pell grant money if you plan to drop a course within the first two weeks of the semester, as you will need to return some of your Pell grant money in this case.

2. Over the course of a month, record all of your expenses. Compare your total monthly expenses to your total monthly income. If your monthly income proves insufficient, look for expenses that you can cut or reduce next month. If your income is still short, consider the prudent use of educational loans. In the long run, use of an educational loan is much wiser than use of high-interest credit cards.

3. Pay off your high-interest credit cards. Close credit card accounts so that you only have 1 or 2 credit cards. Though easy to use, credit card debt easily spirals out of control and may cause significant financial problems in your future.

4. Budget 10% of your monthly income for savings. It is important to have a "rainy day fund" so that you have some money available for unexpected costs - i.e. emergency room visit, car repairs, moving expenses. Otherwise, these unexpected costs have the potential to push you over the tipping point.

5. Consider insurance. While no one likes paying the monthly premiums for auto, health, or renter's/home insurance, these types of insurance help reduce your financial risk in the case that the unexpected happens. It also provides peace of mind that you have a financial safety net.

No Shortage of Opportunities

2010-05-05T12:48:00.000-07:00

Volunteering strengthens your education and your career development - explore different careers, gain valuable work experience, develop transferable skills. Volunteering also supports your local community and provides an immeasurable degree of personal satisfaction for many.

Volunteer opportunities exist to match every interest - education, homelessness, health care, the environment, construction, science, politics, and so on.

Today, technology makes it easier than ever to locate volunteer opportunities matched to your interests. Three websites that provide easy searching for volunteer opportunities in specific locations include:

www.serve.gov

www.metrovolunteers.org

www.voacolorado.org

Reading is more than looking at words

2010-04-28T11:55:00.000-07:00

Have you ever read through a section of a textbook, then realized you don't remember a single word that you just read?

Some strategies for engaged reading:

1. Highlight words or phrases that you do not understand. Stop and look up the meaning of the word/phrase in the dictionary or online.

2. When a question emerges from the reading, stop and write down the question. Discuss these questions in class with your peers or your instructor.

3. At the end of a section, briefly summarize the main points - for example, create an outline for the section.

4. Use critical thinking skills while reading. Examine the evidence for claims. Review the sources. Compare and contrast to other readings you have completed for the course.

5. At the end of a section, go back and re-read the topic sentence for each paragraph in the section.

Transfer Guideposts

2010-04-21T14:15:00.000-07:00

1. Start the transfer process early.
Transfer activities to do in your first semester at CCD include:

- Meet with the Career Development Center to decide the major that is best for you.
- Meet with your educational case manager to map out your individual education plan.
- Work hard in your classes to earn good grades.
- Get involved in extracurricular activities.

2. Connect with transfer institutions.
Transfer activities to do in your second semester at CCD include:

- Research transfer institutions by visiting their websites.
- Go visit your top three transfer institutions to learn more.
- Contact transfer institutions with any questions.
- Identify your first choice out of the different transfer institutions.

3. Complete all transfer requirements on time.
Transfer activities to do in your remaining semesters at CCD include:

- Determine deadlines for admissions and financial aid.
- Follow your individual education plan and take all - and only - required coursework.
- Maintain your GPA to meet admissions requirements.
- Complete the admissions application early.
- Complete all financial aid documents – including scholarships – early.

4. Hit the ground running at your transfer institution.
Transfer activities to do after you transfer:

- Attend the orientation session for transfer students at the transfer institution.
- Meet with your academic advisor at the transfer institution.
- Connect with a student support program at the transfer institution.
- Get involved with extracurricular activities at the transfer institution.

Write to Win!

2010-04-14T08:08:00.000-07:00

It takes time and effort to pen a winning scholarship essay. Put your best foot forward and devote adequate time to creating the best possible essay you can.

1. Analyze the scholarship details to determine your theme. Look closely at the scholarship essay question - you need to provide a relevant and specific answer to this question. Also, pay attention to the organization sponsoring the scholarship - what does the organization value? For example, if you are applying for any CCD scholarship, you know the college values access to education, so you might consider highlighting the unique path you took to get to college and the specific barriers and challenges you face.

2. Brainstorm your unique story. Related to your theme (step 1), think about your specific life experiences, motivations, goals, strengths, or life philosophy. Write them down. Think of specific and unique attributes; avoid generalities. An example of a generality: "I am a very hard worker focused on creating a better life for my family." An example of a unique attribute: "My father immigrated to the United States to create better futures for his children. He taught us that hard work combined with education opens doors. I strongly believe in this idea of America that brought my father here. Through education, I hope to pay the dream forward to my children as well."

3. Create an outline for the essay. Distill your brainstorming; that is, pick out the best parts of your story to include in this particular essay. These are your main points. Note any details or specifics to include under your main points.

4. Just start writing. Use your outline to start writing paragraphs. At this stage in the game, do not worry about the quality of your writing - just get something down on the page.

5. Polish and review. After you have completed a rough draft, now is the time to start polishing your essay. Ask a friend or professional staff to review your essay. Remember, your first paragraph is probably the most important one. The end of the writing process is the best time to review your first paragraph to make sure it is unique, sets the stage for the rest of your essay, and is well written.

Not enough time in the day?

2010-03-31T07:59:00.000-07:00

Time management strategies have the potential to increase both efficiency and balance in your busy day-to-day life.

Remember, different strategies work for different people. Experiment with the basics of time management and see what works for you!

1. Set goals/tasks to complete each week. At the beginning of each week, identify what you want to complete that week. When identifying goals, think about all aspects of your life: college, work, home, health, family, friends, and free time.

2. Prioritize a to-do list. Review the goals you identified. Break each goal into a task - something that can be completed in less than 2 hours. Create a to-do list of tasks based on high, medium, and low priority. For example, a high priority task is something you absolutely must complete this week.

3. Create a schedule. Use a planner - on your computer, on your phone, paper-based - and schedule time during the week when you will complete tasks on your to-do list, starting with high priority items. Don't forget to include time on your schedule for health, family, friends, and free time! (These are often the first to be de-prioritized, but I suggest using time management strategies to increase efficiency AND balance in your life.)

4. Stay focused. Remain with a task until you complete it. Manage your interruptions - i.e. shut off your phone at certain times. Schedule high energy tasks during the time of day when you have the most energy. Keep things in balance to avoid burn-out.

For more details and suggestions, visit with your educational case manager or check out Mind Tools.

Spring Break

2010-03-25T10:59:00.000-07:00

Every so often, we get a break from school. Sometimes we are able to use these breaks to visit family, go on a trip, or rest and relax. Other times we find ourselves picking up extra hours at work, trying to catch up on homework, or shuttling kids to and fro. In the latter case, it is not much of a break at all, is it?

There is a reason our schools give us breaks, employers offer leave time, and many religious traditions call for time to relax. Breaks keep us balanced, let us catch up on sleep or exercise, allow us time with friends and families, give us moments to reflect on what we are doing and where we are going, and so on and so on.

So yes, take a break from your coursework now and then. Take a break from your myriad commitments now and then. Down the road, a relaxed and healthier You will likely be a more productive, more energetic, more efficient, more successful, happier You.

There are as many different ways to relax as there are different people - reading a book, texting friends, going for a walk, getting a massage, and so on. The important thing is to take breaks now and then.

Each week, schedule time in your busy schedule to take a break.

Wait and It Will Be Too Late!

2010-03-17T07:51:00.000-07:00

As I have said before, scholarship money is "free" money to help cover the costs of your higher education. I write "free" because you have to earn it - both through your performance in and out of the classroom and through the grind of applying for scholarships.

One important point on applying for scholarships: wait and it will be too late!

For example, many fall scholarships have application deadlines between February and May. So, if you want to have scholarship money to help pay for your classes next fall, you need to be applying for these scholarships the previous spring!

These early deadlines are the same for both private scholarships - i.e. The Mary Scofield Scholarship - and institutional scholarships. So, fill out your generic CCD scholarship application by April. If you plan to transfer to a new institution next fall, you must complete the financial aid and scholarship applications for that school in the spring as well. For example, if you plan to transfer to University of Colorado Denver in the fall, you must complete the Reisher Scholarship application (a UCD scholarship for transfer students) by May 1.

CCD Connect

2010-03-11T12:39:00.000-08:00

CCD Connect is the new and improved replacement for MyCommunityEd.

This semester, you can still access both "portals" on the CCD website. However, CCD Connect will be the only access point in future semesters.

Use CCD Connect to register for classes, check grades, review financial aid information, contact instructors, withdraw from courses, view news updates, find contact information, and more.

Log in to CCD Connect today using your S number and MyCommunityEd password.

Oh no! I am failing my course!

2010-03-03T09:38:00.000-08:00

If you fall behind in a course, there are a number of actions that you can take right now to help you catch up and earn a good grade.

1. Go to EVERY class and turn in EVERY assignment. This seems like common sense, but sometimes there is a difference between intentions and reality. Ask your instructor if you can turn in assignments late for partial credit, which is better than no credit.

2. Talk to your instructor. Ask questions about things that you do not understand. Tell your instructor that you really want to do well, but you are struggling with the course. Your instructor is there to help you, but s/he cannot help you if s/he does not know that you need help. Call, e-mail, talk to before or after class, set up an appointment for office hours - however you can do it, talk to your instructor!

3. Go and ask for help in your student support services office. The staff there may be able to get you set up with an academic tutor. They can also give you tips on study skills and test-taking.

4. Dedicate more time to your class. You may have to make some tough decisions on your time management, but try to spend at least one additional hour each week reviewing for your course. In the end, this may save you time if it helps you avoid re-taking the course next semester.

5. Form a study group with other students in the class. If you prefer to study alone, try out some new study skills. Again, see your student support services office for some tips.

There is no time to delay; get started on improving your grade today! Remember, it is not how many times you fall down, but how many times you pick yourself up that will determine your success.

The Easiest Instructors

2010-02-24T07:35:00.000-08:00

I have heard of students who pick out their classes based on the "easiest instructor" or the "easiest class." My question is: Why do you want the easiest instructor or the easiest class? How will this benefit you?

The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle said, "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act, but a habit."

If you repeatedly take the easy way - the classes or the instructors that do not challenge you, do not motivate you to learn and to grow - where does that leave you? There might be a short-term benefit - less homework, better grades - but in the long-term, will you reach your full potential?

Or, look at it this way. An employer is making the final choice between two relatively-even job candidates. One candidate has a lower GPA, but has taken more difficult courses, and can talk about how they continually learn and improve through hard work and effort. The second candidate has a higher GPA, but has taken easier courses, and does not have much evidence of a strong work ethic. As an employer, wouldn't you rather have the person who works hard, who is not afraid to try difficult things, who can persevere through challenges? Yes, I think so.

Success is available to each one of us. We all have the opportunity to pursue our strengths and passions through hard work and determination. But you have to earn it - every day! You become who you repeatedly are...do your best every day and you will become your best.

Believe everything I tell you

2010-02-17T07:35:00.000-08:00

If I told you that the world was flat, would you believe me?

In the above example, a critical thinker would want to know the context: are we talking about the physical planet we live on and its shape, or are we talking about the social world and economic term "flat"? Also, a critical thinker would want to know the type and quality of evidence I have for my conclusion. A critical thinker would take into account other perspectives, in this case, the well-established scientific evidence that the earth is round. Through this process, the critical thinker questions the accuracy and meaning of the conclusion, looking beyond a simple answer. Leave no truth unexamined, says the critical thinker.

Critical thinking is one of the most important skills needed for success in college and career. Critical thinking will sharpen your learning in any subject - science, math, English, history, communications. Also, employers demand workers who are able to exam complex situations to find complex solutions.

Here is an example of how you can use critical thinking right now. When you are reading your textbook tonight, ask yourself the following at the end of each section:

- How are the main points in the section defined or described (context)?

- What supports these main points (evidence)?

- What else do we need to know about these main points (perspective)?

- How might these main points be wrong, insufficient, unsupported, or irrelevant (question)?

If I told you that critical thinking is extremely important to your academic and career success, would you believe me?

Please don't until you question my context, evidence, and perspective.

Why do I owe money back to Financial Aid?

2010-02-10T07:38:00.000-08:00

The Federal Pell Grant Program is an investment in students, based on financial need. The funds come from "tax payer money."

Students are required to repay money to Financial Aid in certain circumstances. To oversimplify, in these cases, a student has received more money than they qualify for under the federal regulations. The important point, though, is that repayment is due to student actions that changed how much s/he is eligible to receive from the federal government.

What student actions change your financial aid eligibility, and thus require you to repay Pell Grant funds? You will owe Financial Aid money if you take any of the following actions AFTER RECEIVING YOUR PELL GRANT DISBURSEMENT CHECK.

1. Reduce your credit courseload. If you drop below 12 credits (full time), you will owe back a substantial amount of money.

2. Substitute an online course for a regular course. Online courses cost more.

3. Withdraw from all of your courses prior to the 60% completion of the course material.

4. Fail, or fail/withdraw from all of your courses.

Keys to Online Learning

2010-02-03T08:47:00.000-08:00

On the one hand, online courses offer great opportunity - flexibility, online discussion, instant access to ideas and materials. On the other hand, a good number of students fare worse in online courses than classroom courses. So how can you take advantage of the benefits of online courses without tumbling into its pitfalls?

Tip #1: Know how to use D2L. If you don't know how, set up a meeting with your educational case manager immediately.

Tip #2: Treat your online class like a class. Read the course syllabus and assignments. Take notes. Use a quiet, private space whenever you are online for class.

Tip #3: Take initiative to manage your time. Schedule 6 to 9 hours each week devoted exclusively to your class. Submit your assignments on time. Keep pace with the syllabus. DO NOT FALL BEHIND!

Tip #4: Participate online. Log in to your class and add to discussion boards at least three times per week. Read the comments of your peers and instructor on discussion boards. E-mail your instructor with questions frequently.

Tip #5: Ask for help. It is very easy to be invisible online - don't be! E-mail your instructor if you are falling behind or are having technical problems. Use TRIO Scholars and other student support resources.

Experiential Learning

2010-01-28T08:23:00.000-08:00

Here is a riddle for you. Rafael wants to get a good job. However, he can only get that good job if he has both experience and a college degree. But when he is in college, he is not out gaining experience on the job, and when he is out gaining experience on the job, he does not have time for college. What is Rafael to do?

The answer: experiential learning!

Experiential learning is a broad term that covers a lot of different types of activities, including internships, service-learning, volunteer opportunities, study abroad, group projects, et cetera. The gist of experiential learning is to combine your academic learning with a "hands-on" or "out-in-the-field" activity. In its many shapes and forms, experiential learning both enhances your understanding of the classroom material and gives you a relevant "real-world" experience.

Find a wide-range of experiential opportunities on CCD Career Connnections.

Many experiential learning opportunities are teacher-directed in a classroom setting, such as service-learning. But other opportunities are directed by you on your own time, such as internships or volunteer opportunities or relevant part-time jobs.

What are you waiting for? Find an internship, volunteer experience, or part-time job that is relevant to your academic and career interests. For example, would you like to be a nurse? Then volunteer at a hospital. Would you like to work in Information Technology? Then find a work-study position in a CCD computer lab.

You will develop your knowledge and skills, while gaining an experience to put on your resume!

Find a wide-range of experiential opportunities on CCD Career Connnections.

Explore your Transfer Options

2010-01-20T15:33:00.000-08:00

Did you know that there 12 different public 4-year colleges in Colorado? And many great private 4-year colleges as well?

There are wide-ranging things to consider when exploring the different colleges and universities that you may transfer to after graduation from CCD: location, financial aid, degree programs, class scheduling, quality of education, size of classes, student support programs, and extracurricular opportunities, to name a few.

Ultimately, only you can decide what transfer institution is the best "fit" for you. Moreover, you may only be sure that you found the best "fit" after you check out all of your options first.

An easy place to start your transfer search is at YouniversityTV, where you will find informational videos on a number of colleges and universities in Colorado.

See something that looks interesting? Check out the institution's website. Even better, meet with your educational case manager to set up an informational visit and campus tour. TRIO Scholars takes group trips to a variety of colleges and universities throughout the semester as well.

Do tests make you anxious?

2010-01-13T11:39:00.000-08:00

On the day of a test, are you cool and confident, or a nervous wreck? Test-taking anxiety - described as suffering from an irrational fear of test material that paralyzes your thinking and inhibits your performance - negatively affects many students. "I know how to do this...but I just can’t remember at the moment...aarrgghhh!"

Some students reduce their test anxiety through preparation.

- Don't just memorize the material, LEARN it with good study skills. Short-term memory is the first thing to go.

- Practice in a test environment: practice test, timed, in a classroom.

- Get good sleep the night before and eat breakfast. Do something relaxing beforehand.

Some students reduce their test anxiety through psychological strategies.

- Remind yourself that everyone is a little nervous on test day. It's okay to be nervous.

- Monitor negative self-talk. When doubts or fears creep in your mind, stop them! Tell yourself, "I'm prepared. I know this. I'll do fine."

- Keep things in perspective. Just do the best you can...that is all that can be expected of you.

Link your Interests to your Career

2010-01-06T09:46:00.000-08:00

College in Colorado offers extensive career exploration tools and information for free. The website offers extensive information on the type of work, the education required, and the money and outlook for many different career paths. Especially helpful, the website offers various tools that allow you to sort career paths by your interests, personality, skills, and experience.

Any TRIO Scholars Educational Case Manager will help you navigate the many features of College in Colorado. Or, explore the website on your own by following the steps outlined below.

Go to www.collegeincolorado.org.

Under "Who are you?", pick College Level Student.

Under "Career Planning":

* "Learn about Yourself" allows you to take various personality and interest assessments. Especially helpful, careers are automatically sorted by your results from these assessments. Thus, you have a custom list of possible careers linked to your interests and personality.

* "Explore Career Clusters" allows you to browse through many careers by type, for example, Human Services, Education and Training, and Finance. Click on any interesting careers, and you will find extensive information on the type of work, the education required, and the money and outlook for that career.

Free money?

2009-12-11T11:44:00.000-08:00

Scholarships offer thousands of dollars to pay for tuition, fees, and related college expenses. Scholarships - unlike loans - do not need to be repaid. But, like most things worthwhile, it requires effort and diligence on your part to earn scholarships.

One great place to start your scholarship search is with the CCD Scholarship application. This application allows you to automatically apply to multiple scholarships that are only open to CCD students. Come January, you will be able to fill out the CCD Scholarship application online for fall 2010. These funds go fast, and they are first-come, first-serve, so apply early!

There are literally thousands of private scholarships available. Unlike CCD scholarships, these are open to students from other schools as well. However, look for scholarships with specific criteria that you meet, such as your area of study, your background, your work history, et cetera. The more specific the criteria of a scholarship, the fewer eligible students, and the better the chances.

There are many helpful online search tools to help you find private scholarships. Some examples include: www.fastweb.com, www.scholarships.com, www.collegeboard.com, and www.collegeinvest.org.

Contact your TRIO Scholars Educational Case Manager or Peer Mentor for assistance with locating and applying for scholarships!

Manage Your Stress

2009-12-03T09:53:00.001-08:00

Stress is a part of day-to0day living. Mild forms of stress can act as a motivator and energizer. However, if your stress level is too high, medical and social problems can result.

Suggestions for Reducing Stress - find what works for you.

* Reinforce positive self-statements.

* Focus on your good qualities and accomplishments.

* Avoid unnecessary competition.

* Recognize and accept your limits. Remember that everyone is unique and different.

* Get a hobby or two. Relax and have fun.

* Exercise regularly.

* Eat a balanced diet daily.

* Talk with friends or someone you can trust about your worries/problems.

* Learn to use your time wisely.

* Set priorities.

* When studying for an exam, study in short blocks and gradually lengthen the time you spend studying. Take frequent short breaks.

* Practice relaxation techniques. For example, whenever you feel tense, slowly breathe in and out for several minutes. There are hundreds if not thousands of different things people do to relax - find what works for you.

Source: http://ub-counseling.buffalo.edu/stressmanagement.php

StrengthsQuest

2009-11-24T10:22:00.000-08:00

“It takes far more energy to improve from incompetence to mediocrity than it takes to improve from first-rate performance to excellence.” - Peter Drucker

StrengthsQuest is both a perspective and a tool for academic, career, and personal development.

The StrengthsQuest perspective states that an individual reaches his or her full potential by identifying and developing his or her natural talents (as opposed to identifying and remedying weaknesses).

The StrengthsQuest tool assesses your natural talents and provides a wide range of knowledge and action items specific to strengths development and utilization in your academics, career, and life.

Get started on your own StrengthsQuest today by contacting your TRIO Scholars (SSS) educational case manager.

Learning vs Regurgitating

2009-11-11T07:55:00.000-08:00

According to the dictionary, regurgitate is to repeat after memorization. Or if we look at the literal definition: regurgitate is to eject the contents of the stomach through the mouth.

Neither sound too appealing.

Learning, on the other hand, is the process of understanding something new. If you learn something, it is much more likely to stay with you. If you regurgitate something, you are more likely to soon forget whatever you memorized (after all, you never really understood it anyways).

Some learning tips:

- Take turns teaching concepts, math problems, or issues to each other in a study group. If you are by yourself, just teach out loud.

- Discuss concepts, math problems, or issues in a study group, and try to provide counter-arguments or counter-examples.

- Create your own math problems, test questions, or examples.

- Make connections between concepts, math problems, and issues across chapters, or even across courses.

- Create a visual diagram that explains a concept, math problem, or issue.

By learning the course material, and not just regurgitating it, you will not only get much more out of the course, but will also do better on assignments and tests.

Maintain Your Financial Aid

2009-11-04T07:28:00.000-08:00

Your eligibility for federal financial aid - Pell grants, work-study, Stafford loans - is based on your economic need, as determined by the FAFSA. However, federal regulations require that you meet certain academic standards to maintain your financial aid.

To maintain your financial aid, you must: have a 2.0 cumulative GPA or higher; complete and pass at least 2/3 of your courses; graduate within 150% of the number of credits required to do so.

Some suggestions for maintaining your GPA: go to class, turn in assignments on time, schedule appropriate time to study, attend a study skills workshop, attend a time management workshop, talk to your instructors, ask questions in class, ask for help when you need it, get a tutor, find a work-school-life balance.

Some suggestions for maintaining your completion rate: use withdrawals sparingly, avoid credit overload in a given semester, pay attention to drop dates (dropped classes do not count against your completion rate but withdrawals do), complete AAA 099 hours in a given semester, stick it out to the end.

Some suggestions for graduating on time: career exploration to avoid excessive degree changes, follow an individual education plan, avoid superfluous courses, maintain your completion rate (so you don't have to take a class multiple times).

Create Your Success

2009-10-30T10:33:00.000-07:00

Some people are born into opportunity, others are not. Some people get all the breaks, others get none. Some people are treated justly, others with injustice. The fact of the matter is that Life is not always fair. But the question is: How do you respond to circumstance?

Do you take positive action to create the best possible outcome for your circumstance?

Or is your life outside of your control?

As a college student you have the opportunity to positively respond to circumstance every single day. Take personal responsibility for your success:
- Ask for help when you need it.
- Attend workshops to learn study skills.
- Apply time management skills to your busy schedule.
- Talk to you professors when you are struggling.
- Identify and learn from your mistakes.
- Identify a strategy for getting everything done that you need to get done.
- Do what you need to do to be successful.

Don't be a victim of circumstance. Don't blame others. Don't throw your hands up and say there is nothing you can do about your circumstances. Rather, take the initiative to always do the best you can in your given situation.

Still not convinced that you have the freedom to respond to circumstance? Read the following quote from Victor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor.

“We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread. They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms -- to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way.”

Talk about challenging circumstances, great injustice, and extremely limited options - yet some people of great strength took positive action to make the best of a horrid situation. Even if their life was taken from them, they refused to let go of their humanity and their empathy.

This, of course, is an extreme example...but perhaps an inspirational one. What can you do - right now - to take positive action to improve your success at Community College of Denver? What small steps can you take? E-mail a professor, create time to study, set up an appointment with your case manager...

It may be a myth that any of us can be anything...there are circumstances beyond our control that impact our life trajectory. HOWEVER, no matter what your life throws at you, you can always choose to take positive action to make the best of your situation. Success is never guaranteed, but your attitude and the actions you take (or put off) go a long ways in determining the end result.

Create your success - now!

Stay On Task While Studying

2009-10-21T09:58:00.000-07:00

We are filled with good intentions, but how easy is it to get off track when sitting down to study? Some ideas to stay on task...

1. Remove distractions from your surroundings: Turn off your phone. Do not study by the television or your computer. Find a quiet place where no one will interrupt you.

2. Add variety to your studying: If you are losing focus due to boredom, then switch to homework for a different class. Or, switch from a reading assignment to a writing assignment. Or if you always study alone, mix in some group studying, and vice versa.

3. Keep your mind on point: If you start daydreaming, stand up for a few minutes to finish the thought, then return to your studies. Or, keep a notepad nearby where you can write down any tasks or distractions that pop into your head - i.e. "Pay electric bill by tomorrow." Or, use a key phrase that you always repeat to yourself when your mind starts to wander - i.e "time to study" or "get it done."