How Can You Be Successful?
“Success is not the result of spontaneous
combustion. You must set yourself on fire.”
Reggie Leach
At College of the Siskiyous, we want you to be
successful! The GUID courses will help you set
a course to be successful in college and beyond.
Becoming a successful student is a lifelong
process and we want to help you cultivate the
skills, values and attitudes you need.
Attend the first day of class.
And if you are
in an online class, you must log into ETUDES
on the first day. Students not showing up in the
class or online on the first day can be dropped
from the course. However, do not assume you
will be dropped. It is the student’s responsibility
to drop their courses. If you remain on the class
roster, even if you never attended, you will be
responsible for the fees owed and not eligible
for a refund after the refund deadlines.
Use your COS email.
All College related
communication with students is done through
your COS email account. You may have your
COS email set up to forward to your personal
email – ask for help in the ASC if needed.
Read and understand the course syllabus and
first day handout.
The course syllabus is the
guide for what your instructor expects from you -
what assignments are due and when, priorities for
learning and how grades are determined.
Get to know your instructor.
Use time before
and after class, and during the instructor’s office
hours to discuss difficulties you are having with
your class. Your instructor will work with you and
help you be successful.
Don’t skip class.
Unless you are sick or have
an emergency you should attend your classes.
Do all readings and assignments on
schedule and turn them in.
Falling behind is
self- perpetuating. Coming to class unprepared
makes you less able to understand the
new material or ask questions. Be ready to
participate!
Ask about and investigate support services.
COS offers many of them - tutoring; labs for
reading, writing, math and computers; advising
and counseling services; library and career
center - all are free of charge! Use them often to
help with your work.
Don’t drop a course before talking to your
instructor, advisor, or counselor.
Although
you may experience difficulties in a course,
there may be solutions to your problems. Talk to
COS staff members and get their help. We want
you to be successful!
Set measurable academic and personal
goals each semester.
A key difference
between students who succeed and those who
don’t is that successful students have clearly
defined goals.
Accept personal responsibility to succeed.
Successful students tend to be realistic
and recognize that their success or failure
is primarily determined by
their efforts and
responses to Life’s situations.
Get to know other students and participate
in activities.
Forming
study groups is one of the
best ways to be successful. Get to know
others
by attending campus events.
Build a master calendar.
With all of your life
activities scheduled (work, classes, study time,
practice) you will be able to see in advance and
plan accordingly – like taking two tests on one
day, for example. You can be proactive rather
than reactive in approaching your academic
assignments and other activities.
Skills for Success
There are no secrets to success. Successful
students manage their time, budget their
money, study, prepare for tests, take notes, set
goals, make plans, read textbooks, and handle
their relationships. It’s a lot to do and a lot to
remember - and it takes responsibility from you.
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