This unit starts by introducing the core concepts of succeeding in college. It challenges you to examine your personal identity, explore the many types of students you may interact with, envision the kinds of courses you might take, and understand how those courses may be delivered. In this stage-setting unit, we invite you to define success in terms of what it means to you personally. You should measure success by your own standards.
Completing this unit should take you approximately 3 hours.
Your first year in college is especially important. How will you maximize it for best advantage? Your greatest challenge may be balancing school, your family, and your job.
The journey of achieving success in college begins with a single step: identifying your personal values. Which are most important to you, and how do they fit into your educational goals?
There is no "one-size-fits-all" description of a college student. However, each student bears a responsibility to understand the diverse terrain that includes their peers. Who are the students you share class with? How have they come to share the college experience with you?
If college success is about anything, it’s about the choices you need to make in order to succeed. What do you want to learn? How do you want to learn it? Who do you want to learn it with and where? When do you learn best?
A college education is aligned with greater success in many areas of life. Are there patterns of success you strive for but aren’t yet reaching? Where might you shore up your support? What strategies can you use to achieve success in your college endeavors?
If the idea of being in college feels daunting, think about the many gains you can experience. College success is an attainable goal. Be encouraged that you are on a path of great potential.