About the Book
If students don’t know the “unwritten rules” for college success – how might it impact them? This book meets students where they are and helps them develop a plan to handle any situation.
The College Experience recognizes Student Success is determined by motivation, preparation, knowledge, persistence, and relationships, the outcome largely measured by performance in other courses from the first term throughout the college career. Students are often not prepared for the social and cultural challenges such as meeting expectations, managing pressures on time, and navigating financial issues. Many of the standards for college success are indeed those “unwritten rules” that require an experienced perspective to anticipate, understand, and overcome. This text covers the topics students need to make the transition into a university culture, become active learners, and make intelligent choices. Course materials are realistic and supportive. They resonate with diverse student backgrounds, including first-generation college students, students of color, returning adults, and others. Once students know the “rules” - written and unwritten – they can adapt their plan for a more successful college experience.
Table of Contents:
Preface
Introduction for Faculty
Introduction for Students
Chapter 1: College Culture and the Campus
Chapter 2: Goal Setting, Motivation, and Learning Styles
Chapter 3: Relationships and Diversity
Chapter 4: Time and Money
Chapter 5: Stress and Health Choices
Chapter 6: Learning, Memory, and Thinking
Chapter 7: Reading
Chapter 8: Listening and Note-Taking
Chapter 9: Writing, Presenting, and Information Literacy
Chapter 10: Studying and Taking Tests
Chapter 11: Planning for Your Degree
Chapter 12: Planning for a Career and a Life
Glossary
Index
About the Author :
Amy Baldwin, M.A., is an instructor of writing, literature, and college success at Pulaski Technical College in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Since 1996, she has served the college in various roles including self-study editor, distance education coordinator, and professional development coordinator. She is also the author of four student success textbooks that were the first on the market that addressed the special needs of students: The Community College Experience 3rd edition (Pearson, 2012), The First-Generation College Experience 1st edition (Pearson, 2012), The Community College Experience PLUS 3rd edition (Pearson, 2013), and The College Experience 1st edition (Pearson, 2013). She has also facilitated over 120 workshops and breakout sessions all over the country—at community colleges, K-12 professional days, and national conferences--on teaching and learning issues such as transitioning to college, student engagement practices, and active learning. Amy will complete her doctorate of higher education from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in December 2012. The focus of her dissertation is student engagement, retention, and success for African-American males in college. She is also serving as the project manager for the Complete College America initiative for the state of Arkansas.
Brian Tietje is a Professor of Marketing and the Dean of Continuing Education at Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo. His undergraduate business degree is from Bowling Green State University (1988), his MBA is from the University of Hawaii (1994), and his Ph.D. in marketing is from the University of Washington (1999). Dr. Tietje is passionate about student learning. He has won several teaching awards, is the co-author of Anybody’s Business with Barbara Van Syckle, and has authored the Wall Street Journal weekly educator’s review for over ten years. As Associate Dean at the Orfalea College of Business, he spearheaded efforts to improve student success and graduation rates and led the effort to develop alternative modes of course delivery to improve student learning. He also served as the principal facilitator of the College’s assessment of learning program for AACSB accreditation. Brian lives on the Central Coast of California with his family, friends, and pets.
Review :
My students and I liked the layout, the writing style, the "honest" approach to each topic, and the thoroughness with which time management were approached.
--Alice Lanning, University of Oklahoma
The writing is very accessible to students. I love that it is addressed to the students in such a "conversational" tone. It is easy to read while still challenging students to think.
--Lory Conrad, University of Arkansas-Fort Smith
The greatest strengths are the relationship between content and activities. The advice in every chapter is hands-on and practical. I especially liked the sample letter in Chapter Three; I think its an excellent way for students to assess how their family and friends can support them and then ask for that help. The reminder, "Its in the Syllabus" is especially true and the advice on how to assess and use the syllabus is a great tool that every student needs. I think teaching students how to read and use a syllabus is essential to college success. … I also enjoy the interactive nature of each chapter that makes the assignments relevant to the lives of the students.
--Ellen Stohl, California State University-Northridge
Starting the chapter with a real life scenario is great. It instantly engages the student with the subject matter and they can easily relate to the topic. The learning outcomes are clear and manageable for the information being delivered in the chapters. The use of visual aids throughout the chapter were very helpful to me, as I am a visual learner. Having exercises throughout the chapter gives students a chance to stop and reflect before moving on. … The chapters are very well organized, clear and concise. The strategies discussed provide students with an opportunity to learn about each and choose the best one that works for them.
The strengths of the chapters .... the real life scenerios, the layout, the flow, and the activities throughout. From the first page of each chapter, the reader can easily understand the objectives and relevance to their personal experience.
--Rhonda Lee Meadows, West Virginia University
I have really enjoyed reading this book. Each chapter provides comprehensive coverage of the major issues and strategies related to a particular area of students' lives inside the college classroom. At the same time, the text acknowledges the impact of students' environments and offers needed guidance on how to navigate individual challenges related to personal, family, or work obligations. The variety of exercises interspersed appropriately throughout each chapter ensure that students do not passively receive the content but rather reflect upon, evaluate, and apply it.
The wide range of pertinent information covered, the narratives, the personal and easily accessible language that is used in the chapters. I also like the reflective exercises in the chapters. I like the inclusion of current data and statistics in the chapters. … I love the connections made between the topics, real life situations, college to university and college career. Lastly, the references and recommended readings at the end of each chapter is a great way to encourage students to want more information or at least, guide them if they need it. Kudos!!!!
I appreciate that the text does not make assumptions or value judgments about what students’ next steps should be. Instead, the chapter takes time to explain different pathways. Fortunately, Baldwin provides ample guidance that will help students realize their options and make informed choices. For those students who choose to return to work, the text provides encouragement that college can still be an option in the future. Chapter 11 helps the book stand out from other college success books in that it addresses many of the unspoken issues–often unrelated to study strategies or particular course–that can make or break a student’s college experience, such as financial support and long-term course planning.
--Lauren Hensley, The Ohio State University
