Academic Expectations and Advisement success in college

What is success in college? Learning and Understanding Content knowledge, coursework Skills: critical thinking, writing, speaking Degree & Career graduate from college with a high grade point average (GPA), 3.0+ discover best degree & career fit for you Personal Growth well-founded view of self and world well-rounded community and world citizen Have students define “success” in college first. What are your expectations of what success is? Content knowledge = who, what, when, where Skills = why, how

Individual effort “You can get help from teachers, but you are going to have to learn a lot by yourself, sitting alone in a room.” - Dr. Seuss We each need help, of some kind, at some point. “A chain is no stronger than its weakest link, and life is after all a chain.” - William James Still on expectations, here.

Resources 1 Learning & understanding your coursework Professor office hours; sooner rather than later Teaching Assistants Academic Skills Center South Wing 100, 310 Tutors, Workshops Study group with other students get to know others Disabilities & Accessibility Office http://academicsupport.buffalostate.edu/academic-skills-center http://www.buffalostate.edu/disabilityservices/index.xml

Resources 2 Progress to degree and career Degree Works Psychology Department Psychology Dept informational meetings Internships, Research experience, Preparing for graduate school Volunteer & Service-Learning Center Career Development Center Academic Advisor From Buffalo State homepage, click the MYBUFFSTATE button, then FOR STUDENTS. From that student homepage, there are links to all sorts of useful resources.

Academic Advisement Ongoing process throughout college Who: Right now, you have two! Academic Commons Professional Adviser General college issues Faculty Adviser—Name is in Banner Everything related to psychology After your first year, you will transition away from Academic Commons and meet only with your department adviser I start, introduce Brian – he finishes this slide and does next

Academic Advisement What: not just picking classes When: as needed plan successful progress toward graduation understand college policies, degree requirements identify resources for academic or related issues career planning graduate school preparation When: as needed 1-2 weeks before registration Workshop sessions whenever needed for educational and career planning at least once a year not required before registering How: come prepared review Degree Works status list of courses you are interested in taking check prerequisites list of questions you may have forms needing a signature Jessica

Resources 3 For personal growth Weigel Health Center Medical, Dental, Mental Health Fitness Center, regular exercise Eat healthily, get sleep - naps  Get connected, be involved on campus Student Life Office, Clubs, Events Bengal Connect Community & Global Engagement Service Learning, Diversity courses National Student Exchange, Study Abroad Go just outside your comfort zone Social support network Friends, Family, Mentors, Role models Bio-Psycho-Social model of health and human functioning. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biopsychosocial_model Ongoing change and development in your life

Expectations: What Predicts Success? Intelligence… yes, but not as strong a factor as some believe Work Ethic Self-discipline: attend every class, do reading ahead of class, complete all assignments Work Hard: put in 3 hours out of class for every 1 hour in class Work Smart: use effective study techniques, accurately assess current knowledge Learning Goals Focus on why, how Deep vs. surface Really know it Mastery vs. cramming Develop internal motivation Intrinsic vs. external “bribes” Mind-set of belonging in college only 8% of students leave college for financial reasons lack of academic preparation emotional & social disengagement perseverance, “grit”, learn from mistakes or failures self-doubt, “imposter”  academics as part of your identity You may not have all these qualities at your fingertips on day 1. But, getting you further to them is a primary goal of higher education - you learning how to learn - so you can keep doing that for the rest of your life, teaching yourself something new, teaching others something new. 8% cite: Bowen, Kurzweil, & Tobin (2005). Equity and excellence in American higher education. (p. 91) Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia Press. Many students feel they are “imposters”, not quite good enough for the college they are at; self-doubt. This is pretty normal, you are not alone. Also, take steps to work through it and change your viewpoint. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impostor_syndrome

End Result: Goals Accomplished Successful academically Learned lots of interesting and useful things Degree in-hand On track for a fulfilling and appropriate career Thoughtful, confident, well-rounded person Can define, plan for, and achieve your future goals