Welcome to GCC! Information for Parents

Differences Between a Middle School classroom and a College Classroom  Students are treated as adults by the faculty and are expected to behave accordingly.  Students are expected to prepare, participate, review, and respond to course material.  Self-motivation is key for success in the MSP program.  The program is not supposed to be “Easy”

5 Challenges for Gifted Students  The Cult of Comparison  Sensitivities/Excitabilities  Too Much/Too Little External Pressure  Perfection Paralysis  System Overload

Cult of Comparison  Compared to others/held up as an example from an early age.  Feeling the need to hide abilities to “fit in”  Dealing with jealousy of peers.  Can seem much more or much less mature than peers.

Sensitivities/Excitabilities  Psycho-motor intensity  Sensual excitability  Imaginational intensity  Intellectual excitability  Emotional over-excitability Kazimierz Dabrowski – Theory of Positive Disintegration

Too Much/Too Little Pressure  Often left to their own devices gifted students can become “slackers” or resentful.  Stress of often being asked to be the example/lead and then blamed if things do not go well.  Being expected to be gifted in all areas.  Sometimes neglected during Q&A because they are pegged as “Know it alls”  Unjustified expectations of social maturity.

Perfection Paralysis  Fear of letting people down because it is constantly expressed to them what the expectations are.  Over practicing  Very self-critical  Trouble getting started with work  Trouble feeling “done” with work

System Overload  Expectations of children to be adults socially as well as intellectually can cause students to hide their emotions when feeling overloaded.  Constantly pressured to “Make the institution look good” – responsible for more than just their own learning.  May react poorly to situations due to sensitivities to injustice  May exhibit emotionally reactive behavior

 Students should set aside several specific times each week to work on MSP 161 homework.  In college courses the most successful students spend 2 hours outside of class for every hour they spend inside of class each week.  Because this is a preparatory course, it may not require 4 full hours of work outside of class, however setting aside at least 30 minutes/day is a good idea until a student adjusts to the pace. Completing Coursework

 DO NOT TRY TO DO THE HOMEWORK BEFORE YOU LEARN THE MATERIAL  Read the assigned topic BEFORE class and perhaps try a few sample problems.  When ever you do a sample problem SHOW YOUR WORK and write down any questions you have about the problem.  ATTEND CLASS – If you have to miss class make sure to spend sometime with a friend who was able to attend to get the notes. Learning the Material

 This course will appear on your college transcript from GCC so you will want to achieve the highest grade possible.  You will need to earn an average grade of B or above in MSP to progress into the next level of the STEM program, but of course A’s are better.  If you complete each of your homework assignments and attend each class you will do well in this course. Your Grade

 The Cafeteria is open until 7pm on Tuesdays.  The vending machines in the cafeteria are available all the time.  Do not bring food into your classroom.  Do not bring food into the computer labs.  You can bring some specific types of snacks into the library. Eating on Campus

 STEM Summers – week sessions of courses students will need to complete the program.  Advisement – Students will receive individual educational planning to map out the remainder of the stem program.  ACE & AP – As students progress through High School they will need to pay attention to which courses they can apply to their GCC degree but take right in their high school. Looking Toward the Future

Q&A