Choices and Changes: The Transformative Life of a College Student Wayne Smith, Ph.D. Department of Management CSU Northridge (updated: February 15, 2016February 15, 2016)

Success in College: New Realities New, elite Minority –Only ~1/3 of individuals 25 years or older have a B.S./B.A. New Expectations –What you will to come to expect of yourself –More important, what others will expect from you New Demands –This is your first professional position; treat it as such –You will demand more of yourself (and work harder) than you ever did before

Success in College: “It’s all about society” What the Federal Government (really) wants: –Low unemployment; low debt (of all kinds) –General productivity; skills alignment with future needs –Productive research; effective knowledge creation What the State of California (really) wants: –Economic development –Engaged citizenship –Efficient, effective, and productive knowledge transfer

Success in College: “It’s all about the University” What the University (really) wants: –Graduation with a B.A./B.S. for every single student Corollary—in less than six years (five would be better) –An “acceptance” decision is really a “graduation” decision with an associated statistical probability What a Program, Department, Major, or Option (really) wants: –Commitment to a Degree (and a minor is fine too) –Passion, Contribution, and Development in a Profession Corollary—at least for your first career choice (but it will change)

Success in College: “It’s all about the Community” What the Community (really) wants: –(especially important because the public is paying, on average, ~50% of the cost of college) –Always part of the “solution”, not part of the “problem” –Contribute to the local “social net” –Improve the “quality of life” in a neighborhood or region

Success in College: “It’s all about the Learner Relationships” What an Instructor (really) wants: –Clear and compelling ethical behavior and associated Decision- making –Self-propelled and persistent intellectual curiosity –Engagement and attunement toward focused study –Exuberant passion balanced with keenly objective insight –Privilege the “art of the long view” in all activities and tasks What I, as your UNIV 100 Instructor, (really) want: –Attendance, Punctuality, Participation, Preparation –Quality and Productivity –Development of a life-long learner –Interdisciplinary thinking Much, much more on the syllabus and outline

Success in College: Choices and Changes Choices in consequences –Performance, grades, and matriculation –Extrinsic motivation; intrinsic motivation Choices in responsibilities –Expectations, Utility, and Ethics –Self-reflection; how others perceive you Changes in time –“time management” –What happened to my weekends? Changes in space –5Ws and 1H of “studying” –How have my friendships changed?

For Student Athletes: “Being a student-athlete, CSUN expects for both your academics and sports to be at its best. Being a student- athlete is like rowing a boat. One paddle represents athletics and the other represents academics. You must know how to manage both academics and athletics for ‘your boat to row straight.’ If you start to focus on one more than the other, you will never get to your destination.” –Briana Geffre, women’s soccer team, UNIV 100, Fall 2012

Success in College: “It’s all about you” Most important… –What do you want out of College? (in-class exercise and discussion)