CPCC Offers Tips for College Success

by Jerri Haigler — last modified 2008-08-14 08:27

Central Piedmont Community College will begin fall semester courses on Saturday, August 16 at the college’s six campuses. Most classes begin on Monday, August 18. The college is focused on helping all students set career goals and be successful. Various efforts such as Student Success Centers and information tables during the first week of classes have been coordinated to support students and assist them in getting acclimated to the college.

Below are some success tips and strategies from Counseling and Advisement Services and the Student Success Center for students entering college:

Be sure to attend your first day of classes.
Identify your academic and career goals.
Familiarize yourself with campus resources (Academic Learning Center for tutoring, Resource Center/library, Career Assessment Courses, Study Skills courses). Use these resources throughout the semester – not just before important tests.
Obtain texts and required materials before classes meet or after your first class, and bring them to each class.
Build a study plan, including when and how much you will need to study to meet your goals.
Write it down. A day planner or big calendar is great for organizing your life. Record all important dates (including exams, paper deadlines, and other assignments) at the beginning of each semester and keep it updated.
Go to every class, and meet individually with your instructor at least once during the term.
Sit in the front row and keep your mind focused on your learning goals, and those of the instructor and the course.
Develop questions about course content to test your understanding, and get assistance from the instructor, a tutor or classmate to clarify concepts before falling behind.
Participate in class discussion to try out your own understanding of concepts and to raise questions of importance to you.
Study with a partner. Go over key points and possible exam questions.
Build a study plan for tests. Avoid marathon study sessions.
Don’t miss quizzes or tests.
Pace yourself. Steadily work on long-term projects and don’t procrastinate.
Study difficult subjects first. The courses that are most difficult for you require the most energy. Study the hardest material first and save the subjects you enjoy for later. Try getting up an hour earlier to study the subject before breakfast.
Be neat and legible in your assignments. Organize your class materials by using a separate notebook or dividers for each course.

Many students will be transitioning from the high school setting to college. Below are some differences between the two institutions that students entering college need to note and prepare for:

Teacher-student contact – High school teacher-student contact is closer and more frequent. At the college level, the instructor-student contact is more difficult and less frequent (1 to 3 times per week).

Competition – Academic competition at the college level is greater than at the high school level. College students are more academic focused.

New Status – At the college level, high school graduates are in a new situation where there is little carry-over of either family or community reputation. Students have to “start over” in building their friendships, relationships and status.

Counseling – At the high school level, counseling by teachers or guidance counselors is personalized. Guidance counselors are much more available, and parent contact is constant. At the college level, counseling must be sought by students; however the CPCC counseling staff is here to assist you.

Dependence – High school students are told what to do, and teachers often follow up on their instructions. College students are “on their own.” Great self-discipline is required.

Motivation – High school students are motivated to achieve or participate by parents, teachers or counselors. College students must apply their own motivation.

Freedom – Student activity at the high school level is established by the school. College students have much more freedom and must accept responsibility for their actions.

Distraction – At the high school level, there are distractions from school and community activity but these are partially controlled by school and home. College brings many more distractions and temptations to neglect academic demands.

CPCC’s Student Success Centers are designed to provide students with the information they need to achieve their goals. The Centers provide information and guidance, goal clarification, answers to questions, tutorial assistance, advising and counseling, and access to all the college’s enrollment services. The goal is to provide support in and out of the classroom. Find out more about the college’s Student Success Centers at http://www.cpcc.edu/ssc/.

Central Piedmont Community College is the largest community college in North Carolina, offering 100 degree and certification programs, customized corporate training, market-focused continuing education, and special interest classes. CPCC is academically, financially and geographically accessible to all citizens of Mecklenburg County. In 2002, the National Alliance of Business named CPCC the Community College of the Year for its response to the workforce and technology needs of local employers and job seekers through innovative educational and training strategies.