You and Your College Experience

Where are you now?

Asses your present knowledge and attitudes:

Yes Unsure No
1. I understand all the benefits of a college education for my future life
2. I am aware of how my previous educational background has prepared
me for college work.
3. I have all the personal traits of a successful college student
Name 3 of these traits:
1.
2.
3.
4. I know how the learning process functions and make an effort to
maximize my learning at each step in this process.
5. I know my personal learning style and use it to my advantage when
learning new things.
6. I know how to pay attention to gain the most from my classes.
7. I am aware of my college’s policies for academic honesty and behavior
on campus.
8. I know where to find all the resources of my college that can help me
succeed both academically and personally.
9. I am confident I can earn the grades I need to achieve success in my
college courses.
10. I am taking steps every day to ensure I am successful in every aspect of
the college experience.

In the following list, circle the three most important areas in which you think you can improve:

 Relating my personal values to education

 Being prepared for college-level work
 Developing a positive attitude for college
 Successfully using each step of the learning process
 Adapting and broadening my personal learning style
 Getting the most out of large and small classes
 Following all college policies
 Taking advantage of all college resources
 Getting the best grades I can get
 Doing everything I can every day to ensure I succeed in college
 Following teacher’s instructions and rules in class.

Are there other areas or skills that need more attention in order for you to succeed in college? Write down other things
you feel you need to work on.

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 Definition Sample Item EXAMPLE

The amount of effort a student puts into I consistently do my

Academic college work well.
schoolwork and the degree to which a
Discipline
student is hardworking and conscientious.

I achieve little for

Academic Self- The belief in one's ability to perform well
the amount of time
Confidence in school. I spend studying.

A college education
Commitment to One's commitment to staying in college
will help me achieve
College and getting a degree. my goals.

Attentiveness to others' feelings and I'm willing to

Communication compromise when
flexibility in resolving conflicts with
Skills resolving a conflict.
others.

It is important for
General The extent to which one strives to follow
me to finish what I
Determination through on commitments and obligations. start.

I bounce back after

The strength of one's efforts to achieve facing
Goal Striving
objectives and end goals. disappointment or
failure.

I enjoy activities
One's comfort in meeting and interacting that require
Social Activity
with other people. meeting new
people.
One's feelings of connection and I feel part of this
Social Connection college.
involvement with the college community.

The extent to which students believe they I summarize

know how to assess an academic important
Study Skills problem, organize a solution, and information in
successfully complete academic diagrams, tables, or
lists.
assignments.