Achieving Your Dream for COLLEGE SUCCESSPaperback: 224 pages
Kendall Hunt Publishing (August 31, 2009)
ISBN-10: 0757570496
ISBN-13: 978-0757570490
An LCTXO local author book review:
Going back to college to earn a degree or a certificate – or to learn new job skills – can be daunting to some students who may be less than prepared to enter the college or university environment.
Additionally, many recent high school graduates are under prepared for the rigors and demands that higher education will expect of them. Unfortunately, students often are surprised to find that college course work demands abilities to problem solve, write proficiently, apply concepts, use critical thinking and accept constructive criticism of their work.
Achieving Your Dream for COLLEGE SUCCESS by Dr. Josephine Ong McBride helps to bridge the gaps for the student with the expectations they will face in the classroom, as well as the issues they will encounter outside the classroom in their personal and financial lives as they maneuver through the higher education maze on their way toward successful completion.
Having taught student success courses for more than 10 years at several higher education institutions, the material Dr. McBride has developed works effectively with students who need to develop better strategies and skills to cope with the demands and expectations of higher education. Students, as well as professors and student-support personnel, will find this text a valuable resource which will aid students in being more successful, not only in college but also in life.
EXCERPT –
“Here you are here in college! Perhaps you are the first person from your family to be in college. Or, your family moved to this country for a better life. Maybe you are a child in an immigrant family with English as a second language.
On the other hand, you may just be an adult who had to put your college plans aside to get a job or raise a family first. Possibly you struggled through high school – distracted and unfocused – but finally have matured enough to realize what you want in life. Then again, you may have been working in a dead end job or been laid off due to the economic downturn.
In any case, you have a dream that you want to pursue! A dream to succeed in college. And, reading this book is the first step necessary for YOU to achieve that dream!
Freshman Year Experience
The first year of college is definitely the most critical stage of the college experience. It is the year during which students experience the most stress, the most academic difficulties and the highest drop out rate (American College Testing). Most freshmen are wading into uncharted waters, trying to keep their heads above a sea of classes, prerequisites, majors, and minors, coupled with a newfound sense of freedom that comes with tremendous – but unexpected – responsibilities.
For returning adults, the problems inherent in being a new student are magnified because college is usually not your only priority. You may have to juggle a job, spouse, children and other responsibilities. Time management becomes a colossal undertaking! Some of you may have been away from formal education for a while, and find that your study skills are a bit rusty. What’s more, you may be anxious about competing with younger students.
Whatever the circumstances, college may be a confusing and overwhelming place for first generation college students and under-represented student groups that traditionally have faced significant barriers to success. Yet, when they complete courses and earn credentials, they can greatly improve their lives.
If you read this book, you can begin to take charge of your college experience and become more likely to persist in college, get better grades, complete your college degree and ultimately achieve your dream.”