Synopses & Reviews
The concise length, tight focus, and emphasis on self-development are keys to this text's appeal. Written in a positive, motivational style,
On Course empowers students with tools they need to take charge of their success in college and life. Downing's distinctive guided journal entries help students develop essential life skills by encouraging exploration of personal responsibility, self-motivation, interdependence, and self-esteem. Extensive coverage of study skillsreading, note taking, memorizing, and test takingprovided in the "Wise Choices in College" sections help students excel in all of their college courses.
- New "One Student's Story" student essays provide insight on which On Course strategies worked for them and how they applied these strategies to their life.
- The "Choices of Successful Students" chart on the inside front cover shows eight key choices that successful students make in determining their own success. These choices are revisited at the beginning of each chapter.
- An end-of-chapter study skills feature, "Wise Choices in College, " covers reading, note taking, studying, memorizing, test taking, writing, and researching. This feature is highlighted in the Table of Contents.
- New An end-of-chapter applications exercise, "Embracing Change: Do one thing different this week, " appears after "Wise Choices in College." This exercise lists beliefs and behaviors related to the chaptertopic, and asks students to select one they would like to experiment with for one week. After the week, students can assess their results to determine if their outcomes and experiences improve.
- "On Course Principles at Work" show how important the On Course success strategies are for choosing the right career, getting hired, and succeeding in the work world.
- "Case Study in Critical Thinking, " now moved to the beginning of every chapter, includes topics such as procrastination and collaborative work and encourage students to think critically and creatively.
- New Eduspace course provides students with a place to interact with the textbook by completing journal entries and technology exercises, and participating in discussion groups. Video Skillbuilders for Student Success provide supplemental materials to expand lessons in time management, note-taking, reducing test anxiety, health and wellness, and decision-making.
Synopsis
ON COURSE: STRATEGIES FOR CREATING SUCCESS IN COLLEGE AND IN LIFE presents a hands-on approach to learning essential life and study skills. Now in its 6th edition, ON COURSE is used as a book in user success courses, first-year experience programs, and inward-looking courses that promote user growth and self-awareness. ON COURSE demonstrates the choices that successful users make. A self-assessment tool at the beginning of the book helps users to identify behaviors and beliefs they may wish to change in order to achieve more of their potential in college and in life. Users have an opportunity to revisit their self-assessment at the conclusion of the book. Written in a positive, motivational style, ON COURSE empowers users with the tools they need to take charge of their success in college and in life. Downing?s distinctive guided journal entries help users develop essential life skills by encouraging exploration of personal responsibility, self-motivation, interdependence, and self-esteem. Extensive coverage of study skills?reading, note taking, memory and test taking?provided in the ?Wise Choices in College? sections helps users excel in all of their college courses.
Synopsis
The concise length, tight focus, and emphasis on self-development are keys to this text's appeal. Written in a positive, motivational style, On Course empowers students with tools they need to take charge of their success in college and life. Downing's distinctive guided journal entries help students develop essential life skills by encouraging exploration of personal responsibility, self-motivation, interdependence, and self-esteem. Extensive coverage of study skills--reading, note taking, memorizing, and test taking--provided in the "Wise Choices in College" sections help students excel in all of their college courses.
About the Author
SKIP DOWNING is an international consultant in the field of faculty development and student success strategies. Dr. Downing has earned degrees from Princeton University, Johns Hopkins University, the University of Santa Monica, and Carnegie Mellon University. He holds advanced degrees in both English and counseling psychology. He was Professor of English at Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) for 32 years. In addition to his role as an academic instructor, Dr. Downing created and coordinated BCCC's Student Success and Learning Community Programs. These programs teach students how to apply proven strategies of success to achieve their full potential in college and in life. The College Success Program resulted in a significant increase in both student academic success and retention. Click here to see the data from BCCC as well as many other institutions using the On Course text. Dr. Downing has made numerous presentations at national conferences and conducted faculty development workshops at many two- and four-year colleges and universities in the United States, Canada, Bermuda, and the Virgin Islands. Since 1996, he has facilitated the On Course Workshops, intensive four-day retreats for college educators focusing on proven strategies for empowering students to become active, responsible partners in their education and to achieve greater success in college and in life. These workshops offer participants the option of earning three graduate credits in a follow-up on-line course. Dr. Downing's teaching, writing, and consulting are all guided by his belief that the greatest mission of any educational institution is empowering its students to live rich, personally fulfilling lives.
Table of Contents
1. GETTING ON COURSE TO YOUR SUCCESS. Taking the First Step. What Is Success? The Power of Choice. Write a Great Life. Assess Yourself. Self-Assessment Forks in the Road. A Few Words of Encouragement. Journal Entry 1. ONE STUDENT'S STORY: Jalana Onaga (University of Hawaii, HI). Becoming an Active Learner. How the Human Brain Learns. Three Principles of Deep and Lasting Learning. Your CORE Learning System. Journal Entry 2. On Course Principles at Work. Believing in Yourself: Develop Self-Acceptance Self-Esteem and Core Beliefs. Know and Accept Yourself. Journal Entry 3. ONE STUDENT'S STORY: Phyllis Honore (Cuyahoga Community College, OH). Wise Choices in College: College Customs. 2. ACCEPTING PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY. Case Study for Critical Thinking: The Late Paper. Adopting the Creator Role. Victims and Creators. Responsibility and Choice. Journal Entry 4. ONE STUDENT'S STORY: Brian Moore (Glendale Community College, AZ). Mastering Creator Language. The Language of Responsibility. Journal Entry 5. ONE STUDENT'S STORY: Alexsandr Kanevskiy (Oakland University, MI). Making Wise Decisions. The Wise-Choice Process. Journal Entry 6. Personal Responsibility at Work. Believing in Yourself: Change Your Inner Conversation. The Curse of Stinkin' Thinkin'. Disputing Irrational Beliefs. Journal Entry 7. ONE STUDENT'S STORY: Dominic Grasseth (Lane Community College, OR). EMBRACING CHANGE: Do One Thing Different This Week. Wise Choices in College: Reading. 3. DISCOVERING SELF-MOTIVATION. Case Study for Critical Thinking: Popson's Dilemma. Creating Inner Motivation. A Formula for Motivation. Value of College Outcomes. Value of College Experiences. Journal Entry 8. ONE STUDENT'S STORY: Chee Meng Vang (Inver Hills Community College, MN). Designing a Compelling Life Plan. Roles and Goals. How to Set a Goal. Discover Your Dreams. Your Life Plan. Journal Entry 9. Committing to Your Goals and Dreams. Commitment Creates Method. Visualize Your Ideal Future. How to Visualize. Journal Entry 10. ONE STUDENT'S STORY: Amanda Schmeling (Buena Vista University, IA). Self-Motivation at Work. Believing in Yourself: Write A Personal Affirmation. Claiming Your Desired Personal Qualities. Living Your Affirmation. Journal Entry 11. ONE STUDENT'S STORY: Donna Ludwick (Carteret Community College, NC). EMBRACING CHANGE: Do One Thing Different This Week. Wise Choices in College: Taking Notes. 4. MASTERING SELF-MANAGEMENT. Case Study for Critical Thinking: The Procrastinators. Acting on Purpose. Harness the Power of Quadrant II. What to Do in Quadrant II. Journal Entry 12. ONE STUDENT'S STORY: Jason Pozsgay (Oakland University, MI). Creating an Effective Self-Management System. Monthly Calendars. Next Actions Lists. Tracking Forms. The Rewards of Effective Self-Management. Journal Entry 13. ONE STUDENT'S STORY: Allysa Lapage (Sacramento City College, CA). Developing Self-Discipline. Staying Focused. Being Persistent. Journal Entry 14. ONE STUDENT'S STORY: Holt Boggs (Belmont Technical College, OH). Self-Management at Work. Believing in Yourself: Develop Self-Confidence. Create a Success Identity. Celebrate Your Successes and Talents. Visualize Purposeful Actions. Journal Entry 15. EMBRACING CHANGE: Do One Thing Different This Week. Wise Choices in College: Studying for Deep Learning. 5. EMPLOYING INTERDEPENDENCE. Case Study for Critical Thinking: Professor Rogers' Trial. Developing Mutually Supportive Relationships. Ways to Relate A Sign of Maturity. Giving and Receiving. Journal Entry 16. ONE STUDENT'S STORY: Jason Matthew Loden (Avila University, MO). Creating a Support Network. Seek Help from Your Instructors. Get Help from College Resources. Create a Project Team. Start a Study Group. Journal Entry 17. ONE STUDENT'S STORY: Neal Benjamin (Barton County Community College, KS). Strengthening Relationships with Active Listening. How to Listen Actively. Use Active Listening in Your College Classes. Journal Entry 18. Interdependence at Work. Believing in Yourself: Be Assertive Leveling. Making Requests. Saying "No." Journal Entry 19. ONE STUDENT'S STORY: Amy Acton (Southern State Community College, OH). EMBRACING CHANGE: Do One Thing Different This Week. Wise Choices in College: Studying for Lasting Learning. 6. GAINING SELF-AWARENESS. Case Study for Critical Thinking: Strange Choices. Recognizing When You Are Off Course. The Mystery of Self-sabotage. Unconscious Forces. Journal Entry 20. ONE STUDENT'S STORY: Sarah Richmond (Missouri University of Science and Technology, MO). Identifying Your Scripts. Anatomy of a Script. How We Wrote Our Scripts. Self-Defeating Habits. Journal Entry 21. ONE STUDENT'S STORY: James Floriolli (Foothill College, CA). Rewriting Your Outdated Scripts. The Impact of Outdated Beliefs. Doing the Rewrite. Journal Entry 22. ONE STUDENT'S STORY: Annette Valle (The Victoria College, TX). Self-Awareness at Work. Believing in Yourself: Write Your Own Rules. Three Success Rules. Changing Your Habits. Journal Entry 23. EMBRACING CHANGE: Do One Thing Different This Week. ONE STUDENT'S STORY: Brandee Huigens (Northeast Iowa Community College, IA). Wise Choices in College: Writing. 7. ADOPTING LIFE-LONG LEARNING. Case Study for Critical Thinking: A Fish Story. Discovering Your Preferred Learning Style. Self-Assessment: How I Prefer to Learn. A. Thinking Learners. B. Doing Learners. C. Feeling Learners. D. Innovating Learners. Journal Entry 24. ONE STUDENT'S STORY: Melissa Thompson (Madison Area Technical College, WI). Employing Critical Thinking. Constructing Logical Arguments. Asking Probing Questions. Applying Critical Thinking. Journal Entry 25. Learning to Make Course Corrections. Change Requires Self-Awareness and Courage. Change and Lifelong Learning. Journal Entry 26. ONE STUDENT'S STORY: Jessie Maggard (Urbana University, OH). Lifelong Learning at Work. Believing in Yourself: Develop Self-Respect. Live with Integrity. Keep Commitments. Journal Entry 27. EMBRACING CHANGE: Do One Thing Different This Week. Wise Choices in College: Taking Tests. 8. DEVELOPING EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE. Case Study for Critical Thinking: After Math. Understanding Emotional Intelligence. Four Components of Emotional Intelligence. Knowing Your Own Emotions. Journal Entry 28. ONE STUDENT'S STORY: Lindsey Beck (Three Rivers Community College, CT). Reducing Stress. What Is Stress? What Happens When Stress Persists? Unhealthy Stress Reduction. Healthy Stress Reduction. Choose Your Attitude. Journal Entry 29. ONE STUDENT'S STORY: Jaime Sanmiguel (Miami Dade College, FL). Creating Flow. College and Flow. Work and Flow. Journal Entry 30. Emotional Intelligence at Work. Believing in Yourself: Develop Self-Love. Design a Self-care Plan. Journal Entry 31. EMBRACING CHANGE: Do One Thing Different This Week. Wise Choices in College: Money Management. 9. STAYING ON COURSE TO YOUR SUCCESS. Planning Your Next Steps. Assess Yourself, Again. Self-Assessment. Journal Entry 32.