Recently I've been spending some time with younger children and teens in a low-income area of my community, and there is a question that's been plaguing me.
How do you help students catch up when they've received a poor K-12 education?
When you're young you don't control where you're born or what school you attend. What happens if you happen to go through life in a school that simply doesn't prepare you for what you hope to accomplish in your future?
Or what if other stressful things occur in your life that make it impossible to focus, study, or develop the habits necessary to learn what you need to learn when you're young?
What happens when you get to community college and test into remedial courses. Is there hope?
That's one of the many questions that's been plaguing me lately, and it's one of the reasons I'll be attending Harvard's Institute on Closing the Achievement Gap next week.
So when I read this quote today by Jeff Nelson, the CEO of OneGoal (an organization that works with students from high school through their freshman year to ensure they graduate college) in How Children Succeed by Paul Tough, I was intrigued:
See what stands out to you here as Nelson expresses why his program extends into the freshman year of college:
"'Freshman year is this unique moment in time. Kids who have not had to persevere as much walk into college and they coast, for the most part. Or they're partying too hard. And in that moment, if our kids are working diligently and building relationships with professors and studying and using all of the skills that we've trained them to use, they can close the gap.'" (as cited in Tough, 2013, p. 172).
(Did you see that "building relationships with professors" part?! If you've read my book, you know I loved that.)
What really intrigued me about this is the idea that even if you don't grow up with a lot of money or in an area with a stellar public school system, maybe, just maybe, you can still compete - you can still catch up. You can still succeed.
Regardless of whether your school failed you or you failed yourself, that doesn't matter as much as what you're going to do about it now.
I've always believed that there's still hope.
If Nelson is right, your freshman year can be an opportunity for you to get ahead and compete on the same level as your more affluent peers.
But here's the thing - you can't coast.
It may seem unfair. And you know, it is.
But complaining about the inequality at this point won't do you any good. Focus now on catching up, fighting for the education you want, and then as you build your career maybe you can help fix some of these inequalities that make you have to work so much harder.
The cool thing, though, is that having to work harder and overcome adversity is said to develop some pretty great character traits that can help you succeed in life. Adversity, as Darren Hardy has said, can be an advantage.
So with that in mind, realize that community college can be your opportunity to catch up, to get better, to get smarter, to compete, and to get the education you need to get where you want to go - wherever that may be.
You still have a chance at the ivy leagues if that's what you want. Or you can be the absolute best paramedic, police officer, dental hygienist, nurse, or any other of the amazing career programs CC's offer.
And here's the secret to making that happen, one I break down in my book:
You can't do it alone.
You must build a community who can support and advise you. And you'll have to work harder than everyone else around you. You'll have to focus. You'll have to invest hours and hours outside the classroom. You'll have to spend tons of time in the tutoring center. You'll have to rewrite and rewrite your essays. You'll have to study like you've never studied before.
You can do it.
You can not only catch up, but you can even get ahead. You have life experience and insight that no one else has. And if you can couple that with a solid education and develop grit in the process - well then watch out world, because you're going to do big things.
This isn't easy. If it was, we wouldn't have so many college dropouts. And while I care about the statistics and want things to be better for everyone, my main focus has always been you - the student in community college right now. I'm concerned with making sure you have what you need to beat the odds and get where you want to go.
And it starts your freshman year.
To get started right now, read at least three books this summer on college success to learn strategies that can help you prepare to rock your freshman year and develop a lasting edge.
Tough, P. (2013). How children succeed: grit, curiosity, and the hidden power of character. New York: Mariner Books.
Showing posts with label remedial education. Show all posts
Showing posts with label remedial education. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
5 things to help you succeed in remedial college courses
I recently learned about an incredible 5-million-dollar College Success Prize being offered by the Robin Hood Foundation to an individual or team that can create a scalable and innovative solution to help more more students in remedial courses graduate successfully.
And while I'm not in the tech-creation business, I was deeply inspired by the ethos of this prize, and it spurred me to get closer to the remedial experience.
I reached out to some professors in my local area a few weeks ago and recently sat down with them; I also observed a remedial math course and worked closely with a student on her math program.
Whether you're currently getting through remedial courses, or you just found out that you've been placed in remedial courses and you're freaking out, I wanted to share with you what I learned.
Below are five things you REALLY should do to help ensure you're one of the ones who succeed in remedial courses:
1) Frame it as a chance to grow your brain
Some students feel like being placed on remedial classes is a failure. I want you to know it is NOT. It is a chance. It is an opportunity. And only those who see it as such will succeed.
Realize that this is your shot and you are going to have the opportunity to grow your brain, learn, get smarter, and prepare for college-level courses.
Being in remedial courses DOES NOT MEAN YOU'RE NOT SMART! It just means you need a refresher, need to make up for either lost time or maybe time in high school where you just weren't at the right place in your life to be able to focus in the way you're ready to focus now.
I HIGHLY recommend you read Mindset by Carol Dweck to learn more about how your understanding of your capacity for learning and growth can affect your success.
Also, realize that you are awesome.
The professors I met said students in their classes were HEROES. Literally, that is the word they used.
They, like me, see you as someone with grit, perseverance, someone who wants to do more with their life. This is your chance to change your life. Embrace it as such, with a positive attitude.
2) Latch on
I asked one professor what successful students in remediation were doing. She said the successful ones "latched on" to something.
Whether it was a professor, a campus club, or another mentor in the college community, she said they were the ones who DID NOT just go to class and go home.
I was thrilled to hear this because it's what my book is all about!
Meet with your professors the FIRST week of class during their office hours. Ask them questions like "what are the qualities you've seen in the students who are really successful in your class; how much time a week do you think I should be spending on this outside of class; is there a former student of yours who'd be willing to talk to me to share their advice; do you have any advice on anything I should get involved in outside of class?"
Do not just go to class and go home. Break the cycle, get out of your comfort zone, and get to know your college community. It's not just a "nice" thing to do - it's vital.
3) Read college success books
Knowing how to learn and be successful in college is a course in itself (literally, most colleges have a "college success" class - take it!!) But even with courses you should still do a TON of self-learning to get on track and get up to speed on what it takes to succeed in college.
The great news is that the knowledge is out there - every secret and strategy for succeeding in college is out there. You just have to have the dedication to read it.
My favorite books to start with are How to Win at College and How to Become a Straight-A Student by Cal Newport, as well as of course my book Community College Success!
College is HARD and requires A LOT of work and dedication outside of class. The amount of time, dedication, and outside work you do now while in remediation can pay off BIG time when it comes to your future.
4) Go to the career center
Sometimes when you start in remediation it can make you feel behind, make you feel like your career outside of classes is so far away. But now is the time to start thinking about WHY you're in remediation. WHY is all this work actually worth it to you and your life?
A really compelling and exciting reason is the only thing that's going to get you through and propel you to keep doing all the extra work necessary to succeed in remediation and in college.
Visit your college's career center (check the website or ask your professor if you aren't sure where their office is) and ask a career advice what career assessments they offer. Take the tests and begin to explore career options (I also really like InsideJobs.com).
Ask the career counselor for advice as you narrow down your interests. Then, when you think you know your career path go straight to your academic advisor to map out a plan after remediation (including a four-year plan if you want to transfer on and get a bachelor's degree).
Visit your transfer university. Read about your major. Do whatever it takes to get EXCITED about what comes after remediation.
Last October I had to study for the GRE (again) to try to raise my math scores to apply to Harvard. I literally studied the ENTIRE month of October (at least 40 hours/week) to re-teach myself tons of math concepts I had long forgotten.
It was HARD. It was boring. It was frustrating. BUT - I did it. I hung in there. Why? Because the potential reward (getting into Harvard) was worth it to me. And even though I didn't make it all the way to the Harvard program, I did raise my math score to Harvard-levels and did make it to the top 50 applicants and was flown to Boston to interview; I was so proud of that.
You have to have a goal. Make finding out your burning reason for wanting to do this the most important thing right now.
5) Go the extra mile
Doing the bare minimum will not work in any college course, but especially remediation. Your goal should not be just to "get by" or "get through" your courses. It should be to LEARN the material, to grow your brain, to get smarter so that you can succeed even more in the next course you take.
Do things that no one else in your class is doing. Meet with the professor often. Spend extra time on your assignments. Focus on the things you don't get and keep working them until you get it.
Go to the tutoring center and work in the library every day.
Read books outside of class. Talk to successful students. Form study groups. Join a club. Prioritize school over work. Get involved.
Study. Study. Study.
---
And finally, remember, you are a hero. You are not stopping. You are not giving up. You are taking ownership of your education. That is something you should be SO PROUD of.
There is a whole college behind you, wishing your success. Why do you think The Robin Hood Foundation is putting out a 5-million-dollar College Success Prize to help students like you?
Because we all believe in your potential. Your college and community are trying to figure out the best ways to support you. But you also have to do your part.
The best news? You're so capable. You've gotten yourself this far, right? And you read this entire blog post. That tells me you're basically the coolest student who's ever lived.
And while I'm not in the tech-creation business, I was deeply inspired by the ethos of this prize, and it spurred me to get closer to the remedial experience.
I reached out to some professors in my local area a few weeks ago and recently sat down with them; I also observed a remedial math course and worked closely with a student on her math program.
Whether you're currently getting through remedial courses, or you just found out that you've been placed in remedial courses and you're freaking out, I wanted to share with you what I learned.
Below are five things you REALLY should do to help ensure you're one of the ones who succeed in remedial courses:
1) Frame it as a chance to grow your brain
Some students feel like being placed on remedial classes is a failure. I want you to know it is NOT. It is a chance. It is an opportunity. And only those who see it as such will succeed.
Realize that this is your shot and you are going to have the opportunity to grow your brain, learn, get smarter, and prepare for college-level courses.
Being in remedial courses DOES NOT MEAN YOU'RE NOT SMART! It just means you need a refresher, need to make up for either lost time or maybe time in high school where you just weren't at the right place in your life to be able to focus in the way you're ready to focus now.
I HIGHLY recommend you read Mindset by Carol Dweck to learn more about how your understanding of your capacity for learning and growth can affect your success.
Also, realize that you are awesome.
The professors I met said students in their classes were HEROES. Literally, that is the word they used.
They, like me, see you as someone with grit, perseverance, someone who wants to do more with their life. This is your chance to change your life. Embrace it as such, with a positive attitude.
2) Latch on
I asked one professor what successful students in remediation were doing. She said the successful ones "latched on" to something.
Whether it was a professor, a campus club, or another mentor in the college community, she said they were the ones who DID NOT just go to class and go home.
I was thrilled to hear this because it's what my book is all about!
Meet with your professors the FIRST week of class during their office hours. Ask them questions like "what are the qualities you've seen in the students who are really successful in your class; how much time a week do you think I should be spending on this outside of class; is there a former student of yours who'd be willing to talk to me to share their advice; do you have any advice on anything I should get involved in outside of class?"
Do not just go to class and go home. Break the cycle, get out of your comfort zone, and get to know your college community. It's not just a "nice" thing to do - it's vital.
3) Read college success books
Knowing how to learn and be successful in college is a course in itself (literally, most colleges have a "college success" class - take it!!) But even with courses you should still do a TON of self-learning to get on track and get up to speed on what it takes to succeed in college.
The great news is that the knowledge is out there - every secret and strategy for succeeding in college is out there. You just have to have the dedication to read it.
My favorite books to start with are How to Win at College and How to Become a Straight-A Student by Cal Newport, as well as of course my book Community College Success!
College is HARD and requires A LOT of work and dedication outside of class. The amount of time, dedication, and outside work you do now while in remediation can pay off BIG time when it comes to your future.
4) Go to the career center
Sometimes when you start in remediation it can make you feel behind, make you feel like your career outside of classes is so far away. But now is the time to start thinking about WHY you're in remediation. WHY is all this work actually worth it to you and your life?
A really compelling and exciting reason is the only thing that's going to get you through and propel you to keep doing all the extra work necessary to succeed in remediation and in college.
Visit your college's career center (check the website or ask your professor if you aren't sure where their office is) and ask a career advice what career assessments they offer. Take the tests and begin to explore career options (I also really like InsideJobs.com).
Ask the career counselor for advice as you narrow down your interests. Then, when you think you know your career path go straight to your academic advisor to map out a plan after remediation (including a four-year plan if you want to transfer on and get a bachelor's degree).
Visit your transfer university. Read about your major. Do whatever it takes to get EXCITED about what comes after remediation.
Last October I had to study for the GRE (again) to try to raise my math scores to apply to Harvard. I literally studied the ENTIRE month of October (at least 40 hours/week) to re-teach myself tons of math concepts I had long forgotten.
It was HARD. It was boring. It was frustrating. BUT - I did it. I hung in there. Why? Because the potential reward (getting into Harvard) was worth it to me. And even though I didn't make it all the way to the Harvard program, I did raise my math score to Harvard-levels and did make it to the top 50 applicants and was flown to Boston to interview; I was so proud of that.
You have to have a goal. Make finding out your burning reason for wanting to do this the most important thing right now.
5) Go the extra mile
Doing the bare minimum will not work in any college course, but especially remediation. Your goal should not be just to "get by" or "get through" your courses. It should be to LEARN the material, to grow your brain, to get smarter so that you can succeed even more in the next course you take.
Do things that no one else in your class is doing. Meet with the professor often. Spend extra time on your assignments. Focus on the things you don't get and keep working them until you get it.
Go to the tutoring center and work in the library every day.
Read books outside of class. Talk to successful students. Form study groups. Join a club. Prioritize school over work. Get involved.
Study. Study. Study.
---
And finally, remember, you are a hero. You are not stopping. You are not giving up. You are taking ownership of your education. That is something you should be SO PROUD of.
There is a whole college behind you, wishing your success. Why do you think The Robin Hood Foundation is putting out a 5-million-dollar College Success Prize to help students like you?
Because we all believe in your potential. Your college and community are trying to figure out the best ways to support you. But you also have to do your part.
The best news? You're so capable. You've gotten yourself this far, right? And you read this entire blog post. That tells me you're basically the coolest student who's ever lived.
Monday, April 22, 2013
The 1-question "Will you be successful?" quiz
I developed a quick 1-question quiz to predict whether or not you will be successful at whatever it is you are doing right now.
Are you ready?
Okay, let's go.
Agree or Disagree: "How good you are in the beginning is no indicator of how good you can become." - Astronaut Mark Kelly
Got your answer?
Answer Key:
If you said Agree: you are going to be successful!! Woo hoo. Do a little dance.
If you said Disagree:....well....uh....gosh...this is awkward.... ;)
I have to give all the credit to Mark Kelly who I heard say this yesterday at the American Association of Community College's annual conference.
When he shared this statement I immediately thought of you. I thought of the students who struggled in high school; I thought of the students in remedial math and reading; I thought of those who e-mail me feeling defeated after failing a test; I thought of those who get a bad SAT score or a bad grade and think they just aren't smart, that they should give up now to protect their ego.
But the truth is, most great people were not naturally amazing at what they are doing now. They worked hard and strategically at it. And most importantly - they overcame obstacles because they believed they could get better.
Astronaut Mark Kelly said this when talking about landing his first airplane on a boat; he didn't do a great job and afterwards the commander said to him, "are you sure this is the right career for you?" Mark didn't let that deter him, and he became one of the few who fly into space.
Do you really believe you have the power and potential to get really good at what you are working on right now? Do you believe you can do this, get better, and reach greatness?
I'm not into cheesy pop psychology stuff; this stuff is for real. I was just reading a great book from Harvard Educational Press called Ready, Willing, & Able that also cited (using studies done on motivational theory) that students' belief about how much they can control their growth, improvement, and potential is a MUCH greater indicator of future success than anything else.
Do you think you can do this? Do you think you have the power to improve and get great at what you want to do with your life? If you do, then watch out world, because here you come! :)
If you don't, find a mentor at your college right away and talk about this. Read biographies of great people you admire and notice what they did to change their future and develop the skill that made them famous. Go the extra mile in whatever it is you're working on right now and watch how the results change.
Okay, now it's time for the pop quiz surprise success test:
I've determined - with my scientific prowess and a super complicated/advanced method - that reading all the way to the end of this article means you WILL be super crazy successful. Seriously, you can't argue with science. ;)
Are you ready?
Okay, let's go.
Agree or Disagree: "How good you are in the beginning is no indicator of how good you can become." - Astronaut Mark Kelly
Got your answer?
Answer Key:
If you said Agree: you are going to be successful!! Woo hoo. Do a little dance.
If you said Disagree:....well....uh....gosh...this is awkward.... ;)
I have to give all the credit to Mark Kelly who I heard say this yesterday at the American Association of Community College's annual conference.
When he shared this statement I immediately thought of you. I thought of the students who struggled in high school; I thought of the students in remedial math and reading; I thought of those who e-mail me feeling defeated after failing a test; I thought of those who get a bad SAT score or a bad grade and think they just aren't smart, that they should give up now to protect their ego.
But the truth is, most great people were not naturally amazing at what they are doing now. They worked hard and strategically at it. And most importantly - they overcame obstacles because they believed they could get better.
Astronaut Mark Kelly said this when talking about landing his first airplane on a boat; he didn't do a great job and afterwards the commander said to him, "are you sure this is the right career for you?" Mark didn't let that deter him, and he became one of the few who fly into space.
Do you really believe you have the power and potential to get really good at what you are working on right now? Do you believe you can do this, get better, and reach greatness?
I'm not into cheesy pop psychology stuff; this stuff is for real. I was just reading a great book from Harvard Educational Press called Ready, Willing, & Able that also cited (using studies done on motivational theory) that students' belief about how much they can control their growth, improvement, and potential is a MUCH greater indicator of future success than anything else.
Do you think you can do this? Do you think you have the power to improve and get great at what you want to do with your life? If you do, then watch out world, because here you come! :)
If you don't, find a mentor at your college right away and talk about this. Read biographies of great people you admire and notice what they did to change their future and develop the skill that made them famous. Go the extra mile in whatever it is you're working on right now and watch how the results change.
Okay, now it's time for the pop quiz surprise success test:
I've determined - with my scientific prowess and a super complicated/advanced method - that reading all the way to the end of this article means you WILL be super crazy successful. Seriously, you can't argue with science. ;)
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