From the Region VI training conference Winter 2010 Region VI of the SSCCC at SBCC -Atty Garfinkel

1. Creating A College Support TeamBasics for life on Campus

2. Freshmen year: 1) Orientation for your campus. 2) Set your goals 3) Assessment Tests 4) Register for classes 5) Sign up for tutoring and instructors office hours 6) Learn the system so you can succeed. Ok, but then what?

3. If it takes a village to raise a child, what does it take to educate one? Let’s talk about aptitude tests. An aptitude test is a series of questions on a broad range of subject designed to focus on where your interests and skills actually are. You may say, my dad was a doctor and I am going to be a doctor. That’s great, but what if you just aren’t cut out for it? Wouldn’t you like to know ahead of time? What if you have a talent for art, for business, for physics or for education? You need to identify your own values and goals for your future, in combination with your natural skill set. Now set your goal.

4. Once you have established a goal it is time to figure out how to achieve that goal. That is where a network of support people comes into play. Identify people who will help you achieve your goal. We expect college employees to help us, but try looking outside the box. Can you think of those who might be able to help you other than faculty and staff? Staff Teachers My support team

5. Lets play a little game. We have thought of places you can get help achieving your goals and creating a support team. Each participant in this game should take a few moments and write down as many people/groups/categories as you can think of, in 3 minute. Ready? Set….

6. GO!

7. Your 3 minutes are up. How many do you have? We came up with About 15 total.

8. Do you have all the same ones we do? Parents/family, friends, faculty, staff, tutors, student study groups, student government systems, librarian, administrators, trustees, alumni, community organizations, religious groups, cultural groups, local foundations, Etc.

9. Sometimes it can feel overwhelming. Like you are working the system alone. But many people are dedicated to seeing students succeed. But no one is as important as the one person we have yet to mention…

10. YOU. Each college support team must revolve around you. What works for you? Don’t get me wrong, you have to put in the time on your studies, but having the resources of an effective support team at your finger tips, just might mean the difference between an A and any other grade.

11. Here is the thing, once you have a strong working system in place for yourself, you have to help the next student. You have to help them establish their support system, and be a part of it. Community Colleges are like a spiders web, at some point we are all connected in one thread, but we spiral away from the center towards the rest of the world.

12. Sophomore year: 1) Register for your classes 2) Sign up for any of the support programs you are in (EOPS, DSPS etc) 3) Show someone else how to succeed 4) Help someone realize their own dreams and goals 5) Encourage the Freshmen who are frustrated with the system. 6) Realize that you just became a leader.

13. Every goal and dream has very specific requirements to achieve it. To graduate you have to do the work, but in creating a support system and passing it on, you help to change the culture of an institution for the better. Ghandi said “Be the change you wish to see.” It is time students did just that.

14. Created for educational purposes with in the California Community College System By, Ms. Atsiylah Garfinkel Santa Barbara City College ASG & Region VI Senator of the Student Senate for California Community Colleges Fall General Assembly-2009