PART ONE: Preparing for Success
Chapter 1: Exploring Your Purpose for Attending College
Student Profile: Rachel Olga Ford, Sinclair Community College
The College Experience
Setting Goals for Your College Experience and Beyond
Tech Tip: Expand Your Skills
Outcomes of College
Making the Transition
What Is Your Purpose in College?
Chapter 2: Managing Your Time
Student Profile: Roberto LeGrand, Community College of Rhode Island
Taking Control of Your Time
Getting Organized
Making Sure Your Schedule Works for You
Tech Tip: Get Organized
Respecting Others' Time
Chapter 3: Understanding Emotional Intelligence
Student Profile: Sabeena Maharjan, Oklahoma City Community College
What Is Emotional Intelligence?
Assessing Your Emotional Intelligence
Identifying Competencies
Tech Tip: Stay Connected
How Emotions Affect Success
How to Improve Your Emotional Intelligence
Chapter 4: Discovering How You Learn
Student Profile: Robert Schein, Truman College
The VARK Learning Styles Inventory
The Kolb Inventory of Learning Styles
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
Multiple Intelligences
When Learning Styles and Teaching Styles Conflict
Tech Tip: Branch Out
Learning with a Disability
PART TWO: Preparing to Study
Chapter 5: Thinking Critically: The Basis of a College Education
Student Profile: Donna Hardy Williford, Pitt Community College
What Is Critical Thinking, and Why Is It Important?
Becoming a Critical Thinker
How Collaboration Fosters Critical Thinking
Thinking Critically about Arguments
Tech Tip: Research Wisely
Critical Thinking in College and Everyday Life
Chapter 6: Being Engaged in Learning: Listening, Taking Notes, and Participating in Class
Student Profile: Jordan Hardy, Santa Monica City College
Using Your Senses in the Learning Process
Preparing for Class
Participating in Class
Taking Effective Notes
Tech Tip: Take Notes Like a Rock Star
Reviewing Your Notes
Becoming Engaged in Learning
Chapter 7: Reading to Learn from College Textbooks
Student profile: Irene Ramirez, Community College of Rhode Island
A Plan for Active Reading
Strategies for Reading Textbooks
Tech Tip: Embrace the E-Book
Monitoring Your Reading
Improving Your Reading
Chapter 8: Learning to Study, Comprehend, and Remember
Student Profile: Joshua Mortin, Massachusetts Bay Community College
Studying to Understand and Remember
Tech Tip: Don't Be a Virtual Wallflower
How Memory Works
Improving Your Memory
Chapter 9: Improving Your Performance on Exams and Tests
Student Profile: Jaime Espino, Pitt Community College
Getting Prepared for Tests and Exams
Taking Tests and Exams
Types of Tests
Tech Tip: Fear Not the Online Test
Overcoming Test Anxiety
Academic Honesty and Misconduct
Chapter10: Writing and Speaking Effectively
Student Profile: Victoria Walter, Santa Fe Community College
Writing
Using Freewriting to Discover What You Want to Say
Tech Tip: Blog for Brilliance
The Writing Process
Choosing the Best Way to Communicate with Your Audience
SPEAKING
Preparing a Speech
Using Your Voice and Body Language
The GUIDE Checklist
Speaking on the Spot
Chapter 11: Developing Library, Research, and Information Literacy Skills
Student Profile: Analee Bracero, Ocean County College
Information Literacy
Choosing, Narrowing, and Researching a Topic
Using the Library
Tech Tip: Check Your Engine
Electronic Resources
Evaluating Sources
Making Use of What You Find
PART THREE: Preparing for Life
Chapter 12: Making the Right Choice for Majors and Careers
Student Profile: Megan Henley, Eastern Wyoming College
Careers and the New Economy
Aligning Your Sense of Purpose and Your Career
Planning for Your Career
Skills Employers Look For
Working in College
Tech Tip: Job Search Wisely
Chapter 13: Managing Your Money
Student Profile: Cody M. Rosier, Florida State College at Jacksonville
Living on a Budget
Getting Financial Aid
Achieving a Balance between Working and Borrowing
Managing Credit Wisely
Tech Tip: Create Wealth and Security
Planning for the Future
Chapter 14: Establishing and Maintaining Relationships in College
Student Profile: Benjamin Smock, Bunker Hill Community College
Building Relationships with College Instructors
Friendships in and beyond College
Tech Tip: Maintain Some Mystery
Getting Serious with Relationships
Family Connections
Getting Involved
Chapter 15: Appreciating Diversity
Student Profile: Devin Webb, Sinclair Community College
Understanding Diversity and the Source of Our Beliefs
Forms of Diversity
Seeking Diversity on Campus
Discrimination, Prejudice, and Insensitivity on College Campuses
Challenge Yourself to Experience Diversity
Tech Tip: The Case for Volunteering
Chapter 16: Maintaining Wellness
Student Profile: Matthew Chinchilla, Ocean County College
Managing Stress
Mental Health
Nutrition and Weight Management
Sexual Health
Tech Tip: Surf for Health
Substance Abuse
Epilogue: Taking the Next Steps to Success
Glossary
Credits
Index