Here’s the Introduction to the book:

There are a lot of reasons for going to college. You could be going to get out into the world to get some experience or to learn about the diverse and amazing world we live in. You could be going to prove to yourself or others that you can succeed. It is possible that you’re going because you don’t know what else to do or what other choices you have. Or the reason to go may be that the career you want requires a college education. You may be going to have a good time and meet new people. Whatever your reason, you will spend the next two or four years—or possibly more—in college. 

The goal of this workshop is to help you make the most of those years—in terms of learning, professional growth and career preparation. Right now, college life is probably full of unknowns for you—you can only guess at the exciting opportunities and the possibly troubling challenges you are about to meet. Having some preparation and thinking ahead will help you meet those challenges and emerge as the person you want to be. Although preparation will help a lot, the truth is this: its all up to you. That is the most important thing to know. Whether you are a top student, or you skate by, or you decide to drop out, your results depend on you. 

That means there are a few things you have to learn how to do—manage your time, study effectively, and make learning a priority. You may have to overcome the temptations of college life and decide to study. Making that decision can be difficult because you may not have had to work very hard in high school, you may not know how to study effectively and you may not want to put in all the effort needed. To help you, I’ve put together a workbook of the most important topics and skills that you need to know to become a successful college student, with more confidence and less stress and frustration. 

The activities are gathered from research on how the brain learns and from classroom practices. This workbook doesn’t simply tell you what to do. It’s designed to give you a place to consider your own style to help you work through all the hurdles in your own unique way.   

How To Use This Book

Throughout the book, you will find information set off in boxes telling you what you need to know in order to succeed. This is knowledge that experienced students have and professors expect. Use this insight as you navigate your college experience. Prepare for college in advance and refer to this information when appropriate. In this book, you will find information and activities to help you prepare for college, but no book can cover every situation. And what works for a typical student might not suit your circumstances, needs and personality. Use this book as a starting point and adapt the advice to serve you best. Use it as a way to develop problem-solving skills that you can apply to the unique situations you face. 

Need To Do

You will also find boxes that set off what you need to do. These offer tips for actions you can take to make your experience better. Prepare for college in advance and refer to these action items in the appropriate situations. 

Sessions

Each session of this book is composed of two parts: session reading and session activities. Readings should be completed before starting the activities for each session, as the information you learn will be used to solve problems and inform discussions. Readings do not need to be completed as a group, but everyone should be on the same page before getting together for activities. 

Group Size

The activities portions of the Need To Know College Success Workshop are designed to be experienced in a group setting, such as a classroom, study group, or any other small group setting. A group size of 4-6 people is recommended, but larger groups may split up into smaller circles to ensure that everyone can complete activities in a timely manner. If you don’t have a group to work with, you may complete the instructions on your own and discuss your findings with a friend or adult when needed. 

Materials Needed

Each participant should have their own copy of this book. On the website you can print copies of the activities and any included worksheets for each member of your group. Basic classroom supplies such as a pencil and paper, note cards, and sticky notes will be required to complete some work. A few exercises also contain instructions which require you to research information, watch a video, or read an article. You’ll want to have a computer, tablet or smartphone handy to look up these resources. Some instructions for activities call for other materials. 

Facilitation

The workshop activities are designed to be led by a facilitator to set up the room and provide added explanations. They can also be done individually. If you are organizing a study group without a facilitator, before you get started, choose a facilitator who will be responsible for leading the workshop. The facilitator will be responsible for directing the group, handing out worksheets, reading instructions aloud, monitoring discussions, and making sure that every one in the group had a change to participate.