Going to College – How to Stick with it and Graduate

College&CareerPathways

Going to College – How to Stick with it and Graduate

Overview

Estimated time to complete: 20-30 minutes

Target audience: 9th-12th graders

This lesson will cover:

• What are the real reasons that students drop out of college
• How can you create community, commit to graduation, and learn how to finance your education
• Habits of success

GOING TO COLLEGE - HOW TO STICK WITH IT AND GRADUATE

Going to College – How to Stick with it and Graduate

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Before You Start

This lesson consists of 5 short videos that walk you through the primary reasons that students leave college before receiving their degree, and what steps you can take to help prevent it from happening to you. Each video has questions to help you reflect on what’s important to you around this topic.

To make the most of this lesson:

• Create a “College & Career Pathways” folder in your Google Drive.
• Save a copy of the Going to College – How to Stick with it and Graduate Reflection Questions to this folder so you can fill in your thoughts as you go along, and have this document to refer back to in the future.

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GOING TO COLLEGE - HOW TO STICK WITH IT AND GRADUATE

1. Why do college students drop out?

Watch this video:

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Then answer: Did any of this surprise you? If so, what?

Remember to fill in your answer on your copy of the Going to College – How to Stick with it and Graduate Reflection Questions.

GOING TO COLLEGE - HOW TO STICK WITH IT AND GRADUATE

2. Create your school community

Watch this video:

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Then: Describe a time when you felt a strong connection to your middle or high school. Why did you feel connected? Why do you think that matters?

How have you managed being in new situations before?

In college, what are a couple of strategies you may use to start building friendships?

GOING TO COLLEGE - HOW TO STICK WITH IT AND GRADUATE

3. Commit to your graduation

Watch this video:

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Then answer: Why college? Why now?

What will motivate you to succeed when college becomes challenging?

Imagine it done – you have just graduated and have your diploma in hand. What does that look/sound/feel like? Who is there celebrating with you? What does this accomplishment mean to you?

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GOING TO COLLEGE - HOW TO STICK WITH IT AND GRADUATE

4. Learn how to finance college

Watch this video:

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Then answer: What do you already know about paying for college?

Where might you learn more about how to pay for college?

Is there one step you can take within the next day or two to help you find out one more thing about paying for college?

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GOING TO COLLEGE - HOW TO STICK WITH IT AND GRADUATE

5. Habits of Success

Watch this video:

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Then: Review the Habits of Success slides in the presentation found here and answer the questions on the next couple pages to identify your strengths and habits you want to develop.

GOING TO COLLEGE - HOW TO STICK WITH IT AND GRADUATE

5. Habits of Success

Your Strengths:

• Identify two skills or behaviors from the Habits of Success that are strengths for you.
• What skills and behaviors have most supported your success in school, extra-curricular activity or at work?
• In what ways have these habits contributed to your successes?

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GOING TO COLLEGE - HOW TO STICK WITH IT AND GRADUATE

5. Habits of Success

Habits of Success I Want to Develop:

• Identify 2 Habits of Success that you currently do not practice or that you could improve that will better support your success in school.
• Challenge yourself to mindfully follow these practices this year.
• What are some immediate steps you could take to adopt this behavior/mindset?
• Which step will you take today or tomorrow?
• Who can support you as you take these steps?
• How will taking these steps/developing these habits support your motivation to earn a degree?

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GOING TO COLLEGE - HOW TO STICK WITH IT AND GRADUATE