When
you have registered for classes, printed out your schedule,
paid your fees, and
bought your books and supplies you are ready to begin your educational
journey. Now be sure to attend your first class meeting(s) and
remember that your ongoing attendance is an important part of
your ultimate success.
“Follow-up” is a process in which
you will participate until you leave the College of San Mateo
after achieving your goals. Initiate your follow-up process
soon after the semester begins and to the Counseling Center
and to schedule your first appointment with a Counselor/Advisor.
It is during this first follow-up counseling appointment that
you begin the real work in educational planning. When the pressure
of the registration period has subsided, you can sit and talk
with a counselor about YOU, your interests, motivations, plans,
strengths, weaknesses, questions, and more. It is important
for YOU to understand the educational options and decisions
ahead of you and exactly what you must do to achieve your educational
goals. It is at this first follow-up appointment when you and
your counselor will begin to create a Student Educational Plan
(SEP). The SEP is a personalized map of what courses, and sequence
of courses, you will take and it illustrates how your educational
path with flow to your ultimate goal of a certificate, Associate
degree, or transfer.
The
SEP is not written in cement and it is likely that it will change
as you change and become increasingly focused and clear about
your educational plans. In this regard, plan to meet with a
counselor/advisor at least once during each semester to review
your educational goals, and update and modify your SEP so that
you continue to have a “map” to follow and a clear
plan to work toward your goals.
Your
follow-up process includes, but is not limited to, the following
services and activities.
Ongoing academic counseling and advising,
CRER classes to help you understand college planning, how to
transfer, how to select a college major, and more,
Utilization of Career Services activities and counseling(located
in the Counseling Center, Bldg 5, Rm 128)
Utilization of University Transfer service activities and counseling
Utilization of Assessment Center services (located in Bldg 1,
Rm 130) for career assessment
Financial aid services
Student employment services
Participation in student activities and Student Government
In order to succeed at the College of San Mateo, we recommend
that you consider the following:
ATTEND
CLASS REGULARLY, ESPECIALLY THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS
Students are responsible for maintaining regular
class attendance. Instructors are not obligated to hold seats
for students who are enrolled but do not attend the first class
meeting, especially if other eligible students are present and
seeking to add the class. It is the responsibility of the student,
at the beginning of the semester, to become aware of the attendance
policies of the instructor for each class in which they are
enrolled. It is also the student’s responsibility to drop
the class.
FIND
A GREAT COUNSELOR OR ADVISOR
The right counselor or advisor will support and
guide you.
FIND
AND GET TO KNOW AT LEAST ONE INDIVIDUAL ON CAMPUS WHO CARES
ABOUT YOUR SURVIVAL
It only takes one person to support your college
efforts. You may have to take the initiative to establish the
relationship, but it will be well worth it.
MAINTAIN COMMUNICATION WITH YOUR INSTRUCTORS
We encourage you to become familiar with your
instructor’s expectations, which are usually presented
by your instructor in class and/or through the course syllabus.
Your instructors are required to schedule office hours to meet
with students to promote interaction outside the class. Find
out when your instructors hold office hours and plan to meet
each one during this time to discuss the class, your progress,
and just talk!
UNDERSTAND
WHY YOU ARE IN COLLEGE
Identify
specific goals. Allow yourself to continue to explore and refine
your goals and objectives and your exposure to subjects, people,
and careers increases.
TAKE CHARGE
OF YOUR TIME AND SCHEDULE
Allow
sufficient time for study, work, family obligations, classes,
sleep, and recreation. Learn to balance your responsibilities
successfully. It takes TIME to be successful.
ASSESS AND
IMPROVE YOUR STUDY SKILLS
We
are not born with the innate ability to study and learn. Find
out about your learning style and improve your study and learning
skills.
IMPROVE YOUR
WRITING SKILLS.
Your
performance in every class will be affected by your writing
ability. Did you get all “A’s” in high school
English? Well that’s good BUT college writing is demanding.
Work on it!
BE PREPARED
TO TAKE RESPONSABILITY FOR YOUR LEARNING
College
classes demand that students become independent learners. Your
academic achievement depends on your ability to learn how to
learn. This takes time and attention.
JOIN
AT LEAST ONE STUDY GROUP
All
research shows that students who utilize study groups have a
better chance of surviving in college and generally do better
in classes.
UTILIZE
SUPPORT SERVICES
The College of San Mateo offers a wide range
of student support services. We encourage you to utilize as
many services as possible. Successful people USE resources available
to them. Utilize career and transfer services, library services,
health services and more! We are here to assist you! Student
Services Online
FAMILIARIZE
YOURSELF WITH COLLEGE POLICIES AND ACADEMIC DEADLINES
Information is always accessible to students
through the college website, college catalog, and schedule of
classes.
SCHEDULE
A COUNSELING APPOINTMENT TO DEVELOP A STUDENT EDUCATIONAL PLAN
Orientation is a great resource to assist you
in your first semester. It is in your best interest to schedule
a counseling appointment to plan your courses and develop a
two-year educational plan (or one suited to your situation).
Requirements are also subject to change without notice, so we
recommend that you meet with a Counselor at least once a semester.
If you have a current SEP, you'll receive priority registration!
GET
INVOLVED!
We encourage you to participate in the different
student activities and opportunities listed above. Students
who participate in activities are more likely to graduate.
DEVELOP
A REALISTIC EDUCATIONAL WORKLOAD
Although many students graduate, obtain a certificate,
and/or transfer within 2 years, not everyone can or may want
to. Since we all have different circumstances, including work
and personal responsibilities, we encourage you to plan an educational
workload that fits your current lifestyle. Students should be
cautious of the number of units in which they enroll each term
and not underestimate the amount of time required for college
studies. Students who enroll in too many units often jeopardize
their chances of completing courses. The rule of thumb is that
for every hour spent in class will require at least two hours
of study time outside of class.
TAKE
ACADEMIC HONESTY SERIOUSLY
Instructors may dismiss a student involved in
dishonest behavior, such as cheating and plagiarism, from a
class with a grade of “F” and will direct the matter
for further disciplinary action to the Vice President of Student
Services. (04/05 College Catalog, pgs. 6-7)
