Step 2
College Readiness
What Does it Mean to be "College Ready"?
Key Traits for Being "College Ready"
Interest in Learning (Intrinsic Motivation)
Participation and Perseverance in Learning Activities
Critical Thinking
Self-Advocacy
Self-Efficacy
Curiosity
Independence
Fluency with Academic Communication (fluency with Learning Management System)
INTRINSIC MOTIVATION
Beginning projects independently
Motivation comes from within as opposed to being motivated by external tokens and rewards
The reward is satisfaction with the work or one’s performance and the positive feelings associated with completing a task to the best of one’s ability
PARTICIPATION AND PERSEVERANCE IN LEARNING ACTIVITIES (SHOWING UP/ EFFORT)
Completing all tasks
Attending class
Participating in group and class discussions, projects,
Opting in to new experiences and challenges
Working through challenges, roadblocks, time constraints, personal conflicts to not only complete a task but to develop grit and determination
Looking at Multiple Perspectives (and noticing which perspectives are not present)
Questioning ideas
Reconsidering one’s position based on new evidence and emerging information
CRITICAL THINKING
Looking at Multiple Perspectives (and noticing which perspectives are not present)
Questioning ideas
Reconsidering one’s position based on new evidence and emerging information
SELF ADVOCACY
Setting goals for oneself, carving an action path, evaluating results at intervals
Asking for assistance, feedback and guidance from teachers and mentors
Making choices and decisions that align with goals
Problem solving
SELF EFFICACY
Definition: Belief that one can succeed
4 Sources of Self Efficacy (Bandura, 1994)
Mastery Experiences (Applying peak effort to tasks to begin to map one’s capability; risk taking)
Vicarious Experiences (seeing someone similar to oneself succeed)
Social persuasion (feedback from others)Reduced stress reactions and reduce negativity associated with tasks
CURIOSITY
Seeking out new experiences
Finding comfort in the unfamiliar
Expanding and Diversifying one’s interests
Receptive to new ideas and perspectives
INDEPENDENCE
Ability to follow oral and written directions
Ask for help when confused or struggling
Time management
FLUENCY WITH ACADEMIC COMMUNICATION & USING LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Demonstrates responsibility for communicating with academic professionals through written and oral means: e-mail, phone, in-person
Fluency with a learning management system (ie., Blackboard, Canvas, high school systems)Timely communication regarding feedback and requests
What "College Ready" mean to you?
Please post here and share your thoughts on the "What Does it Mean to be "College Ready"? section.
Pick up to 3 traits that are the most meaningful to you and share why.
What might you add or remove from the list of the traits?
Create SMART Goals
To make sure your goals are clear and reachable, each one should be SMART:
Specific (simple, sensible, significant).
Measurable (meaningful, motivating).
Achievable (agreed, attainable).
Relevant (reasonable, realistic and resourced, results-based).
Time bound (time-based, time limited, time/cost limited, timely, time-sensitive).
How to be SMART
1. Specific
Your goal should be clear and specific, otherwise you won't be able to focus your efforts or feel truly motivated to achieve it. When drafting your goal, try to answer the five "W" questions:
What do I want to accomplish?
Why is this goal important?
Who is involved?
Where is it located?
Which resources or limits are involved?
Example
Imagine that you are currently a marketing executive, and you'd like to become head of marketing. A specific goal could be, "I want to gain the skills and experience necessary to become head of marketing within my organization, so that I can build my career and lead a successful team."
2. Measurable
It's important to have measurable goals, so that you can track your progress and stay motivated. Assessing progress helps you to stay focused, meet your deadlines, and feel the excitement of getting closer to achieving your goal.
A measurable goal should address questions such as:
How much?
How many?
How will I know when it is accomplished?
Example
You might measure your goal of acquiring the skills to become head of marketing by determining that you will have completed the necessary training courses and gained the relevant experience within five years' time.
3. Achievable
Your goal also needs to be realistic and attainable to be successful. In other words, it should stretch your abilities but still remain possible. When you set an achievable goal, you may be able to identify previously overlooked opportunities or resources that can bring you closer to it.
An achievable goal will usually answer questions such as:
How can I accomplish this goal?
How realistic is the goal, based on other constraints, such as financial factors?
Example
You might need to ask yourself whether developing the skills required to become head of marketing is realistic, based on your existing experience and qualifications. For example, do you have the time to complete the required training effectively? Are the necessary resources available to you? Can you afford to do it?
4. Relevant
This step is about ensuring that your goal matters to you, and that it also aligns with other relevant goals. We all need support and assistance in achieving our goals, but it's important to retain control over them. So, make sure that your plans drive everyone forward, but that you're still responsible for achieving your own goal.
A relevant goal can answer "yes" to these questions:
Does this seem worthwhile?
Is this the right time?
Does this match our other efforts/needs?
Am I the right person to reach this goal?
Is it applicable in the current socio-economic environment?
Example
You might want to gain the skills to become head of marketing within your organization, but is it the right time to undertake the required training, or work toward additional qualifications? Are you sure that you're the right person for the head of marketing role? Have you considered your spouse's goals? For example, if you want to start a family, would completing training in your free time make this more difficult?
5. Time-bound
Every goal needs a target date, so that you have a deadline to focus on and something to work toward. This part of the SMART goal criteria helps to prevent everyday tasks from taking priority over your longer-term goals.
A time-bound goal will usually answer these questions:
When?
What can I do six months from now?
What can I do six weeks from now?
What can I do today?
Example
Gaining the skills to become head of marketing may require additional training or experience , as we mentioned earlier. How long will it take you to acquire these skills? Do you need further training, so that you're eligible for certain exams or qualifications? It's important to give yourself a realistic time frame for accomplishing the smaller goals that are necessary to achieving your final objective.