Step by Step to College and Career Success

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Authors

John N. Gardner

John N. Gardner brings unparalleled experience to students as an author. The recipient of his institutions highest award for teaching excellence, John has over forty years of experience directing and teaching in the most widely emulated first-year seminar in the country, the University 101 course at the University of South Carolina (USC), Columbia. John is universally recognized as one of the countrys leading educators for his role in initiating and orchestrating an international reform movement to improve the beginning college experience, a concept he coined as "the first-year experience." He is the founding executive director of the National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience and Students in Transition at USC, as well as the Policy Center on the First Year of College and the John N. Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education (www.jngi.org), both based in Brevard, N.C.

Betsy O. Barefoot

Betsy O. Barefoot is a writer, researcher, and teacher whose special area of scholarship is the first-year seminar. During her tenure at USC from 1988 to 1999, she served as co-director for research and publications at the National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience and Students in Transition. She also taught University 101 and graduate courses on the first-year experience and the principles of college teaching. She conducts first-year seminar faculty training workshops around the world and is frequently called on to evaluate first-year seminar outcomes. Betsy is co-director and senior scholar in the Policy Center on the First Year of College and Vice President of the John N. Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education both in Brevard, N.C. In her Policy Center role she led a major national research project to identify institutions of excellence in the first college year. She currently works with both two- and four-year campuses in evaluating all components of the first year.

Preface

01 Taking the First Step

Thriving in College and Life
    The Value of College
    Opportunities in College
    Making the Most of the College Success Course and This Textbook
    The Choices You Will Make
Exploring Purpose and Setting Goals
    Considering Purpose
    Getting Started with Goal Setting
        Follow the SMART Goal-Setting Guidelines
Connecting with Others
     Students
     Online Learners
     Instructors
    Administrators, Advisers, and Other Staff Members
    TECH TIP: Send Professional E-mails
Chapter Review

02 Cultivating Motivation, Resilience, and Emotional Intelligence
Motivation, Attitude, and Mindset
    Motivation
    Attitude
    Mindset
    Succeeding in an Online Class: It Takes Motivation!
Resilience
Understanding Emotional Intelligence
    Perceiving and Managing Emotions
    The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Everyday Life
    Improving Emotional Intelligence
    Identifying Your EI Skills and Competencies
    EI = College and Career Success
    TECH TIP: Monitor Your Online Image
Chapter Review

03 Managing Your Time
Time: Your Most Valuable Resource
    Setting Goals
    Prioritizing
    Finding Balance
    Time in College and in Career
    R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Managing Your Energy
Time-Management Pitfalls
    Procrastination
    Being Spread Too Thin
    Distractions
    Motivation Problems
    Ask Yourself the Tough Questions
Get Smart about Organizing Your Days, Weeks, Tasks, and More
    Using a Daily or Weekly Planner
    Scheduling Your Time Week by Week
    At the Top of My To-Do List Is “Make a To-Do List”!
    Thinking about Your Class Schedule
Maximizing Study and Review Time
TECH TIP: Use Digital Tools to Control Your Time
Chapter Review

04 Learning and Thinking in College
How People Learn
    Get Ready for Learning
    Personalize Your Learning: The VARK and Other Tools
    Use VARK Results for Success
Adapt to Different Learning Environments
    Become a Multimodal Learner
    Think about Your Thinking: Metacognition
    Learn to Collaborate
    Learning with a Learning Disability
Develop Strong Thinking Skills
    College-Level Thinking       Is Critical Thinking
    Challenge Assumptions and Beliefs
    Ask Questions
    Consider Multiple Points of View, and Draw Conclusions
    Develop an Argument
    Examine Evidence
    Recognize and Avoid Faulty Reasoning
Apply Your Thinking Skills
    Collaborate
    Be Creative
    Learn to Problem-Solve
    Bloom’s Taxonomy and Your First Year of College
TECH TIP: What Is Real and What Is Fake?
Chapter Review

05 Getting the Most Out of Class
Prepare for Class
         Why Be an Engaged Learner?
Pay Attention! Listening, Participating, and Taking Notes
    Listening Critically
    Becoming an Active Class Participant
    Taking Notes
    Engage in Online Learning
    Take Effective Notes
    Cornell Format
    Outline Format
    Paragraph Format
    List Format
    Taking Notes in Class
    Make Adjustments for Different Classes
    Use Specific Strategies for Note Taking in Quantitative Courses
    TECH TIP: Use Technology to Power Your Note Taking
Keep It Fresh by Reviewing Your Notes
    Compare Notes
    Class Notes and Homework
Chapter Review

06 Reading to Learn
Four-Step Plan for Active Reading
Step 1: Previewing
   Use Visual Tools
Step 2: Reading and Marking
Step 3: Reading with Concentration
   Reading Online
Step 4: Reviewing
Improving Your Reading
    Developing Your Vocabulary
    What to Do When You Fall Behind in Your Reading
Different Courses, Different Kinds of Textbooks
    Reading Math Textbooks
    Reading Science Textbooks
    Reading Social Science and Humanities Textbooks
    The Value of Primary Source Material
    If English Is Not Your First Language
    TECH TIP: Use E-books
Chapter Review

07 Taking Exams and Tests
Preparing for Tests
    Work with Instructors, Peers, and Tutors
    Prepare Properly for Math and Science Exams
    Prepare Physically and Emotionally
    Use the Cloud
Studying to Make It Stick
    Help Your Memory Help You
    Use Review Sheets, Mind Maps, and Flash Cards
    Create Summaries
    Taking Tests and Exams
    Be Ready for Every Kind of Pitch
    You Bombed a Test—Now What?
    TECH TIP: Ace Your Online Tests
Academic Honesty and Misconduct
    Cheating
    Plagiarism
    Consequences of Cheating and Plagiarism
    Reducing the Likelihood of Academic Dishonesty
Chapter Review

08 Developing Information Literacy and Communication Skills
Information Literacy
    Learning to Be Information Literate
    Research: Information Literacy in Action
    Choosing, Narrowing, and Researching a Topic
Using the Library
    Library Resources
Evaluating Sources
     Relevance
     Authority
     Bias
     Using Your Research in Writing and Presentations
     TECH TIP: Conduct Effective Searches
The Writing and Speaking Process
     Steps to Good Writing
     Knowing Your Audience
     Time and the Writing Process
     Citing Your Sources and Avoiding Plagiarism
    Speaking Effectively
Communicating with Others in a Digital Age
Chapter Review

09 Considering Majors and Careers
Careers and the New Economy
    Characteristics of Today’s Economy
    Building a Professional Mindset for Life after College
Working with an Academic Adviser
    Prepare for Your First Meeting with Your Academic Adviser
    Know the Right Questions to Ask
    Learn How to Select Your Classes
    Explore Course Options, and Pay Attention to Your Grades
    Deal with a Mismatch
    Find and Use Campus Resources
Getting to Know Yourself
    Clarify Your Personal and Workplace Values
    Understand Your Skills, Aptitudes, Personality, and Interests
    Job Candidate Skills and Qualities Ranked as Very Important by Employers
    Using the Holland Model
Gaining Professional Experience
    Internships and Other Professional Work Experiences
    Part-Time Work in College
    TECH TIP: Network Online
Marketing Yourself, and Putting It All Together
     Branding You, Inc.
     Building a Résumé
     Writing a Cover Letter
     Creating an Online Portfolio
Chapter Review

10 Connecting with Others in a Diverse World
Personal Relationships
    Roommates
    Romantic Relationships
    Breakups
    Relationship No-Nos
Family Connections
    Marriage and Parenting during College
    Relationship with Parents
Thriving in Diverse Environments
    Other Differences You Will Encounter in College
    Stereotyping and Microaggressions
    Creating a Welcoming Environment on Your Campus
    Sexual Harassment: A New Spotlight on an Old Problem
    TECH TIP: Look beyond the Filter
Connecting through Involvement
    Connecting by Working
    Connecting through Community Service
    Connecting through Online Communities
    Seek Diversity in the Workplace and in Life
Chapter Review

11 Managing Money
Living on a Budget
    Creating a Budget
    Cutting Costs
    Benefits of Being a Good Money Manager
    TECH TIP: Manage Your Personal Budget
Understanding Financial Aid
    Types of Aid
    Navigating and Qualifying for Financial Aid
    How to Keep Your Funding
    Steps to Qualify for Financial Aid
Achieving a Balance between Working and Borrowing
    Advantages and Disadvantages of Working
    Student Loans
    Plan for the Future
Managing Credit Wisely
    Understanding Credit
    Debit Cards
    Frequently Asked Questions about Credit Cards and Identity Theft
Chapter Review

12 Staying Healthy
Understanding Wellness
    Managing Stress to Maintain Wellness
    Take Control
    The Importance of Good Nutrition
    Risky Eating Habits
    Exercising to Maintain Wellness
    TECH TIP: Use Technology to Stay Fit
    Getting Enough Sleep to Maintain Wellness
    Spirituality
    Emotional Health

Maintaining Sexual Health
    Communicating about Safe Sex
    Avoiding Sexually Transmitted Infections
    Using Birth Control
    Protecting Yourself and Others against Sexual Assault and Violence
Alcohol and Other Substances
    The Use and Abuse of Alcohol
    Tobacco and Marijuana
Chapter Review

Using the ACES Progress Report
Index

Product Updates

Academic and Career Excellence System (ACES), our student self-assessment, is built into this edition of Step by Step. It is administered in LaunchPad Solo for Step by Step and referenced throughout the printed text.

ACES measures student strengths in twelve critical areas and prompts students to reflect on their habits, behaviors, attitudes, and skills.
Norm-referenced reports indicate whether students are at a high, moderate, or low skill level in particular areas.
The “Review Your ACES Score” feature at the beginning of each chapter provides ACES guidance.
A new appendix on “Using the ACES Progress Report” shows students using LaunchPad Solo how they can check their progress at the end of the semester to see the areas in which they’ve grown.

A revised introductory chapter has been reorganized to serve as a road map to get students off on the right foot, as the title, “Taking the First Step,” suggests.

It offers a new section, “Thriving in College and Life,” which gives students a better understanding of the value of college and making choices.
Coverage of goal-setting has been expanded to place more emphasis on exploring purpose and planning ahead.
The “Connecting with Others” section provides a broadened view on maximizing relationships with instructors and other types of students, including those who teach and learn online.

New Tech Tips in every chapter help students leverage technology for their success. These Tech Tips feature timely subject matter, such as identifying fake news, networking online, and using digital tools to manage your time.

Expanded coverage of critical thinking and adapting to different learning environments (Ch. 4); communicating, researching, and consuming information online (Ch. 8); academic planning (Ch. 9); and gender and sexual identity (Ch. 10)

New student stories reflect a diverse range of students’ life experiences.

New articles cover such topics as online learning, emotional intelligence, information literacy, finding and using campus resources, and sexual harassment.

Streamlined chapter-ending sections encourage students to take the initiative in answering a variety of common questions and solving different kinds of problems. These include:

“Reflect on Choices” writing prompt
“Applying What You’ve Learned” section with application opportunities
“Use Your Resources” section that encourages students to seek out peers (online or in person), use social media, take advantage of instructors’ office hours, join study groups, access campus resources, and consult references like books and websites

A carefully executed and updated design and art program keeps students focused and engaged with the content by including images that reflect the experiences of all students in the course, making them feel comfortable and connected. Captions invite students to think critically about the content.

Authors

John N. Gardner

John N. Gardner brings unparalleled experience to students as an author. The recipient of his institutions highest award for teaching excellence, John has over forty years of experience directing and teaching in the most widely emulated first-year seminar in the country, the University 101 course at the University of South Carolina (USC), Columbia. John is universally recognized as one of the countrys leading educators for his role in initiating and orchestrating an international reform movement to improve the beginning college experience, a concept he coined as "the first-year experience." He is the founding executive director of the National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience and Students in Transition at USC, as well as the Policy Center on the First Year of College and the John N. Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education (www.jngi.org), both based in Brevard, N.C.

Betsy O. Barefoot

Betsy O. Barefoot is a writer, researcher, and teacher whose special area of scholarship is the first-year seminar. During her tenure at USC from 1988 to 1999, she served as co-director for research and publications at the National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience and Students in Transition. She also taught University 101 and graduate courses on the first-year experience and the principles of college teaching. She conducts first-year seminar faculty training workshops around the world and is frequently called on to evaluate first-year seminar outcomes. Betsy is co-director and senior scholar in the Policy Center on the First Year of College and Vice President of the John N. Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education both in Brevard, N.C. In her Policy Center role she led a major national research project to identify institutions of excellence in the first college year. She currently works with both two- and four-year campuses in evaluating all components of the first year.

Preface

01 Taking the First Step

Product Updates

ACES measures student strengths in twelve critical areas and prompts students to reflect on their habits, behaviors, attitudes, and skills.
Norm-referenced reports indicate whether students are at a high, moderate, or low skill level in particular areas.
The “Review Your ACES Score” feature at the beginning of each chapter provides ACES guidance.
A new appendix on “Using the ACES Progress Report” shows students using LaunchPad Solo how they can check their progress at the end of the semester to see the areas in which they’ve grown.

A revised introductory chapter has been reorganized to serve as a road map to get students off on the right foot, as the title, “Taking the First Step,” suggests.

It offers a new section, “Thriving in College and Life,” which gives students a better understanding of the value of college and making choices.
Coverage of goal-setting has been expanded to place more emphasis on exploring purpose and planning ahead.
The “Connecting with Others” section provides a broadened view on maximizing relationships with instructors and other types of students, including those who teach and learn online.

New student stories reflect a diverse range of students’ life experiences.

New articles cover such topics as online learning, emotional intelligence, information literacy, finding and using campus resources, and sexual harassment.

Streamlined chapter-ending sections encourage students to take the initiative in answering a variety of common questions and solving different kinds of problems. These include:

“Reflect on Choices” writing prompt
“Applying What You’ve Learned” section with application opportunities
“Use Your Resources” section that encourages students to seek out peers (online or in person), use social media, take advantage of instructors’ office hours, join study groups, access campus resources, and consult references like books and websites

Success for today’s student

User-friendly, class tested and authoritatively research-based, Step by Step to College and Career Success offers students proven information and straightforward strategies that they can apply toward their success. This is the briefest title in the Gardner family of books, and the authors have focused on the most crucial skills and the most important choices students make in order to succeed in college and beyond.

The seventh edition covers pressing topics that affect students’ lives and how they learn, expanding on the books themes of motivation, persistence, resilience, and decision-making.

A full package of instructional support materials provides instructors all the tools they will need to engage students in this course and increase student retention.

Looking for instructor resources like Test Banks, Lecture Slides, and Clicker Questions? Request access to Achieve to explore the full suite of instructor resources.