College is a place where students are expected–often for the first time and without guidance–to figure out how to manage numerous competing priorities and responsibilities on their own. Students who thrive in this complex environment have certain skills and knowledge that enable them to handle the demanding situation they find themselves in. While this website is focused on providing reading, writing, and critical thinking resources for first-year English composition, this section of the website aims to help clarify some of those skills and some of that knowledge.
The Studenting section is a repository of strategies to help students succeed in their college classes.
For general advice about college success, check out the links to the Life Kit podcast below.
In particular, the studenting section of the website contains an introduction to a habit of mind that can be particularly helpful for students: growth mindset. It also contains a collection of resources related to time management.
Growth mindset is a psychological concept that numerous studies suggest can help students perform better in many areas of their lives, including at school.
The obstacles that tend to hold students back don’t have anything to do with academic capability–rather, they’re things like time management.
NPR’s Life Kit podcast
Here are some resources I’ve found helpful from National Public Radio’s Life Kit podcast. The links below will take you to podcast episodes, along with short articles summarizing the advice from the episodes.
What do successful college students do?
“Congratulations, You’re in College! Now What?” offers advice that successful college students tend to know or find out about. Far too often, however, students don’t explicitly receive this advice from their instructors. It’s kind of assumed that students already know these things.
What tips can help students do well in their online classes?
“How to Make the Most of Online College This Fall” was created during the height of the pandemic, but it contains helpful advice for taking online classes, which continue to be a popular modality.
How can community college students make sure they’re in a good position to transfer?
“Most Students Who Want to Transfer Colleges Don’t. Here’s How to Start” covers a topic that isn’t emphasized enough in community colleges: how to prepare to successfully transfer out of community college. As the article title notes, most students who enter community college intending to transfer, don’t accomplish that goal. The linked article and podcast provide helpful tips in light of that problem.