Common Course Outline
SDEV 101
Achieving Academic Success
3 credits

The Community College of Baltimore County

Description

Achieving Academic Success is designed to focus on those student behaviors and attitudes that are most consistently identified with achieving success in college. The significance of a college education is explored and the specific ways that The Community College of Baltimore County operates are discussed. Strategies for managing time, taking tests, memory and recall, improving listening skills and gaining a more positive view of self are covered.

Overall Course Objectives

• Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to: 
• Discuss how you are responsible for your experience in college.
• Describe ways you can create a successful and satisfying experience in college.
• Discuss college policies and procedures and be able to locate and utilize information in the college catalog to develop a personal academic plan.
• List and describe specific methods to: 
  • Improve your ability to recall information.
  • Manage time more efficiently.
    Read a textbook with improved understanding and retention.
  • Prepare for and take tests.
  • Take effective notes.
  • Listen, with comprehension, to a lecture.
• Describe and utilize a model of communication that facilitates listening to,speaking with, and conflict resolution among peers, family members and instructors.
• Discuss several procedures for focusing attention on the task at hand when reading, listening, and taking notes and tests.
• Assess your general health habits including diet, exercise, substance use and methods to more effectively cope with and/or prevent excessive stress.
• Locate resources (including the library, Career Center, and Office of Financial Aid) both on and off campus to assist you in meeting your needs as a student at the Community College of Baltimore County.
• Discover your individual learning style so you can draw on your particular strengths and adapt to and develop skills using other styles.
• Develop decision-making skills for effective goal setting.
• Learn tools for creating new ideas, problem solving, and thinking.
• Strengthen skills to study, work, and live in a multicultural, diverse and changing world.

Major Topics

• Self Assessment - Study Skills, Learning Styles, Self-Monitoring
• Time Management Techniques
• Memory
• Reading
• Note Taking
• Tests - Test Taking Skills, Text Anxiety
• Diversity
• Thinking - Creative and Critical Thinking, Problem Solving
• Relationships - Listening, Sending, Communication, Conflict Management
• Culture of Higher Education at CCBC
• Attitudes that Promote College Success
• Life Skills - Stress Management, Self-Responsibility, Self-Awareness, Personal Empowerment, Risk Taking/Involvement, Concentration

 

Course Requirements

Grading/exams: The college community is concerned that high standards of academic performance be met. Grading procedures will be determined by the individual faculty member but will include the following:

Participation and Attendance up to 25%
Exercises, projects and quizzes up to 50%
Mid-term exam up to 25%
Final exam 10 to 33%

Writing: The individual faculty member will determine specific writing assignments and expectations.

 

Other Course Information

Text: To be determined by each campus.
Supplies: To be determined by each instructor.