CHAPTER 1: GETTING ON COURSE
~MAYBE YOU’RE THINKING, “I DON’T WANT TO EXAMINE AND WRITE ABOUT MY-
SELF. THAT’S NOT WHAT COLLEGE SHOULD BE ABOUT.” I UNDERSTAND THIS OBJECTION! WHEN
I WAS IN COLLEGE, SELF-EXAMINATION WAS ABOUT THE LAST THING ON MY TO-DO LIST
(RIGHT AFTER WALKING BACKWARDS TO THE NORTH POLE IN BARE FEET). OF COURSE I HAD
A “GOOD” REASON: ATHLETES LIKE ME DIDN’T LOOK INWARD. I LABELED IT “TOUCHY FEELY”
AND DISMISSED SELF-EXPLORATION. I’M SURE YOU HAVE REASONS FOR YOUR RELUCTANCE:
SHYNESS, YOUR CULTURAL UPBRINGING, OR A HOST OF OTHER EXPLANATIONS THAT MAKE
YOU UNCOMFORTABLE WHEN LOOKING WITHIN FOR THE KEYS TO YOUR SUCCESS. I URGE YOU
TO OVERCOME YOUR RESISTANCE. YOU CAN LEARN NOW WHAT IT TOOK ME TOO MANY YEARS
TO DISCOVER: SUCCESS OCCURS FROM INSIDE OUT, NOT OUTSIDE IN.
~Skip Downing, On Course, 2011, page 11.
SELF. THAT’S NOT WHAT COLLEGE SHOULD BE ABOUT.” I UNDERSTAND THIS OBJECTION! WHEN
I WAS IN COLLEGE, SELF-EXAMINATION WAS ABOUT THE LAST THING ON MY TO-DO LIST
(RIGHT AFTER WALKING BACKWARDS TO THE NORTH POLE IN BARE FEET). OF COURSE I HAD
A “GOOD” REASON: ATHLETES LIKE ME DIDN’T LOOK INWARD. I LABELED IT “TOUCHY FEELY”
AND DISMISSED SELF-EXPLORATION. I’M SURE YOU HAVE REASONS FOR YOUR RELUCTANCE:
SHYNESS, YOUR CULTURAL UPBRINGING, OR A HOST OF OTHER EXPLANATIONS THAT MAKE
YOU UNCOMFORTABLE WHEN LOOKING WITHIN FOR THE KEYS TO YOUR SUCCESS. I URGE YOU
TO OVERCOME YOUR RESISTANCE. YOU CAN LEARN NOW WHAT IT TOOK ME TOO MANY YEARS
TO DISCOVER: SUCCESS OCCURS FROM INSIDE OUT, NOT OUTSIDE IN.
~Skip Downing, On Course, 2011, page 11.
CHOICES OF SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS
Journal #1: Success
Journal #2: Pre-Course Self-Assessment. This journal should be typed. DUE MONDAY (NOT TUESDAY - I MISSPOKE IN CLASS, SORRY. DUE MONDAY!) COMPUTER LAB 342 (STEPS) WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR COMPUTER ACCESS ON FRIDAY DURING YOUR LAB-WORK TIME.
Journal #1: Success
- Reference to Day 1: Two Weak Success Skill Areas - What are they? Why did you chose them? - with examples from your experience. How do you specifically plan to implement changes?
- Reference to Day 2: How may others impact the above changes? How may circumstances have an impact?
- Reference to Steve Jobs Speech: What connections from your past and present do you see pointing you toward your future?
Journal #2: Pre-Course Self-Assessment. This journal should be typed. DUE MONDAY (NOT TUESDAY - I MISSPOKE IN CLASS, SORRY. DUE MONDAY!) COMPUTER LAB 342 (STEPS) WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR COMPUTER ACCESS ON FRIDAY DURING YOUR LAB-WORK TIME.
- Take the Self-Assessment from the link above.
- Record your results in each of the key 8 areas of successful students.
- Highest Scores: What did you learn were your greatest strengths? Explain why you think you scored higher in these areas than others (For example, was it how you were raised or did a specific person or circumstance influence you?) Were there any surprises? Were there any high scores you disagreed with? If so, why?
- Lowest Scores: Why do you think you scored lowest in these areas? How have you seen these areas "reveal themselves" in your life? Are these the same traits you wrote about in Journal #1? Were there any surprises? What are your final thoughts on implementing positive change in these areas?
- Using Steve Jobs speech, how do you think his views fit into the 8 success areas. What were his best words of wisdom in your opinion? **What connections from your past and present do you see pointing you toward your future? ** (If you answered the last question in Journal #1, don't re-answer here.)