College Survival Guide

Unit/Topic (If unit-note how many lessons in unit): College Survival Guide 1/1
Domain: Academic
Title of Lesson: College Survival Guide
Grade Level: High School (12 Grade)
th

ASCA Standards Addressed (Mindsets and Behaviors):

C1.2: Self-confidence in ability to succeed.
C1.3: Sense of belonging in the school environment.
C1.4: Understanding that post-secondary education and life-long learning are
necessary for long-term career success.
C2.SMS.1: Demonstrate ability to assume responsibility
C2.SMS.10: Demonstrate ability to manage transitions and ability to adapt to
changing situations and responsibilities
Indiana Standards Addressed:
9-12.1.7: Develop a postsecondary transition plan (e.g., campus exploration,
admissions applications, financial aid to be sought).
9-12.2.8: Identify several resources for finding employment (e.g., newspapers,
professional associations, professional networks).
9-12.2.1: Compare and contrast self-management expectations of the school and
self-management expectations of the workforce.
Differentiated Instruction/Cultural Awareness: The counselor will be aware of
potential cultural differences of the student population and how these differences
may impact their goals and the ways in which they go about achieving their goals.
Different issues may arise for college going students.
Developmental Asset(s) Addressed:
Responsibility
Personal Power
Planning and Decision Making
Learning Objective(s): Students will learn
Collaborative Partners: ISI Counseling Department
Materials Needed: video access, wipe board and markers, high school teachers
to volunteer, college professor volunteer, Did you know? worksheet
Activity Summary: Welcome students/ pretest, panel, Cross the Line if activity,
Now You Tell Me video, Did you know? worksheet and discussion, Creating a
Packing List activity, Professor presentation and questions, closing and post test.
Learning Activities (Include introduction to lesson, Activity(ies), resources

required, and Conclusion):

Time needed for lesson: 45 minutes
1. Welcome students, explain who you are and what you will be doing today.
Counselor will begin by asking students to fill out the pre-test.
2. Cross the Line if: Counselor will read a series of statements and have students
cross the line if the statement applies to them (consider your student population).
Below are the statements:
I am going to college in Indiana.
I am going to college out of state.
I am going to college on the east coast.
I am going to college on the west coast.
I am going to college in the Midwest.
I already know who my roommate is.
I am playing a sport in college.
I am playing in the band in college.
I know what I want to major in while in college.
I already know what extracurricular activities I want to be involved in.
I am excited about going to college.
I am nervous about going to college.
3. Counselor will show students the Now You Tell Me video (Suggestion: If
youre still in touch with college freshman who graduated the year before from your
school, contact them and see if they will send you a little video clip of themselves
offering advice).
4. Did you know?: Counselor will provide an information sheet. Invite students to
get together in groups of five to discuss the information on the Tips for College
sheet.
What surprises you?
What seems most difficult?
What makes you excited?
What other piece of advice have you been given that isnt mentioned on this
tip sheet?
5. Creating a Packing List Activity: Counselor will ask students to take turns
sharing something that they will bring with them to school. As students share their
ideas, the counselor (or chosen student) will write down on the board for all
students to see.
6. Panel: The counselor will have a panel of three teachers at the front of the room
for a 10 minute discussion. Students are free to ask their teachers about their
college experiences and any advice they may have.
7. Professor visiting: Dr. Brandie Oliver will be visiting to discuss advice for first
year students, pitfalls to watch out for, advocating for themselves, seeking out a

professor during office hours (be noticed), the syllabus expectations and professor
expectations in general. Twenty minutes will be allotted and students will be able
to ask questions at the end.
8. Counselor will hand out post-test and dismiss the students.
Evaluation Plan:
The counselor will review the pre/post tests to ensure that students understand the
material presented.
Follow-Up Plan:
Students can schedule follow-up appointments with the counselor if they have any
questions or concerns about how to adjust to school appropriately.
References/Resources Used:
http://inlikeme.com/advice-for-college-bound-students/
http://www.gocollege.com/survival/
https://www.youniversitytv.com/college-tips/10-tips-getting-along-college-roommate/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDTv8zx0GrM
https://www.youniversitytv.com/college-tips/6-vital-things-to-know-before-the-first-day-of-college-classes/
http://www.collegeparentcentral.com/2012/05/eight-campus-resources-your-college-student-should-know/

Tips for College

You may have homework due the first day of class your
freshman semester. Always check your syllabus before the first
class of each semester; you more than likely will have an
assignment due.
While away you may start to feel homesick. Thats ok; its a
normal feeling. The temptation is to go home on the weekends.
Advice: try to stay on campus and do fun things with new friends
on campus. After your first semester, youll probably be excited
to return to college after breaks.
Keep up on updating your resume!
College, often times, is what you make it!
There are plenty of resources to assist you in college.
o Advising office: Every college has a different way of
assigning a college advisor (by major/ department or
faculty member/ professional advisor). Know where this
office, department, or faculty member is on your campus.
Get to know your advisors!
o Tutoring or Writing Center: Unlike high school where
tutoring is mainly for students struggling in a class; the
tutoring center is full of the most motivated and high
achieving students. Find out where the center is and how
to make appointments.
o Other Academic Support Centers: Find out what your
campus/department offers. There may be math lab
centers, public speaking centers, computer labs with
trained assistants, peer mentors, or peer advisors.
o Library Reference Desk: Do not worry about feeling like
a bother to librarians. They are there to help you find
resources and are excited to help you! Learn how to book
appointments with reference librarians.
o Campus Health Center: Its rare that you make it
through four years without making a visit to the health
center. Become aware of where the center is, what the
hours are, policies for making appointments, and services
available. If your center is not open 24 hours, find out
where your local hospital is located. You do not want to be
in a crisis situation and unsure of where to go.
o Campus Counseling Center: College students are
experiencing more stress today than any other generation.
Knowing where you can go and whom you can talk to in

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time of stress or need is extremely important while

navigating through your college years.
Career Services Office: The Career Office is not just for
seniors. They are now assisting students to find majors, on
campus jobs, and internships. They also help students
build their resumes and practice interviewing skills.
Connecting early will give you an added advantage.
Spiritual Life Office: Even if you are not a spiritual
person you may find that at some point during college you
want a spiritual advisor. If you have previously identified
with spirituality this may be a great resource for you as you
transition from home and begin to establish a new life.
Get involved with extracurricular activities! The great
thing about college is that there are plenty of clubs and
intramural activities. Find one or two that youre interested
in. If you cant find anything- create something. This is a
great way to meet new people and make new friends.
Getting along with your roommate:
Touch base now.
Dont make rules, but do negotiate.
Create some roommate rituals.
Make other friends.
Invest in some good earphones.
Use I statements, not U cards.
Focus on the behavior, not their personality.

What surprises you?

What seems most difficult?

What makes you most excited?

What other pieces of advice have you been given that are not
mentioned on this tip sheet?

What other ideas can you come up with as a group to get along with
your roommate better?

Pre-test
1. I know what resources to find on campus as a freshman.
Strongly Agree
Disagree

Agree

Somewhat Agree

Disagree

Strongly

2. I have ideas to help get along with my roommate.

Strongly Agree
Disagree

Agree

Somewhat Agree

Disagree

Strongly

Disagree

Strongly

Disagree

Strongly

3. I know what Id like to pack for college.

Strongly Agree
Disagree

Agree

Somewhat Agree

4. I know what my professors expect of me.

Strongly Agree
Disagree

Agree

Somewhat Agree

Post-test
1. I know what resources to find on campus as a freshman.
Strongly Agree
Disagree

Agree

Somewhat Agree

Disagree

Strongly

2. I have ideas to help get along with my roommate.

Strongly Agree
Disagree

Agree

Somewhat Agree

Disagree

Strongly

Disagree

Strongly

Disagree

Strongly

3. I know what Id like to pack for college.

Strongly Agree
Disagree

Agree

Somewhat Agree

4. I know what my professors expect of me.

Strongly Agree
Disagree

Agree

Somewhat Agree

5. One thing I feel like I learned today

Please list an email address that is NOT your ISI email. This is for Mrs. Christy
and the ISI staff to contact you after you graduate:

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