On Course

Skip Downing is an international consultant in the field of faculty development and student success strategies. Dr. Downing has earned degrees from Princeton University, Johns Hopkins University, the University of Santa Monica, and Carnegie Mellon University. He holds advanced degrees in both English and counseling psychology. He was professor of English at Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) for 32 years. In addition to his role as an academic instructor, Dr. Downing created and coordinated BCCC's Student Success and Learning Community Programs. These programs teach students how to apply proven success strategies to achieve their full potential in college and in life. The College Success Program resulted in a significant increase in both student academic success and retention. Dr. Downing has made numerous presentations at national conferences and conducted faculty development workshops at many two- and four-year colleges and universities in the United States, Canada, Bermuda, and the Virgin Islands. Dr. Downing's teaching, writing, and consulting are all guided by his belief that the greatest mission of any educational institution is to empower its students to live rich, fulfilling lives. Since 1996, he has facilitated the On Course Workshops, intensive four-day retreats for college educators focusing on proven strategies for helping students become active, responsible partners in their education and achieve greater success in college and in life.

• Preface. Travel with Me.1. GETTING ON COURSE TO YOUR SUCCESS.Taking the First Step. What Is Success?. The Power of Choice. Write a Great Life. Assess Yourself. Forks in the Road. A Few Words of Encouragement. JOURNAL ENTRY 1. One Student''s Story Jalayna Onaga. Understanding the Culture of Higher Education. Culture Shock. The Culture of Higher Education. Choices and Culture. JOURNAL ENTRY 2. Becoming an Active Learner. How the Human Brain Learns. Three Principles of Deep and Lasting Learning. The CORE Learning System. JOURNAL ENTRY 3. One Students'' Story Kase Cormier. On Course Principles AT WORK. Believing in Yourself Develop Self-Acceptance. Self-Esteem and Core Beliefs. Know and Accept Yourself. JOURNAL ENTRY 4. Wise Choices in College College Customs.2. ACCEPTING PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY.Case Study in Critical Thinking The Late Paper. Adopting a Creator Mindset. Victim and Creator Mindsets. Responsibility and Culture. Responsibility and Choice. JOURNAL ENTRY 5. One Student''s Story Brian Moore. Mastering Creator Language Self-Talk. The Language of Responsibility. JOURNAL ENTRY 6. One Student''s Story Alexsandr Kanevskiy. Making Wise Decisions. The Wise Choice Process. Personal Responsibility AT WORK. JOURNAL ENTRY 7. Believing in Yourself Change Your Inner Conversation. The Curse of Stinkin'' Thinkin''. Disputing Irrational Beliefs. JOURNAL ENTRY 8. One Student''s Story Dominic Grasseth. Change Your Inner Conversation. Wise Choices in College Reading.3. DISCOVERING SELF-MOTIVATION.Case Study in Critical Thinking Popson''s Dilemma. Creating Inner Motivation. A Formula for Motivation. Value of College Outcomes. Value of College Experiences. JOURNAL ENTRY 9. One Student''s Story Chee Meng Vang. Designing a Compelling Life Plan. Roles and Goals. How to Set a Goal. Discover Your Dreams. Your Life Plan. JOURNAL ENTRY 10. Committing to Your Goals and Dreams. Commitment Creates Method. Visualize Your Ideal Future. How to Visualize. JOURNAL ENTRY 11. One Students'' Story James Terrell. Self Motivation AT WORK. Believing in Yourself Write a Personal Affirmation. Claiming Your Desired Personal Qualities. Living Your Affirmation. JOURNAL ENTRY 12. One Student''s Story Donna Ludwick. Wise Choices in College Taking Notes.4. MASTERING SELF-MANAGEMENT.Case Study in Critical Thinking The Procrastinators. Acting on Purpose. Harness the Power of Quadrant II. What to Do in Quadrant II. JOURNAL ENTRY 13. One Student''s Story Jason Pozsgay. Creating a Self-Management System. Monthly Calendars. Next Actions Lists. Tracking Forms. The Rewards of Effective Self-Management. JOURNAL ENTRY 14. One Student''s Story Allysa LePage. Developing Self-Discipline. Staying Focused. Being Persistent. JOURNAL ENTRY 15. One Student''s Story Holt Boggs. Self management AT WORK. Believing in Yourself Develop Self-Confidence. Create a Success Identity. Celebrate Your Successes and Talents. Visualize Purposeful Actions. JOURNAL ENTRY 16. One Students'' Story Ashley Freeman. Wise Choices in College Organizing Study Materials.5. EMPLOYING INTERDEPENDENCE. Case Study in Critical Thinking Professor Rogers'' Trial. Creating a Support System. Seek Help from Your Instructors. Get Help from College Resources. Create a Project Team. Start a Study Group. JOURNAL ENTRY 17. One Student''s Story Jason Matthew Loden. Strengthening Relationships with Active Listening. How to Listen Actively. Use Active Listening in Your College Classes. JOURNAL ENTRY 18. Respecting Cultural Differences. Showing Respect. JOURNAL ENTRY 19. Interdependence AT WORK. Believing in Yourself Be Assertive. Leveling. Making Requests. Saying No". JOURNAL ENTRY 20. One Student''s Story Amy Acton. Wise Choices in College Rehearsing and Memorizing Study Materials.6. GAINING SELF-AWARENESS.Case Study in Critical Thinking Strange Choices. Recognizing When You Are Off Course. The Mystery of Self-Sabotage. Unconscious Forces. JOURNAL ENTRY 21. One Student''s Story Sarah Richmond. Identifying Your Scripts. Anatomy of a Script. How We Wrote Our Scripts. Self-Defeating Habit Patterns. JOURNAL ENTRY 22. One Student''s Story James Floriolli. Rewriting Your Outdated Scripts. The Impact of Outdated Beliefs. Doing the Rewrite. JOURNAL ENTRY 23. One Student''s Story Annette Valle. Believing in Yourself Write Your Own Rules. Three Success Rules. Changing Your Habits. JOURNAL ENTRY 24. One Student''s Story Brandeé Huigens. Wise Choices in College Taking Tests.7. ADOPTING LIFELONG LEARNING.Case Study in Critical Thinking A Fish Story. Developing a Learning Orientation to Life. Growth Mindsets and Fixed Mindsets. How to Develop a Growth Mindset. JOURNAL ENTRY 25. One Student''s Story Jessie Maggard. Discovering Your Preferred Ways of Learning. Self-Assessment: How I Prefer to Learn. JOURNAL ENTRY 26. One Student''s Story Melissa Thompson. Employing Critical Thinking. Constructing Logical Arguments. Asking Probing Questions. Applying Critical Thinking. JOURNAL ENTRY 27. Believing in Yourself Develop Self-Respect. Live with Integrity. Keep Commitments. JOURNAL ENTRY 28. Wise Choices in College Writing.8. DEVELOPING EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE.Case Study in Critical Thinking After Math. Understanding Emotional Intelligence. Four Components of Emotional Intelligence. Knowing Your Own Emotions. JOURNAL ENTRY 29. One Student''s Story Lindsey Beck. Reducing Stress. What Is Stress?. What Happens When Stress Persists?. Unhealthy Stress Reduction. Healthy Stress Reduction. Choose Your Attitude. JOURNAL ENTRY 30. One Student''s Story Jaime Sanmiguel. Creating Flow. College and Flow. Work and Flow. JOURNAL ENTRY 31. Believing in Yourself Develop Self-Love. Design a Self-Care Plan. JOURNAL ENTRY 32. One Student''s Story Wynda Allison Paulette. Wise Choices in College Managing Money.9. STAYING ON COURSE TO YOUR SUCCESS.Planning Your Next Steps. Assess Yourself, Again. JOURNAL ENTRY 33. One Student''s Story Stephan J. Montgomery.Bibliography.Index."

Preface. Travel with Me. 1. GETTING ON COURSE TO YOUR SUCCESS. Taking the First Step. What Is Success?. The Power of Choice. Write a Great Life. Assess Yourself. Forks in the Road. A Few Words of Encouragement. JOURNAL ENTRY 1. One Student's Story Jalayna Onaga. Understanding the Culture of Higher Education. Culture Shock. The Culture of Higher Education. Choices and Culture. JOURNAL ENTRY 2. Becoming an Active Learner. How the Human Brain Learns. Three Principles of Deep and Lasting Learning. The CORE Learning System. JOURNAL ENTRY 3. One Students' Story Kase Cormier. On Course Principles AT WORK. Believing in Yourself Develop Self-Acceptance. Self-Esteem and Core Beliefs. Know and Accept Yourself. JOURNAL ENTRY 4. Wise Choices in College College Customs. 2. ACCEPTING PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY. Case Study in Critical Thinking The Late Paper. Adopting a Creator Mindset. Victim and Creator Mindsets. Responsibility and Culture. Responsibility and Choice. JOURNAL ENTRY 5. One Student's Story Brian Moore. Mastering Creator Language Self-Talk. The Language of Responsibility. JOURNAL ENTRY 6. One Student's Story Alexsandr Kanevskiy. Making Wise Decisions. The Wise Choice Process. Personal Responsibility AT WORK. JOURNAL ENTRY 7. Believing in Yourself Change Your Inner Conversation. The Curse of Stinkin' Thinkin'. Disputing Irrational Beliefs. JOURNAL ENTRY 8. One Student's Story Dominic Grasseth. Change Your Inner Conversation. Wise Choices in College Reading. 3. DISCOVERING SELF-MOTIVATION. Case Study in Critical Thinking Popson's Dilemma. Creating Inner Motivation. A Formula for Motivation. Value of College Outcomes. Value of College Experiences. JOURNAL ENTRY 9. One Student's Story Chee Meng Vang. Designing a Compelling Life Plan. Roles and Goals. How to Set a Goal. Discover Your Dreams. Your Life Plan. JOURNAL ENTRY 10. Committing to Your Goals and Dreams. Commitment Creates Method. Visualize Your Ideal Future. How to Visualize. JOURNAL ENTRY 11. One Students' Story James Terrell. Self Motivation AT WORK. Believing in Yourself Write a Personal Affirmation. Claiming Your Desired Personal Qualities. Living Your Affirmation. JOURNAL ENTRY 12. One Student's Story Donna Ludwick. Wise Choices in College Taking Notes. 4. MASTERING SELF-MANAGEMENT. Case Study in Critical Thinking The Procrastinators. Acting on Purpose. Harness the Power of Quadrant II. What to Do in Quadrant II. JOURNAL ENTRY 13. One Student's Story Jason Pozsgay. Creating a Self-Management System. Monthly Calendars. Next Actions Lists. Tracking Forms. The Rewards of Effective Self-Management. JOURNAL ENTRY 14. One Student's Story Allysa LePage. Developing Self-Discipline. Staying Focused. Being Persistent. JOURNAL ENTRY 15. One Student's Story Holt Boggs. Self management AT WORK. Believing in Yourself Develop Self-Confidence. Create a Success Identity. Celebrate Your Successes and Talents. Visualize Purposeful Actions. JOURNAL ENTRY 16. One Students' Story Ashley Freeman. Wise Choices in College Organizing Study Materials. 5. EMPLOYING INTERDEPENDENCE. Case Study in Critical Thinking Professor Rogers' Trial. Creating a Support System. Seek Help from Your Instructors. Get Help from College Resources. Create a Project Team. Start a Study Group. JOURNAL ENTRY 17. One Student's Story Jason Matthew Loden. Strengthening Relationships with Active Listening. How to Listen Actively. Use Active Listening in Your College Classes. JOURNAL ENTRY 18. Respecting Cultural Differences. Showing Respect. JOURNAL ENTRY 19. Interdependence AT WORK. Believing in Yourself Be Assertive. Leveling. Making Requests. Saying "No". JOURNAL ENTRY 20. One Student's Story Amy Acton. Wise Choices in College Rehearsing and Memorizing Study Materials. 6. GAINING SELF-AWARENESS. Case Study in Critical Thinking Strange Choices. Recognizing When You Are Off Course. The Mystery of Self-Sabotage. Unconscious Forces. JOURNAL ENTRY 21. One Student's Story Sarah Richmond. Identifying Your Scripts. Anatomy of a Script. How We Wrote Our Scripts. Self-Defeating Habit Patterns. JOURNAL ENTRY 22. One Student's Story James Floriolli. Rewriting Your Outdated Scripts. The Impact of Outdated Beliefs. Doing the Rewrite. JOURNAL ENTRY 23. One Student's Story Annette Valle. Believing in Yourself Write Your Own Rules. Three Success Rules. Changing Your Habits. JOURNAL ENTRY 24. One Student's Story Brandee Huigens. Wise Choices in College Taking Tests. 7. ADOPTING LIFELONG LEARNING. Case Study in Critical Thinking A Fish Story. Developing a Learning Orientation to Life. Growth Mindsets and Fixed Mindsets. How to Develop a Growth Mindset. JOURNAL ENTRY 25. One Student's Story Jessie Maggard. Discovering Your Preferred Ways of Learning. Self-Assessment: How I Prefer to Learn. JOURNAL ENTRY 26. One Student's Story Melissa Thompson. Employing Critical Thinking. Constructing Logical Arguments. Asking Probing Questions. Applying Critical Thinking. JOURNAL ENTRY 27. Believing in Yourself Develop Self-Respect. Live with Integrity. Keep Commitments. JOURNAL ENTRY 28. Wise Choices in College Writing. 8. DEVELOPING EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE. Case Study in Critical Thinking After Math. Understanding Emotional Intelligence. Four Components of Emotional Intelligence. Knowing Your Own Emotions. JOURNAL ENTRY 29. One Student's Story Lindsey Beck. Reducing Stress. What Is Stress?. What Happens When Stress Persists?. Unhealthy Stress Reduction. Healthy Stress Reduction. Choose Your Attitude. JOURNAL ENTRY 30. One Student's Story Jaime Sanmiguel. Creating Flow. College and Flow. Work and Flow. JOURNAL ENTRY 31. Believing in Yourself Develop Self-Love. Design a Self-Care Plan. JOURNAL ENTRY 32. One Student's Story Wynda Allison Paulette. Wise Choices in College Managing Money. 9. STAYING ON COURSE TO YOUR SUCCESS. Planning Your Next Steps. Assess Yourself, Again. JOURNAL ENTRY 33. One Student's Story Stephan J. Montgomery. Bibliography. Index.