SWGTC offers new Students “College Survival Skills”

Staff report

Incoming freshman at Southwest Georgia Technical College are being offered an opportunity to learn valuable skills in surviving college and navigating all aspects of gaining a college education from financial aid, scheduling, study habits, and job placement.

“The goal of this seminar is to offer our freshmen information that will help them with every aspect of their lives,” said Career Services Director Dr. Jeanine Long. “All of the information we are going to provide is geared towards student success, not only in the classroom, but in life.”

Called “Survivor SWGTC”, the seminar will assist students in developing their own plans for success. “We will serve as guides and coaches,” said Long. “Activities and experiences are planned to help students develop personal goals and plans for success. Students will be expected to read, think, and reflect, and to share with each other.”

Some of the topics covered in the free seminar will be: Taking Charge of Your Life, Increasing Self-Motivation, Improving Personal Self-Management, Enhancing Relationships, Heightening Self-Awareness, Maximizing Learning, Increasing Comfort and Effectiveness by Working in Teams, Strengthening Emotional Intelligence, Developing Creative and Critical Thinking Skills, and Achieving Greater Success in Your Career.

“We want students to be able to take charge of their own lives and to take personal responsibility,” said Long. “Attending college can be a challenge for some people, especially those who have to juggle home, school, and a career. We want to arm these students with the skills necessary to handle the stresses of having so much going on in their lives and being able to structure and organize their time for the best benefit.”

“The seminar is going to be very helpful and informative, but the way we have it planned it will also be very fun and interesting,” said Beth Price, SWGTC Retention Specialist. “Students will work as tribes or teams and learn how to work together to find solutions to problems and achieve common goals through debate and negotiation. Everyone will be encouraged to share and participate. Everyone really has something to contribute to a group in such situations.”

Summer quarter begins July 7. The first “Survivor SWGTC” course begins July 14 at 3:30 and will be held in the Student Success Center located in building A. More information may be obtained by calling 227-2668.