COLLEGE SURVIVAL KIT
GUIDE TO SUCCESS

Spring Semester 2007

The University of Akron

Counseling, Testing and Career Center

Simmons Hall – Room 306

330-972-7082

http://www.uakron.edu/counseling

REALIZE YOUR POTENTIAL with information and practical skills to help you succeed in

college. We take a holistic approach in helping you manage your life, so that you can focus on academic success. Topic areas include:

How to Earn Better Grades

Managing Stress Effectively

Choosing a Major or Career

Improving Your Memory

These free programs are offered in both day and evening sessions. Each is facilitated by a psychologist, counselor or educator. You may sign up for any program by contacting the Counseling, Testing and Career Center, Hezzelton E. Simmons Hall Room 306 or call (330) 972-7082. *Programs are in Simmons Hall room 306 unless otherwise noted.

ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

Improve Your Study Skills

Tues., Feb. 27 E. Cascarilla (STUN 136) 3 p.m.

Fri., Apr. 6 M. Plaufcan 10 a.m.

Learn techniques in studying, memory, concentration, note-taking, and resource utilization.

Learning Styles
Mon., Mar. 5 G. Tomasulo 11 a.m.

Assess your learning style and learn how your style might impact your experience in college. Ways to successfully approach college coursework will be provided for the different types of learners.

Do I Have a Learning Disorder?

Thurs., Mar. 15 M. Silling 1 p.m.

This program describes different types of learning disabilities and provides strategies and resources to enhance academic performance.

Improve Your Memory (300%)

Wed., Mar. 28 S. Bixler 1-2:30 p.m.

This workshop will help you to improve your memory capacity, and understand the relationship of memory to the overall task of learning. Specific strategies will be shared (each participant is guaranteed to improve his/her memory capacity by over 300 %!).

Increase Your Motivation; Why am I in College?

Thurs., Mar. 29 C. Williams 1 p.m.

Explore your reasons for choosing college and how to motivate yourself.

Waiting for the Motivation Fairy? Self-Management Skills

Tues., Apr. 3 M. Silling 4 p.m.

Do you look to others for motivation? Learn ways to consistently get started.

Overcome Procrastination

Mon., Feb. 12 T. Buchanan (STUN 323) 11 a.m.

Thurs., Mar. 8 C. Williams 1 p.m.

Procrastination can interfere with successful academic performance and have adverse effects on other areas of your life. This session will address reasons why we procrastinate and suggest strategies to overcome this common problem. SIGN UP NOW!

Improve Your Test-Taking Skills

Wed., Feb. 21 S. Rider- Bennett 11 a.m.

Mon., Apr. 23 G. Tomasulo (STUN 323) 1p.m.

It is important to have a systematic approach to studying and test preparation. Learn special study techniques, test-taking strategies and relaxation skills.

Reduce Your Math Anxiety

Mon., Mar. 5 D. Muccio 2 p.m.

If you are anxious about math, this is the group for you! Various techniques designed to reduce anxiety will be discussed including hypnosis and guided imagery.

Improve Your Time Management

Wed., Mar. 7 T. Buchanan (Buckingham 59) 2 p.m.

This program will teach you to identify goals, set priorities, develop an action plan; and a time schedule.

Let's Talk About ADHD

Mon., Mar. 12 M. Silling 1 p.m.

Learn how to manage ADHD including time-management, completing assignments, study skills, and interpersonal skills.

Improve Your Comprehension

Mon., Mar. 26 M. Thompson 11 a.m.

Fri., Apr. 6 M. Plaufcan 2 p.m.

Whether you are reading your textbook, studying your notes, or writing papers, comprehension of the material is a crucial skill. This program will help you develop critical thinking skills and learn effective study techniques.

Reduce Your Test Anxiety

Wed., Feb. 14 D. Muccio 1 p.m.

Learn how to reduce test anxiety by using stress management and relaxation skills.

Improve Your Listening and Note-taking Skills

Wed., Mar. 7 E. Cascarilla 11 a.m.

Learn to listen actively in class and to take good notes from lectures and reading material.

CAREER PLANNING

How to Choose a Major and a Career

Mon., Mar. 12 S. Rider-Bennett (STUN 136) 11 a.m.

Wed., Apr. 18 M. Thompson 1 p.m.

This one-session workshop introduces you to the decision-making process. Participants who want further help choosing a career or major will be referred to career assessment tools and additional CTCC career resources.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Appreciating Cultural Diversity

Mon., Feb. 5 M. Thompson 1 p.m.

Participants will explore their attitudes and learn how to develop interpersonal skills to appreciate the ways in which people are different.

Coming Out

Mon., Feb. 12 J. Phillips & D. Muccio 2 p.m.

Coming out as a lesbian woman, gay man or bisexual person in this culture is a lifelong process. It can be frightening and/or exciting. This workshop will explore these issues and help you to decide if coming out someone will enhance the relationship. This session is for those who identify themselves as lesbian, gay or bisexual and/r those who are questioning their orientation.

It’s a Hair Thang

Wed., Feb. 21 J. Martin & M. Goncalves 1 p.m.

Address issues of appearance such as body size, hair and skin color, which affects the self-esteem, behavior and relationships of women of color. An afro-centric view of body image will be discussed.

A Parent, and Also a Student

Mon., Mar. 5 M. Silling & D. McDonald 12 p.m.

Learn how to balance between competing responsibilities as a parent and a student. This workshop will allow participants to discuss the challenges of meeting family and academic obligations and learn skills to balance these responsibilities.

First Generation College Student

Wed., Mar. 28 D. McDonald & M. Goncalves (STUN 323) 12 p.m.

Being one of the first people in your family to go to college presents unique challenges. How do you negotiate the college system find support and connections, develop effective learning strategies or balance financial and academic concerns? Explore these challenges and learn strategies to promote academic success.

RELATIONSHIPS

Interracial Relationships

Wed., Feb. 7 D. Muccio & M. Goncalves 1 p.m.

Explore issues faced by individuals involved in interracial relationships. Examine social beliefs and attitudes about these relationships, biracial children and learn general strategies for getting along with others.

Love Shouldn’t Hurt

Mon., Mar. 26 E. Hayden & T. Buchanan 1 p.m.

Do you feel that your partner is jealous or controlling? Are you ever afraid of your partner or has your partner ever hit or pushed you? If so you may be in an abusive relationship. Please join us for information and support.

How to Help a Sexual Assault Survivor: What Men Can Do

G. Tomasulo Call for dates and times

Sexual assault is not just an issue for women - it is a problem that affects everyone. Oftentimes, women who have survived a sexual assault will turn to men for help and support. This program will focus on ways that men can help survivors through the healing process, as well as to educate men on how they can protect their loved ones by helping to end rape in our communities.

Knowing Me, Knowing You

(2 sessions) D. McDonald & G. Tomasulo Call for dates and times

Learn more about yourself with the help of Myers Briggs Personality Indicator. Explore your connections with people, why people react to you and how you may react to others.

Reducing the Risk of Sexual Assault

Mon., Apr. 2 J. Phillips 1 p.m.

Sexual assault is a frightening and traumatic experience. This workshop provides strategies to reduce the risk of sexual assault by a stranger and while on a date.

INCREASING WELLNESS

Coping with Health Concerns
Wed., Feb. 14 J. Phillips & T. Buchanan 3 p.m.

Physical health and psychological well-being often impact each other. Learn techniques to improve coping with the stress of health problems.

Feeding Your Body and Soul Week
Feb., 26 - 28 Call or visit website for information

Fun activities to increase your health and well being.

Body Image, The Media and You

Wed., Feb. 28 G. Tomasulo & S. Rider-Bennett 12 p.m. (call for location)

The media barrages us with messages about our bodies and appearance. Unfortunately, these messages may be negative and are often very unrealistic. . Learn to recognize these messages, how they impact our lives, and what you can do to celebrate every body type.

How to Help a Friend with an Eating Problem

Wed., Mar. 14 D. Muccio & T. Buchanan 12 p.m.

Do you know someone who finds reasons not to eat with the group, over exercises or who complains too much about being fat or flabby? Gain a general understanding of eating problems, and get information for helpful resources.

How To Beat The Blues

Tues., Mar. 27 E. Hayden & T. Buchanan 4 p.m.

Sad, crying, cranky, or not enjoying the things you used to? Do you believe this is a change or have people told you that you aren't your usual self? Learn how to help yourself start feeling better soon.

Quit Smoking

Wed., Apr. 11 T. Buchanan (STUN 321) 1 p.m.

Thinking about quitting? Quitting smoking can be a challenging task. Learn how to achieve your goal of being smoke-free.

Discussing Our Choices

Call 330-972-7082 for times and to register M. Silling

Participants will explore their values and choices regarding alcohol and other drugs.

ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE AND WELLNESS

How to Win the Mental Game

D. Muccio Call for dates and times

Whether you're a varsity Zip athlete, an intramural enthusiast, or weekend golfer, winning in sport requires as much mental training and preparation as it does physical. Get the edge on your opponents by being one of the few athletes who uses their mental potential while competing. Learn skills you need to enhance your sport performance and reach for full potential.

Stress can get in the way of successfully managing all of life's demands. This presentation will discuss some sources of stress for African American women and ways to improve mental emotional health.

Hypnotic trance is a pleasant and relaxing state of being. Learn to use self-hypnosis to cope with stress as well as to relax.

Do you find yourself saying this over and over again? Come learn about how sleep (or lack thereof)

Biofeedback teaches you to consciously improve your body’s response (e.g. heart rate rhythm) to stress through moment-by-moment information provided by interesting computer graphics and tones. Biofeedback training is useful for reducing test anxiety and general life stress.

Learn what stress is, where it comes from, its effects and stress management techniques.

Click on the relaxation MP3 on our website, www.uakron.edu/counseling to obtain a peaceful, calming and serene influence.

Improve your memory capacity, and understand the relationship of memory to the overall task of learning. Specific strategies will be shared (each participant is guaranteed to improve his/her memory capacity by over 300%!).

Text books are often large and you are asked to learn much information that leads to a quiz or test. Learn ways to more quickly master and retain this information. Bring a couple of books to practice the easy way.

Learn to manage past or current significant relationships more effectively through this 10 session group. Members will explore issues of trust, identity, loss and the inability to express feelings, and the influence of friends and family.

Coping Skills Group (10 sessions)
Mon., Oct. 16 D. McDonald & G. Tomasulo Call for dates and times

This educational group will focus on teaching coping skills to learn more adaptive ways of dealing with life's difficulties. Participants will acquire techniques to handle difficult emotions that can result from our interactions with others.

Participants will increase their understanding of the different pathways involved in managing anger through information, discussion and experiential exercises. Participants will gain insight and develop skills on effective and appropriate communication of anger.

D. Muccio Call for dates and times

This group is targeted to individuals who have suffered a sport-related injury that has impacted their ability to compete. Injured athletes may gain support, and learn skills to cope with the challenges their injury has created. Some topics that will be addressed include coping with the stress of rehab, time spent away from teammates and friends, life without competition, and the fear of returning to competition and being re-injured.

VIDEOTAPES and STREAMING WEB VIDEOS

The following programs are available on videotapes or streaming web videos. Viewing may be arranged by appointment by contacting the Counseling Center, Simmons Hall - Room 306, phone (330) 972-7082.

Study Skills - Test Taking - Test Anxiety streaming video (60 minutes) is on our website at www.uakron.edu/counseling. There are several advanced features in this video. One is that you can start, stop, back up or go forward by pushing the slider below the presenter. another is that in the upper right corner there is a button that lets you display all the PowerPoint slides. You can click on any slide and the lecture advances to that slide.

Click on the relaxation MP3 on our website. to obtain a peaceful, calming and serene influence.

Self Esteem	20 min.
Stress Management and Relaxation	60 min.
Test Anxiety	15 min.
Beginning Study Skills for Student Success	40 min.
Advanced Study Skills for Student Success	25 min.
How to Manage Your Time	25 min.
Stop Smoking	35 min.
What Everyone Should Know About Drug Abuse	20 min.
What Everyone Should Know About Alcohol	20 min.