COLLEGE SUCCESS PROGRAM NEWSLETTER
February 2017
CollegeTracks MM/DD/YY
 
    Ms. Jenni Adams
HERE'S HOW YOU CAN BOOK YOUR CHECK INS WITH YOUR COACH:

1) Look at your schedule to see when you're available for a 1-hour check in.

2) Go to your coach's youcanbook.me link (below).

3) Choose an appropriate time slot and fill out the necessary information. Note where your coach will be that day.

4) Book it! A confirmation will be sent to your email. Now, put that check in on your calendar and set your reminder.
 
Ms. Jenni:

Ms. Lindsey:

Ms. Nneka:

Ms. Rachel:
COACH Q & A:
This month, we asked each of the Success Coaches to share one example of how they practice building a growth mindset. Here's what they had to say:

Ms. Jenni
"When I get frustrated, or something becomes challenging, I remind myself of other times I worked at something, and it eventually got easier. I also try to break something down into smaller parts, because sometimes it's easier to focus on and practice one thing at a time, vs. mastering it all at once."

Ms. Nneka

"When I think a goal is too difficult to accomplish, I remember all the goals that I managed to accomplish and how difficult I thought it was at the time. I reflect on past challenges and obstacles, that now seem very small and insignificant. This way of thinking helps me to set larger goals, keeping in mind that with patience and perseverance, dreams do come true."

Ms. Rachel

"I've been trying to catch myself when I think, "I'm not good at that", like "I'm not good at remembering names." I then strategize about how to improve this skill, like repeating a person's name aloud after they introduce themselves so I can better remember it in the future." 

Ms. Lindsey

"When I feel like I can't solve a problem at work, I ask my fellow Coaches for ideas and strategies that have worked for them to see if I can learn from their experience. Chances are good that they have run into the road-bump before me and have found some ways around it!"

Mr. Danny

"It's been a long time since I've formally studied Spanish and so I'm on the lookout for a refresher. I always try to test my knowledge once I find a book, hear a new song, or see a movie that is all in Spanish. In the end, I always pick up new words or sayings." 
COACHES ON CAMPUS

Please check with your coach to find out exactly where your check in will take place. 

Ms. Jenni:
Thur, 2/2: Towson
Thur, 2/9: UMD College Park
Mon, 2/13: UMBC
Thur, 2/16: Trinity
Tues, 2/21: UMD College Park
Thur, 2/23: Hood & McDaniel
Mon, 2/27: Towson & Goucher

Mr. Danny:
Thur, 2/2: Towson & Morgan State
Mon, 2/6: USG
Thur, 2/9: UMD College Park
Mon, 2/13: UMBC
Thur, 2/16: Trinity
Tues, 2/21: UMD College Park
Thur, 2/23: McDaniel & Stevenson
Mon, 2/27: American University

Ms. Lindsey:
Mon & Thur: MC Rockville*

Ms. Nneka:
Mon & Thur: MC Rockville*

Ms. Rachel: 
Mon & Thur: MC Rockville*

*Check with your coach as they may be meeting you at Takoma Park, Germantown, Bethesda, or another location.


WHERE TO CHECK IN?
ROCKVILLE CAMPUS

Coaches are located in the
  SCIENCE BUILDING
(on the 1st floor , near the entrance closest to the bus stops )

If crowded, coaches may move to the 2nd or 3rd floor in the same corner of the Science Building.

  
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Start the Spring semester off right! It's a new semester, so that means it's a new you. Reflect on some of the things that worked and didn't work for you last semester. What could be done differently? How will you make sure that this new semester works for you? It's not too late to start thinking about your goals for this new semester. As your coaches, we want to make sure you set "SMART" goals--ones that you can aim for and accomplish.

SMART goals can be set for all areas of your life: school, family, financial, career, social, etc. When thinking of a SMART goal make sure it's Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. So, a bad example of a SMART goal is, "I want to meet new people." Great, but where? When? How? A better example of a SMART goal is, "I will join a cultural student organization and attend at least two of their meetings or events this semester." Since you identified specifically what's important to you, you can then figure out ways to make it come true and take action.

Your goals should come with an action plan. Consider the following when defining your SMART goals:

Specific: Who is involved? What do you want to accomplish? Where is it located? When do you want this accomplished? Why is this important? 

Measurable: How do you know you're making progress or staying on track? How will you know when your goal is accomplished?

Achievable: Your goal should be within the realm of your abilities. Ask how this goal can be accomplished--are there any constraints or limitations? Do you need to acquire any new skills? Are there resources? Do you have the funds?

Relevant: It is important to keep in mind what matters to you and how your other goals all represent your progress. Ask questions like, is this worthwhile? Is this the right time?

Time-bound: Give yourself a deadline so you can work toward getting it done. What can you do today? What can you do a month from now? When does this need to be accomplished?

Setting SMART goals is a way to clearly define what you want to achieve, what actions need to happen, and when it needs to be done. Your CollegeTracks success coach can help you identify your SMART goals, so make sure during your next check in meeting this spring semester you leave with at least one or two goals for yourself.

~CollegeTracks College Success Team

Adapted from "SMART Goals: How to Make Your Goals Achievable":
                                                                                



Have you ever heard the saying, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks"? That saying is often an excuse we use to express that we can't learn new things. But, the human brain is a complex and interesting organ that is not to be underestimated. Our brains are malleable--meaning, it's adaptable and capable of picking up new ideas and concepts. For example, think about when you hadn't learned how to ride a bike yet--it took practice to overcome fears of falling, but you got back up; each time you became better and better at it. Essentially, you were practicing what is called a growth mindset to achieve that goal of riding a bike. 

Having a growth mindset changes your attitude about approaching your goals for the semester like acing exams, turning assignments in on time, learning a new language, getting organized, etc. Just like riding your bike, most people look down on the handle bars instead of looking straight ahead, eventually you learn from your mistakes so that the next time you become better. And everyone you see out there riding their bikes, at one point when learning, they probably were frustrated, but did not give up.

One way to start practicing a growth mindset is to change the words you use when talking about how you did or how you think something is going to turn out--there's always room for growth! Here is a quick guide on how to think in a growth mindset:



Just by changing the way you think or say things gets you to start changing your mindset. So if you catch yourself saying any of the following things take a look at our quick guide so you don't box yourself in and limit what you are capable of achieving. Also, take a look at Coach Q & A (left column) and see how your coaches practice a growth mindset.

  Don't miss out! Scholarships are a great way to help pay for your school, books, transportation, etc. And best of all, you don't have to pay them back!

NAME: Horatio Alger National Career & Technical Scholarship
DUE DATE: Opens in March 2017
AMOUNT: $2,500
ELIGIBILITY: College Student, US Citizen, demonstrated financial need, community service, pursuing a technical degree/certificate.

NAME: Daughters of American Revolution Scholarship 
DUE DATE: Feb. 10, 2017
AMOUNT: Varies
ELIGIBILITY: Selection is based upon 3.25 GPA, financial need, and attendance at an accredited US institution.

NAME: Society of Women Engineers Scholarship
DUE DATE: Feb. 16, 2017
AMOUNT: Varies
ELIGIBILITY: Have 3.0 GPA, full-time student, enrolled in an engineering or computer science degree program, US Citizen, financial need.

NAME: Material Handling Education Foundation Scholarship
DUE DATE: Feb. 28, 2017
AMOUNT: Up to $9,000
ELIGIBILITY: College junior/senior enrolled in an accredited program, 3.0 GPA, enrolled in Industrial, Mechanical, Manufacturing, Electrical and Civil Engineering, Engineering Technology, Industrial Distribution, Computer Engineering, Computer Science and Business Administration in Production Mgmt, Supply Chain Logistics/Management.

NAME: I Heart My School Scholarship
DUE DATE: Feb. 28, 2017
AMOUNT: Up to $500
ELIGIBILITY: College Student, 1000-word essay that describes 5 great things you love most, but most people do not know about your school, 18 years old.

NAME: The Payscale Scholarship: Women in STEM
DUE DATE: Feb. 28, 2017
AMOUNT: Up to $2,000
ELIGIBILITY: Be currently enrolled in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) major, complete a 500-word essay on selected topic, open to female undergraduate students.
MORE INFO:  
http://www.payscale.com/education/scholarship?utm_source=buzzstream&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=scholarship%20outreach

NAME : MC Transfer Scholarships (For current MC students planning to transfer in fall)
DUE DATE:  Varies
AMOUNT : Varies
ELIGIBILITY : Varies,  check individual scholarship requirements (links below)

NAME: Central Scholarship Bureau
DUE DATE: Jan. 1-April 1, 2017
AMOUNT: Up to $10,000/yr
ELIGIBILITY: Student from MD, GPA 2.8 or better, family income below $90K, US citizen or permanent resident.

NAME: Undergraduate Public Service Scholarship (for female students)
DUE DATE: Mar. 29, 2017
AMOUNT: $1,500/month (4 weeks)
ELIGIBILITY: Rising junior or senior or recently completed undergraduate degree, applied or accepted to an internship in the Washington DC metro area (DMV) in public service (government, non-profit, women's rights), starts on May 1st or after and ends in Sept., must be at least 30 hours per week.

NAME: CU College Scholarship
DUE DATE: Mar. 31, 2017
AMOUNT:  $1,000
ELIGIBILITY: Applicant must be a member of the participating credit unions in DC/MD area. Can enter at least one: essay, video, or photo topics. Applicants must be entering their freshman through senior year of college or trade school.

NAME: LendEdu Scholarship
DUE DATE: April. 15, 2017
AMOUNT: $1,000
ELIGIBILITY: Full-time College Student, US Residents, 2.5 GPA.

 * MC SPECIFIC INFORMATION *

LAST FAFSA WORKSHOP! 
Thursday, February 2nd from 1-4pm at MC Rockville's Welcome Center.


MC Tutoring Resources
February 2017
Between their three campuses, MC offers free, in-person tutoring in almost every subject including social sciences; science; math; writing, reading, and language; business; health sciences; and world languages. Click   here to see a list of tutoring options at each campus and the subjects offered. They also offer virtual tutoring and digital learning resources. ( http://cms.montgomerycollege.edu/learningcenters/)
Most of MC's in-person tutoring is offered through their Learning Centers. One example, the Ackerman Learning Center (also called the Math & Science Center), offers tutoring in math, biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, and geosciences on a walk-in basis during scheduled hours. Each tutoring station in this center has a sign-in sheet and you can sign up to work with a faculty member, MC staff member, or an outstanding student to get some help. Some classes even offer weekly help sessions through the Learning Center. All sessions are free and there is no registration required.
Other Learning Centers, like the Writing, Reading, and Language Center (WRLC) at MC Rockville, require students to create an online account so they can sign up for tutoring by appointment, which means you can choose the time that works best for you and know you have a tutor waiting to help. Walk-in hours are also available if you prefer to drop by before or after class, and all of their tutoring is free.
CollegeTracks is also offering free group tutoring sessions this semester. To learn more, get in touch with your Coach!

THANK YOU FOR READING THE SUCCESS PROGRAM'S E-NEWSLETTER!

CollegeTracks College Success Program Team:
MS. JENNI ADAMS
MS. LINDSEY REED
MS. NNEKA ONYILOFOR
MS. RACHEL LOSTUMBO
MR. DANNY KHOTSOMBATH