CollegeTracks College Success Program Newsletter

" My stepson Vidal is a little foodie. While I am not as interested in food as he is, I think it will be fun for us to look up and try out one new recipe each week together."

Ms. Nneka

"I am constantly doing "resolutions" throughout the year, so New Years is not much of a milestone for me. I will likely stick to the same resolutions that I have been working toward for the past few years. Every year, I see myself getting closer to my goals."

Ms. Rachel

"One of my resolutions is to be more intentional about getting enough sleep. I am a huge reader and I often get absorbed in my book just around the time I should be turning out the lights. My challenge will be to flip that light switch even if I can't wait to turn the page."

Ms. Fenise Dunson

" One of my New Year's Goals for 2018 is to get out and enjoy life more and travel to someplace new."

Mr. Dennis

" My New Years resolution is to become better at organizing and prioritizing everything in my life."

Ms. Courtney

"To not let anything interrupt my God-given peace, love, and joy. Also, I think I want to eat less meat in 2018."

Mr. Peter

"I will go to the gym twice per week and call a family member once per week."

Mr. Sean

"I am assertively working towards not buying things on impulse and really thinking about my needs versus wants."

Shout out to Scholar Aldana Caceres, University of Maryland-College Park

Aldana was able to help CollegeTracks with an important marketing opportunity at the very last minute and was exceptional.

Also, congrats to Aldana for being accepted into a study abroad program with UMD where she will be studying in Florance, Italy next semester. Coach Fenise and the entire CT staff knows this Architecture maven will do great things!

Shout out to Scholar Natalie Morales, Bowie University Natalie had a particularly challenging semester and was able to make some very mature and important decisions that improved her grades and propelled her to transfer to Montgomery College in the spring. Natalie Coach Fenise is very proud of you and knows that you will continue to shine bright!

Shout out to Scholar Raynolds Awusi, Southern Vermont University

Raynolds has really shined academically this semester and is close to finishing with a 4.0! He met the challenge of being far away from home and adjusted very well.

He played soccer this semester and was able to successfully balance his sports activities and his academics. Coach Fenise is so proud of this committed scholar!

Shout out to Camila Serpas Landaverde, Montgomery College; for her recent acceptance into both MC's School of Nursing, as well as University of Maryland's School of Nursing! Camila is such a hard worker, and the profession of nursing will be lucky to have her.

Shout out to Salvador Suarez for his recent acceptance into Towson's Electronic Media and Film program! He starts this spring, and is excited to start the next chapter of his education.

Shout out to Alex Sempero and Carol Lopez, Montgomery College. These scholars met when they were students at Wheaton High School. They will get married on December 30, 2017 . Congratulations on the new life they will begin together!

Shout out to Amaya Garey, Montgomery College; for getting offered a work study job for next semester. She has been looking for a job and having a work study job will allow her to earn money and stay on campus!!

Shout out to scholar athletes Niko Sharma (Hood), Pablo Bendana (McDaniel), and Tendo Nassozi (Salisbury) for their commitment on and off the field. It truly takes a lot of dedication and effort to balance sports, coursework, family, and life. Coach Courtney is more than proud of each and every one of these scholars!

Shout out to Steven Nguyen, Stevenson University. Steven came prepared to his recent check-in with two academic goals and the action steps he plans to take to help him achieve these goals. Your focus on your future will get you far, Steven!

Please keep up the great work. We are proud of you all!

ctscholars



@scholarsCT

CTscholars



CollegeTracks.

Success.Program

The Final Countdown

WOW that was fast! The fall semester will be over in a few weeks. This means that final exams, projects and papers will be due soon! Are you ready? This is not the time to panic; but instead it's the time to prepare. Yes, create a plan of attack. How will you study and prepare for exams or execute that final project or paper?

Quick Steps on getting organized:

Find out if your exam is going to be comprehensive or just over a few chapters.
Gather all your materials and supplemental information, to include: study guides, previous tests, homework assignments, lecture notes/PowerPoints, handouts, and any other supportive material.
If your professor didn't give a study guide, create your own and ask them to review it for content.
Coordinate the materials by text chapter or lecture notes. Then study accordingly by dividing up the material in small sections and reviewing the sections over a few hours a week. For example, your comprehensive exam is over chapters 10-20, study 5 chapters per week.
During your review, if you still lack understanding or have a gap in information, contact your professor and ask for clarification.
This same process will work if you only have a week to study. Just break the material up into days instead of weeks; try not to cram, and pull all night study sessions, they are ineffective and cause lots of stress.

Study groups are also a great ways to study for exams. Group members can quiz each other, take turns in re-teaching material, compare notes and previous exam questions. Having someone to exchange information with allows you to talk through course material with someone who is in the same course and may have information you missed or understand something you don't.

After studying, prepare yourself both mentally and physically. This is the time for positive self-talk, affirming that you will succeed. Affirmations and mantras may also. Decide to do your best, use the knowledge you have attained and deliver it in the best positive way you can. Meditate and visualize your success and the reward.

Stop all studying 1 hour before the exam and take a moment to just breathe, relax, and get centered. Try this video of Powerful Affirmations for Students Preparing for Exams: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNJFrJVxUJ4

During exam week make sure you get enough sleep, don't stay up late studying or partying. Buckle down and get plenty of rest. This is also the time to make sure you are hydrated . With all that goes on during that week its easy to forget to eat and drink properly. Carry a bottle of water with you during your exams and have a meal or a snack in between exam sessions.

We want to hear of your exam experience. Make sure to contact your Coach with exam prep questions and to share your wins! We are here to help and to celebrate your accomplishments!

Scholar Talent Showcase Corner


	Khama Abbott

Poet Scholar: Khama Abbott, Montgomery College

Poem: The laugh of an angel

"The radiancy of her glow on which filled the room.

The abundance of joy that was so contagious

A beautiful rose that continues to grow through concrete ..

That smile that can shine through any lie, deceit or deception

The love that was never ending a bond that can't be broken

A gaze that can hypnotize any man, bring him to his knees, begging at her feet...

A will that contest through ten thousand storms

Her."

Interview:

When did you write your first poem?

- I would have to say my senior year of high school.

What inspires you to write a poem?

- It can honestly be anything. It could be a lyric of a song or just everyday life or what I see in the world. I watch a lot of 90s movies so some of my poems could be based off the film I'm watching.

Have you ever had a poem published before?

- No because I feel sometimes they're not good enough. Only a handful of friends have seen my poems but I'm trying to get out of that shell now and sent some to the poetry club of Montgomery College.

Do you do any other types of writing or art?

- Yes I do photography. At first it was just a hobby but I've gotten used to it so now I'm trying to construct it into a business.

Do you have a talent or skill that you would like featured in our Talent Showcase Corner? We would love to showcase your talent in music, poetry, visual arts and more! Please share your information with your Success Coach!

Winter Break Ideas

You did it, you got through the semester and finals and all the craziness that came with it. You want to escape, run for the hills and do just what the term "winter break" says, BREAK! And of course you should. You certainly should take some time to rest, and debrief, focus on yourself and not your courses. However, the winter break is a good chunk of time to do more than just that. Here are some great ideas on how to maximize your time off and have some fun as well!

Create or edit your resume-and cover letter- you've had a few accomplishments and gained a new skill or two. Take this time to add them to your resume and get both documents reviewed by someone else.

Get a job - Lots of organizations and retailers are looking for short time help during this time. Save the money for when you return to school and even if you don't need the money it is experience that you can add to your resume.

Look for or obtain an internship- in your downtime research internship opportunities and apply for spring and summer openings. Some will also be open during the break.

Spend some quality time with you family- Admit it! You missed your parents and even your annoying sibling. Soak up the love that you missed and get some spoiling in. Show them that you missed them and appreciate their support. Do the family things you love to do.

Spark your creativity -do you like to bake or cook? How about finishing that poem you started to write, that song you wanted to learn or make something great for your dorm room? What ever it is, get your creative juices flowing.

Travel or Volunteer- check with your school for alternative break and service learning opportunities. These often come with travel and volunteering combined and are a great way to network while helping others. You can also use this time to travel with friends or alone. It can be an exciting time with new eye opening experiences.

Start a new GOOD Habit- exercise! It takes 21 days to create a new habit. The break will give you more than enough time to start a new exercise or health plan. Remember when you feel better you will perform better!

Finally, Catch up with old friends- with social media and smartphones some of you may not have really detached from your old buddies, but perhaps reminiscing while at the movies, ice skating, or playing video games will give you all a chance to reconnect and give you renewed energy. This also a great time to meet with your Success Coach, hint-hint!

adapted from: https://www.fastweb.com/student-life/articles/the-10-things-you-should-do-over-holiday-break

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!

1) Foreclosure.com Scholarship Program:

Deadline: 12/15/17

Amount: $5,000

Must be a legal resident of the 50 United States, the U.S. territories, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Must be currently enrolled in U.S. accredited, postsecondary institution of higher learning (college, university, or trade school)

2) Top 10 List Scholarship:

Deadline: 12/31/17

Amount: $1,500

Be thirteen (13) years of age or older at the time of application
Be legal residents of the fifty (50) United States or the District of Columbia
Be currently enrolled (or enroll no later than the fall of 2020) in an accredited post-secondary institution of higher education
Submit an online short written response (250 words or less) for the question: "Create a Top Ten List of the top ten reasons you should get this scholarship."

3) Discover Student Loans Scholarship

Deadline: 12/31/17

Amount: $2,500

Must be 16 years of age or older.
Must be a high school senior or current undergraduate student.
Must be a U.S. citizen.
Must reside in, plan to attend or currently attend an accredited, nonprofit, four-year college or university located in the United States, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico.

* MONTGOMERY COLLEGE-SPECIFIC INFORMATION *

Welcome Scholars to the close of fall semester 2017! You worked really hard and we hope that you reward yourself during winter break. Below are some important MC happenings that you should be aware of.

Register ASAP to increase your chances of getting the classes that you want. Spring semester begins on Monday, January 22, 2018.
Finals week is Dec 11th - 15th. Talk to your Success Coach about study tips to increase your success!
If you are interested, register now for Winter Courses. Winter Session begins on Monday, December 18th.

MC Foundation Scholarship is now taking applications:

Applications are due on December 31st.

Requirements: 2.5 GPA or higher, financial need, enrolled for at least 6 credits and are a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.

Check out this site for more information: https://montgomerycollege.academicworks.com/users/sign_in

If you will graduate this coming spring, many transfer deadlines are approaching. Winter break may be a great time for you to work on transfer applications. Schedule an appt with your Success Coach to assist you if you have questions about the transfer process.

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

CollegeTracks College Success Program Team:

MS. JENNI ADAMS

MS. NNEKA ONYILOFOR

MS. RACHEL LOSTUMBO

MS. FENISE DUNSON

MR. DENNIS TURNER

MS. COURTNEY RILEY

MR. PETER MARSDEN

MR. SEAN COMBS

To All of Our Scholars