Student Success Seminar

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Student Success Seminar

• How to succeed at ABAC
• (And at Life ?)

2
Contacts

• Dr. Donald K. Parks, Director of Student Success
  - dparks_at_abac.edu
• Ms. Kim Ascani, Academic Assistance Center -
  kascani_at_abac.edu
• Ms. Catherine Cronin, Academic Testing Specialist
  ccronin_at_abac.edu
• The Office telephone number is 229-391-4995.
• ABAC Information Center telephone number is
  229-391-5001.

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Take Notes!

• Its important to take notes during any
  presentation.
• Start NOW!
• Save this presentation!
• For more information visit the ABAC website at
  http//www.abac.edu.

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Why are you here today?

• Purpose of the Compass test
• Strategies for success
• Action to take TODAY!

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The Purpose for COMPASS Placement Testing

• Our goal is to place you in the class(es) in
  which you will have the greatest success.
• The Compass test indicates what courses you will
  be able to initially take at ABAC.
• If you score below the minimum scores in any area
  then you must take learning support courses.

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Cut-off scores and what they mean

• Reading
• A score of 78 or above is college-ready.
• English
• A score of 60 or above is college-ready.

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Cut-off scores and what they mean

• All transfer programs and most career-technical
  programs require the completion of College
  Algebra or Math Modeling.
• If you are in one of these programs and your
  Algebra score is 45 or above, then you are
  college ready. If not you must take both MATH
  0097 and MATH 0099.

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Cut-off scores and what they mean

• The ADN program is the exception to the rule.
• If you are in the ADN program and score a 44 or
  below in Algebra and a 34 or below in
  Pre-Algebra, then you will be required to take
  MATH 0090 as a pre-requisite for PNUR 1104.

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What is Success?

• Success is having fun finding and fulfilling our
  purpose in Life.
• Dr. Jim Muncy

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The Student Success Partnership ABACs Part

• ABAC is student-friendly.
• Resources are available
• My Math Lab (Web instruction software with
  immediate feedback on homework problems, videos,
  practice tests, etc)
• Academic Assistance Center (free tutoring)
• Faculty who are laboring and rooting for you to
  "rise to the challenge" of college level
  mathematics, English, and reading.
• Your Academic Advisor

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The Student Success Partnership ABACs Part

• If you require personal or career assistance, the
  Student Development Office can help _ 2nd Floor
  of the Student Center. Ask the Golden Stallion ?
• ABAC 1000 is a wonderful seminar-style class that
  can help you learn and practice time management,
  study skills, and life success skills!
• Learning Communities are a great method to
  develop relationships with other students who
  share similar interests. Fall Only
• http//www.abac.edu/learningcommunities/

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The Student Success Center

• What is the Student Success Center?
• Math Center
• Writing Center
• Peer Center
• Testing Center
• Coming soon Academic Advising Center!

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The Student Success Partnership YOUR Part

• This aint high school and your mama aint here ?
• Attendance showing up is ½ the battle
• Active Class participation
• Study
• Manage your time
• Personal responsibility is the key.
• Growth isnt a key to success, Its the door!
  Dr. Jim Muncy

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What are Learning Support Classes?

• Required by the University System of Georgia and
  can help you succeed in College-Level Courses.
• Skills needed for success in college-level
  courses.
• Critical for you to move on to other courses
  toward degree completion.
• Not simply exiting the classes LEARN
  foundational skills.

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Learning Support Success Strategies - Math

• Pass the MATH 0097 exemption test and move
  immediately into MATH 0099.
• A practice exam is available online at
  http//www.abac.edu/SM/math_portfolios.pdf

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Learning Support Success Strategies - English

• Essay preparation
• Compass preparation (grammar editing)
• WPE Writing Proficiency Exam
• Compass Exam score of 60
• Must pass both WPE and Compass

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Learning Support Success Strategies - Reading

• READ 0099
• Compass Exam Preparation
• Academic Reading
• Early Exit Compass Exam If you are earning an A
  at midterm you may be able to exit the class
  early. Make this a goal!

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Learning Support Prerequisites?

• MOST ABAC classes have LS prerequisites. You must
  exit READ AND ENGL 099 to take many college level
  classes. Many other classes have LS Math
  prerequisites.
• Review the catalog or ask your advisor for
  courses that can be taken while taking LS courses.

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Learning Support Advising and Scheduling

• You should only register for classes approved by
  your academic advisors.
• Failure to register for appropriate courses may
  result in being dropped from a class.
• You Must register for all LS classes before
  registering for any academic class.

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Learning Support Advising and Scheduling

• If you withdraw from a LS class, you will be
  withdrawn from all academic classes except PE,
  ABAC 1000 and Music.
• You have three attempts to pass each sequence of
  LS classes. The grades of F, WF and IP are
  considered attempts.
• You have three attempts for ENGL 0099, three
  attempts for READ 0099, three attempts between
  MATH 0097 and MATH 0099, and three attempts for
  MATH 0090.

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Advising and Scheduling

• Advising and Registration dates are
• Spring Semester starts January 12, 2009
• Summer Semester starts May 25, 2009
• Fall Semester starts August 17, 2009
• Spring Semester starts January 11, 2010
• Summer Semester starts May 24, 2010

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Financial Aid

• Visit the Financial Aid Website at
  http//www.abac.edu/fa/.
• Some important rules to note
• All changes to schedules have an impact on
  Financial Aid.
• You can lose Financial Aid if you do not pass at
  least 67 of the courses you attempt.
• Would YOU like an extra 8,000???

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A New Start!

• Whatever has caused you to struggle in the past,
  now is the time to "get it". Take responsibility
  to build your skills, making your classes a
  serious priority.
• Make a commitment to learn, not just pass the
  class. There are direct correlations between
  attendance, active participation, diligence in
  practice and success in college courses.
• Take care of business first!

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Goal Setting and Time Management

• S.M.A.R.T. Specific, Measurable, Attainable,
  Realistic, and Time-activated
• Write them down
• Develop an action plan
• I will exit READ 099 AND ENGL 099 my first
  semester. Or I will make a 3.0 or higher GPA
  this semester. Or Attend Math Gone Wild!

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Goal Setting and Time Management

• Sample Action plan
• I will sit at the front of my class
• I will attend ALL classes
• I will arrive at least 5 minutes early
• I will meet with a tutor the first week of class
• I will meet with each instructor in their office
  the first week of class.
• I will turn in all assignments on time
• I will develop a time management plan
• NOTE Thoughts without action fantasy

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What action will you take today?

• Confirm New Student Orientation (One-Stop-Shop
  Student Center)
• Confirm Financial Aid (Student Center)
• Confirm Housing (Town Hall)
• Read this PowerPoint!
• Set goals!

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Are you ready?

• This test is important!
• IF for any reason you are not ready to take this
  exam at this time, then please say so now.
• We can reschedule your exam for a time when you
  feel you will be better prepared.

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Directions for the Compass

• Review the orange sheet for the correct name,
  major and other information.
• The number in the left-hand corner is your ABAC
  ID number.
• You will be asked a series of questions at the
  beginning of the test.
• Use your ABAC ID (9180) when asked for your
  Social Security Number.
• You are testing in Tifton.
• You are taking the Placement test.

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The Test

• Take your time and do your own work.
• The test will test you to your limit in each
  section then proceed automatically through
  Mathematics, Reading, and Writing.
• When the screen says STOP, you are done. You
  may leave at this point.

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What to expect Math

• The questions will vary in difficulty.
• The test is trying to determine what principles
  you do and do not know.

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What to expect - Reading

• You will be given several paragraphs and several
  questions regarding the paragraphs.
• Read all of the questions, then read the
  paragraphs.
• After reading, answer the questions.
• The test can include paragraphs that become
  progressively more difficult.

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What to expect - Writing

• The test asks two types of questions
• Questions about grammar
• Questions about the passage
• Review each sentence for any sort of change
  including punctuation and word choice.

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After the test

• See Ms. Cronin when you have completed the test.
• At this point, your scores will be available.
• You may re-test ONE TIME for a fee of 25.
• If you want to re-test you must call 229-391-4995
  to schedule.

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Please Turn Off Cell-phones. We will now
proceed to the test.

• Relax, keep breathing and good luck!