Connections by Paul A. Gore; Wade Leuwerke; A. J. Metz - First Edition, 2016 from Macmillan Student Store
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Connections

First  Edition©2016 Paul A. Gore; Wade Leuwerke; A. J. Metz

About

Are you looking for a college success resource that speaks to the all aspects of a student’s college experience? Connections is an innovative new text that offers the ideal balance of motivation, academics, and life skills. It starts with comprehensive coverage of the topics typically covered in the introductory course but has a unique emphasis on goal-setting, life skills and career planning. When packaged with LaunchPad for Connections, it integrates a state-of-the-art, norm-referenced, student-self assessment of non-cognitive and cognitive skills tool called ACES. Print and digital are uniquely combined for a personalized experience.

In every chapter, students are encouraged to take a positive, success-oriented approach to this course – and to life in general – by working to strengthen their strengths, celebrate progress, and use setbacks as opportunities for growth.

With an emphasis on self-knowledge, and on building skills for college and career success, Connections empowers students to become self-regulated, collaborative learners – learners who thrive in school, on the job, and in the community.

E-book

Read online (or offline) with all the highlighting and notetaking tools you need to be successful in this course.

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Launchpad

Get the e-book, do assignments, take quizzes, prepare for exams and more, to help you achieve success in class.

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Table of Contents

contents
Letter to students 
About the Authors 
Preface 
1
Building a Foundation for Success 
Find Your Purpose  
Education: Good for Society, Good for You  
Learn about Yourself 
● voices of experience: student Learning about Yourself 
Understand College Expectations 
   What It Means to Be in College 
   Starting Off on the Right Foot 
Feel the Power of Positive Psychology 
Build Self-Efficacy 
Be Resilient 
Keep Hope Alive  
Accept Personal Responsibility  
Embrace Your Strengths — and Learn from Your Weaknesses  
Identify Your Strengths and Your Weaknesses: ACES and Other Tools 
Recruit Help  
● spotlight on research: Behaviors and Attitudes Drive Your Success 
College Success Leads to Career Success 
● voices of experience: employer The Qualities of a Great Job Candidate    CHAPTER SUMMARY  
CHAPTER ACTIVITIES  
2
Thinking Critically and Setting Goals 
Build Your Critical Thinking Skills 
The Ingredients of Critical Thinking  
How to Use Your Higher-Level Thinking Skills  
Think Critically to Learn  
Levels of Learning 
   Using Bloom’s Taxonomy 
Think Critically to Set Goals  
Step 1: Identify a Goal 
Step 2: Make Your Goal SMART  
Step 3: Create an Action Plan  
Step 4: List Barriers and Solutions  
● voices of experience: student Focusing on Solutions 
Step 5: Act and Evaluate Outcomes  
● spotlight on research: The Academic Benefits of Goal Setting 
Create Your Personal Success Plan  
The PSP in Action  
Create Your First Personal Success Plan  
Critical Thinking and Goal Setting in Your Career  
Learn on the Job 
Think Outside the Box 
Set Goals on the Job  
● voices of experience: employee Setting Goals for Workplace Success 
CHAPTER SUMMARY   CHAPTER ACTIVITIES  
3
Motivation, Decision Making, and Personal Responsibility 
What Keeps You Motivated?  
Self-Efficacy 
Relevance  
Attitude 
Tap into Your Internal Motivation  
Make Good Decisions  
● voices of experience: student Staying Motivated in College  
Take Responsibility for Your Actions – and Your Education  
Develop a Growth Mind-set  
Understand Why Outcomes Occur 
Take an Active Approach to Your Learning  
Think about Thinking and Learning  
● spotlight on research: Grit Leads to Success! 
Motivation, Decision Making, and Personal Responsibility at Work  
Apply Motivational Strategies on the Job 
Make Good Choices at Work  
Take Responsibility to Boost Career Success  
● voices of experience: employee Making Decisions on the Job 
My Personal Success Plan  
CHAPTER SUMMARY  
CHAPTER ACTIVITIES     4
Organization and Time Management  
Get Organized  
Create a Clean Study Space  
Organize Your Documents  
Take Control of Your Time  
Step 1: Track Your Time  
Step 2: Identify Your Priorities 
● spotlight on research: Time Management: It Works!
Step 3: Build Your Schedule  
Step 4: Use Tools to Track Progress on Your Projects  
Manage Time in Your Online Classes  
● voices of experience: student Tools for Time Management  
Overcome Procrastination and Minimize Distractions  
Beat Procrastination 
Minimize Distractions  
Use Organization and Time Management at Work 
Get a Job  
Show that You’re Dependable  
Make Time for Your Personal Life  
● voices of experience: employee Managing a Busy Work Schedule  
My Personal Success Plan  
CHAPTER SUMMARY  
CHAPTER ACTIVITIES     5
Understanding Learning  
Learning that Works: What the Research Tells Us 
Your Brain Is Required for Learning! 
Test Yourself 
Space Out Your Studying  
Change Up Your Material  
● spotlight on research: Longer Course? More Time for Distributed Learning! Make Connections So Learning Lasts 
● voices of experience: student Using Learning Strategies in College 
 Use Verbal and Visual Information 
Make Learning Personal 
Use the Myers-Briggs Model  
Use the VARK Model  
Succeed in Different Learning Environments  
Work in a Group 
Make Sure You’re Multimodal 
Seek Help for Learning Challenges  
Apply Your Knowledge of Learning at Work  
Work in a Team 
Expand Your Understanding 
Supervise and Train Others  
● voices of experience: employee Using Learning Strategies on the Job 
My Personal Success Plan  
CHAPTER SUMMARY  
CHAPTER ACTIVITIES     6
Reading for College Success 
Become an Active Reader  
Prepare to Read  
Make a Plan for Your Reading 
Preview the Material  
Identify Purposeful Reading Questions 
Use Similar Strategies with All Your Reading Materials  
Read with Focus  
Mark Up Your Reading Material  
Make It Personal 
Think Critically about What You Read 
Clarify Confusing Material  
Boost Your Reading Efficiency 
● voices of experience: student Gaining Confidence in Reading   
Review What You’ve Read  
Recite  
Summarize  
Review and Study   
● spotlight on research: Read for Fun and Interest — It’s Good for You! 
Read Different Types of Materials  
Read for Math and Science Classes  
Read Journal Articles  
Read Online Course Materials  
Read at Work  
Gather, Analyze, and Apply Information 
Stay Current  
Expand Your Skill Set 
● voices of experience: employer Reading Critically for Career Success  
My Personal Success Plan  
CHAPTER SUMMARY  
CHAPTER ACTIVITIES  
7
Taking Effective Notes 
Supercharge Your Note Taking with a Four-Step Strategy  
Step 1: Prepare to Take Notes  
Step 2: Actively Listen, Watch, Read, and Participate  
Step 3: Record Information  
● spotlight on research: Taking Notes? Grab a Pen and Paper  
Step 4: Review Your Notes 
Experiment with Note-Taking Methods  
Outlining 
● voices of experience: student Outlining and Other Note-Taking Strategies  
Cornell System 
Mapping 
Charting 
Note-Taking Tips for Math, Science, and Online Classes 
Taking Notes in Math and Science Classes  
Taking Notes in Online Classes 
Apply Note Taking at Work  
Demonstrate Accuracy and Attention to Detail 
Transform Information  
Use the Information You Record  
● voices of experience: employee Taking Notes on the Job  
My Personal Success Plan  
CHAPTER SUMMARY  
CHAPTER ACTIVITIES  
8
Memory and Studying 
Learn How Your Memory Works  
How You Remember  
Why You Forget  
Study Basics: Set Yourself Up for Success  
Manage Your Time and Monitor Your Environment 
Make Connections  
Join a Study Group 
Draw a Mental Picture  
Test Yourself on Key Concepts  
● voices of experience: student Using Study Tools to Succeed  
● spotlight on research: Answer Practice Questions to Master Your Material  
Create Review Sheets  
Use Mnemonics 
Study for Your Math, Science, and Online Classes 
Math and Science Classes 
Online Classes 
Use Memory and Studying at Work 
Use Your Memory to Build Personal Connections  
Communicate Using Elaborative Rehearsal  
Become a Subject Matter Expert 
Be a Lifelong Learner 
● voices of experience: employee Lifelong Learning 
My Personal Success Plan 
CHAPTER SUMMARY  
CHAPTER ACTIVITIES 
9
Performing Well on Exams  
Prepare for Tests 
Build a Sensible Study Schedule  
Use Your Study Skills 
Know the Exam Format 
Review Previous Exams 
Stay Healthy 
Talk with Your Instructor 
Manage Test Anxiety  
● voices of experience: student Preparing for Tests and Overcoming Test Anxiety   
● spotlight on research: Think Positively to Overcome Test Anxiety  
Learn Test-Taking Strategies 
Start Smart 
Answer Multiple-Choice Questions  
Answer Matching Questions 
Answer Fill-in-the-Blank Questions  
Answer True/False Questions 
Answer Essay Questions 
Take Math and Science Tests 
Take Tests Online   Take Tests with Integrity  
Follow Up after Tests 
Evaluate Your Preparation and Performance 
Get Help to Make a Change 
Use Test-Taking Skills at Work  
Answer Questions Confidently 
Take Exams for Work 
● voices of experience: employee Taking Tests on the Job 
My Personal Success Plan 
CHAPTER SUMMARY  
CHAPTER ACTIVITIES 
10
Information Literacy and Communication 
Develop Information Literacy 
Find the Information You Need 
Evaluate the Information You’ve Found  
Communicate Information through Writing 
Prepare to Write 
● spotlight on research: Outline It!  
Write Your First Draft 
Avoid Plagiarism 
Revise and Polish Your Paper  
● voices of experience: student Getting Feedback on Your Writing  
Write in Online Classes    Present in Class with Confidence 
Know Your Purpose — and Your Audience  
Craft Your Presentation  
Practice Your Presentation  
Deliver a Great Presentation 
Harness the Power of Technology: Present Online  
Use Information Literacy and Communication Skills at Work  
Sell Yourself to Potential Employers 
Work with Information Effectively 
Communicate Your Great Ideas 
● voices of experience: employee Managing and Communicating Information 
My Personal Success Plan 
CHAPTER SUMMARY 
CHAPTER ACTIVITIES 
11
Connecting with Others 
Enhance Your Communication Skills 
Become a Better Listener  
Become a Better Speaker  
Build Emotional Intelligence 
Recognize Emotions 
Understand Emotions 
Manage Emotions 
Resolve Conflict 
Be Assertive 
Use “I” Statements  
Grow and Sustain Healthy Relationships 
Connect with Classmates 
Connect with Instructors 
Connect with Your Campus Community  
● spotlight on research: The Value of Getting Involved on Campus  
Connect with Others Online 
Stay Connected with Friends and Family  
Embrace Diversity 
Recognize Differences 
Develop Multicultural Competence  
Learn and Advocate 
● voices of experience: student  Appreciating Diversity 
Connect with Others at Work  
Impress an Interviewer or Employer  
Work Effectively with Colleagues  
● voices of experience: employer Interpersonal Skills for Workplace Success 
My Personal Success Plan 
CHAPTER SUMMARY  
CHAPTER ACTIVITIES 
12
Personal and Financial Health 
Stress Less, Feel Better 
Physical and Mental Health  
Eat Right 
Stay Active  
Don’t Skimp on the Z’s  
● voices of experience: student Staying Healthy and Coping with Stress 
Take Care of Your Mental Health 
Prevent Substance Abuse 
Practice Self-Care  
Sexual Health  
Avoid Sexually Transmitted Infections 
Practice Birth Control 
Financial Health  
Create a Budget 
●  spotlight on research:Get Informed about Money 
Reduce Your Spending 
Get a Job to Boost Your Income  
Navigate Financial Aid 
Control Your Credit Cards — So They Don’t Control You   Personal and Financial Health at Work 
Boost Your Productivity 
Manage Work Budgets 
● voices of experience: employee Managing Stress  
My Personal Success Plan 
CHAPTER SUMMARY   CHAPTER ACTIVITIES  
13
Academic and Career Planning  
Know Yourself 
Explore Your Interests  
Explore Your Values 
Explore Your Skills  ● spotlight on research: Understand Yourself through Campus Engagement 
Investigate Career Options  
Get to Know the O*NET  
Talk with Experts  
Get Experience 
Develop an Academic Plan 
Choose a Degree or Certificate 
Choose a Major 
Choose Your Courses 
Get Help from an Academic Adviser or Counselor 
● voices of experience: student Selecting a Major and Choosing Classes 
Academic and Career Planning Milestones 
Keep Developing Your Career — Even While You Work!  
Advance in Your Chosen Career 
Explore New Opportunities 
● voices of experience: employee On-the-Job Career Planning 
My Personal Success Plan 
CHAPTER SUMMARY  
CHAPTER ACTIVITIES 
14
Celebrating Your Success and Connecting to Your Future 
Assess Your ACES Progress 
Compare and Contrast: Initial Report Versus Progress Report 
End-of-Term ACES Analysis: Four Factors that Influence Results 
Where Do You Go from Here? 
Dig Deeper: Reflect on the Specifics of Your Progress  
What Did You Discover about Yourself?  
What Goals Did You Establish — and Achieve?  
● voices of experience: student The Power of Understanding Yourself 
What Kept You Motivated and Positive?  
What Skills Did You Build? 
Who Supported You? 
Full Speed Ahead! Prepare for Continued Academic Success 
Keep Achieving Goals 
Adapt to New Challenges 
● spotlight on research: The Power of Optimism 
Stay Connected to Your Supports 
Celebrate Success and Connect to Your Future — at Work  
Keep Reflecting 
Adapt to Change 
Continue Networking  
● voices of experience: employee The Value of Continuous Personal Reflection 
My Personal Success Plan  
CHAPTER SUMMARY  
CHAPTER ACTIVITIES 
Appendix: Your Career Search  
Write a Résumé 
Find Job Opportunities  
Write a Cover Letter  
Interview Effectively  
Glossary 
Endnotes 
 Index  

Paul A. Gore

Dr. Paul Gore

Paul’s efforts to promote college and career readiness, high school and college student persistence and academic success are informed by over twenty years of research, program development, implementation, evaluation, consulting and teaching. Paul currently serves as the Dean of the College of Professional Sciences at Xavier University in Ohio. Paul earned his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in student career development, academic success, and transition, from Loyola Univeristy - Chicago. He has held academic and administrative responsibilities at the University of Missouri – Kansas City, Southern Illinois University - Carbondale, ACT, Inc., and the University of Utah.

Paul’s work focuses on non-cognitive and motivational determinants of academic and career success. In particular, he is interested in how secondary and postsecondary institutions use data describing the non-cognitive strengths and weaknesses of their students to promote student success and retention. He regularly consults with secondary and postsecondary institutions in the United States and abroad on developing and evaluating student academic and career success programs.

Paul has authored over fifty peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. He is the past-chair of the Society for Vocational Psychology and served as an ddvisory board member for the National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience and Students in Transition. He is a fellow of the American Psychological Association and was the recipient of a 2013–2014 American Council on Education Emerging Leadership fellowship.

Wade Leuwerke

Dr. Wade C. Leuwerke

Wade is an associate professor of counseling at Drake University. He earned his Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Southern Illinois University–Carbondale. Wade has authored over fifty journal articles and book chapters, as well as national and international conference presentations. One of his areas of research is the assessment and development of student and employee non-cognitive skills. He co-created the Student Strengths Inventory, a measure of non-cognitive skills used with secondary and postsecondary students to identify students’ skills and drive interventions for students at risk of academic failure or dropout. Wade also studies the factors that predict college retention, the impact of computer-assisted career guidance systems on academic planning and career exploration behaviors, and the role of technology in career development processes.

Wade has experience examining school counselors’ roles and working with professional school counselors to positively impact students’ academic development, career and college exploration, and acquisition of personal and social skills that will prepare them for college and life beyond. He has worked with dozens of secondary and postsecondary institutions on a range of factors related to student success and persistence, including evaluation of institutional practices, use of data to drive student interventions, creation of individualized student success plans, training, strategic planning, resource allocation, and collaboration to promote student success. He has also worked as a research project manager focusing on academic and career development research for Kuder, Inc.; ACT, Inc.; Career Cruising; and intoCareers. Wade provides executive and career coaching for corporations and the federal government

A. J. Metz

Dr. A.J. Metz

A.J. is an associate professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Utah and serves as director of the master’s program in school counseling. She earned a M.Ed. in rehabilitation counseling in 1997 and a Ph.D. in urban education (with a specialization in counseling psychology) in 2005 from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. Her research examining factors related to academic success and career development in underrepresented and underserved student populations has led to numerous journal articles, book chapters, conference presentations, workshops, grant proposals, and faculty in-service training sessions.

A.J. has extensive teaching, counseling, consulting, and career advising experience in high schools, community colleges, and four-year public and private institutions of higher education. Her passion for teaching motivates her to experiment with innovative teaching methods and develop new and engaging activities and instructional materials. In 2015 she received the University of Utah’s Early Career Teaching Award, and in 2017 she received the College of Education Teaching Award. She is the past president of the Utah Psychological Association and serves on multiple state-level task forces and advisory councils promoting school counseling, college access, and career readiness.