The Learning Centers’ Smart Start program will operate again this summer from Monday, August 1, through Friday, August 12, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. each day. As part of our marketing of the program we reach out to students who test weak in two or three areas on the COMPASS placement test to encourage them to participate in the program. The program supports first-time college students who need to brush up on their math, writing and computer skills. We also offer a variety of workshops to familiarize students with the campus and to prepare them to be successful when they start classes in the fall. Last year, we added a common reading component based upon Stephen Covey’s best seller 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. The seven-part short story ‘Johnny’s Failure,’ written by Jim LaBate, was used as a tool to help students learn from the errors of the story’s main character.
Many students who take part in the Smart Start program have gone on to perform very well during the remainder of their careers at Hudson Valley Community College. Smart Start students have gone on to make the President’s List, to become Peer Tutors and to successfully complete their programs of study. Although we know that the program is not entirely responsible for the students’ success, we like to think that we helped them get a smart start.
We are always looking for new ways to improve the program and to help students get better prepared to succeed in their studies. If you have some ideas for the program or would like to know more about it, please contact Dave Clickner or ext. 8068.
The Smart Start program is designed to help students prepare for the challenges of college.
Published: Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0000 by d.clickner