SUGGESTED SUB-TOPICS SUGGESTED SUB-TOPICS

FOR LECTURES, ACTIVITIES, OBJECTIVES.

SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES & RESOURCES

WEEK ONE

Assessment & Personal motivations and goals for going to college.

Assess students and ask them what questions they have related to college.

Discussion: Why do you want to go to college?

Activity: Individual reflections: What are your personal strengths and interests?  

WEEK TWO

Exploring College Options. 

Different types of colleges (CUNY’s & SUNY’s, community college, four-year, colleges & universities, trade schools, liberal arts, private colleges).

Making informed decisions about preferred college (characteristics and programs).

Activity Option: Draft outline key points for personal statement.

Activity Option: Practice Interviews. students create interview questions and take turns role playing between interviewer and interviewee for college admissions.

Activity Option: Students can use the O*Net Interest Profiler to explore career interests: https://www.mynextmove.org/explore/ipSponsored by the US Department of Labor, this tool uses a method similar to Self-Directed Search to help you identify where your career interests lie, then points you towards career paths that might feed those interests.

Lecture & Discussion Resources: College Board Types of Colleges: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/plan-for-college/college-basics/types-of-colleges/types-of-colleges-the-basics

WEEK THREE

Exploring Majors, Minors, Concentrations & Career Exploration.

• Overview of college application process & timeline. Research and review specific colleges.

• Types of degrees & majors, minors, concentrations.

• College Admission criteria (including college visits).

• Review & discuss college application materials.

Activity Option: Researching & presenting information about different colleges (can be integrated with the computer skills vision board activity).

Lecture & Discussion Resources: 

• College Board: Applying for College: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/plan-for-college/applying-to-college.

• College Board: Explore Careers: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/explore-careers.

• College Board: Explore Majors: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/explore-careers/majors.

WEEK FOUR

Financial Aid: Financing College.

• Discussion: College costs (application (waivers), visiting the college, tuition costs, room & board, books, travel, social life, groceries, bills, and more).

• Completing FAFSA.

• Financial aid options (scholarships, grants, loans, PELL, NYS DREAM Act, undocumented students, work-study, research-assistantships).

•  Discussion: Considering factors when choosing a college, what are the pros and cons?

Activity Option: Identify Scholarships & find resources from colleges students’ are interested in.

Activity Option: Create an estimated budget for college.

Lecture & Discussion Resources: 

• College Board: Financial Aid: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/financial-aid-basics.

• (use College Board: College Costs: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/college-costs).

• Hostos Financial Aid website: https://www.hostos.cuny.edu/Administrative-Offices/Office-of-Financial-Aid

• College Board: Scholarship Finder: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/scholarship-directory.

WEEK FIVE

Transitioning to College Life.

• Discussion and Overview of college resources (academic support, mental health services, student clubs, wellness centers, employment assistance, student affairs)

• Study Abroad.

• Choosing classes & schedules.

• Time-keeping & management.

• Study Skills & Active learning.

• Social & Academic goals.

Activity Option: For discussion, invite students to identify and share strategies for studying & getting involved with extracurricular activities.

Lecture & Discussion Resources: 

• College Board: Choosing Classes in College: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/plan-for-college/college-basics/college-classes.

WEEK SIX

Networking & Professional Development.

• Resume Assistance & Employment search.

• Building relationships with professors, staff and peers.

• Personal Branding; how we dress, communicate and the effort we make at work, volunteering or events.

Activity Option: For discussion, invite students to share tips for networking.