Semester Survival

Group in CircleStudent success is a primary focus at Trinidad State Junior College. One instrument used to promote student success is Semester Survival class. Business Division Chair, Genia Rasmussen, discovered this class which is offered in many of the 13 Colorado state community colleges. She asked Assistant Professor, Lisa Garvin, if she would be interested in teaching this class at the TSJC Valley Campus. Garvin jumped at the opportunity and the rest is history. The word is spreading. Now there are two Semester Survival classes and the course continues to grow in popularity.

ANYONE can benefit from Semester Survival - whether the student is straight out of high school or returning to school after 20 years.

During the class, students learn:

  • how to create electronic file folders as a system of organizing documents
  • what their best learning style is and how to adapt to teachers who may not teach to their preferred style
  • time management to balance work, classes and families
  • the value of setting goals and benchmarks
  • processes to anchor concepts into long-term memoryGroup in Circle
  • note taking methods
  • test taking skills
  • research processes (thesis statement, synthesizing several documents into their own writing style, and formatting)
  • communication and empowerment
  • the benefits of diversity in group work
  • how to condense large amounts of weekly reading to get the key points of the content

The class is about taking responsibility for your own education and learning skills that promote success. The class contents are effective regardless of the course of study.

Garvin has taught the semester survival class for the past two years and delivers the content in a user friendly, applicable format. It isn’t unusual to see her facilitating an activity with students in the common’s area to help clarify or define class content. When the class was first offered, enrollment filled one class. Now, in year two the enrollment has doubled. “I could teach this class and nothing else,” said Garvin. “It’s so rewarding and so much fun.”

Mission Statement

Trinidad State Junior College enriches the academic, technical, and cultural life of our diverse community. We are committed to offering traditional and alternative approaches to education, providing quality instruction and promoting life-long learning.

CCofC

CCofC

CCofC

TSJC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, or disability in admission, access to, or treatment, or employment in its educational programs or activities.