Transcript On Course I Workshop Strategies for Classroom Use

Academic Survival
Accepting Personal
Responsibility
Presentation based on:
Downing, Skip. On Course: Strategies for Creating
Success in College and Life, 3rd Ed.
Personal Responsibility
Successful Students
Struggling Students
Adopt the Creator role
believing that their
choices create the
outcomes and
experiences of their
lives.
Accept the Victim role
believing that external
forces determine the
outcomes and
experiences of their
lives.
Creator versus Victim
Creators
Victims
People who change their
beliefs and behaviors to
create the best results
they can.
People who keep doing
what they’ve been doing
even when it doesn’t
work.
Personal Responsibility
The essence of being personally
responsible is responding effectively to
all of life’s opportunities and challenges.
The key ingredient of personal
responsibility is CHOICE.
Adopting the Creator Role
Stimulus
Choice
Creator
Response
•Seeking solutions
•Taking action
•Trying something new
Results
•Often achieves goals
Victim
Response
•Blaming
•Complaining
•Excusing
•Repeating behavior
Results
•Seldom achieves goals
Personal Responsibility
Successful Students
Struggling Students
Master Creator
Language
Accept personal
responsibility for their
results
Use Victim Language
reject personal
responsibility by blaming,
complaining, and
excusing
Mastering Creator Language
The Inner Critic – is the voice inside each of us that criticizes us for all
that goes wrong. The inner critic tells us that everything is our own
fault. It judges us harshly. It is like pointing the finger at yourself.
The Inner Defendant – is the voice inside that tries to protect us by
deflecting criticism outward. The inner defender always blames
others for his/her problems. The inner defender points the finger at
everyone else.
The Inner Guide – is the voice inside that looks at events objectively
and ask “Am I on course or off course?” The inner guide then looks
for the best route for getting back on course.
The Language of Responsibility
Creators
• Seek solutions
• Accept responsibility
• Take action
• Try something new
• Choose to do things
• Own their own problems
• Commit and follow through
• Take control of their choices
and lives
Victims
• Make excuses
• Blame
• Complain
• Repeat ineffective behavior
• “Have to” do things
• Pretend problems belong to
others
• “Try”
• Give UP
Changing Inner Conversations
Successful students can learn to dispute irrational beliefs
that the inner critic or inner defender suggest by:
•Offering a positive explanation of the problem.
•Proving the accusation wrong by offering contrary evidence.
•Questioning the importance of the problem.
•Offering a practical plan of action to solve the problem.
Personal Responsibility
Successful Students
Struggling Students
Make wise decisions
by consciously
designing the future
they want
Make careless
decisions by letting the
future happen by
chance rather than by
choice.
Making Wise Decisions
Wise Choice Process
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
What’s my present situation?
How would I like my situation to be?
Do I have a choice here?
What are my possible choices?
What’s the likely outcome of each possible choice?
6. Which choice will I commit to doing?
22 Wise College Decisions
1) Read your college catalogue
2) See your advisor
3) Understand prerequisites
4) Complete your general education requirements
5) Choose a major wisely
6) Take a realistic course load
7) Attend the first day of class and be punctual
8) Sit in class where you can focus on learning
9) Study the syllabus
10) Buy required books and supplies as soon as possible
11) Introduce yourself to one or more classmates and
exchange phone numbers.
22 Wise College Decisions
12) Inform your instructor before an absence.
13) If you arrive late, slip in quietly.
14) Ask questions
15) Make an appointment to talk with your instructor during office
hours if you need to have an extended conversation.
16) Get involved in campus life
17) Know the importance of your grade point average
18) Know how to compute your grade point average
19) If you stop attending class, withdraw officially
20) Talk to your instructor before withdrawing
21) Keep a file of important documents
22) Avoid behaviors that disrespect your classmates or professor