Planet College advisory: "Where two or more are gathered. . .".

Right now, for those classes which require them, special class presentations are nearing their due date. Most of these presentations involve only one class member per presentation. At times, however, students are required to work in small groups. These groups contain three to five class members. Usually, when this is part of the assignment, groups are given time to work together during class while preparing their presentation. This Planet College advisory has to do with a time honored fact of group class presentations. It goes like this, " Where more than two are gathered someone will bail." If you've been around the campus for a while you probably understand this. Groups are formed and assignments given early in the term. The group meets sometimes during class and sometimes out side of class. This is to work on presenting the assigned topic. Getting busy young adults together at the same time for something other than a party is quite a feat. Often, though, the group will proceed successfully. That is until the day of the presentation. Then, on the day of the presentation, someone will fail to show up. It is so inevitable that it is nearly a rule. The reasons are varied and often legitimate. But. Still. If you've done your part what are you to do? OK, here's a hint. If you are in such a group, first of all, expect someone to bail. That is it. Just don't be the person who does. No matter what, show up for the presentation and be fully prepared. To protect your self along the way keep a record of everything you have done for the project both inside and out of class. Then. When whoever doesn't show up, you and those who did show up can present as much as you can. Your record of your efforts and your contribution should be enough for the instructor to issue you an appropriate grade. Good Luck.

Take a look around.

By this time on Planet College your work order for most classes is pretty well established. Special projects have been assigned, small groups are now established and even mid-terms are looming. ( No, not mid-terms. Yes, mid-terms) At this point it is a good time to take a look around your classes. Just pick one. Remember the first day? Every desk was full and there were students standing along the walls hoping to add. Where are those students now? Well, maybe they couldn't fit the class into their schedule. Who knows. But. They are not there. They are not in your class. So they have no hope of passing this class. You now are in the class. Every meeting? Well mostly. And this simple fact is the key to your eventual graduation. Attend. Attend and participate. Attend and participate and contribute. Repeat until graduation.

It's a whole new world on Planet College.

If you are new this term on Planet College you have probably observed by now that there are basically very few rules. You can, if you like, get up and go to class or skip it and sleep in. You can eat or not eat. Study or party. Play nine ball till the campus center closes and ,well, just rock on. This is your choice. You, like many, many student's before are discovering what is called autonomy. Basically beyond the minimums no one is watching and no one else really cares whether you go to class or not. This is exhilarating and scary. Your future is now in your hands. What you do is simply up to you. Some students handle this well and others not so well. You may recall what seems like eons ago when you first stepped on to your high school campus. It was a much bigger world than you had experienced. Now, look out the window during one of your afternoon classes. What do you see? A much, much bigger world than you had previously known. You don't have to be The Little Mermaid to burst out singing, "It's A Whole New World." Don't. But consider. You are here now in a large and significant place. Your choices now will affect you potentially for the rest of your life. Planet College is a whole new world. Persist and do well.

This term: Do what the instructor says.

A few weeks back on Planet College you've probably settled in to the typical routine. What ever your typical routine has been. This term try something new. Ready? Do what the instructor says. This is going to require paying some attention. This itself may be new. In order to do what the instructor says you will have to listen, ask and even read. And. Actually follow the directions given. If the instructor has said, " This paper is due next Thursday". Turn the paper in next Thursday. Stuff like that. It requires application. It requires persistence. This is college, remember? In college, in order to get out you have to get through. And in order to get through-this term- do what the instructor says.

Planet College Reminder: Grad Check.

Returning to campus is another opportunity to assure you are closing in on graduation. Right now before your schedule gets crammed is a good time to determine how close you are to graduation.

If you already have a major your department office is a good place to find out what you still need to finish your degree. After that your campus's administration building probably has an office that could help. It is usually the registration. One helpful tactic is to go to that office or the graduation office if there is one and file the forms necessary for graduation. There is usually a fee for this but the results can be helpful. The results will show up in the form of a printout with what you have completed and hopefully what you need to do to complete all of the requirements for graduation. If you get it soon you can plan this year effectively and maybe get back to Earth with your degree next year.

If you don't have a major it is likely you need to declare something before you can graduate. If you've been around the campus for a while it is time to start actually doing something about finding and pursuing a major. This is your next step toward graduation.

Remember on Planet College graduation starts today.

Planet College Recognition: Mike Did It Right.

On Planet College opportunity is found where ever. Just before graduation with a BA in Psychology Mike applied for a program, a certificate in School Psychology. The program was at a university in another state. Because of the lateness of his application he was informed he was on a wait list. In the middle of August Mike received notice that he had been admitted to the program. The school was several hundred miles away in another state. Mike packed up his car and drove to his new school. Once there, with no accommodations, he, for a few days slept in his car and showered in the school gym. He was a late add for most of his courses but he did start his program with a full load. Meanwhile he found employment as a part-time counselor on the campus and a room mate from one of his classes. Because he had filed his fafsa as usual that year his financial aid was available within a few weeks of the new term. This was helpful because among other things the out of state fees for Mike'd new University were pretty hefty and Mike needed all the help he could get. During his second semester Mike found a temporary position as a school counselor through a referral from his Department's office. Mike completed his certificate that school year and his temporary position turned into a permanent School Psychologist position at the same school.

With quite a bit of experience on Planet College Mike was able to move forward in his chosen career by basically doing everything right. He moved as soon as he was admitted. He added the courses he could when he could. He found a room mate and a job on campus. Because he had a fafsa in place, updated, his financial aid came through soon after classes started.

This is an example of a student who, through continuous application and persistence, was able to move forward into a chosen career fairly promptly. Mike simply had the experience of having been on Planet College for a typical student career. Because Mike knew the basic moves he was able to use this experience and now has what is for him a worth while job on Planet Earth.

You can do this too. If you've been on Planet College for a while you can trust your own experience to move on. Get through school and back to Earth with a real job. Start looking now. Where do you want to work? And what do you have to do to get there.

Doug Carried Lisa Through Graduation

On Planet College stuff happens on the road to any student's degree. While enrolled part-time and workin Doug learned he was to become a parent. Obligations like family demand a lot so Doug left school to work full-time. When his daughter, Lisa, was born Doug decided that someday, no matter what, he would finish his degree. Holding his tiny newborn in his arms Doug imagined himself carrying Lisa through the University's graduation ceremony. When time allowed Doug re-enrolled and started back on the road to graduation. Like most students stuff happened and the road became longer. Doug finished what courses he could but the road became longer, much longer than he had forseen. All the time Doug held the image of carrying Lisa through the ceremony. Eventually Doug did graduate. And when he did Lisa was nine. Still Doug did carry Lisa through the ceremony. When his name was called Doug had asked the graduation announcer to include "and Lisa" in the announcement. Doug proudly walked across the stage, his daughter's pretty red dress and matching red hair ribbons contrasting with Doug's flowing blue graduation gown. Doug received his diploma and shook hands with the President and the Dean. So did Lisa. Everyone beamed. It had been a long road but in that moment Doug knew it was all worth it.

How about you? Have you got somebody you'd like to carry, figuratively if not literally through your graduation ceremony? Perhaps the thought of someone who is very special to you can be an inspiration over the long, long road that Planet College often becomes. When you feel discouraged think of them. Or think of Doug and Lisa. They made it. And so can you.