Student Handbook

General Information

Guidelines for Student Academic Success

A college education, like all learning, should be a challenging and rewarding experience. Learning changes

us, enhances our understanding of the world, forces us to make choices and take risks, and provides

lifelong benefits.

Your academic attitude will make the difference. You share responsibility, along with your professors, for

your education. These responsibilities include behaving courteously and respectfully toward your professors

and your classmates and becoming self-disciplined in your learning. For a successful college experience

you will need to:

• Attend all your classes

• Come to class fully prepared and ready to participate

• Meet the requirements established by the professor; listen, question and respond in class

• Allocate adequate study time - two to three hours of study for every hour spent in class

• Avoid last-minute cramming

• Create a weekly study schedule and study every day

• Make academic responsibilities a priority in your daily life

The faculty at Suffolk County Community College are dedicated to helping you learn. The College

is designed to offer you opportunities to further your educational goals. Recognizing that abilities and

experience vary, the College provides a wide range of supportive services to help you achieve your goals.

In the final analysis, however, you must earn your grades through hard work, self-discipline and a personal

commitment to learning. The rewards will be lifelong learning skills, self-confidence and the ability to achieve

your personal goals.

Student Success Tips

1. PURPOSE: Form a strong, clear mental image of who you want to be.

2. FLEXIBILITY: Explore many worthwhile routes to your goal.

3. OPENNESS: Keep an open mind since your college education will introduce you to many new

ideas, experiences and groups.

4. EXCELLENCE: Commit yourself to excellence.

5. SELF-CONFIDENCE: Believe in your ability to succeed and seek out peers and mentors who will

reinforce this.

6. ATTITUDE: Nurture and maintain a positive attitude. Your educational journey will include highs

and lows.

7. SELF-EVALUATION: Be conscious of your strengths and weaknesses. Seek help before you need it.

8. TIME: Use your time wisely.

9. PERFORMANCE: Bear in mind that your college education constitutes a monetary investment in

you by various groups in our society and government, as well as by yourself. A great deal will be

expected of you.

10. PRIORITIES AND FOCUS: Prioritize commitments and stick to planned goals. See yourself

continually moving forward, especially during difficult times.

11. WELLNESS: Respect, prize and take care of your body. It is one of your most important assets.

12. VALUES: Treasure personal values. These are what will keep you “standing tall.” College is an

important rung up the professional and societal leadership ladder. Many will be looking up to you.

Professor Cisley Stewart and Mr. Paul Anderson

Subcommittee on Student Success

Academic Affairs Committee - Spring 2001