Study Skills I and II

Successful students are strategic learners. The primary objective of this class is to introduce students to a variety of strategies and tools to use when completing academic work both in class and independently. Emphasis is placed on helping students develop an understanding of themselves as learners by considering their strengths and needs. Surveys, questionnaires, and other assessments will be used to gather information and create an independent learning profile for each student.

Students will work throughout the year on developing a mastery of key cognitive strategies proven to be critical to college success including: effective note taking, organizing materials, prioritizing and managing work load and long term projects, active reading for increased comprehension, time management, multitasking, test taking and preparation skills, and much more.

College Reading and Writing I and II

The successful college student uses a strategic and thoughtful approach to reading complex and varied texts. In this class, students will develop their ability to approach college level material with greater understanding and to communicate ideas through clear, organized, and effective writing. Students will learn specific skills and strategies to read and dissect written material representing various styles and genres.

Students will learn the major rhetorical styles they will encounter in college and spend time learning and practicing the writing process, comparing various tools for prewriting and organization, and developing specific strategies to proofread and edit papers.

Students will produce weekly essays and will focus on reading and writing expository material, developing and supporting an argument or analysis, and improving their grammar. Students will apply what they learn to the multi-disciplinary content course that will focus on science, humanities, and social science as well as the courses they will be taking at Endicott College.

Research I and II

Writing a research paper can be a daunting and overwhelming task. Students can be successful in this area when they are taught to break down the process into connected, manageable steps. Lessons will target the study and writing skills inherent in the research process. Students will learn to write research papers from start to finish. They will receive direct instruction and practice in narrowing a topic, locating relevant resources, active reading, organizing information, drafting, and editing.

These research skills will be directly applied to Contemporary Perspectives, a multi-disciplinary content course offered throughout the year in science, humanities, and social science as well as the college courses they will be taking at Endicott College.

Seminar on Transition

Students are successful in college when they have developed academic skills and are prepared to accept personal responsibility in a new academic setting. This seminar style class is designed to help students better understand the expectations of college life and to discuss strategies to meet those expectations. Topics are examined through readings, videos, presentations from guest speakers, and class discussions. Students will learn about selecting a major, navigating dorm life, disabilities law, how to take responsibility for their own education, and negotiating support services that are available at many colleges today. Issues of health and wellness and personal finances will be explored as well.

Contemporary Perspectives

This fully integrated course allows students to apply the skills they are learning in the Reach Study Skills, College Reading and Writing, and Research classes to challenging college level curriculum. Contemporary Perspectives will focus on three distinct disciplines including Science, Humanities, and Social Science. The Science unit will utilize environmental issues and public policy as a primary topic area. Humanities will focus on the theme of struggle in texts from the bible to contemporary fiction. The Social Science unit will address American social movements as a key point of reference in their studies.