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B6 Assignments

The many assignments for STDV B6 over the semester are designed to develop study skills, learn more about yourself, help you research careers, develop goals, and make an educational plan to reach your goals. If you miss a class or need further instructions on an assignment, follow the links to get more detailed explanations and directions. Make sure to check your syllabus for due dates. Dates on the syllabus are subject to change, if you miss a class, make sure to contact me and get any assignments due dates updated.

About Forms and Worksheets

PDF Forms

Many of the forms and worksheets below can be filled out on the computer using a PDF reader, such as the free Adobe Acrobat Reader DC. While most Internet browsers have a PDF reader plug‐in and the form will open in your Internet browser, it is important that you save your work. To ensure you do not lose your work, and you can upload assignments:

  1. Download the form and save it to your computer.
  2. Open the form in the PDF reader software, such as Acrobat Reader.
  3. Fill out the form.
  4. Save to your computer.
  5. Upload to Canvas.

Microsoft Excel Forms

A few forms are also available in Microsoft Excel. These forms will automatically download to your computer. 

Quick-Writes

Quick-Write Assignments

Quick‐Writes are very short essays, around one or two paragraphs, on something that we learned in class or will explore in the next class. You are generally given around 5 minutes to jot down your thoughts. Below is a list of Quick‐Writes usually assigned during the semester. If you feel you are missing one and did not miss a class, please check with me. Check the syllabus for point value towards your grade.

Quick‐Write Instructions

QW 1 — 212 °, “One degree makes a difference”

Watch the 212◦:The Extra Degree Video. After watching the video, write about what you discovered and what you intend. Start the sentences with “I discovered…” and “I intend…”

QW 2 — Expectations and Fears

Write about: “What I hope to expect or my feats of this class” (Save to incorporate in final paper)

QW 3 — Lack of Motivation

Write about why students lack motivation.

QW 4 — Critical Thinking

Answer the question: “Are you in charge of your thinking or is your thinking in charge of you?”

QW 5 — Study Quotes

Choose one of the 3 quotes and write what you think it means. Indicate which quote you chose.

Quote 1:

I will study and get ready, and perhaps my chance will come.

~ Abraham Lincoln ~
Quote 2:

If you employed study, thinking and planning time daily, you could develop and use the power that can change the course of your destiny.

~ W. Clement Stone ~
Quote 3:

To acquire knowledge, one must study; but to acquire wisdom, one must observe.

~ Marilyn Vos Savant ~

QW 6 — Stress

Answer the question: “What areas of my life cause me the most stress?” Give examples, including good and bad stress, like an exciting trip or visit to the dentist.

QW 7 — Academic Goals

After filling out the Three Questions handout .pdf (The questions are also found on page 16 of the textbook), answer the following questions:

  1. Why am I here at BC?
  2. What do I hope to accomplish in 2 years?
  3. What other important goals do I hope to accomplish, such as, personal goals, career goals, financial goals, artistic goals, family goals, public service goals, physical goals, social goals, attitude change goals, or pleasure goals?

QW 8 — Anne Frank Quote

What does the following quote mean to you?

We all live with the objective of being happy;
our lives are all different and yet the same.

~Anne Frank~

QW 9 — Major Intentions

Now that you have selected a major, finish the following sentences:

  1. My major is…
  2. I discovered…
  3. I intend…

QW 10 — Career Intentions

List your top three career choices and answer the following sentences:

  1. My career choices are…
  2. I discovered…
  3. I intend…

QW 11 — Educational Goals

List your educational goals. Begin with “I discovered…” and finish with “I intend…“

Reading Assignments

Reading Assignments

The following are the reading assignments usually assigned during the semester. Check the syllabus for due dates so that you are prepared for classes.

  • Textbook pp. 4–11 Learning Styles, Managing Time and Procrastination
  • Textbook pp. 11–19 Managing Resources, Stress and Goal‐setting
  • Textbook pp. 28–31 Test‐taking Anxiety, and Critical Thinking
  • Textbook pp. 31–37 Writing Research Papers
  • Textbook pp. 38–56 Developing a Major and Career Research
  • How to Write an SEP Summary for your education Planning in the back of the textbook
  • Bakersfield College Catalog: Transfer Guide Chapter
  • Bakersfield College Catalog: Programs of Study to see offered BC Majors/Certificates
Journals

Journal Assignments

Journals are well thought‐out, organized, essay‐style papers with a minimum of 100 words unless otherwise indicated. Check your syllabus for due dates.

Journal 1 — VARK Learning Styles

  1. Go to the VARK Questionnaire online
  2. Answer the 16 questions, print a copy of your results and bring to class with your full name on it.
  3. Go to the VARK “Help sheets” web page.
  4. Read and print the “Help sheets” for your learning preference(s) from step 2 and bring to class.
  5. After completing the VARK Questionnaire to find your preference(s) and reading about your preference(s) on the corresponding “Help sheets,” reflect on and write about how you will apply it to your study style this semester.

Journal 2 — Meet Your Professors

Over the next week, take the time to visit each of your instructors during their office hours (if they do not have office hours, visit them virtually through contacting them by email). A sample visit may include:

  • Self introduction
  • Tell them this is an assignment and let them know your expectations and/or fears of the class.
  • This assignment will force you to communicate with each of your instructors and will open the door for future communications.

Record your thoughts, impressions and feelings in a typed, one‐page paper, minimum 100 words.

You may find this FMOOWP video useful.

Journal 3 — Procrastination

  1. Complete the Procrastination Survey .pdf (pages 8‐9 of your textbook)
  2. Watch the Procrastination Video above
  3. Read 7 Ways to Beat Procrastination .pdf Handout
  4. Read Why Students lack motivation Goals, textbook page 3. Writing out your goals will help with this assignment.
  5. Using the above and class discussion, write a journal on how to stop procrastination when it will not let you finish a job. Explain why procrastination occurs for you.

Journal 4 — Study Skills Virginia Tech Workshops

There are four workshops on the Virginia Tech Study Skills web page:

  • Time Management Strategies
  • Improving Test Performance
  • SQ3R ‐ Improving Reading Comprehension
  • Improving Concentration/Memory

Complete two of the four Virginia Tech Study skills workshops online. Write a journal reflecting on what you learned in each workshop and how you will apply what you learned to your classes this semester.

Journal 5 — Critical Thinking and Test Anxiety

Write a one‐page journal starting with: “I can be a master test‐taker by …” using the following exercises and videos:

An Introduction to Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking

Journal 6 — My Personal Stress Management Plan

  1. Take the How Do You Know You’re Stressed Quiz
  2. Using the materials covered in class and the How Do You Know You’re Stressed, determine your personal level of stress.
  3. Write a journal essay, minimum 500 words, about your personal stress management plan. List changes you could make to reduce and/or combat the stress in your life. Complete or end your essay with the intention and discovery statements: “Stress Management: I discovered… “; “Stress Management: I intend…”

Other Stress Management Resources:

Journal 7 — My Budget

  1. Complete the “Joe’s Budget” Study Skills Exercise on textbook page 13.
  2. Write your own budget using the in‐class lesson on Critical Thinking: Applying Learning to Life Map Out Your Budget Worksheet .pdf and “Joe’s Budget” as an example.
  3. Write a journal on what you learned.

Journal 8 — SMART Goal‐Setting

How would my life change if I accomplished what I have set as goals?

  1. Using the goal exercises we completed in class:
  2. Write a journal on goal setting by answering this question: “How would my life change if I accomplished what I have set as SMART goals?”
  3. Attach the following handouts to Journal 8:
    • SMART Goals Outline textbook pages 18‐19 (above)
    • The Decision Making Process handout 
    • Three Questions handout
    • Life Works handout
    • Optional (Extra‐Credit): Complete the Pro‐Con handout .pdf (or on pages 48‐50 of the textbook), which may be helpful in writing the SMART Goals journal.
Study Skills Exercises

Study Skills Exercises

Student Planner Assignment

Time Management: Using a Planner

A planner or calendar is an essential tool for keeping organized, managing your time wisely and meeting your deadlines. At the beginning of each semester, follow these steps to prepare and organize your time.

  1. Purchase, download, or use an online planner/calendar (See below for links to free calendars, planners for purchase and electronic calendars.).
  2. Fill out your planner/calendar with Bakersfield College important dates and holidays.
  3. Fill‐in any significant events that will impact your ability to study. For example, your work schedule, a planned trip out of town, family events such as weddings.
  4. When you receive your class syllabi, record assignment due dates and test/exam dates.
  5. Schedule regular study sessions. You may wish to schedule additional study time close to an exam date. It is also helpful to schedule stages for larger projects or writing a paper. For example, 3 weeks prior to due date 1 week of research, 2 days to outline, 5 days to write the rough draft, 2 days to edit, 2 days for someone else to proofread, 1 day for final edits, and print the paper 2 days before due date in case of printer glitches. There are online calculators to help you prepare such as:
  6. Review and update your planner/calendar weekly or daily as needed.

Learn more about organizing your time at Habits of Mind: Organize and click “Time Management/Schedule.”

Student Planner Assignment Directions

Fill out your free Bakersfield College Student Government Association (SGA) planner (See links below), or a purchased planner, using syllabi from all classes to indicate class meeting times, and when you will prepare for papers or tests. Document anything in your planner that is important for you to study. The Student Planner is due weekly.

Example of filled‐in planner/calendar .pdf.

Calendars and Planners

  • Free Bakersfield College Schedule/Planner .pdf
  • For Purchase
    • BC Bookstore
    • Generic planners can be found at office supply stores.
  • Electronic
    • Smartphones — If you have a smart phone, you probably have a calendar app installed with your operating system.
    • Computer desktop email programs, such as Microsoft Outlook, come with a calendar.
    • Mac users have a Calendar installed with the operating system.
    • Google has an online calendar attached to Gmail. All BC students have a Google Calendar accessible through their Gmail account. Directions for using the Google Calendar.

Why Students Lack Motivation Goals

  1. Read about “Why Students Lack Motivation” on page 3 of your textbook.
  2. Write out your goals for BC.
  3. Submit for grading
  4. After this assignment is graded and returned to you, keep it where you can find it. It may be useful in writing Journal 3 — Procrastination.

Manage Your Time

  1. Watch the Time Management Video from Dartmouth.
  2. Fill out Time Management .pdf in your textbook, pages 6‐8.
Dartmouth ASC Time Management

Procrastination Survey

Complete the Procrastination Survey. It is available in your textbook, pages 6–7. The form is also available here for download so that you do not have to remove it from your book:

This exercise will be used for writing Journal 3 — Procrastination above.

Mind Mapping Exercise

Mind mapping is a graphic representation of a central idea or image and supporting ideas radiating out from the center. Mind Mapping maximizes active learning, helps students see relationships between ideas, and emphasizes critical thinking.

Mind mapping involves writing down a central idea or image. Then, think up new or related ideas which radiate out from the center. By focusing on key ideas written down in your own words and images, then looking for branches out and connections between the ideas, you are mapping knowledge in a manner which will help you understand and remember new information. We are going to use mind mapping to create a visual image of your lifetime goals.

Mind Mapping Exercise Directions

  • Put your main image in the center
  • Draw quickly on unlined paper without pausing, judging or editing
  • Write down key ideas
  • Use colors, lines, arrows, branches or other visual cues
  • Leave lots of space
  • Look for relationships
  • Include branches and images for the following lifetime goals
    • Career
    • Educational
    • Family
    • Financial
    • Physical
    • Public service
    • Social
    • Enjoyment
    • Artistic

Useful Links

Below are links to the video we watched in class, my presentation and printable directions.

Westside Test Anxiety Scale

This simple test will give you an idea of your test anxiety level. You may take the Westside Test Anxiety Scale online , print a blank Westside Test Anxiety Scale form .pdf and write in your answers, or type in the Westside Test Anxiety Scale PDF form .pdf. Your results will be used in Journal 5 — Critical Thinking and Text Anxiety.

For advice on dealing with test anxiety, read the textbook pages 28–29, How to Cope with Test Taking Anxiety.

Joe’s Budget

This exercise is located on page 13 of the textbook, How can Joe fix his budget?. This exercise is sometimes done in class as a group assignment and sometimes on your own. The worksheet Critical Thinking Applying Learning to Life Map Out Your Budget .pdf , may help you to write out Joe’s budget.

This exercise is good practice for writing out your own budget and is used for Journal 7 — My Budget above.

SMART Goals Outline

Using the goal exercises we completed in class (The Decision Making Process handout .pdf , Three Questions .pdf [page 16 of the textbook] and Life Works handout .pdf ) rewrite your stated goals into an outline of SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely) Goals in your textbook, pages 18–19. The form is also available for you to Smart Goals print & write .pdf or Smart Goals type & print .pdf.

This exercise is used in Journal 8 — SMART Goal‐Setting above.

Personality Mosaic

You may print the Personality Mosaic test and scoring sheet handout .pdf to fill out in writing, or you may use the Personality Mosaic self‐calculating form .pdf, so that you get your RIASEC code.

You will need your RIASEC code to complete the O*NET Exercise below and the Career Exploration Research Outline below, and will need to attach your Personality Mosaic results to the Career Exploration Research Outline.

O*NET Interest Profiler

See the directions How to Obtain O*NET Results .pdf .

This is used in your Career Exploration Research Paper and will need to be attached to the Career Exploration Research Outline.

Library Workshop

Library Workshop

The Library is your friend. For your best foot forward in college, attend any Library Workshop, or Engl 34 class. Show me proof of attendance to complete this assignment.

This is a heavily weighted assignment; do not procrastinate. The number of workshops is limited during the semester and are not usually available towards the end of the semester. Make sure to check the BC Library website for the schedule of workshops now and attend as soon as possible.

Diversity Paper

Diversity Paper

Diversity and tolerance is important at school, at work and in society. Watch the Shadow of Hate documentary video and write a paper based on the following quote by Donald E. Williams.

For those who have seen earth from space, and for the hundreds and perhaps thousands more who will, the experience most certainly changes your perspective. The things that we share in our world are far more valuable than those which divide us.

~ Donald E. Williams ~
Former NASA Astronaut, Retired US Navy Officer
Career Research Outline

Career Research Outline

This assignment is to help you prepare to write the Career Exploration Research Paper below. You will need to complete a few exercises from the Study Skills Exercises above to complete this assignment.

Instructions:

  1. Complete Personality Mosaic Exercise, above in the Study Skills section, to find your three letter Personality Mosaic code (Holland’s RIASEC Hexagon code). You will need to attach the Personality Mosaic results to your Outline
  2. Next, complete the O*NET Exercise, above in Study Skills, to get a matching occupation portfolio. Print the results to attach to the Outline.
  3. Use EUREKA or other sources of your chosen occupation to fill out the Career Research Outline form .docx. See the Career Research page for more Resources.
  4. Attach the results from the Personality Mosaic, O*NET results, EUREKA results, or other sources of information about your chosen occupation to the hard copy of the Outline and submit.
Career Exploration Research Paper

Career Exploration Research Paper

It is important that you complete the first part, the Career Exploration Research Outline above in the Study Skills, before beginning the paper.

This assignment is designed to help students choose an initial career pathway. For some of you this is the first step in this direction, for others you may have already chosen a major and/or career. Wherever you are in the career development process, this assignment will help you.

Developing a career plan helps relieve some of the anxiety we all face when making important life choices. Choosing an initial goal motivates students to complete both their educational and personal goals. Life is a series of choices and education and training are ways to create a better life. You are the only one that can choose to create a quality life for yourself.

Instructions

In a 500‐word typed essay identify the things you like about your favorite career. Discuss:

  • Your Personality Mosaic results
  • O*NET Interest Profiler results
  • Your related major
  • The potential job characteristics
  • Job growth or decline
  • Expected salary
  • Why you chose this field
  • What is specifically meaningful or important to you about that career?

Resources

Documents to help with writing your Career Exploration Research Paper:

Catalog Exercise

Catalog Exercise

Purpose & Instructions

This exercise is intended to help you become familiar with the current BC Catalog.

Instructions:

Using the online BC Catalog, answer the questions on the Catalog Exercise. To fill out the Catalog Exercise form .pdf in Adobe Acrobat Reader, follow these steps:

  1. Save the file to your computer in a place where you can retrieve it. Do not try to fill out the form in your web browser.
  2. Open the saved form on your computer in Adobe Acrobat Reader
  3. Fill out the form using the online BC Catalog .
  4. If you get stuck on a question, hover your cursor over the answer box and a hint will appear.
  5. Save the document with your answers to your computer. Close and open the document to make sure that your answers are still there.
  6. Upload your assignment where designated in the online class software.

If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader, get Adobe Acrobat Reader for free.

Student Education Plan (SEP) Preparation

Student Education Plan

The Student Educational Plan (SEP) is the plan of courses to complete your education goals. This is often called the Comprehensive Student Educational Plan (CSEP) because it is a comprehensive plan or map to your education goals. We will complete the CSEP for this class.

Note: a completed CSEP is required to pass this class. It is also a requirement for matriculation.

CSEP Assignment

In CANVAS, the Comprehensive Student Educational Plan (CSEP) ingredients are divided into weekly modules.

  • CSEP 1: Major
  • CSEP 2: Choose one of three General Education Patterns
    • Option 1 – BC General Education AA or AS
    • Option 2 – CSU General Education
    • Option 3 – UC (IGETC) General Education and IGETC STEM
  • CSEP 3: Semester by semester plan
  • Final CSEP: Corrected CSEP 1, 2, and 3 on one form digitally signed by you

How to create a Comprehensive Student Educational Plan (CSEP)
Expanded Directions

CSEP 1: Input courses required for your major.

Use the CSEP Part I – Major .pdf to collect the information and turn in.

  • For an Associate degree, get your list from the BC Catalog online
  • For an Associate degree for transfer (AA-T), get your list from the BC Catalog online
  • For transfer to a CSU or UC, go to assist.org and make a copy of the pre-major courses required for your transfer college and major
  • For private or out-of-state colleges and universities, go to their website, click on admissions for undergraduate and then the link for transfers. We usually recommend that you send an information request email to their transfer advisors so that you can get the most up-to-date information

CSEP 2: Review the appropriate general education plan you follow.

  1. Choose one of three General Education Patterns from the BC Catalog online and fill out the corresponding form:
  2. Read through the list of general education courses required and highlight those you have already taken or are currently enrolled in.
  3. Read the course descriptions in the online Bakersfield College catalog and choose the general education courses you still need to take and indicate your choices by circling them on your general education pattern

CSEP 3 Semester‐by‐Semester Plan

Now that you have determined which classes you are required to take, it is time to plan when you will take them.

  • Use the CSEP 3 Semester‐by‐Semester Plan .pdf to map out each semester to reach your goal. See this CSEP 3 Semester-by-Semester Worksheet example .pdf.
  • Begin with the current semester on page 1.
  • Match numbers on the education plan with the numbers on the general education pattern from the catalog.
  • Input course in the abbreviated format found on the general education. For example, “ENGL B1a.”
    • Do not write “Expository Composition,” “English B1a.” or just “B1a.”

Final CSEP

A corrected CSEP 1, 2, and 3 on one form and digitally signed by you is required to pass this class.

  1. Transfer the information from your corrected  CSEP 1, CSEP 2, and CSEP 3 to the Comprehensive Student Educational Plan (CSEP) .pdf .
    1. Be sure to total all units in your major, general education and/or electives
    2. Do not count units that are not degree applicable, such as Math B70 to transfer.
    3. Do not double count units for a course that meets both a major and a general education requirement.
    4. 60 units are required to graduate from Bakersfield College, which include your major and general education.
  2. Be sure to digitally sign your Final CSEP.
  3. Upload to CANVAS.
Student Education Plan (SEP)

Final Reflective Paper

Please review your notes, journals and other assignments from this class and reflect on what you have learned about yourself as a student as well as those strategies that you have already put to use or plan to put to use throughout your college life and career. Write a 3‐page typed essay on your reflections.

The Final Reflective paper is due during the Finals Week. There is no “final” exam. If you turn in ALL of your assignments during the week before Finals Week, you will not have to come to class during Finals Week!

Extra-Credit

In‐class & Extra‐credit Assignments

7 Ways to Beat Procrastination

This 7 Ways to Beat Procrastination .pdf can be used to help write Journal 3 — Procrastination above.

Budget Worksheet

Page 12 of Successful Strategies for College and Life Success, 2nd Edition by Sue Granger‐Dickson. These are in electronic form for your convenience. Both the MS Excel version and the PDF version will calculate for you.

Distribution of Time in a Week of College and Discovering Your Peaks and Slumps

These in‐class handouts help with time management and are not electronic at this time.

Monthly Income and Expense Worksheet

This form is handed out during the Budget topic in class and is slightly different from the Budget Worksheet above. This form is provided electronically for your convenience in both MS Excel and PDF. Both versions will calculate for you.

Pro‐Con Handout

Complete the Pro‐Con handout .pdf (or on pages 48–50 of the textbook), which may be helpful in writing Journal 8 — SMART Goal‐Setting.

Study Environment Analysis

Visit Virginia Tech Cook Counseling Center and type in “Study Environment” to pull up the analysis for you to perform online. Complete the analysis and print your results for class.

Used in writing a Journal 8 — SMART Goal‐Setting.