Counseling 100 - Strategies for the Reentry Adult

 

This class was created specifically with the adult reentry student in mind. We have seen an increase in reentry students in the last several years and developed a class that will assist students acclimate themselves to college. This course integrates personal growth and values, academic study strategies and critical and creative thinking proficiency for adult reentry students, emphasizing the attainment of lifelong success in academic, professional, and personal development. Topics that will be explored in this class will be: motivation, goal setting, college expectations, campus resources, time management, growth mindset and building relationships on campus. This 3 unit course meets the CSU GE Area E requirement for those that transfer to a CSU university. This class is designed for the Adult Reentry Student, but many continuing and new students may take the course. The strategies taught in the class applies to any student, and I have experienced the class to be diverse.

For adult reentry students, it will reintroduce you to the college learning process. You will learn effective strategies to become a successful student. These include how to be a self-regulated learner, how to take effective notes, learn effective exam preparation strategies, increase your time management skills, learn to think critically and so much more! Be prepared to actively participate in class. It will be lots of fun as you take part in weekly discussion boards, quizzes and fun assignments that relate to you!

FOR CLASS OFFERINGS, PLEASE CHECK THE SCHEDULE OF CLASSES:

Please check the class schedule as we offer this class every term. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the instructors.

Counseling offers a multitude of course offerings that you may also be interested in taking. Please take a look at the website for more information and course description. I highly recommend them.

COUNS 100 is offered as a 100% online class. This course is taught by Connie Perez, Counseling Faculty, Graciela Martinez, Counseling Faculty and Patricia Garcia, Counseing Faculty.

Patricia Garcia has been part of the counseling discipline since 2015. She is the Honors Program counselor at COC. Her area of expertise is UC admissions and her passion for helping re-entry students comes from her personal college experience. She was a non-traditional student, and re-entry student who attended LA Pierce College and transferred to UCLA. She understands the challenges re-entry students face, having to work full time and attending college part time. She believes that no one can tell a student how high they can achieve, as students are the ones that determine how high their goals can be. She is passionate about teaching Counseling 150 and Counseling 100 among others, she believes that non traditional students and re-entry students enrich our academic communities.

Graciela Martinez has been part of the counseling discipline since 2011. Her area of expertise is to assist adult reentry students and families. She is very invested in helping students navigate the educational process. She is dedicated to empowering and supporting students in creating their educational goals and developing their overall confidence in learning.

This is a wonderful class to begin your college experience and to help guide you in the right direction towards educational success. 

Counseling 100 Testimonials:

Student testimonials from past classes:

1. "Wow this one will surely bring me to tears. I have found this class to be amazing. It has pulled out of me so much that I didn't even know was in me. I have learned so much, such as planning, organizing, study strategies that have helped me tremendously this semester. I have gone from a C on most tests to As. My concentration level is way up; my stress level is way down. The anxiety I had at the beginning is gone. I love the students, the interaction with them and the differences and similarities with them are so important in an online class. The information we received in this class (if they were all paying attention) is so valuable to carry us through our lifetime. I love learning new things especially when it is a class not specific to a subject but to a life."
2. "I especially commend you Connie for your kindness, compassion and unique way about you. You bring learning to this class so easy for me and probably many others, reading all our work and commenting on it adds a personal touch to this online class that leaves us wanting to do more and more. I found I was always looking forward to Mondays to see what the next subject was that we were working on. I have found that my research and essay skills have sharpened so much that when I took an intro culinary class this semester the most fun I have had was doing the research and essay papers on different chefs. But the bottom line is that you, Connie have showed me how much knowledge I have within me and how to have so much fun pulling it out of me, you have allowed me to write and create and express myself freely which has been so liberating for me. You have given me so much this semester with your accolades and comments and advice."
3. "Wow, where can I start with my gratitude to Mrs. Perez, and my children. First, these are the first six months of my new me. As some of you guys know this term has been so very hard for me that I taught I was going to drop all my classes, but Mrs. Perez gave me strength in her e-mails. My children are the cheerleaders of my life. My daughter says you see mommy you are a smart lady". They believe in me and I'm learning to believe that I was born to be happy and accomplish something I always desired. When I went to see if I would return to school after more than 20 years, the first board I read was about the reentry adult counseling they have at COC. I went in the office and I got all my questions answered. This class is the one that has taught me to be motivated. For me that is the ingredient for my life, the motivation levels in my heart. To the one that broke my heart into many pieces, this is what you never wanted me to achieve but now that you are out of the picture I will be who I was meant to be. The strategies that has the class has taught me are so refreshing that I will always use them. To the future students of this class, this is where you should begin. Getting advise since the very start of your education in school will guide you to have good grades and many ways to get help. I recommend this class to anyone."
4.  "My journey while taking this course was extremely helpful to me. I have been out of school so long and this was a great refresher course. This class really kept me motivated and focused on the goals that I have set for myself. I really enjoyed the section on time management I had a really full day before I started college and I didn't believe I would have enough time in the day to complete my assignments. When we began this section on time management it really helped me map my schedule out and I was able to organize my day and time. Time management is something that will always be a part of my life, it just make everything a little less stressful for me."

Counseling offers a multitude of course offerings that you may also be interested in taking. Please take a look at the counseling website for more information and course description.

Free Classes

Through the College of Personal and Professional Learning they offer two specific classes that would be of great benefit for an adult reentry student. These classes are free and you can also earn a certificate.

Certificate Description: Provides resources and strategies to succeed in college as a new or returning student. Topics covered will include academic expectations, financial aid options and budgeting, academic and career educational options, College of the Canyons Resources, goal setting, and online learning.

Course Description:

• NC.CGSL-001 Resources/Strategies College: Introduces basic computer processes, operating system, and Internet technologies, including file management and social media.
• NC.CGSL-002 Online Learning and Strategies: Introduces the practical strategies and skills necessary to succeed in distance education. Students will learn how to anticipate, avoid, and/ or solve typical problems encountered in the distance learning environment. 
• NC.CGSL-003 Money Management College & Beyond: Develops a foundation of money management and financial literacy including budgeting to meet educational goals. Strategies include FAFSA, scholarships, student loans, consumer credit, and banking products such as checking and saving accounts. 

I highly recommend NC.CGSL-002 and NC.CGSL-003. You can take any course in any order that you want. Please visit the Enrollment Services website for more information on how to enroll.

More testimonials can be found on Connie's personal website.

Other Counseling Courses to consider:

The mission of the Instructional Counseling Program is to teach students the strategies to become self-aware, develop educational and career goals, make decisions and problem solve, and accept responsibility for gaining the skills to become a more proficient and confident learner.

COUNS 110 (3 units)