Project Start Offers:

               

ACADEMIC SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

Critical Thinking Workshop Series:

I. The reading process and cracking the code

II. Identifying and filtering essential information and non-essential information

III. Note-taking from lectures, presentations, texts and note-making for daily review and test preparation

IV. Mind-mapping basic training for note-making

V - VIII. Focus on arguments, evaluation, errors in critical thinking, critical reasoning and identifying fallacies

• 'In Other Words' (Vocabulary development to improve your reading, writing and speaking.)
  
• Close Encounters (Advanced critical thinking, reading, writing and discussion practice.)
  
• Learning Journey: Exploring how our brains work, identifying modalities and styles of learning, and tips for applying learning strategies appropriate to learning style.
  
• Learning and Study Strategies for Special Topics: (math, biology, sociology, or foreign languages, etc.)
  
• Beyond Critical Thinking (Learn the importance of perception and patterns in the thinking process.)
  
• Monitored professional tutoring support for English and Math.
  
• Monitored peer tutoring for other courses.

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS

• Negotiating and Navigating the Learning Environment Forums (N & N): Informal discussions on a variety of topics between faculty and staff which provides valuable out-of-class interaction and connections.
  
• Living Leaders: Monthly forums that nurture the development of relational leadership skills and acceptance of role responsibility.

 LIFE SKILLS: THE TOOLS FOR SUCCESS

• Setting goals
• Avoiding procrastination
• Managing stress and achieving relaxation
• Managing your time

 ACADEMIC ADVISING AND SUPPORT

• Selecting courses based upon assessment placement results in English and math
• Identifying courses toward the fulfillment of an Associate's degree and transfer
• Clarifying academic goals
• Selecting a major course of study
• Recovering from academic probation
• Withdrawing from classes
• Transfer information form ARTSYS (web-based college transfer information system)
• Campus visits to four-year colleges and universities

 FINANCIAL AND ADVISING AND SUPPORT

• Financial aid advising for transfer
• Assistance in completing financial aid and scholarship forms
• Additional financial Grant Aid while participating in Project START (restricted to Pell Grant recipients)

 CAREER EXPLORATION

• Utilizing the Career Center
• Career decision-making

 PERSONAL COUNSELING

• Regularly scheduled counseling sessions to address personal issues that are barriers to academic achievement or success

Brochures and applications are available in the Project START area in the Counseling Center, Building A, on the Essex campus.