Looking for a book that includes all the information a community college student needs to know when they arrive on campus?  The Community College Experience, PLUS Edition 2/e is the survival book with all the study skills and life skills material plus encouragement for the community college student to succeed.  Each chapter opens with a real-to-life student story related to the chapter topic and contains a dilemma. The student employs higher order thinking through in-chapter exercises that require them to think critically, discuss and collaborate, problem solve, and finally apply a solution to the chapter opener. Students are also directed to reflect on their own backgrounds, personalities, and learning preferences to make decisions about actions they would and should take.

Table of Contents:
PREFACE xiii Part I        Acclimating and Relating   CHAPTER 1    Understanding College Culture and Your Campus 2 Four Student Stories: Orientation 3 What Is College Culture? 4 Making the Transition 5      High School to College or Work to College     • Go for the Gold by Remembering S.I.L.V.E.R. The Nitty-Gritty of College 11      Schedules Controversial Content Grades What Does Your College Look Like? 16      The Campus College Publications 17      College Catalog • Student Handbook • Campus Safety Brochure • College Newspaper • Bulletin Boards • Classroom Materials • College Website Chapter Review Questions 24 Path of Discovery: Journal Entry 22 Chapter 1 Case Scenarios 24 “My Story” Learning Plan 21 Research It Further 24 CHAPTER 2    Understanding Yourself and How You Learn 26 Juanita’s Story 27 Who Are You? 28 What Do You Value? 28 What Is Your Mission Statement? 30 Discovering Your Dream 30 What Are Your Goals? 31      Setting Goals • Managing Your Goals Eliminating Negative Influences as You Work Toward Your Goals 33 Managing Your Priorities 35 Staying Motivated to Achieve Your Goals 35 Learning Styles and Personality Types 36     Personality Types • Personality Types and Careers Considering Learning Style and Personality for Careers 41 Chapter Review Questions 46 Path of Discovery: Journal Entry 44 Chapter 2 Case Scenarios 46 “My Story” Learning Plan 43 Research It Further 46 CHAPTER 3    Understanding Others in College and Diversity 48 Michael’s Story 49 The People on Your Campus 50     Cultivating Relationships with Professors     • Getting to Know Advisors, Counselors, and Learning Support Staff • Getting Along with Classmates Creating Boundaries 54 When a Problem Arises 55 Integrity in Relationships 55 Tips for Lasting Relationships 56 Changes in Your Relationships with Family and Friends 56 Exploring Diversity 57     Other Kinds of Diversity • Gender and Sexual Orientation Diversity • Racial, Ethnic, and Cultural Diversity     • Generational Diversity Personality Types and Learning Styles Diversity 61     Teaching Styles Diversity • Stereotypes • Prejudice • Discrimination Chapter Review Questions 70 Path of Discovery: Journal Entry 68 Chapter 3 Case Scenarios 70 “My Story” Learning Plan 67 Research It Further 70 CHAPTER 4    Managing Your Time 72 Laura’s Story 73 Is Time on Your Side? 74 Getting Organized 74 Supplies for Success • Space Considerations • Same Time, Same Place Making Time for College 77 But What Do I Do?  Managing Your Time 80     Analyzing Your Time • Back-Dating Time Management Plan Making Time for Relationships 83 Managing Your Priorities 84 Managing Your Energy 87 Identifying Time and Energy Zappers 88     Running Low on Time and Energy • Putting Procrastination in Its Place Chapter Review Questions 96 Path of Discovery: Journal Entry 94 Chapter 4 Case Scenarios 96 “My Story” Learning Plan 93 Research It Further 97 CHAPTER 5    Handling Stress and Making Healthy Choices 98 Evan’s Story 99 Understanding Stress 100     Stress Patterns • Minimizing Stress in College • Minimizing Stress at Home • Minimizing Stress at Work     • Reducing the Negative Effects of Stress • Staying Flexible • Knowing When to Get Help with Stress What’s Good for You 105     Healthy Eating • Exercise • Getting Enough Sleep Stress-Related Illnesses 109 Drugs and Alcohol 109 Depression and Suicide 110 Sexual Health Issues 111 Healthy Relationships 112     Communication Challenges Living a Balanced Life 113     Getting Help When You Need It Chapter Review Questions 118 Path of Discovery: Journal Entry 116 Chapter 5 Case Scenarios 118 “My Story” Learning Plan 115 Research It Further 119 Part II Learning   CHAPTER 6    Learning, Memory, and Thinking 120 Michael’s Story 121 This Is Your Brain . . . in College 122 Learning in College 124 The Memory Game 126      Mnemonic Devices Think About It 130 Creative Thinking 130 Critical Thinking 131      Edward de Bono’s Six Hats ThinkingR Critical Thinking/Problem-Solving Connection 132      Step 1: Identify the Problem • Step 2: Generate Ideas • Step 3: Assess the Possibilities • Step 4: Think Through Solutions     • Step 5: Choose the Best Solution • Step 6: Evaluate the Solution Putting Critical Thinking into Practice 136 Chapter Review Questions 142 Path of Discovery: Journal Entry 140 Chapter 6 Case Scenarios 142 “My Story” Learning Plan 139 Research It Further 142 CHAPTER 7    Reading 144 Evan’s Story 145 College Reading Expectations 146 What to Do with a Reading Assignment 147 Active Reading 149      Skimming and Scanning • Breaking Down the Material • Reading in the Disciplines • Building Your Vocabulary     • Taking Notes While You Read • Reading Speed • Checking Your Comprehension • Improving Your       Reading Attention Span • Thinking Critically When Reading SQ3R Reading Strategy 157 OK5R Reading Strategy 158 Putting the Pleasure Back into Reading 159 Reading Difficulties 159 Chapter Review Questions 164 Path of Discovery: Journal Entry 162 Chapter 7 Case Scenarios 164 “My Story” Learning Plan 161 Research It Further 164 CHAPTER 8    Listening and Taking Notes Effectively 166 Laura’s Story 167 The Listening and Note-Taking Connection 168 Preparing to Listen 168 Listening Critically 169 Listening Barriers 170 Remembering What You Have Heard 171 How Information Is Presented 172 Note-Taking Strategies 173     Developing a Shorthand • Outlining • Taking Notes within the Textbook • The Cornell System • Note-Taking Strategies      in the Disciplines Finding Your Own Note-Taking Style 177 A Note on Note-Takers 179 Reviewing Your Notes 179 Chapter Review Questions 184 Path of Discovery: Journal Entry 182 Chapter 8 Case Scenarios 184 “My Story” Learning Plan 181 Research It Further 185 CHAPTER 9    Writing and Presenting College Assignments 186 Juanita’s Story 187 What to Expect for Assignments 188     Understanding the Assignment Writing in College 190     Top Eight College Writing Expectations Different Types of Writing Assignments 192     Summarize • Evaluate, Review, Assess, State Your Opinion, Critique • Synthesize • Describe, Define, Discuss, Explain     • Analyze • Compare and Contrast • Persuade, Argue • Reflect Length, Audience, and Purpose 194 Prewriting Techniques 196 Creating a Thesis and Organizing Details 197     Writing Paragraphs • Incorporating Transitions Writing Essays 200 Writing Research Papers 200 Preparing Portfolios 201 Avoiding Plagiarism 201 Writing Essay Exams 202 How College Professors Evaluate Your Writing 202     Knowing When to Get Help with Your Writing • Knowing When You Have Received Too Much Help Making Speeches and Presentations 203     Planning a Speech or Presentation • Vocal Delivery • Physical Delivery Chapter Review Questions 210 Path of Discovery: Journal Entry 208 Chapter 9 Case Scenarios 210 “My Story” Learning Plan 207 Research It Further 211 CHAPTER 10    Studying and Taking Tests 212 Four Students’ Stories 213 Testing, 1,2,3 214 A Place and Time for Studying 215 How to Study Effectively 216     Setting Goals • Studying Actively • Creating a Study Log • Understanding Course Objectives • Using Time Wisely     • “Cheat” Sheets • Previous Exams and Practice Tests Study Groups 219      General Tips for Study Groups Types of Test Questions 221      Multiple Choice • Matching • True/False • Fill-in-the-Blank/Short Answer • Problem Solving • Essay Types of Tests 225      Math and Science Tests • Fine Arts and Literature Tests • Open-Book and Take-Home Tests • Online Tests     •Comprehensive Exams Test-Taking Strategies 227     Preparing for the Test • Taking the Test • Maintaining Integrity During the Test • Beating Test Anxiety Chapter Review Questions 234 Path of Discovery: Journal Entry 232 Chapter 10 Case Scenarios 234 “My Story” Learning Plan 231 Research It Further 234 Part III Planning   CHAPTER 11 Planning for Next Semester 236 Juanita and Laura’s Story 237 Endings and Beginnings 238      Course Evaluations • Preparing for Final Examinations Mapping a Plan for Your Educational Future 239      A Difference of Degrees • Choosing Classes and Professors for Next Semester • Building Your Schedule • Troubleshooting      Your Schedule Deadlines and Dates Mapping a Plan for Your Financial Future 246      Paying for College • Scholarships • Grants • Student Loans • Military and Veterans Financial Aid • Work-Study     • Tuition Waivers for Employees • Applying for Financial Aid • Renewing Financial Aid and Paying It Back Creating a Budget 250      Credit Cards What If College Isn’t for You? 253 Chapter Review Questions 258 Path of Discovery: Journal Entry 256 Chapter 11 Case Scenarios 258 “My Story” Learning Plan 255 Research It Further 258 CHAPTER 12    Preparing for a Career and a Life 260 Evan and Michael’s Story 261 Time to Move Forward 262 Deciding to Transfer 262      Preparing to Make the Leap to a Four-Year University Going to Work 264      Career Values and Goals • Career Counseling • Résumés • Cover Letters • Career Fairs • Internships     • Interviewing • Other Considerations Asking for a Recommendation Letter 273 Considering the Community 273      Walking Billboard • Mentoring Others • Giving Time and Talent The End Is the Beginning 275 Mission, Values, and Goals Revisited 275 What Do You Know . . . Now? 276 Chapter Review Questions 280 Path of Discovery: Journal Entry 278 Chapter 12 Case Scenarios 280 “My Story” Learning Plan 277 Research It Further 281 APPENDIX A    GLOSSARY 283 APPENDIX B    VARK LEARNING STYLES INVENTORY 285 INDEX 289