Introduction to College Research by Beckett, Brooke https://padlet.com/brookebeckett/kzjtg1sfscadf3t4 This course will provide you with the knowledge, resources, and inspiration to begin your journey of college exploration. The goal of this mini-course over the next 9 weeks is to provide you with information about different options that you have for after graduation, and give you with support and resources for whatever journey you may choose. By the end of the course, you will be able to: 1.) create a cohesive, realistic list of options for after graduation that will progress your academic and professional goals. 2.) produce content in a variety of formats that you will be able to use as a resource as you continue on your and 3.) rank your options in relation to your academic skills and professional goals. en-us 2021-11-07 22:01:38 UTC 2025-11-24 04:09:33 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f4da.png Module 1: What are my options after I graduate? brookebeckett https://padlet.com/brookebeckett/kzjtg1sfscadf3t4/wish/1873427764

Absorb:
- Watch this video on "What is college?".
- Watch this video on college options. 
- Read this article about different paths https://www.understood.org/articles/en/after-high-school-different-paths-to-success

Do and Connect:
Following the prompt below, engage in a quick write and jot down your ideas related to these questions. Your answers don't have to be precise or anything you're 100% sure of, this is just to get some ideas down on paper to begin the course!

  • What was your favorite part of high school?
  • When you think about your future, what makes you excited?
  • Do you like school enough to do it for 4 more years?
  • Do you know what you want to do? (You don’t have to!) If you do, do you think college would help you get there? 

These are some common myths and misconceptions about college to keep in mind as you work through this module:
  • You need to know exactly what you want to do if you want to go to college. 
  • You need to have every penny of tuition saved before you start. 
  • You have to go to a 4 year university if you want to succeed. 
  • You have to graduate in 4 years. 
  • You should go to college right out of high school. 

]]> 2021-11-07 22:04:52 UTC https://padlet.com/brookebeckett/kzjtg1sfscadf3t4/wish/1873427764 Module 2: What is Community College? brookebeckett https://padlet.com/brookebeckett/kzjtg1sfscadf3t4/wish/1873428604 Absorb:
- Watch this video about community colleges. Keep in mind that they are using Seattle college as an example but this information is applicable to community colleges everywhere.
- Explore the Community College of Aurora's website and check out their "Getting Started" tab.
- Look at the Community College of Denver's webpage, particularly Admissions, Recruitment, and Outreach Page - Enrollment Process for New First- Time Students


Do:
Take this quiz about whether or not community college might be a good fit for you. 

Connect:
Using the information that you gathered from the video, websites, and quiz that you took, reflect on what going to a community college might look like for you. Draw out your thoughts in a mind map, like the one attached.

]]> 2021-11-07 22:05:48 UTC https://padlet.com/brookebeckett/kzjtg1sfscadf3t4/wish/1873428604 Module 3: 4-Year Universities brookebeckett https://padlet.com/brookebeckett/kzjtg1sfscadf3t4/wish/1873428921 Absorb:
- Read this article that introduces what different types of 4 year universities there are: http://studentcaffe.com/apply/four-year-college/types-and-benefits
- If you're thinking of going to a four year university, these are some good factors to keep in mind: https://www.bestcolleges.com/blog/how-to-choose-the-right-college/

Do:
- Take this quiz about finding colleges that might be a good fit for you. https://www.niche.com/about/college-quiz/
 - You can also look at Cu Denver’s website as an example of a 4 year. https://www.ucdenver.edu/ Explore the “Academics” and “Life at CU Denver” pages to get a better sense of what it could look like to go to a four year university. 

 
Connect:
In this padlet, post your answers to the following questions:
  • Do you have any experience with or connection to 4 year universities? 
  •  Is living on or around campus something that you’d be interested in doing? 
If you have any insight or advice for your peers that have also posted in that padlet, feel free to respond to them.
]]> 2021-11-07 22:06:06 UTC https://padlet.com/brookebeckett/kzjtg1sfscadf3t4/wish/1873428921 Module 4: What does it mean to transfer? brookebeckett https://padlet.com/brookebeckett/kzjtg1sfscadf3t4/wish/1873429195 Absorb:
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/find-colleges/college-101/tips-on-college-transferring-from-a-2-year-to-a-4-year-college
 - Look at Colorado Community College's page about transferring from a community college to a university in Colorado: https://www.cccs.edu/transfer/

Do and Connect:
- In the form of a reflective journal entry, consider the following questions and elaborate on your responses:
   - Would you be interested in attending a community college for two years before transferring to a 4 year institution? Why or why not?
   - What would some perks of attending a community college then transferring be for you?
- Do you think transferring would make the transition to a 4 year university easier? Why or why not?
]]> 2021-11-07 22:06:27 UTC https://padlet.com/brookebeckett/kzjtg1sfscadf3t4/wish/1873429195 Module 5: Alternate options: trade schools, gap year, internships brookebeckett https://padlet.com/brookebeckett/kzjtg1sfscadf3t4/wish/1873429568 If you decide that college isn’t for you right now, that’s ok! You don’t need to have it all figured out right now. You just have to have *something* figured out. There are other options than community college or a four year university.

Absorb: 
- Read this article on how college isn't always necessarily the answer: https://www.npr.org/local/309/2020/02/03/802228885/pushing-beyond-the-idea-that-college-is-always-the-answer

- Explore a technical college in Aurora called Picken's webpage about their alternative learning paths. https://www.pickenstech.org

Do:
- Make a quick list of some alternative options that you might have after school rather than going to college. Do any of these options stick out to you? If they don't, that's ok, it just might mean that an alternative path isn't for you right now. 

Connect:
- Post your list in this Padlet to gather inspiration from the lists' of your peers, and to inspire them as well.

]]> 2021-11-07 22:06:50 UTC https://padlet.com/brookebeckett/kzjtg1sfscadf3t4/wish/1873429568 Module 7: Resources/Pros and Cons brookebeckett https://padlet.com/brookebeckett/kzjtg1sfscadf3t4/wish/1873429764 Although this process can feel difficult to navigate, there are so many resources to help you through this process. This module will give you insight about who you can go to for the services that you will need over the next few months on this journey.

Absorb:
- Explore CCA’s webpage on academic advisors.  This give you some information about the services that they provide.  https://www.ccaurora.edu/faq/academic-advising
- Now look at your schools webpage on counseling and advising. Try to find a new piece of information or a resources that they provide that you didn’t know about until now.  https://awcpa.aurorak12.org/counseling/

Connect:

As we are nearing the end of our course, you are going to make a pros and cons list to weigh some of the options that we have reviewed so far. 
First, choose the option that stands out most to you, for example, community college or trade school. Then, choose a second option. 
Next, consider the negative and positive factors that will influence your decision. List the positives under the "pro" column, and the negatives under the "cons" column. These could be things like cost, time, location, length, etc. 
You will be making two pros and cons list, one for each of your top two choices. Next week, we will use these to compare and contrast the options that seem realistic to you. 
Use this template to make your pros and cons list. 
Remember that this doesn't need to be conclusive, you don't need to make a decision now, this is just an activity to get you in the right headspace.

]]> 2021-11-07 22:07:02 UTC https://padlet.com/brookebeckett/kzjtg1sfscadf3t4/wish/1873429764 Module 9: Your own path brookebeckett https://padlet.com/brookebeckett/kzjtg1sfscadf3t4/wish/1873429975 Compile your quick write, mind map, journal entry, and pros and cons list into one file or folder. Looking at all of these materials that you have created, begin to envision what some of these options could look like as a reality for you. This doesn't need to be a final decision by any means, just take the week to explore your options so far. You can also go back and take a look at the Padlet boards that have the inspiration from your peers about their own college journeys that you can take into consideration. At the end of the week to finish up this module, rank the options in your list that you have in front of you.
This is going to be used as your "Exit ticket" for the course.

Finally, please fill out this Google form that will provide me with feedback about the course and will help you finalize your last thoughts about the modules you just spent the last 9 weeks working through. The goal of this is to help you summarize what you learned and proved you with a resource to look back on as you continue your journey. ]]> 2021-11-07 22:07:17 UTC https://padlet.com/brookebeckett/kzjtg1sfscadf3t4/wish/1873429975 Module 8: Financial Aid brookebeckett https://padlet.com/brookebeckett/kzjtg1sfscadf3t4/wish/1873430194 One thing to keep in mind as you begin your post graduate planning is financial aid. Financial aid can be a difficult process to navigate, but it isn't impossible! With the help and support of academic and financial advisors, it can be a breeze. Begin by exploring these resources about financial aid.

Absorb:
- https://understandingfafsa.org
- Watch this video on filling out FAFSA. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsI46YHy6lw

Do:
- Save these links to your computer or bookmark these tabs, you will want to have these resources to come back to you as continue through the financial aid process.

Connect:
- Connect with your peers by posting any questions or ideas about financial aid that you have in this Google doc. You can also respond to your peers posts and comments.
]]> 2021-11-07 22:07:32 UTC https://padlet.com/brookebeckett/kzjtg1sfscadf3t4/wish/1873430194 Module 6 - Military brookebeckett https://padlet.com/brookebeckett/kzjtg1sfscadf3t4/wish/1904860868 Another option for after you graduate is to join the military. There are many different branches and career paths you  can take within the armed forces.

Absorb: First, explore these webpages of the different branches.
- US Airforce: https://www.af.mil
- US Marines: https://www.marines.com
- US Army: https://www.army.mil
- US Navy:https://www.navy.mil

Do: Use a graphic organizer like the one attached to analyze information about the four branches of the armed forces. Provide context for each one such as time commitment, career options within each branch, and what the first or next steps look like.

Connect: If joining the military looks like it might be a good option for you, sign up the email list of one of the branches that interests you most. This will provide you with more information about your options. 
If this doesn't seem like the right option for you, write a brief description of why not. Explain what deters you from this option and why you feel that way. Submit this to me over email in a pdf format. ]]> 2021-11-21 22:58:29 UTC https://padlet.com/brookebeckett/kzjtg1sfscadf3t4/wish/1904860868