By Chelsea Olson/reporter
One NW counselor doesn’t want TCC students to become dropout statistics.
Through The 12 Laws of Success for First-Generation College Students workshop Oct. 29, Brentom Jackson said he hopes students who come from a family without a college-educated parent can ultimately lead academically rewarding careers.
“Decide what you want and decide what you’re willing to exchange for it,” he said. “Establish your priorities and go to work!”
Jackson’s keys to success incorporate laws that have aided first-generation college students to successfully earn their degrees. He advised students to get support and make connections.
A great way for finding on-campus support, he said, is through mentoring programs like Men of Color, Empowering Links and the Bridge program.
Jackson also advised students to utilize resources, such as the campus libraries, which have many materials and supplies for students.
“Whether you’re looking at news clippings, books, periodicals, scholarly journals, learn how to use the resources,” he said.
Another way to stay on track for success is to maintain balance. Eat right, sleep right, move right and think right, Jackson said. Student success is what each student shapes it to be.
“Don’t bite off more than you can chew, but bite off something,” he said.
Students should know how to communicate and do it well, Jackson said. They should check their TCC emails on a regular basis, acknowledge TCC phone calls and talk to instructors.
Communicating and participating with teachers is a great way to begin a class and can be key to whenever life complicates students’ schedules, Jackson said.
Another building block to success is strategizing a study technique that works. If the proven strategy of two hours of outside studying for every hour of class doesn’t work for a student, then the student has to adapt.
“Come up with a creative strategy that works best for you,” he said.
Jackson had three final keys for success: being patient, being oneself and going with the flow. He said he hopes students can be confident in who they are and be more relaxed.
“You want to work for changes that you want to see in your future, but you also have to have the willpower to get over the obstacles that are in your present,” he said.
