Page 157 - Foundations of Learning, 4th Edition (Revised)

The Student Handbook

Somewhere in the pile of materials you received before even beginning your studies is your Student
Handbook. Every college has one and it contains lots of information about your rights and responsibilities
as a student. Knowledge of its contents may save you money and could certainly keep you out of academic
trouble. For example, reading the section on “academic integrity” could keep you from receiving a failing
grade because of plagiarism. While this chapter of Foundations of Learning will touch on some of the
aspects of college and life at college, there is simply no substitute for becoming familiar with your Student
Handbook; it is your single best source of information about your school.

In Activity 6.2, you’ll have an opportunity to identify the highlights of this important book.

PROCEED TO ACTIVITY 6.2 (page 165)

Life Goals and Academic Goals

“When you follow your bliss... doors will open where you would not have
thought there would be doors, and where there wouldn’t be a door for anyone else.”

Joseph Campbell, American mythology professor and author

When friends and family heard you were going to college, they probably asked you what your major would
be. How did you answer this question? Did you already know what you wanted to major in? Or did you
hope to learn more about possible majors and career paths once you’d started college? Are you planning
to follow in the vocational and career footsteps of a parent or mentor? Or have you decided to explore a
different path?

You probably have some field of interest in mind; at the very least, you listed something on your application
to college. Whatever you’ve identified as a field of interest, the more you learn about it, the better prepared
you will be to decide whether you’re headed in the right direction.

People of your grandparent’s generation typically had a single career over the course of their lives. But
the world has changed a great deal since then; statistically, you’re likely to have several different careers
during your adult life. How do you prepare to insert yourself into the ever-changing professional world
around you, while still following a career and life path that speaks to your talents and passions?

These are all tough questions and require that you make some important decisions.At base, they have everything
to do with your life vision. Whatever your current vision for yourself—whether it is cloudy, crystal-clear, or
somewhere in between—you will benefit from some reflection on the direction your life is taking.

You’ve already started working on your Life Vision Portfolio and have had some practice with critical
reflection. The prompts and exercises in this chapter will help you further develop your life vision, especially
with respect to your academic and career goals. You are welcome to reflect on any of the questions raised
in this chapter and add notes to your Life Vision Portfolio as you wish.

“I can teach anybody how to get what they want out of life. 151
The problem is that I can’t find anybody who can tell me what they want.”

Mark Twain, American author and humorist

Chapter 6 — Context of Performance