Page 184 - Foundations of Learning, 4th Edition (Revised)

Discussion of the Personal Development Methodology

Step 1—Recognize the Need for Change and Growth
Becoming a college student is a major change for most people. Becoming a successful learner entails
changes in one’s life vision, priorities, and strategies. Although college is a life-changing
process, some students don’t truly engage in that process. Some are passive, back-seat
travelers, as we discussed in Chapter 1. Becoming a college student requires a change in
priorities and it usually takes repeated efforts before the direction of change in personal
priorities becomes clear.

College may sometimes be stressful, and this stress often brings up personal issues in
students’ lives that can keep them from being successful learners. Recognizing
the need for change and growth, and following the Personal Development
Methodology will help keep you on the right track, and moving forward.

Sandra is helping to provide child care for her sister and brother-in-
law. Her brother-in-law Ty is working extra shifts since they had the
baby, and Sandra’s sister Alicia is working and going to school. They
have helped Sandra out in the past and Sandra loves her niece.
Baby-sitting has kept Sandra from getting her homework done
a number of times, though. She’s worried that this will affect her
grades in the long run.

Step 2—Explore Contextual Issues
What are the environmental, social, and contextual aspects of your life that are supporting or hindering
your self-growth? It may be challenging but essential, as Leise explains, “to accurately assess issues
such as family support, peer behaviors, experiences with authorities, and sufficiency of resources in
order to support goals or overcome barriers (Leise, 2007).

You may want to reflect on these aspects of your life with a trusted mentor, and write about your
reflections in your Life Vision Portfolio. An activity is included at the end of this section, as well.

Ty and Alicia don’t have a lot of money for child care and family is very important to Sandra.
School is important to both Sandra and Alicia, as well.

Step 3—Prioritize Based on Values
What values do you live by? We all have values, and they affect our daily decisions, our relationships,
our priorities, and how we look at life at all levels. We rarely have to clarify those values, though, even
to ourselves. If you had to write a “values statement” for your life and your future, what would it say?
We’re often not conscious of our own value system unless we are in a new situation, with new people,
or in some kind of transition. Once you have identified and articulated your values, you can prioritize
your actions to best serve your goals. You might again use your Life Vision Portfolio for this reflection.

Sandra realized that she values her strong sense of duty and responsibility, a value that was
clarified while she was overseas. She also values challenging herself to be the best person and the
best friend she can be. Sandra’s college states their values as: Excellence, Respect, and Integrity.
Sandra thinks those fit into her values statement, too.

178 Foundations of Learning