Academic Catalogs

COUN C105: Strategies for College Success

Course Outline of Record
Item Value
Top Code 493010 - Career Guidance and Orientation
Units 3 Total Units 
Hours 54 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 54)
Total Outside of Class Hours 0
Course Credit Status Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee Yes
Basic Skills Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable No
Open Entry/Open Exit No
Grading Policy Standard Letter (S), 
  • Pass/No Pass (B)
Local General Education (GE)
  • Area 7E Self-Development (CE1)
California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE-Breadth)
  • CSU E1 Lifelong Understanding (E1)

Course Description

This course is designed to integrate personal growth, critical and creative thinking, problem-solving and academic and career success. Topics include orientation to higher education, resources, educational planning, academic integrity, study techniques, learning strategies, mindset, and personal development. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC: Credit Limitation: COUN C104 and COUN C105: maximum credit, 1 course.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

  1. Apply and practice critical and creative thinking processes as they apply to decision-making and problem-solving.
  2. Identify academic goals based on an understanding of higher education and develop an educational plan consistent with goals.
  3. Define social, psychological, and physiological issues that impact educational, career, and life decisions.

Course Objectives

  • 1. Describe the culture of post-secondary education and higher education systems in the U.S.
  • 2. Describe college resources and use those resources appropriately to meet student need.
  • 3. Define social, psychological and physical issues that influence educational, career and life decisions.
  • 4. Explain the factors that influence motivation and develop strategies to increase motivational levels.
  • 5. Integrate the concept of self-efficacy and mindset to increase completion of personal, educational and career goals.
  • 6. Analyze multiculturalism and its role for succeeding in a diverse society.
  • 7. Identify personality traits as they apply to learning styles.
  • 8. Demonstrate effective communication and group process skills.
  • 9. Create an educational plan in conjunction with a counselor that identifies academic and career goals.
  • 10. Examine health issues such as stress, nutrition, and exercise that affect lifelong well-being.
  • 11. Identify personal barriers to success in school and formulate a plan to overcome the barriers.

Lecture Content

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT Relationships Communication strategies Conflict management Self-evaluation and self-esteem Emotional intelligence Health Healthy eating, exercise and sleep Mind/Body relationships Stress management Substance abuse Diversity Communication styles Cultural capital and cultural wealth Inherent bias Sexism and sexual harassment Special needs Thought Critical and creative thinking Decision making Goal setting Values clarification Problem solving Mindset and self-advocacy Time Management Motivation and persistence Study habits Scheduling strategies Money Money management Financing a higher education EDUCATIONAL AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT Educational Planning Choosing a major and course selection Structure of higher education Degree and educational planning College programs and services Career Planning Evaluating interests Defining values and skills Work purpose COLLEGE SUCCESS STRATEGIES Learning Styles Stages of learning Learning profile Learning Strategies Memory techniques Reading techniques Note-taking Test-taking Researching Writing strategies Technology Online, hybrid, in-person Strategies to increase online-learning success Overcoming technophobia Using the Coastline Library

Method(s) of Instruction

  • Lecture (02)
  • DE Online Lecture (02X)
  • Video one-way (ITV, video) (63)

Instructional Techniques

Instruction is designed to support the diverse learning styles of students. Methodologies include lectures, interactive lectures, power point and multimedia presentations, group discussions, group projects, individual exercises and assessment, video, guest speakers, readings, handouts, and directed assignments.

Reading Assignments

Students will spend approximately two to three hours per week reading from assigned textbook, handouts and online resources.

Writing Assignments

Students will spend approximately two hours per week on writing assignments. Students will reflect critical thinking skills in written assignments which may include an autobiography, written reports, guided journal entries reflecting on discovery and intention statements, and short answer exercises and exams. Each student will identify problems or obstacles that hinder their academic success and then identify and explain techniques, skills or resources than can be used to solve these issues.

Out-of-class Assignments

Students will spend approximately two hours per week completing out of class assignments. Assignments will include a variety of reflections, worksheets, self-assessments and chapter exercises related to weekly class content.

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Exams Skill demonstrations Problem solving exercises Written reports Class participation

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Students will reflect critical thinking skills in written assignments which may include an autobiography, written reports, guided journal entries reflecting on discovery and intention statements, and short answer exercises and exams. Each student will identify problems or obstacles that hinder their academic success and then identify and explain techniques, skills or resources than can be used to solve these issues.

Eligible Disciplines

Counseling: Master's degree in counseling, rehabilitation counseling, clinical psychology, counseling psychology, guidance counseling, educational counseling, social work, or career development, marriage and family therapy, or marriage, family and child counseling, OR the equivalent. (NOTE: A bachelor's degree in one of the above listed degrees and a license as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) is an alternative qualification for this discipline.) Master's degree required. Title 5, section 53410.1

Textbooks Resources

1. Required Downing, Skip. On Course, Strategies for Creating Success in College, Career and Life, 9th ed. Cengage, 2019 2. Required Alfaro, D. et al.. Strategies for College Success, 1st ed. Creative Commons (OER). CC BY 4.0., 2021 3. Required Perrine, Nicole. Strategies for College Success: Hope Scholar Edition, 1st ed. Creative Commons (OER). CC BY 4.0., 2024

Other Resources

1. Coastline Library 2. OER - Open Educational Resources