COUN G105: Strategies for College Success

Course Outline of Record
Item	Value
Eff Term	Fall 2026
Curriculum Committee Approval Date	03/04/2025
Top Code	493013 - Academic Guidance
Units	3 Total Units (Lecture Units 3)
Hours	54 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 54)
Total Outside of Class Hours	108
Total Student Learning Hours	162
Course Credit Status	Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee	No
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 Lifelong Understanding and Self-Development (GE)
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 an orientation to higher education, academic integrity, learning strategies, study techniques and academic resources, mindset, life skills, and personal development. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC: Credit Limitations: COLL G100, COUN G104, COUN G105, COUN G115, COUN G150, COUN G151, COUN G152, COUN G153, COUN G154, COUN G155, COUN G156 and COUN G205 combined: maximum credit, 3 units.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

Identify academic and support services to meet educational goals.
Evaluate personal learning styles and academic study skills to meet educational goals.
Outline personal and academic goals recognizing any barriers to success, and methods for overcoming those barriers.

Course Objectives

Describe various higher education systems in the U.S.
Identify learning styles and their application to academic success.
Demonstrate communication and group process skills.
Examine health issues such as stress, nutrition, and exercise that affect lifelong well-being.
Identify personal barriers to success in school and formulate a plan to overcome the barriers.
Describe college resources and use those resources appropriately to meet student need.
Explain the factors that influence motivation and develop strategies to increase motivational levels.
Integrate the concept of self-efficacy and mindset to increase completion of personal, educational, and\\ncareer goals.

Lecture Content

Higher Education
1. Overview of higher education and education systems
2. Academic policies and procedures
3. Transitional issues
4. The language of higher education
5. College cultures
6. Degree and educational planning
7. Course selection
Campus and resources
1. Library overview
2. Student support services
3. Counseling
4. Financial aid
5. Tutoring
6. Health center
7. Career center and employment services
8. Transfer center
Personal Development and Life Skills
1. Relationships
2. Effective Communication
3. Presentation skills
4. Team building and group work
5. Conflict management
6. Self-evaluation and self-esteem
7. Emotional intelligence
Health Nutrition and exercise
1. Mind/Body relationships
2. Stress management
3. Healthy eating, exercise, and sleep
4. Substance abuse
5. Sexual health
Thought processes
1. Critical and creative thinking
2. Decision making
3. Goal setting
4. Values clarification
5. Problem solving
6. Mindset and self-advocacy
Time and Money
1. Time management
2. Scheduling
3. Motivation and Persistence
4. Money management and budgeting
5. Financing higher education
College success strategies
1. Learning styles
2. Learning profiles
3. Academic learning
4. Reading techniques
5. Memory techniques
6. Effective note-taking
7. Test taking skills
8. Academic research
9. Academic writing strategies
Technology
1. Methods of instruction
2. Strategies to increase online learning
3. Overcoming technophobia
4. Information technology

Method(s) of Instruction

Lecture (02)
DE Live Online Lecture (02S)
DE Online Lecture (02X)

Instructional Techniques

Reading Assignments

A. Assigned textbook reading B. Academic and research journals

Writing Assignments

A. Reflections, workheets, self-assessments, and chapter exercises.

Out-of-class Assignments

A. Written papers and reflection journals B. Short responses to class discussion

Study Non-Contact Hours Recommended

108

Methods of Student Evaluation

Midterm Exam
Final Exam
Short Quizzes
Written Assignments
Essay Examinations
Objective Examinations
Report
Projects (Individual/Group)
Problem Solving Exercises
Oral Presentations
Skills Demonstration

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Students will demonstrate critical thinking by analyzing how effective communication and utilizing college resouces can support success and contribute to overcoming personal barriers. Applying a growth mindset and self-efficacy strategies enables them to critically assess their motivation levels and implement strategies to achieve personal, education, and career goals.

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.

Resources Subscreen

Textbook: Downing, Skip.. On Course: Strategies for Creating Success in College, Career, and Life, 10th ed.. Cengage (2025).
Open Education Resource: Alcala, C; Diamond, N., Fong, N., Putnam, K., Portillo, Y.. College Student Success, 1st ed. (2021).
Other: . . ().

Eligible Discipline(s)

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

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