LibraryPirate Light ON THE PATH This page intentionally left blank Light on the Path A Christian Perspective on College Success Second Edition John A. Beck Marmy A. Clason Light on the Path A Christian Perspective on College Success Second Edition Beck · Clason Publisher: Lyn Uhl Acquisitions Editor: Annie Todd Development Editor: Maggie Barbieri Editorial Assistant: Dan DeBonis Associate Technology Project Manager: Marla Nasser Managing Marketing Manager: Mandee Eckersley Marketing Manager: Kirsten Stoller Marketing Assistant: Kate Remsberg Associate Content Project Manager: Jessica Rasile Manufacturing Manager: Marcia Locke Senior Art Director: Cate Rickard Barr Production Service/Compositor: Lachina Publishing Services, Inc. Cover Designer: Maria Ilardi Cover Image: © Martin Ruegner/Getty Images Cover/Text Printer: Edwards Brothers © 2008, 2006 Thomson Wadsworth, a part of The Thomson Higher Education Thomson Corporation. Thomson, the Star logo, 25 Thomson Place and Wadsworth are trademarks used herein Boston, MA 02210-1202 under license USA ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this For more information about our products, work covered by the copyright hereon may contact us at: Thomson Learning Academic be reproduced or used in any form or by any Resource Center 1-800-423-0563 means—graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, web For permission to use material from this text or distribution, information storage and retrieval product, submit a request online at http:/www systems, or in any other manner—without the .thomsonrights.com written permission of the publisher. Any additional questions about permissions can be submitted by e-mail to thomsonrights Printed in the United States of America @thomson.com 1 2 3 4 5 11 10 09 08 07 ISBN-13: 978-1-4130-3368-7 Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: ISBN-10: 1-4130-3368-7 2007931350 Dedicated to the success of Aaron, Peter, Jonathan, Jared, Jacob, and Hannah. Dedicated to the happiness of Bernie, Barb, Tom, Steve, Annette, Jim, and Sue, who know that endurance is the basis of success. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (Psalm 23:6) This page intentionally left blank Table of Contents Preface xix 1 Putting Light on the Path 1 Advantages of a College Education 2 Challenges for First-Year Students 2 Student Voice: Hannah Duncan 3 You Can Do It! 4 There Is Help in This Book 4 There Is Help in God’s Word 5 A Word of Encouragement 5 Plan to Succeed 5 Spiritual Health 6 Academic Habits 6 Physical Health 7 Relationships 7 Effective Goal Setting 7 Write Intention Statements 8 Turn Your Intention Statements into Goal Statements 8 Develop an Action Plan 9 Implement the Action Plan 10 And Then There Is Motivation 10 Exercises for Success 13 Review Questions 13 First-Year Student Fears 13 Success and Survival Plan 14 Goal Setting and Implementation 14 Picture Your Motivation 15 Spiritual Refl ection Journal 15 Time in Prayer 15 On the Web 16 vii viii Table of Contents 2 Turning the Light on Higher Education 17 The Purpose of Higher Education 18 World View and Higher Education 19 Christian Theism 19 Deism 19 Rationalism 20 Romanticism 20 Empiricism and Pragmatism 20 Existentialism 20 Postmodernism 21 The Christian World View and Higher Education 21 Separate 21 Integrate 2 Resolving the Tension 23 Planning Your Academic Program 23 The Catalog 24 Outline of Your Academic Program 24 Registering for Your Classes 25 Academic Policies 27 Student Voice: Emily Smith 28 Your Academic Advisor 28 Choosing an Advisor 28 Using Your Advisor 29 Exercises for Success 30 Review Questions 30 The History of My School 30 Our School Seal 30 World View Summary Report 30 Ongoing Issues in Higher Education 30 Identifying Key Campus Resources 31 Critical Dates 31 Spiritual Refl ection Journal 32 Time in Prayer 32 On the Web 32 Table of Contents ix 3 Making Time for Everything 33 A Habit That Can Be Changed 34 My Perceptions 34 My Actual Time Use 34 How Is Your Habit? 35 Building a Better Time Plan 36 The Semester Plan 38 The Weekly Plan 39 The Daily Plan 40 Distractions and Procrastination 42 Distractions 42 Procrastination 43 Student Voice: Samuel Cocar 44 Exercises for Success 45 Review Questions 45 Create Your Plan 45 Assess Your Weekly Plan 46 Examine Other Plans 46 What Distracts You? 46 Spiritual Refl ection Journal 46 Time in Prayer 47 On the Web 47 4 Def ning My Style of Learning 49 Initial Impressions of My Learning Style 50 Verbal, Visual, and Kinesthetic Modes of Learning 50 Verbal Learners 51 Visual Learners 52 Kinesthetic Learners 52 Student Voice: Hilary Hurst 53 Take the VARK! 53 Learning Styles and Personality Type 53 Extravert/Introvert Scale 54