Growth, Progress, & Skills (GPS) for College
Navigating college life can be challenging, with so much to figure out — and that's perfectly normal!
We have created the GPS for College Series to support you in your journey. Participating in these events will give you the tools and knowledge to navigate college life successfully, ensuring you have the support and skills needed to thrive. In the GPS for College Series you will:
- Enhance Academic Skills: Learn effective time management, note-taking, study techniques, and test-taking strategies to excel in your coursework.
- Develop Personal and Practical Skills: Gain insights into career paths and enhance your communication skills, equipping you for future success.
- Foster a Sense of Belonging and OCC Pride: Discover the resources available to support your success inside and outside the classroom.
| Day | Time | Location | Event | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/29/25 | 12:30 – 1:20pm | Gordon Great Room | Navigating OCC Technology & Tater tots | Need to get more comfortable navigating D2L Brightspace, Office 365, OneDrive and/or OCC e-mail? Then this workshop is for you! A tater tot bar will be available for attendees. |
| 2/3/25 | 12:30 – 1:20pm | Coulter room C205 | Planning Your Semester & How to Communicate with your Professor | Start your semester ahead of the game by taking some time to plan out assignments, exams, and other important campus events. Attendees need to bring course syllabi. |
| 2/5/25 | 12:30 – 1:20pm | Coulter room C205 | Time is Money: Don’t Spend It All in One Place! | Feeling overwhelmed with the assignments/responsibilities you have this semester? This workshop will: · Provide an overview of time management techniques. · Help you develop a routine to manage your time effectively. · Introduce strategies to manage procrastination |
| 2/10/25 | 12:30 – 1:20pm | Coulter room C205 | Study Smarter Not Harder | Looking for another way to study? The pomodoro technique and SQ3R are easy but powerful methods that can be used to help keep you on track while studying. During this session, we will: · Cover the pomodoro technique. · Summarize concepts with graphic organizers. · Practice the technique with your own course content. Please bring an assignment. |
| 2/17/25 | 12:30 – 1:20pm | Coulter room C205 | Student Success Secrets: Real Tips from Your Peers. | There is no better way to learn than from your fellow classmates. This workshop will promote knowledge sharing and skill development through mutual support and discussion. |
| 2/24/25 | 12:30 – 1:20pm | Coulter room C205 | Stress Less about the Test | Learn how to manage stress when taking tests along with valuable test taking strategies that will help you ace that next test! |
| 3/3/25 | 12:30 – 1:20pm | Coulter room C205 | Ready to Transfer? | Ready to see where your OCC degree can take you? Transferring between colleges can be complicated. This workshop will help you navigate the transfer process to get you where you want to be. |
| 3/10/25 | 12:30 – 1:20pm | P-100 | Women in STEM & Healthcare | In support of Women’s History month and to encourage and support women in STEM and healthcare, OCC has organized this panel discussion. Panelists will share their experiences as they pursued their successful careers. There will be a Q&A at the end of the session. |
| 3/24/25 | 12:30 – 1:20pm | Coulter room C205 | How to Study Using a Whiteboard | Using a whiteboard can be an effective and fun way to study! This workshop will: · Appeal to all types of learners and learning styles. · Share different ways to use a whiteboard to outline, study, and stay organized. · Help you identify which concepts you have a strong understanding of, and which areas need more review.
All students will be provided with a whiteboard to take with them to continue the strategies learned in the workshop! |
| 3/31/25 | 12:30 – 1:20pm | Coulter room C205 | Put your OCC degree to work | Career & transfer services overview, how to set yourself up now for future success, “who do you want to be” |
| 4/7/25 | 12:30 – 1:20pm | Coulter room C205 | Lead, Motivate, and Inspire! Building Leadership Skills | Interested in becoming a leader but unsure what it means to "be a leader"? During this workshop, you will: · Consider what it means to be a leader on and off campus. · Analyze different skills that leaders have. · Prepare to continue your leadership development. |
| 4/14/25 | 12:30 – 1:20pm | Coulter room C205 | Financial Literacy 101 | This workshop will provide participating students with basic knowledge of managing their money effectively, including budgeting, managing expenses, saving for short-term and long-term, maintaining good credit, and staying away from financial scams. |
| 4/21/25 | 12:30 – 1:20pm | Coulter room C205 | Life After OCC | The transition from student life to the professional world is a significant milestone, filled with excitement and challenges. This workshop will empower you with the tools and insights you need to thrive in your journey beyond graduation! |
| 4/28/25 | 12:30 – 1:20pm | Coulter room C205 | Final Countdown: Rock Your Final Project & Exam Prep! | This workshop will help you reflect on the semester and determine what you need for a successful finals week. During this session, we will: · Explore learning activities and study strategies. · Find your finals week schedule. |
| 5/5/25 | 12:30 – 1:20pm | Coulter room C205 | Total Wellness: Strategies for Resilience and Well-being | The Six Dimensions of Wellness (emotional, occupational, physical, social, intellectual, and spiritual) all play a role in your holistic wellness and fulfillment. This workshop will teach you about the dimensions and how they can impact you daily. Get ready for finals by focusing on yourself first. During this workshop, you will: · Learn what it means to be aware of your self-care practices. · Consider what you can do regularly to practice self-care. · De-stress before the end of the semester. |
| Day | Time & Location | Event | Description | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/29/25 | Evening/Virtual 5:00 – 5:50pm
Coulter Room C116 & Virtual | Navigating OCC Technology | Need to get more comfortable navigating D2L Brightspace, Office 365, OneDrive and/or OCC e-mail? Then this workshop is for you! | Register |
| 2/5/25 | Evening/Virtual 5:00 – 5:50pm
Coulter Room C116 & Virtual | General Study Skills Overview | Now is the time to develop and/or strengthen your current study habits. This workshop will: · help you plan out all your assignments and exams for the semester. · Explore different note taking methods. · Provide an overview of time management techniques. | Register |
| 2/20/25 | Evening/Virtual 5:00 – 5:50pm
Coulter Room C116 & Virtual | Stress Less About the Test | Learn how to manage stress when taking tests along with valuable test taking strategies that will help you ace that next test! | Register |
| 3/31/25 | Evening/Virtual 5:00 – 5:50pm
Coulter Room C116 & Virtual | Mid-Semester Check-in | The mid-point of the semester is a great opportunity to pause and reflect on your semester thus far. Now is the time to make adjustments in your study habits and explore academic resources to ensure you finish out the semester strong! | Register |
| 4/16/25 | Evening/Virtual 5:00 – 5:50pm
Coulter Room C116 & Virtual | Financial Literacy 101 | The workshop will provide participating students with basic knowledge of managing their money effectively, including budgeting, managing expenses, saving for short-term and long-term, maintaining good credit, and staying away from financial scams. | Register |
| 4/30/25 | Evening/Virtual 5:00 – 5:50pm
Coulter Room C116 & Virtual | Final Countdown: Rock Your Final Project & Exam Prep! | This workshop will help you reflect on the semester and determine what you need for a successful finals week. During this session, we will: · Explore learning activities and study strategies. · Find your finals week schedule. | Register |