Enhancing
Self-
Management and
Motivation
Among
Struggling
Students
Karen M. Cole and Margaret L. Mahlin
UNC Asheville kcole@unca.edu/mmahlin@unca.edu

UNC ASHEVILLE
 NC’s Designated Public
Liberal Arts University
 Approximately 3700 students
 Moderately selective entrance requirements
 OneStop model/faculty advising

THE COURSES: WHY?
 Funding model (retention and graduation); NC success initiatives
 Institutional retention challenges
 Emotional Intelligence concerns

STUDENTS: WHY?

COURSE CONTEXT:
CRITERIA FOR REQUIRED PARTICIPATION
 Cumulative gpa <1.85 or
 Semester gpa <1.75 and cum gpa <2.0
 Had all Fs, Us, and/or Ws in their prior semester of enrollment
 Returning from suspension or dismissal
 SAP Appeal Status

COURSE GOALS: STUDENTS WILL…
 return to Good Academic Standing.
 communicate effectively and regularly with faculty.
 utilize available support and assistance.
 hone self-awareness and selfmanagement skills.

WHAT WE TELL STUDENTS

Connecting
Is Key

COURSE DESIGN: COMMON ELEMENTS






COURSE DELIVERY

 GPA-based
 Classification-Based

 16 week term, 1x meeting per week
 8 week term, 2x meeting per week
(followed by coaching)

MAKING IT PERSONALIZED IS CRITICAL
 Organization and Success-Related
Behaviors
 Course success meetings with faculty and advisors
 Google Calendar creation and maintenance
 Utilizing on-campus academic resources
 Peer tutoring
 Math Lab
 Writing Center
 Utilizing non-academic supports
 Health and Counseling
 Career Center
 Negotiating other appropriate point-earning opportunities

COURSE TOPICS: EI FOCUS
 Relating choices (or failure to choose) to outcomes
 Grit and resilience
 Overcoming procrastination/avoidance
 Benefits of optimism/positive thinking
 Managing time/prioritizing commitments
 Keeping perspective/managing strong emotions
 Using evidence-based thinking
 Normalizing error/need for help
 Support people/lives to emulate

MORE COURSE TOPICS
 Communication strategies and body language
 Conflict resolution strategies
 Goal-setting/action steps
 Relevant academic policies
 GPA calculation and forecasting
 Major selection/career planning
 Deep reading/marking of text
 Test-taking strategies/managing test anxiety
 Developing effective sleep patterns

CURRICULUM DELIVERY
 Course Format Varies with Topic
 Self-Awareness Inventories
 Relevant TED talks and research-based short videos
 Presentations by guest speakers
 Health and Counseling
 Career Center
 Registrar’s Office
 Active learning tasks
 Brainstorming carousel
 Text marking exercise
 Evidence-based thinking exercise
 Conflict resolution activities

SAMPLE CALENDAR: AMP
2
3
4
5
Class #
1
Topic
Syllabus and Policies
6
7
Schedule Evaluation and Google
Calendar
Grit and Resilience
Managing Ourselves in Relation to Time
Positivity/Happiness; 10 Things
Making Life Harder
Personal Presidential
Panel/Character Traits
Body Language/Fake It/
Confirmation Bias
Class #
8
Topic
Bozos on the Bus/Locus of Control
9
10
11
12
13
14
Deep Reading of Text/Marking the text
Test-Taking Strategies/Test
Anxiety/Study Hacks
Stress Management and Self-
Regulation
Relationship Management (The
Bridge)
Sleep Hygiene
Academic Coach Visits/Closing

SAMPLE CALENDAR: MAP
5
6
7
2
3
4
Class #
1
Topic
Syllabus and Course Policies
Academic Policies and
Procedures
Body Language
Google Calendar/Backcalendaring assignments
Procrastination
Intro to Emotional Intelligence
Goal Setting/Graduation
Checksheets
Class #
8
Topic
Grit and Resilience
9 Group Dynamics
12
13
10
11
14
Tuition Surcharge, Calculating GPA,
Preparing for Advising
Dealing with Anxiety and Stress
Career Center Presentation
Conflict Resolution
Final Meeting

A QUICK PEEK AT RESOURCES

SOME VIDEO RESOURCES
 Shawn Achor:
Work
The Happy Secret to Better
 Elizabeth Lesser: Bozos on the Bus
 Amy Cuddy: Your Body Language Shapes
Who You Are
 Angela Duckworth: The Key to Success? Grit
 Dan Gilbert:
Happiness
The Surprising Science of

STUDENT TEXTS AND GUIDES

SYLLABUS SNAPSHOTS: VERSION ONE

SYLLABUS SNAPSHOT: VERSION TWO

COURSE SUCCESS SHEET: VERSION ONE

COURSE SUCCESS SHEET: VERSION TWO

OUTCOMES OVERVIEW: FALL 2013 ON
AMP
(FR/SO)
MAP
(JR/SR)
% Successfully
Completing
Course
69.79%
(201/284  )
71.25
(171/240  )
Average
Prior
Semester
GPA
1.44
1.20
Average
ARP Sem.
GPA
2.1
2.04
Sem. GPA
Difference from Prior
Term
0.84
Retention to
Next Sem.
(S Grades only)
GPA Change
Sem. Following
ARP
-0.21
1.17
71.9%
(100  )
76.1%
(130  )
-0.25
Tier 1 1.73
2.33
.59
63.3%
(136  )

COURSE SUCCESS AND RETENTION
Course /Grade
AMP (A-C, S)
AMP (D, F, U)
MAP (A-C, S)
MAP (D, F, U)
N
139
58
113
57
Students
Enrolled Next
Semester
71.9%
27.6%
76.1%
21.1%

MORE COMPELLING…
Group
No Intervention
Tier 1 (periodic check-ins, no course)
AMP (Fr/So and/or closer to GS)
MAP (Jr/Sr and/or further from GS)
% Retained and earning >=2.0
38.3%
47.0%
53.2%
65.8%

STUDENT FEEDBACK ABOUT THE COURSE
 “I enjoyed it; it's kind of like AA for college students who are struggling with course load, study skills, etc.”
 “I like this class because it is a constant reminder to stay on top of things - to keep working hard and not give up .”
 “It has helped me identify ways that I could improve myself. I had been wondering why things seemed so easy for others, but I realized, from this class, ways that I could take more responsibility for my actions.”
 “Loved it. I really felt like I needed a kick in the butt and it was given with loving support.”
 “I enjoyed our class discussions; they helped me become more honest with myself.”

STUDENT VOICES

INSTRUCTOR INSIGHTS
 Relationships first; course material second
 Humor and humility
 Focus on looking forward
 Huge time investment
 Huge emotional investment
 Honest about our own struggles
 Constant honing, tweaking, reflection
 Organizational challenges

QUESTIONS?

 kcole@unca.edu

 mmahlin@unca.edu