RESOURCES AT JOHN JAY

Have you hear the saying life is what you make of it? Self-reliant people know that success in college depends a great deal on factors you can control: your attitude, your outlook, your focus, and your willingness to accept responsibility. Developing self-reliance will serve as a foundation for other life skills and habits of the mind that you need in order to achieve your goals and dreams.

Tips for Self-Reliance

1. Take responsibility for your path. Your choices determine the quality of your life. Don’t think that life is something that happens to you. Attending class and keeping up with assignments is up to you. If you need help, you must be the one to ask questions or visit your professor during office hours. When you take responsibility for your life, doors open up to more opportunities.
   
   
2. TRY IT

   Spin It Positive

   INTERACTIVE ACTIVITY
   Make decisions for yourself. Don’t let others make decisions for your life that you should be making for yourself. You are the one who will suffer the negative consequences of poor decisions and enjoy the benefits that come from good decisions. You should be the one to decide how your life will turn out. Let your life be YOUR life. 
   
   
3. Make choices in line with your goals.  Set goals for your future, and make sure that the way you spend your time is moving you toward those goals. A clear focus gives life more purpose and meaning.
   
   
4. Believe in yourself. Adopt the positive attitudes and actions that help you stay on course. Avoid negative self-talk: If you tell yourself you can’t succeed, you will get discouraged. Maintain optimism and persevere even when life takes unexpected turns or you face disappointments.
   
   
5. Resolve to succeed. If you have a goal such as graduation, tell yourself that you will not let anything get in the way of achieving it. This mindset will position you for success in school.
   
   
6. Approach life as a learning experience. As humans, we all struggle, make mistakes, and sometimes fail. As Thomas Edison said, “Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”  Feeling challenged means that you are learning. When you do poorly at something, pick yourself up and look for lessons you can apply to other aspects of life. Enjoy the process of learning new things and discovering more about yourself.
   
   
7. Look to yourself first when you face obstacles. Self-reliant people realize that there are times that it is necessary to seek advice and help from others, but also realize that they are ultimately responsible for solving the problems they encounter. The more you rely on yourself to solve the problems in your life, the more confident you will become.
   
   
8. Realize that everyone needs help sometimes. None of us are born knowing everything. If we were, why would we need school? Part of being self-reliant is recognizing when you need help and taking action to find help resources. If you feel overwhelmed, are falling behind in your studies, or are having a hard time managing multiple priorities, talk to a professor, meet your advisor, or visit the counseling center. There are many sources of support on campus.
   
   
9. Find and use available resources. The better informed you are, the better choices you can make. Learn about on-campus support resources. Take advantage of academic help, study groups, and other available support. Let your instructor’s syllabus be your guide to each course: The stated learning objectives can provide the big picture for each course. Pay attention to exam dates and due dates for major assignments. Use a planner to help you manage your time.
   
   
10. Be your own advocate. Take ownership of your education. Find the information you need to succeed, and take an active role in planning your academic path. Even though your advisor is one of your most valuable resources on campus, you should do your own research as well to understand the academic requirements to graduate on time. Developing self-advocacy skills helps you solve your own problems and have more control over your life.
    
    

    A note for students with disabilities:Self-advocacy skills can be especially important if you require accommodations that are approved by Accessibility Services. Make sure your instructor understands what you need. You do not have to disclose the nature of your disability, but you should communicate with your instructors so they can help you succeed academically.