Course Syllabus

GNST 1600 Dealing with Life

Course Description

This course is designed to provide students with knowledge, insight, and life skills, as well as an understanding of realistic life expectations as they transition from high school to college and from young adulthood to adulthood. Students will receive information and participate in discussions on how to balance academics, family, recreation, social interaction, mental and physical health needs, and personal growth in order to minimize stress and anxiety and structure a life in which they may thrive.

Justification

Life changes experienced as students move from high school to college can cause students to have difficulties adjusting to new adult responsibilities that interfere with learning opportunities and social development. Knowing what to expect and having confidence in their ability to make informed choices and fulfill adult responsibilities will help to minimize stress and anxiety and allow students to realize academic, social, and overall success now and in the future. This course will improve retention of students and improve the learning environment. This will be done by mitigating stress and anxiety. Hopefully this will reduce the demand on the Wellness Center of Snow College. This course will enhance the student’s understanding and application of many of the Behavioral Science disciplines theories and methods. It will also prepare all students to adjust and prepare for transfer to other institutions and careers. The courses will help students increase their academic readiness for higher education and create opportunities for meaningful connections/interactions with faculty and peers.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Upon successful completion of this course the student will be able to: Better understand how change impacts them socially, academically, and emotionally by completing a pre and post assessment and learning logs.
2. Explain what causes stress and anxiety and strategies for dealing with them by participating in relaxation, critical thinking, guest lectures and reading assignments.
3. Know what to expect as they make the transition from teens to adult by reading experiences of others, guest lectures, conducting critical thinking scenarios and research of workable options.
4. Understand different coping skills that may improve their ability to deal with issues of life and living by reading experiences of others, conducting critical thinking scenarios, learning logs, reflection paper and research of workable options.
5. Understand a variety of general life concerns by participating in class discussion, group projects, integrated teaching/ lectures and demonstrations.

Course Content

This course is designed to provide students with knowledge, insight, and life skills, as well as an understanding of realistic life expectations as they transition from high school to college and from young adulthood to adulthood and as they navigate the various experiences and people they will encounter. Students will receive information and participate in discussions on how to balance these experiences and people in relation to academics, family, recreation, social interaction, mental and physical health needs, and personal growth in order to minimize stress and anxiety and structure a life in which they may thrive.