Director's Message

"Every passing minute was yet another opportunity for us to make our lives better."

If you read my message last month, you will recall I talked a bit about "pacing our successes." The minutes of today are the moments in which we should be making productive decisions regarding our futures. You do have the ability to create your future.

Before we all get too overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of fall semester, let us take a few minutes to plan our successes. Let us create a mental picture of what we want to accomplish throughout the next few months. By doing so, not only will we be better able to realize our goals, we will be doing so on our own schedule.

Cheryl

Start your academic year off on the right foot:
- Be proactive in your learning

Tutoring is available in all subject areas.
The process is easy and it's FREE!
To sign up for a tutor, stop by the SSS Office, 1st floor -
Oaks Hall and ask for Marti Hunter.

Fall sign-up will begin:
Monday, August 26

     Tutoring is also available in Macon County

Sign up for a tutor today ! Tutoring Makes a Difference

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Marti Hunter of Franklin, North Carolina has recently received certification as a "Developmental Education Specialist" from the Kellogg Institute for the Training and Certification of Developmental Educators. Marti was one of forty-four educators selected from across the United States to participate in the Kellogg Institute and its certification process during the 2002 academic year.

The Kellogg Institute, now in its 23rd year, offers a unique month-long living/learning experience for the training and certification of educational professionals who work with academically underprepared students on college campuses. Each year approximately forty-five individuals participate in a summer training program, followed by a semester's practicum in which participants implement new techniques on their home campuses.

Marti was awarded certification as a result of her participation in the training program and completion of an implementation project at Southwestern Community College. The certification as "Developmental Education Specialist" is awarded through the Kellogg Institute, in conjunction with Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina.
Kudos from your SSS family - we are all proud of your accomplishment.

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Keys for Success - [Study tips to help 'Unlock the Knowledge']

To be a competent student you must be an active participant in the learning process. This is not a couch potato type of activity. Here is one helpful "key" to becoming a competent student: Get Organized!
Family, friends, work and play will compete with your education for time and resources. Life is busy and difficult. Make it easier by becoming more organized.

• Use an organizer. Don’t miss an important assignment or exam because you forgot. It can also help you remember a family member's or friend's birthday.
  
  
• Schedule study time. Don’t leave it to chance that you will study whenever. Make out daily plans for a week at a time. Did you schedule enough time for studying? Count the hours. Are there two to three hours for each hour of class time?

For more study tips check out the following website: iss.stthomas.edu/studyguides/

Notice:

We will have a new format for our newsletter next month.

We will include a section for student classified ads. If you would like to include something in this section, please see Laurie with your ad by
Thursday, August 15

If you are unable to stop by the office, call 586-4091, ext. 231 or e-mail Laurie at: laurie@southwesterncc.edu

Congratulations

Cultural Enrichment for August -

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Financial Aid Reminder

FREE applications for student aid (FAFSA) can be picked up at the SSS office or at SCC's Financial Aid office. Don't forget you can now file your FAFSA on the WEB. www.fafsa.ed.gov

Happy Birthday in August to:

Word of the Month

contestation \kahn-tess-TAY-shun\ (noun): controversy, debate

Example sentence: After months of contestation, the negotiators believed they had finally arrived at an agreement that would satisfy all parties.

Did you know? If you guessed that “contestation” is somehow connected to “contest,” you’re right. They’re linked both through meaning and through etymology. “Contest” can be a verb meaning “to dispute,” and “contestation” essentially means “an act, instance, or state of contesting.” Both words can be traced to the Latin verb “contestari,” meaning “to call to witness.”
“Contestari” itself comes from “testis,” a Latin noun meaning “witness,” which is also the source of our “attest” (“to bear witness to”), “testify” (“to bear witness”), and “testimony” (“a declaration made by a witness”), among others.

(The American Heritage College Dictionary)

Something to Think About

"There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure."

- General Colin Powell

SSS Mission Statement

The Student Support Services Office at
Southwestern Community College is
committed to the empowerment of program participants to achieve success through:

•  accessible and effective programs
•  supportive and caring staff
•  quality advising and teaching
•  responsive counseling
•  student advocacy

We strive to offer new services in the spirit of positive and friendly community.

Cross the bridge to success with SSS.

We’re here for you.

at
Southwestern Community College
447 College Drive
Sylva, NC 28779