College readiness program set for January session

An abbreviated version of IVCC's popular and unique college readiness program, Get Set, will be offered in January as students prepare to begin spring semester classes.

Get Set Spring24 will be a one-day instruction on college start-up essentials and time-management strategies that helps ease students into their college studies. Students get logged into campus technology programs, make sense of textbooks, class formats and schedules, and are introduced to useful resources.

The grant-funded course is free and open to new IVCC students enrolled in 2024, including newly-minted high school graduates and adults turning or returning to college. Enrollees agree to attend the session in person and meet with mentors as the semester progresses, and those who complete those requirements earn monetary incentives.

The class will meet from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 9. Students can reserve one of the 15 seats available by enrolling by Jan. 5, 2024.

“We’ve seen the course build competence, confidence and connection. All three are a big deal in college success and retention,” said Coordinator Tina Hardy.

The one-day schedule delivers “a quick shot of some of the most important college knowledge tips and strategies from the week-long session. In the past, we’ve seen big gains in computer/technology skills on Day One,” Hardy said.

This year’s schedule customizes the Get Set experience and involves the mentors more, Hardy said. It allows mentors to spend more time with students during the semester, delivering individual test-taking and note-taking strategies and other curriculum when students can apply them in class. Mentors help seal the student-college bond, she said.

College can overwhelm when students realize that expectations for them are different from high school, Hardy said. They're expected to be independent learners, manage their time, initiate and complete tasks, and adapt to different technology. “And it’s important to know what your support network looks like and how to access resources,” she said.

Nearly 50 students from throughout the IVCC district have taken the course since it began in 2022. Graduates endorse the program, saying it prepared them for college, helped them to keep up strong GPAs, and gave them confidence to enroll the next semester.

Drew Knipper, an IVCC 21st Century Scholar and student government vice president, extolled Get Set’s virtues before a group of prospective students recently. “It gave me the confidence to walk into school on the first day without worrying about how to access technology, who to ask questions or how to get help. Get Set pushed me to get involved. I believe anyone who has the opportunity to enroll in the class should!”

 To learn more or register, visit https://www.ivcc.edu/readysetgo/ or call Hardy at 815-224-0284.