New Student Orientation Resource Book

ATTITUDES AND BARRIERS CHECKLIST

Consider the following statements. They will help you determine which, if any, barriers you might have to participating in this program. Give yourself points based on the following point system.

5 points           This statement is almost always true of me.

4 points           This statement is often true of me.

3 points           This statement is sometimes true of me.

2 points           This statement is seldom true of me.

1 point             This statement is almost never true of me.

1.   _____I am able to balance the demands of work, class, study, and home.

2.   _____I know what I want to get from this program.

3.   _____I am able to focus my attention while in class.

4.   _____I am excited about taking this course.

5.   _____I am able to manage my time wisely.

6.   _____I am able to assign priorities to what I must do each day.

7.   _____I can relate new information to what I already know.

8.   _____I am able and willing to take direction from others.

9.   _____When I don’t understand something, I feel okay about asking questions.

10. _____I have strategies to help me remember important facts.

11. _____I can think of many ways to solve different kinds of problems.

12. _____I am not easily discouraged.

13. _____I am confident in my ability to learn new information.

14. _____I am willing to consider different points of view and alternative solutions.

15. _____I can work with people I don’t necessarily like.

16. _____I am emotionally healthy.

17. _____I am in control of the alcohol and drugs I put in my body.

18. _____I am confident of my ability to handle my financial responsibilities while I am in this program.

19. _____I am aware of resources I can use to help me answer questions I may have.

20. _____I think of my mistakes as opportunities to learn.

21. _____I am to accept challenges even when I’m not sure how to meet them.

22. _____I have reliable transportation to get me to and from school, and I have a backup plan in case of an emergency.

23. _____I have someone to care for my child(ren) while I am in school. I also have a backup plan in case of an emergency.

24. _____I am in good physical condition.

25. _____My housing situation is stable.

26. _____I believe that I will be able to attend class in spite of any family problems I might have.

27. _____I arrive on time and return from breaks promptly.

If you identified problems that may prevent you from successfully completing this program, the next step is to develop strategies for either eliminating or minimizing the problem. Work through the following steps for any area you identified as a potential barrier for you.

1.   Define the problem. Figure out just what the problem is and put it into your own words.

2.   List the alternatives. List all of the ways that the problem could be solved.

3.   List the pros and cons for each possible solution. Look at each option and decide what might happen if you tried each solution.

4.   Choose the best solution and make a plan. Figure out exactly how you are going to do what you need to do. Make sure to include a timeline. Make sure your plan is a workable one. Then take action!

5.   Evaluate and modify. Ask yourself questions such as: "Did I accomplish what I wanted? Am I satisfied with the results? Do I need to revise the decision now that I have new information?"

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