SLCC students explore campus, build skills through back-to-school camp
Jalen Charles ran in place and flexed his arms by his head to mime "finish strong" to the student in line behind him Tuesday. The two young men stifled laughs as Charles did the motions again in an attempt to get the message across.
About 11 incoming South Louisiana Community College students were playing the game "Telephone Charades," acting out a message and passing it down the line until the final student guessed at the original message. They almost always got it wrong, but it was always funny.
In this one exercise, the two teams of college students were developing communication skills, practiced paying attention to detail, and getting out of their comfort zone, learning they can try and even fail on campus.
It's all part of a Back-to-School Camp at SLCC, free to students and intended to give them a leg up on the first day of the fall semester Aug. 15.
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Some of the students exploring the Lafayette campus Tuesday were first-timers, like incoming freshmen Charles and his former David Thibodaux STEM Magnet Academy classmate Ashton Cyprien. Others, like 22-year-old Khalil Oakley, were returning to SLCC but thought they could use a refresher on study skills and the like.
Hosted by Paradigm Shift leadership consultants, the camp is designed to assist new and returning students develop skills to navigate the college culture for the first time, learn various study skills and techniques, identify career skills that may match their majors, and make campus connections, according to school leaders.
The goal is to get students, through lessons and hands-on engagement activities like Telephone Charades, thinking, learning, and performing in ways that lead to a successful college career.
Activities and lessons revolve around four pillars:
College readiness: how to mentally prepare for college courses
Study skills: how to study class material
Career discovery: how classes connect with careers
21st-century skills: how to navigate and advocate for oneself
"These are kind of life lessons but in the form of games," Cyprien said. "So it's easier for us to remember."
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They also use paper workbooks, getting comfortable with the classroom environment and work. Cyprien said the workbook aspect makes the camp more realistic and feels more like college.
"I hope to be more ready for college, coming in the first day knowing what to expect," said Omarion Thomas, 19, who just graduated from Ovey Comeaux High School and will start SLCC this fall.
Oakley is coming into this semester with a year of school under his belt. He learned a lot during that first year at SLCC, including that he needed to work on his study skills. That's what brought him to the camp Tuesday.
"I wanted to develop my study skills, and I'm learning how to really use my time wisely, to get to know people more, and how to ask for help," the general studies major said.
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The camp is sponsored by SLCC's Center for Minority Excellence. Thanks to a grant geared toward Black students as well as infrastructure, the camp is open to all SLCC students at no cost to them, CME Director Matthew Miles said.
While on campus for the camp, students will visit every building and get to know offices like CME and Financial Aid so they have an idea of the resources available to them throughout the year, he explained.
It also serves as an opportunity for students to get comfortable navigating the campus before classes start.
"You don't want to be figuring that out on the first day," Miles said.
Contact children's issues reporter Leigh Guidry at Lguidry@theadvertiser.com or on Twitter @LeighGGuidry.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: SLCC camp prepares students ready for first day of school
