The Strategies for Succeeding in College course has a new book this semester. The title, “¿Qué Pasa? My Life at Palo Alto College,” tells you exactly what it is about.

The book was developed by Rebeca Barrera and Roberto J. Quiroga and designed by Angel Garza with money from a Title V Federal Grant.

“It has bright colors and keeps the students interested,” said Janet Rangel, Counselor and Student Development Instructor, who also contributed two stories and several ideas for the book.

Counselors who teach the Student Development course at Palo Alto College have been waiting for a book like this to encourage, inform and excite students about being in college.

According to the President of Palo Alto College, Dr. Ana M. “Cha” Guzmán, 45 percent of the students in the Strategies for Succeeding in College Course are first-generation college students, meaning their parents did not attend college.

“We need to provide our students with the savvy advice that parents who attended college give to their own kids,” said Guzmán.

Mary Apolinar, Chair of Counseling and Assistant Professor of Counseling, said, “College is difficult, but if you hang in there you’ll see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

Besides being a textbook for the Student Development class, it is also a planner that can be used from 2006 all the way through 2009.

“I don’t like that that you have to put the dates in yourself,” said Ryan Dranowsky, a freshman History major, “but that’s just me.“

The book may be purchased at the college bookstore for $11.88, but students like Dranowsky believe that if the course is free, the book should be, too.

Nevertheless, its assets include a dateless weekly planner that allows the students to plan their time; dichos, or sayings, that inspire and encourage the 68 percent Hispanic student body; and it even gives studying tips. There is also a place to write your school and work schedules.

“I use it for my school schedule, and I love it,” said Monica Rodriguez, a freshman Psychology major. But other students like Benjamin Lewkowski, a freshman Veterinary Technician major, only use it for the class.

Filling the book are articles that inform, encourage or excite students about school, life and health. It even contains a list of important phone numbers for different centers and offices on campus. At the bottom of each week’s page, there is a Website or Websites for students to visit and learn more about the articles they read.

Every week has a specific story assigned to the opposite page to connect the student to the community. It gives the students that feeling of, “Hey, it can be done. It isn’t easy, but it can be done,” said Anthony Pierulla, Assistant Professor of Counseling.

“The stories are interesting,” said Dave Parma, a freshman History major. The stories vary in topic and character. You might read a story about how the brain works, and then turn the page to discover tips on how to have a safe Spring Break followed by a feature on the Mission Trails.

One of the stories in ¿Que Pasa? is about Palo Alto’s very own president.
When Guzmán was 13, her family had to leave her home country of Cuba and move to the United States.

“Anita, you do not need to worry. Fidel Castro can take our jobs, our houses, and our industry, but he can’t take my education,” said Dr. Guzmán’s father, Gabriel Guzmán.

Education became very important to the president. She graduated from Stout State University, married and had two sons. She then went back to school to earn a doctorate in education. She was appointed Chair of The Presidential Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans under President Clinton. Now a leading voice for Hispanic Americans in education, she is the first woman president of Palo Alto College.

There are many inspiring stories like hers that show that others have gone through tough situations but still managed to succeed.

Whether you’re in the class or just a Palo Alto College student who needs help organizing your academic and social life, this book is for you. If you’re still skeptical, check it out for yourself in the college bookstore.

“Students like it,” said Rangel. “Any Palo Alto student can use this book. I would definitely recommend it!”