This free course teaches veterans to unlock their enormous potential to excel in the college classroom. Through a mix of direct instruction, lively classroom discussion, and tailored readings and activities, the College Success Kit provides a first-of-its-kind course applicable to every veteran pursuing a college education.

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November 2025
12 assignments
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There are 9 modules in this course
What role does your mental attitude play in your academic transition? In this module, we move beyond the simple binary of fixed and growth mindsets to explore the Mindset Continuum, a more realistic approach that acknowledges the fluid nature of learning. We expand on the Continuum idea to introduce the Warrior-Scholar Mindset, which centers self-awareness, purpose, knowledge seeking, and resilience, and highlight how these essential traits, already honed through military service, provide the foundation for success in the college environment.
What's included
8 videos4 readings2 assignments
Why is understanding your identity essential for college success? This module explores the crucial transition veterans face when moving from the communal structure of the military to the individual-focused environment of higher education. We examine how identity shifts and the key differences in military and academic cultures.
What's included
5 videos2 readings1 assignment
This module explores the vital role new communities play in fostering success and mental health, and provide tools for finding new communities during the transition from military service to college. Crucially, we redefine "imposter syndrome" as "imposter phenomenon," offering strategies to leverage self-doubt into motivation and growth.
What's included
4 videos3 readings1 assignment
In this module, we challenge conventional ideas about productivity, time management, and the myth of multitasking. Transitioning from the military's strict command structure to the self-directed environment of college requires mastering new skills in attention and time management. We explore why equating productivity with self-worth is dangerous, discuss the concept of "pseudo-working," and introduce Newport's Law (focus intensity x time).
What's included
5 videos2 readings1 assignment
In this module, you will learn how to build your personal MOAT (Methods to Optimize Attention and Time) using practical tools for setting priorities and eliminating distractions.
What's included
6 videos3 readings1 assignment
In this module, we challenge you to think about thinking and how it is central to skill building. We focus on two of the fundamental academic skills necessary for college success—note-taking and analytical reading and explore how one informs the other. You'll learn different note-taking and reading strategies that are immediately applicable to any kind of academic work.
What's included
8 videos2 readings2 assignments
This module considers two additional essential skills for success in college: preparing for exams and writing essays. Learn how to become exam ready by setting yourself up for success well before the exam date. And explore new ways of thinking about essay writing, and how it is tightly connected to the note-taking and analytical reading skills discussed in the previous module.
What's included
4 videos3 readings2 assignments
In this module, we help nontraditional students become informed consumers of higher education by defining your personal "why," determining what to study, and navigating financing options like the GI Bill.
What's included
5 videos3 readings
This module dives into the "hidden curriculum"—the unspoken rules of success, focusing on building essential relationships with professors and leveraging vital campus resources like syllabi and support centers.
What's included
4 videos5 readings2 assignments
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Status: PreviewColumbia University
Status: PreviewColumbia University
Status: PreviewColumbia University
Status: PreviewColumbia University
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