One of three workshops presented by Academic Counseling during the fall semesters at Cabrini College.

1. “EMPOWERMENT”
UTILIZING THE
“WISE CHOICE MODEL”
“If I’ve got the correct goals, and I keep pursing them the best way I
know how, everything else falls into line. If I do the right thing right,
I’m going to succeed.”
(Dan Dierdorf)

2. “SUCCESS COMES FROM
MAKING WISE CHOICES.”
In the face of any challenge, you can make a
responsible decision by answering the
following six questions:

3. 1. What is my present situation? 2. How would I like my situation to be?
3. What are my possible choices?
4. What are the likely outcomes for each choice?
5. Which choice(s) will I commit to doing?
6. When and how will I evaluate my plan?
*Adapted by J. Finlayson for S.
Downing (2008)

4. 1. What is my present situation? 2. How would I like my situation to be?
I fell behind with the homework in MAT 113. I would like to receive “A’s” on my future exams,
Because I didn’t do the practice problems, I and do extra credit to make up for my low grade on
crammed for the first math exam, and the exam.
received a “D”. I feel disappointed and
unsure that I will pass this class.
3. What are my possible choices?
Do nothing Talk to my
Ask my friends Withdraw from
about the professor for
for advice. the course.
situation. help.
4. What are the likely outcomes for each choice?
• Make a plan to catch
• Take the class the
• Fall further behind in up on the
next available
the class. assignments. • Try the tips and tricks
semester.
• Continue to receive • Meet with Peer Tutor they used to pass the
• Make sure not to lose
low grades on exams. or Classroom Coach class.
financial aid
• Decide the situation for additional help. • Have them hold you
eligibility.
is hopeless and • Visit the Math accountable to get
• Receive no refund for
possibly give up Resource Center your work done.
withdrawing this late
trying. and/or Academic
in the semester.
Counseling.
5. Which choice(s) will I commit to doing?
6. When and how will I evaluate my plan?
I will see how well I do on my second math exam, and make any needed
changes if I don’t earn an “A” grade.

5. THINGS TO REMEMBER …
 “Doing nothing” is still a choice!
 Do not be embarrassed to ask for help. It
takes a smart and courageous person to
admit that you aren’t able to do everything on
your own!
 Think all your options through. Don’t make a
hasty decision you will later regret!
 Share your plan with someone you respect
and will hold you accountable. They may
provide you with other choices (and its
results) for you to consider!
 Make your decision, and own it! Take

6. “Success does not mean the absence of
failures; it means the attainment of ultimate
objectives. It means winning the war, not every
battle.”
(Edwin C. Bliss)
You Will Succeed!

7. Center for Teaching & Learning
Peer Tutoring Program The Writing Center
Iadarola Center, Room 112 Iadarola Center, Room 110
T: 610.902.8443 T: 610.902.8573
peertutoring@cabrini.edu writingcenter@cabrini.edu
Math Resource Center Academic Counseling
Iadarola Center, Room 318 Maria DeJesus, Coordinator
T: 610.902.8563 Iadarola Center, Room 120A
mathtutor@cabrini.edu T: 610.902.8567
mdejesus@cabrini.edu

8. REFERENCES
Downing, S. (2011). Accepting personal responsibility.
On course: Strategies for creating success in
college and in life (6th ed.), (pp. 29 – 62). Boston, MA:
Wadsworth Cengage Learning.