Addressing students about elements of college success in such a unified way will help first-year students to more quickly learn the hidden rules of college and will increase the likelihood that students will understand and meet expectations.
PACE faculty fellow, Rick Patton developed the mnemonic device of “Putting on the A.R.M.O.R. of College Success” and these resources to help share the message. You are free to use these in your work with students.
Download the digital ARMOR flier with links to helpful resources and put it in your Brightspace course! Or print out one without links to hang in your classroom! 
Attitude:
the right mindset for success
Resources:
you + peers, on- and off-campus assistance with academics, career exploration, technology, transportation, finances, disabilities, food security, mental health, healthy relationships, scholarships, etc.
- Additional transportation resources:
- Additional food security resource: Knoxville Food Pantries
- Additional healthy relationships resource: Family Justice Center
Meet Expectations:
attendance, promptness, persistence, attention to detail, decorum, effective note-taking, timely submission, developing networks, daily checks of e-mail and Brightspace, frequent checks of MyPellissippi, etc.
Organize:
course materials, time, study groups, goals, finances, etc.
- Additional time organization resource: Time Management principles
- Additional goals organization resource: Procrastination, Motivation & Goal Setting video
- Additional finances organization resource: Pellissippi State Financial Aid
Read and Review:
assigned reading, class notes, instructions for assignments, instructors’ comments, syllabi, class schedules, etc.
- Additional assigned reading resource: Reading Strategies video
Addressing students about elements of college success in such a unified way will help first-year students to more quickly learn the hidden rules of college and will increase the likelihood that students will understand and meet expectations.
Download the ARMOR flier PDF with links to helpful resources and put it in your Brightspace course! And print it out to hang in your classroom!
ARMOR video playlist
Related Resources on First-Year Experience
GIFTs (Great Ideas for Teaching)
See the GIFT repository.
Articles & Presentations
- An International Perspective on Peer Education and Leadership / Best Practices in the FYE and Beyond (PPT presentation)
- An Evidence-Based Discussion of Integrating First- and Second- Year Transition Programs (PDF)
Also check out the Library resources on the First-Year Experience.