1. Read all mail that comes addressed to you. You must read the memo I send each six weeks.

2. Return all phone calls. If I call you, call me back. If you call me, I will always call you back.

3. Attend all ARD meetings, TAKS tests, and other campus events, and do so ON TIME. Get to the campus early, sign in as a visitor, and go directly to the office/classroom for that event. Dress appropriately when going to campus.

4. Check in with me if you don’t hear from me for a week or so. Leave your contact number and other details in a message if I’m not in my office. YOU MUST LEAVE A MESSAGE in order for me to know that you called. I DO NOT HAVE CALLER ID ON MY OFFICE PHONE.

5. Make sure that your voice mail system does not force people to listen to more than 10 seconds of music before they can leave a message for you. Make sure that the music you choose is appropriate. The phone you’re using is now being used for personal business reasons, not just for your friends.

6. Meet all deadlines. Get a calendar, appointment book, etc. to keep track of appointments. THIS IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY, not your parents’. Do not rely on anyone to keep track of appointments for you.

7. When you have questions or a change in job status, call me immediately.

8. CHECK YOUR VOICE MAIL! Adults leave messages for each other, and it’s expected that those messages get checked. If I leave a message for you, I expect that you will listen to it and respond accordingly.

9. If your cell phone is out of minutes or is lost, you must contact me to tell me how to reach you. DO NOT make me leave messages on a dead phone. THIS IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.

10. Use the VAC website. You can access extra forms, review the rules of the program, etc. on the site. Before calling to tell me you lost your evaluation form, go to the website and get one.

All of the items above are listed because some students fail to show those skills. Review the list again, and ask yourself how you do on each item. If you need to improve, make a decision to do better and change your behavior TODAY. Ask for help if you need it.

If you don’t have all of these skills today, your goal should be to have all of them in place by the time you graduate. Only YOU can make the decision to change, and all of you are capable of achieving all of the skills listed.