Pathfinder Guidebook · FYE 100 Module 2 · Building Your Support System
10 Essential Skills in this module
  • 1Communication
  • 4Interpersonal Relations
  • 9Knowledge Application
Mile Marker

Mile Marker #2: My Support Team

The assignment, with support, and a form you can fill in and save.

About 10 minutes 8 of 9 in this module

No one completes a journey alone. This Mile Marker is about identifying the people and resources around you, and thinking about how to use them intentionally.

You'll come back to this reflection when you build your capstone project.

AI use: AI-supported

You may use AI as a thinking partner to explore your ideas. Work with what it gives you, then write your responses in your own voice.

See the AI Course Policy in the syllabus. Want a place to start? Try the optional AI thinking partner prompt.

Look back at

Lesson 1.4: AI use labels

Where to submit

Submit your responses in the Mile Marker #2 assignment in Blackboard. Check Blackboard for the due date.

Want help keeping it organized? The fill-in form at the bottom of this page saves your answers as a PDF named "Mile Marker #2" that you can upload to the assignment.

Prefer paper? A printable handout for this Mile Marker is with the assignment in Blackboard. Fill it in by hand, then upload a photo or scan.

Jump to the fill-in form

Respond to each question

Question 1

Who are three people at OCTC who can help you succeed this semester?

Start with your Success Coach. Then add two more people you've connected with here, or want to. At least two of your three should be people who work at OCTC: an instructor, an advisor, a tutor, a peer mentor, or someone in an office like TRIO, Counseling, or the Library. A classmate can be your third.

For each person, give their name if you know it. If you don't yet, say who they are and where you'd find them. Then explain how they can help you.

Who else is in your corner? This part is optional. Family, friends, coworkers, mentors: who else is cheering you on?

A strong answer

Names three people at OCTC, at least two who work here, including your Success Coach by name, and explains how each one can help. Naming a person, not just an office, is what makes this real.

Look back at

Lesson 2.2: Who's Your Success Coach?

Lesson 2.3: OCTC support resources

Question 2

What are two specific ways you'll use your support network intentionally this semester?

Describe two specific strategies. Not just "I'll reach out when I need help," but when, how, and for what. Which connections do you want to strengthen?

A strong answer

Describes two specific ways you'll use your network, each with when, how, and for what you'll reach out. It shows the difference between knowing support exists and actually using it.

Look back at

Lesson 2.3: Four tips for confident help-seeking

Question 3

What is one new campus resource you want to explore?

Consider the Counseling Center, Accessibility Services, Advising, your Success Coach, the Library, the Teaching & Learning Center (tutoring), TRIO, Student Life and clubs, Career Services, or Financial Aid. Choose one that feels relevant to your goals or situation right now, and explain why.

A strong answer

Names a resource you haven't used yet, explains what it offers and how it connects to your goals, and names one concrete next step for getting there.

Look back at

Lesson 2.3 links to every resource on this list.

Optional: AI thinking partner

If you'd like help thinking through your answers before you write, try this prompt in any AI tool:

Try this prompt

"Ask me questions to help me identify the people and resources in my life that support my success as a college student, and how I can use them more intentionally this semester."

Use what's useful. Your final response must be in your own words.

AI isn't a substitute for people

AI tools can help you brainstorm and organize your thinking, but they are not a substitute for human support. If you're dealing with stress, motivation challenges, or anything personal, reach out to your instructor, your Success Coach, or the OCTC Counseling Center (opens in a new tab). Not an AI tool.

How it's scored

Strong responses answer every question completely, with specific detail, in your own words, using complete sentences and a college-appropriate tone.

Mile Marker scoring guide
ScoreWhat it means
4Strong ProgressYour response is thoughtful, specific, and clearly connected to the purpose of the Mile Marker. You show strong reflection, effort, and engagement with the topic.
3On TrackYour response addresses the main parts of the task and shows reflection and engagement. Some ideas could be explained in more detail or connected more clearly.
2DevelopingYour response is partially complete or too general. More detail, reflection, or clearer connections are needed.
1Needs RevisionYour response is very limited, incomplete, or unclear and does not fully address the task.
0No EvidenceNo submission was provided, or the response does not meaningfully engage with the task.

Fill it in and save as PDF

Type your responses below, then select Save as PDF. Upload the PDF to the Mile Marker #2 assignment in Blackboard.

Pathfinder Tip

Your typing is saved in this browser as you go, so you can come back later on the same device. It isn't sent anywhere until you upload it.

Mile Marker #2: My Support Team

Question 1Three people at OCTC who can help you succeed this semester. Start with your Success Coach. At least two should work at OCTC.
Question 2What are two specific ways you'll use your support network intentionally this semester? For each, say when, how, and for what.

In the print window, choose Save as PDF (or Microsoft Print to PDF) as the printer. The file name will start with "Mile Marker #2".