Semester for Change is a part-time semester-based program designed to support high school graduates and current college students who feel they need to take time off from college to sharpen the direction they are headed in. The program is designed to help you discover or deepen your interests, clarify and design a direction for your college or career path, and think critically about yourself and the world around you. Most of the students who do the program have struggled in school, yet most return to college with more skills and a fresh sense of the future.
You will be supported by Semester for Change coach John Giordano over 16 weeks in a process that includes two hours per week of 1:1 coaching in Designing Your Future concepts (goes down to once-per-week during the personal exploration project phase of the program), an 8-20 hour-per-week self-designed personal exploration project, and support for current and future goal-setting, documenting, and assessing your progress in the program. Visit the Semester for Change website.
Semester for Change
Work with your Faculty Guide learning Life Design concepts, conduct a personal or social-change project, and document and reflect on your experience…all while holding a part-time job.
Listen to a recent Semester for Change student discuss his experience in the program. For more information on the program, visit the website.
John Giordano discusses Semester for Change with Mike Palmer on the Trending in Education podcast.
What past participants are saying…
“Semester for Change allowed me to decide what I wanted to study. I chose an exploration to do – and I did it. I had consistent support from my faculty guide. They helped me design my exploration and offered positive guidance. I directed a Zoom staged reading of the play Hir written by Taylor Mac. I hired the actors, held rehearsals, and publicized the event. The outcome was well received. It was the piece of theatre that got me motivated again. I was lifted from my stagnation because the project pushed me to try to realize my goals. And because I was able to do this project in Semester for Change, design what I did, and show that I have the motivation to pursue projects that I truly care about, I learned that I did in fact want to go back to school – but in a self-directed program that’s better suited than my former traditional college to help me achieve my dreams.”
“After a rough year in college, Semester for Change gave me the tools I needed in order to get back on track and be successful going forward. I applied for Semester for Change on a whim, not knowing exactly what to expect, and I'm so happy I did. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with my faculty guide. They guided me through thinking about my next steps with school and my career, while also supporting me in my creative endeavors. Returning to college after Semester for Change, I’ve noticed I feel a lot more comfortable with talking to teachers and asking questions. The program also helped me learn how to change my mindset about school work. I’ve been putting more effort into assignments I normally would deem easy or boring and try to make them more fun by going above and beyond what’s necessarily required. I also feel less anxiety about my future plan because now I know how to plan and replan when I reach set backs. I hope anyone considering this program decides to go through with it because it's truly a worthwhile experience.”
“As I took time off from college, doing Semester for Change allowed me to explore an independent project while consulting with my faculty guide. This past semester has been the perfect break from traditional schooling and has allowed me to learn a lot more about myself.”