Skip to main content
District

Dual Enrollment High/School English Course

Certainly! GUID-45, or Guidance 45, is a common college success course offered at many California community colleges, including Riverside City College (RCC). When offered as a dual enrollment course at a high school, it serves to help students—especially first-generation college students, English Learners, and students from underrepresented backgrounds—prepare for success in college and beyond.

GUID-45 at RCC: Purpose and Focus

The full course title is often something like:
“GUID-45: Introduction to College Success” or
“GUID-45: College Success Strategies”

Its purpose is to:

  • Help students understand college culture and expectations

  • Develop academic and life skills

  • Assist students in creating an educational plan

  • Strengthen self-awareness, goal-setting, and motivation


📚 Key Topics Typically Covered

Unit/Theme Topics & Skills
College Systems & Resources Understanding RCC’s resources (counseling, tutoring, financial aid, transfer center)
Goal Setting & Motivation Setting academic, career, and personal goals; growth mindset
Time Management Prioritizing tasks, creating schedules, overcoming procrastination
Study Skills & Learning Strategies Note-taking, reading strategies, test preparation, memory techniques
Academic Planning Understanding majors, certificates, degrees, and transfer pathways (e.g., CSU, UC, private colleges)
Educational Technology Using Canvas, college email, library databases, and online academic tools
Diversity & Inclusion Appreciating cultural diversity and developing interpersonal skills
Wellness & Balance Managing stress, mental health resources, work-life balance


🏫 Dual Enrollment High School Structure

When taught at the high school as a dual enrollment class:

  • Students earn both high school credit and college credit for the same class.

  • The class is typically offered during the regular school day as part of their high school schedule.

  • An RCC-approved instructor teaches the class; this may be a high school teacher who meets college adjunct qualifications or a community college faculty member.

  • Students are registered as RCC students and may access RCC student resources (library, counseling, tutoring).

  • The course may be semester-long (16 weeks) or slightly condensed to fit high school block schedules.


🛠️ Instructional Structure (Typical Weekly Flow)

Day Activities
Monday/Tuesday Direct instruction on college success topics (e.g., setting SMART goals, time management). Includes modeling and discussion.
Wednesday Independent or group activities: time management planners, self-assessments, scavenger hunts for college resources.
Thursday Reading college articles or case studies, followed by reflective writing using academic language.
Friday Class discussions, presentations, and real-world application projects (e.g., mock educational plans).

Many instructors use Canvas (RCC’s learning management system) to post assignments, announcements, and grades—giving high schoolers early exposure to college digital platforms.


🎯 Benefits for High School Students

  • Early exposure to college expectations

  • College transcript and transferable elective credit

  • Increased confidence navigating higher education

  • Improved academic habits before they leave high school

  • Access to RCC’s student support network

  • Eases the transition to full-time college enrollment


 

"GUID-45 is a college success course designed to equip high school dual enrollment students with the skills and knowledge necessary for success in postsecondary education. Students will explore academic and career pathways, develop critical learning and life management strategies, and gain firsthand experience with college resources and systems. Upon completion, students earn both high school elective credit and 3 RCC college credits."