Real Talk, Real Skills Seminar Series
New in 2026-2027!
NEW! October 2026 through April 2027: Real Talk, Real Skills
College comes with a lot of unwritten rules, and nobody should have to figure them out alone. Real Talk, Real Skills is a free, drop-in series where you can pick up practical skills for college and life after it, in a relaxed space with good food and great people. Every other Thursday from October through April, we'll talk honestly about the things that matter: managing your time, making sense of financial aid and money, spotting what's real online, working in groups, studying smarter, handling conflict, building your resume, acing interviews, and stepping into leadership.
Space is limited to 30 students, no advanced registration is needed, and you can come to one session or all ten. You already bring skills and experience worth sharing, so come as you are, bring a friend, and leave with tools you can use right away.
Attend seven or more sessions to earn a completion award and be celebrated at our end-of-year event!
Alternating Thursdays, 12:00–1:00 p.m. | SMC 18
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Real Talk, Real Skills: Owning Your Time
Session 1, October 8, 2026Midterms, classes, work, family, friends: how do you make it all fit? Kick off Real Talk, Real Skills on Thursday, October 8, with Owning Your Time, an interactive session on making your schedule work for your life. You'll discover where your 168 hours a week actually go, practice sorting what's urgent from what's important, and leave with a plan for the week ahead that includes time for rest. No lectures, no judgment, and no registration needed. Space is limited to 30 students, so arrive early to save your seat. Just drop in, grab a snack, and bring your own experience, because you already juggle more than you think. Everyone leaves with planning tools to keep. 12:00–1:00 p.m. | SMC 18
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Real Talk, Real Skills: Make It Make Cents!
Session 2, October 22, 2026Financial aid can feel like a foreign language, and money has a way of disappearing faster than expected. On Thursday, October 22, join us for Make It Make Cents, an interactive session on understanding your aid and making your money last. You'll learn the key financial aid terms and deadlines (the FAFSA for next year is already open), practice reading a bill and refund, build a budget that holds up when life happens, and find out what a credit card can really cost. Financial Aid staff will be on hand to answer your questions, including anonymous ones. No judgment, no registration, and no need to share any personal financial details. Space is limited to 30 students, so arrive early to save your seat. Just drop in, grab a snack, and leave with tools to take control of your money. 12:00–1:00 p.m. | SMC 18
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Real Talk, Real Skills: Filter Your Feed
Session 3, November 5, 2026A viral video, a breaking headline, an AI answer that sounds sure of itself: how do you know what to trust? On Thursday, November 5, join us for Filter Your Feed, an interactive session on sorting fact from fiction in a week full of headlines. You'll practice quick checks for spotting misinformation, edited images, and AI-generated content, test your skills with real examples, and learn how to find reliable sources for your papers and projects with help from library experts. No lectures, no judgment, and no registration needed. Space is limited to 30 students, so arrive early to save your seat. Just drop in, grab a snack, and leave with tools to scroll smarter and research with confidence. 12:00–1:00 p.m. | SMC 18
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Real Talk, Real Skills: Who's Doing The Slides?
Session 4, November 19, 2026The group chat goes quiet, the deadline gets closer, and somehow one person ends up doing everything. Sound familiar? On Thursday, November 19, join us for Who's Doing the Slides?, an interactive session on communicating clearly and working well with others. You'll practice writing an email to a professor that gets a response, learn strategies for dividing up group work and keeping everyone on track, and try listening techniques that help people feel heard. With Thanksgiving break around the corner, we'll also talk about sharing your college experience with the people you'll see over break. No lectures, no judgment, and no registration needed. Space is limited to 30 students, so arrive early to save your seat. Just drop in, grab a snack, and leave ready to finish the semester strong, together. 12:00–1:00 p.m. | SMC 18