How to Hackbright

Summoning Your Inner Balloonicorn

We Know You

You each come to Hackbright with a unique background and experience, but you have all been selected for your “hackbrightyness” — your intelligence, ability to work hard, and to take on challenges. Everyone that is here was selected because we know you can work hard enough to succeed.

You already were a Hackbrighter before you came to Hackbright. We just found you.

What You Can Look Forward To

This is an immersive experience.

We want you to get all you can out of the time you’re with us.

Hackbright has created an environment to support
the variety of people and learning styles that come here.

This is an immersive program both for curriculum and for social connections.

Hackbright has been designed and developed over many cohorts
and with extensive input from students.

Engaged Learning

Lectures: Be Present

Actually be present.
No, actually be here.
On time.
Or earlier.
Give yourself a prominent place: sit in the middle of the space.

If you are going to be absent or late, email the instructors mailing list.

If you know in advance that you will need to miss a lecture, inform the instructors. With enough notice, we can record the lecture for you.

Take Up Space

Ask questions.

Step up, step back.

This is your time to learn. You’ve made the investment to be here and we encourage you to explore and ask questions. Customize your experience and advocate for your learning needs. Ask questions in class and talk with your advisor about your concerns, questions and interests.

Collect Your Tools

Take notes.

Come prepared.

Water, coffee or tea.

Exercises

Exercises are for learning!
Go deep, not long.
Verbalize what is happening. This is part of the learning experience.
Use the whiteboards.
Try different approaches.
Explore your resources. One of the most important takeaways from Hackbright is learning how to find answers.

Homework

Homework is confirmatory.
Homework should be brief. The assignments should give you a chance to review the day’s learning and sets you up for the next day’s lecture.
If you get stuck, read it over anyway. Take note of what you do understand and come in with your questions.

Study Hall

Study Halls are your opportunity to solidify your foundational knowledge.
Throughout the week take note of all the things that are not completely clear to you for review at Study Hall.
Study Hall have an intentionally open format. Take advantage of the opportunity to get depth on the week’s topics.

Advising

Be open and honest. By sharing, we can be a better advocate for you.
Share your learning style, your background, and what usually works for you. Be open with your questions; they will help your adviser understand how to support you.
Think through previous week. Email topics to talk about in advance.
Get more sources of goodies! Tell your adviser when things catch your interest and you’d like to learn more.

Support Yourself

Embrace the Struggle

Failure is part of learning.

It’s okay and a good thing to stretch yourself.

When Things Are Not Going Well

Good places to voice concerns or get help:

Your advisor
The education team
Survey Porcupine
Study Hall

How to get help:

Communicate your needs
It’s a two-way street
Be open to others needs

When you run into trouble, communication is key to getting you what you need.

Be generous with your communication. When working with another person, either student or instruction staff, give them information about what you’re working on, what resources you’re using, and any other context that can help them understand how to work with you.

Take a break

Make a list of simple actions you can take that:

Energize you
Center you
Inspire you
Make you happy

Go back to this list when you’re stressed.

Take Care

Practice good care!

Of yourself
- Pace yourself
- Be focused on your experience here
Of one another
- Be gentle

Fridays

Friday Checkin

Share, support and reflect

Friday Socials

Celebrate your learning
Connecting with your cohort