College Goals

Interview with Quantum U Leader, Kevin Davis

You say Quantum U is like a portal to real life. What do you mean?

The portal idea comes from the way our students describe the experience ?like a space just for them that pulls everything together ?conversations, ideas, skills, people -- and gets them clear on college goals and feeling more confident about real-life choices.

What are some of the ways they get clear on college goals?

I think the big breakthrough that happens is about ownership. They look at what they want out of college and life with more personal responsibility. The goals become their college goals, not someone else's goals.

What makes this program different from others?

I really don't think there's anything like it. The way I describe it is -- Quantum U helps you transition from the attitude and skills of a youth (things happen to me) to the attitude and skills of an adult (I make things happen for me.) Some people never make this transition, so a program that helps you experience your strengths earlier in life makes a big difference to your future success.

What are the most consistent results you get with these college bound students?

It's different for everyone. But I'd say the consistent results are goal setting, barrier-breaking, personal presentation, skills for academic success, self-belief, motivation, clear vision of who you are and what you want out of life, and ownership attitude.

What makes it work?

The environment we create is the main thing. People pick up on the honesty and passion. We let people find their own way. Even when a person needs more coaching, we create ways to let them discover on their own. We use the Quantum Learning framework to guide every activity and interaction. It's geared to how people really learn and we can layer all kinds of concepts and skills together to create mini-successes as we go. It's almost impossible not to participate and learn. We also integrate our 8 Keys of Excellence which create a foundation for how people treat each other, see themselves and decide how they're how they're going to act in the world.

You said the environment feels like a bubble. What do you mean?

Sometimes I describe it as a bubble, because it's such a safe, positive place to be who you really are, talk about anything. You really get to reflect on the results you're getting out of your life, for the time you're investing. You can try on ideas about what to do differently in your life to get what you want. And you're with peers who begin as strangers, but unite very quickly because they have similar challenges and they realize how great it is to give and to have positive feedback.

If you were making a sales pitch for Quantum U, what would you say?

I'd say, you sign up for Quantum U, you sign up for a better life. And here's what else comes to mind: Honest environment, no filters. People give each other insights. You get to be real with yourself, look inside, take what you learn into your life and make it actually mean something. You learn how to set your college goals and how to get the results you want through choices you make, every communication opportunity, and following your inner sense of who you are, your destiny and dreams.

Kevin Davis is a full-time teacher in Northern California,
and a long-time facilitator for Quantum U.