When I started "College Success" classes 10 years ago, we'd begin with 45 students. Four months later, 12 took the final. Why this attrition? Here's what I discovered: students at our commuter school, often leading complex and difficult lives, come and go without interacting with anyone else.

   This entirely unacceptable attrition rate combined with the knowledge that school success does not predict life success, (what predicts life success is emotional Intelligence, a combination of self-knowledge and interpersonal skill) led me to radically revamp the course structure.

   Of an 80 minute class weekly, 40 minutes are devoted to lecture, group discussion and exercises on a college success skill and 40 minutes are devoted to the Student Success Circle.

   The first three weeks are dedicated to learning the Circle model. The next three to a group project in which they work closely with each other to collaborate and succeed. The final ten return to the teaching/learning of college success skills, but in Circle. The Circle is self-led and students take turns teaching each other the skills - with a slight difference. For 10-15 minutes before and after the lesson, they check in with each other, ask for help if needed, and make commitments to school and personal goals for the coming week.

   This change cut attrition in half. Having friends in class is a magnet for staying in class. When the time was up, the students didn't want to leave the room.

   College became less lonely. They'd say hello outside class. They were the first to become aware if one was in trouble. They'd share notes if one had missed class, or encourage seeking outside help.

   Given the national dialog on school shootings, institution-wide and systematically applied student success circles may be the single best practice for early identification of and intervention with potentially violent individuals. Peers tend to know before teachers and administrators when one of them is in trouble psychologically. Circles are inclusive, healing units of community. Yes. We must be each other's brother and sister's keeper...our own survival depends on it! Student Success Circles are one powerful way to implement and live it.

   Dr. Bonnie Burstein is Clinical and Psychology Training Director of the Life Skills Center at Los Angeles Harbor College. You can reach her at bursteb@lahc.edu.