What Community College is Like and Some Tips

[ADFSDF1996]

Being a community college student for two years, I’ve learned a lot from what College can be like. Kindergarten to high school can be considered academics with training wheels. However, once you get to college, it’s as if the training wheels are no more.

1.) Your money

Yes, it shouldn’t be surprising but community college isn’t free anymore. Now, you must pay for each class, your textbooks and parking. All of this can be very expensive so it’s very important you try not to fail classes so you won’t repeat them.

2.) You don’t know what to do

If you decide to become a community college student, you might feel lost at first if you go in without thinking about what kind of career you want. The good thing is that you can put your major as “undecided” while you get used to college life and decide what your major will be.

3.) Digital influence

We are 17 years into the 21st century, things such as enrollment, most homework and some tests are done via the Internet. Things like counseling, purchasing books, and studying are still done in person but there are options where you can buy textbooks online, take online classes and even get online counseling. This can be either a major advantage for those who are good with computing devices but it can be a nightmare for those that can’t use computing devices very well.

4.) Repeating failed classes

You can repeat failed classes but you only get two more tries. If you fail both tries, you can’t take that class anymore, so you have to take that class at another community college.

5.) GPA

Students must keep a 2.0 GPA otherwise, the student will be placed on academic probation if his/her GPA drops below 2.0 until the student get their GPA to at leasr 2.0. If the student fails to improve for two consecutive semesters, the student will be dismissed from college. This policy can be very stressful for many students.

6.) Longer classes

Unlike middle school and high school, the classes are much longer. They can be from 1 hour 30 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes each. This can be debilitating and stressful for those that aren’t use to sitting through long lectures.

7.) Short semesters

Unlike k-12 where your school “year” is around 10 months, College is much shorter. Each class is only 4 months long(some even shorter) which means that the classes will constantly be throwing large amounts of new material to learn and multiple quizzes and exams. It’s a form of cramming which can overwhelm those that aren’t ready for this.

8.) New friends

Unless you are standoffish, you will meet new people in each class you take. There’s even a good chance you’ll meet that special someone.

9.) Pick your classes

Unlike K-12, you can pick your classes, when the classes will be and how many classes you want.

Tips: Despite how hard College may be, there are some tips that can help.

1.) Discipline

The most important thing is discipline. Without any discipline, college will be a disaster for a person.

2.) Make a schedule

Make a schedule/routone, such as setting a time for exercise, rest, study, chores and work. This will decrease the amount of stress and frustrations that can come if you don’t have a strict schedule. This includes planning ahead.

3.) Organize

Be sure to keep all your papers, pencils and backpack organized. This way, you don’t have trouble finding important papers and won’t panic thinking you forgot your homework.

4.) Study

This is very important. Studying is different for each person, some need only 25 minutes on each subject others need a hour on each subject. Study methods also vary. Some need to do the chunking method and others can study it all at once.

5.) Look for extra credit opportunities

Not every professor gives extra credit but if they do, then take it. In college, every point counts. Even if the extra credit is only 5 points, it can raise a borderline letter grade by one full letter grade.

6.) Get enough sleep

In order for your brain to function properly when it comes to studying, paying attention, taking exams or doing homework, you need to have a well rested brain, otherwise you might have difficulty trying to accomplish your tasks.

Just remember that College isn’t for everyone, if after the first two years you realize your college life isn’t going as planned, then perhaps College isn’t for you or you have to rethink your strategy by changing up some habits in order to succeed in college. Sure, most college students may fail a class here and there which normal but if you constantly fail classes regardless of what you do, then that’s when you know that you may want to find success elsewhere in a well paying job that doesn’t require college. Overall though, you must take college seriously by putting in effort if you want to succeed, it’s not a walk in the park but if you give it all you’ve got, then you might just get yourself a degree.

[disgustingweebtrash]

Intriguing

[Hispanic-Cool-Guy]

Isn't it easy to cheat on a test if you take it online?

[ADFSDF1996]

Technically no since the professors encourage open book and it’s timed.