College?

Comments

• RoyalRaccoon

  August 2010 75.84.62.221

  Upon the completion of this semester, I will have completed 2 years of college, so I think I have decent idea of what to expect...though it may be different from school to school.<br><br>What the teachers tell you in high school, is more like what is expected at a University level. If you're at a community college, then your biggest worry as a freshman should be obtaining a seat in a class. Your registration date will be late, and you won't be able to get into some of the classes you want, so don't set your hopes up too high like I've done in the past. Science classes fill up fast, and some require strict prerequisites(generally a math or another science). English classes also fill up fast, but since they are a required course, there tends to be more teachers for it. Have you actually been enrolled in the courses? Once you're enrolled, there are no worries.<br><br>Exams differ from teacher to teacher. For the most part it's just like high school. You'll have midterms, and then a final. If you didn't need to study during high school, then you'll probably have to do just a little studying right before a midterm or exam. If you had to study during high school to get high marks, then you might have to spend a couple hours a week studying. It really depends on the class, and how well you understand it. You just need to pay very close attention to what is and is not allowed during the tests. If you're taking a math exam that does not allow a calculator, and you get caught using one, you will most likely be dropped from the class immediately for cheating. Words like cheater, cheating, plagiarizer, and plagiarizing will be thrown around a lot to scare students into doing their work appropriately. Just make sure you always cite sources, and follow the laid out rules. Also, learn what style of papers your class wants. Science classes generally uses APA....and for some reason I can't remember what the others use at the moment....too many science papers...<br><br>How many units are you taking, and what is considered full time at your school. 6 is part time, and 12 is full time at my school, with the maximum allowed units being 20 per semester. I would not suggest going to far past the minimum for full time during your first semester, and I would keep your number of classes to 3 or less while you adjust to college. By the time your second semester roles around, you''ll have a better idea of what you can handle(more or less units).<br><br>As for peers, be prepared. It's not high school anymore, so you most likely will be working alongside adults as old at 50 sometimes. I was 17 when I did my first on campus course, and I was the second youngest in the class, with most of the people being at least 3-4 years older than me. Some of the adults can act their age, and others don't. It takes a little getting used to, but after awhile you stop seeing ages, and start seeing behaviors. An immature person is an immature person, no matter how long they've been alive. <br><br>Depending on the class, you don't always have to be a social person. In chemistry I made it through the whole class by only talking to my 2 lab partners on lab days, the teacher, and the lab director(I think that was his title). Now some people will want to do the whole social thing, and if you don't want to participate in their little games, then you don't have to. Now, if a class emphasizes communication and team work for a grade(be forewarned, English classes tend to do this), then you will have to participate to your best effort, but you don't have to do anything once you are outside the class. My mom is always getting invited to lunch and study groups...unfortunately, she has a hard time saying no or just making up an excuse, even though she doesn't want to go.<br><br>If you have anymore questions, feel free to ask me.

  I'm done with VP. I'll just be around until I get all my dogs and lines placed in good hands. If you want to contact me, please do so through deviantART.
• NickelbackLuver

  August 2010 174.59.253.122

  Wow, thanks for the response I am going to a community college... I am taking 5 classes this first semester. So, now that you say three, I'm a little worried about that xD At least one is just basic math, and another is some music class that should be really easy since its for people that don't know anything about music...and I happen to know a lot. <br><br>I have two English classes and a science class on top of those. I'm still seeing about getting classes switched around... but I think I'm sticking with five classes so I can get as much credits as possible. The way this school works is... whoever has the most credits, gets to pick classes first. I don't want to be stuck getting leftover classes. I rarely studied in high school...or even took notes, but I'm prepared to do that for here. I already have things organized and ready to go. Luckily, since I wrote so many papers due to taking more than the required English courses in high school... I know the citing system pretty well xD It's such a pain, but, I do know it. My last English teacher said if they think something is plagiarized in college, but it seems like an obvious accident, then you can usually work things out and they'll let you fix it. I don't plan to make mistakes...but if I do I hope teachers will be at least mildly understanding. <br><br>And yeah, the filling up thing... I know about that as well. My brother has issues getting into classes still and he's in his third year. He has to wake up super early to catch them when they first open up if he hopes to get anywhere... so I'm ready for dealing with that. This first schedule was just computer made, so I didnt get to pick anything I have, and I dont know how easy it will be to change anything I have, either. Oh well. I suppose my first semester may just be rather rough D; I'm stuck there for 12 hours on some days =/<br><br>I want to be social... I just dont pick up friends very easily since I'm very shy and it takes me a looong time to get used to people/trust people/work around people without feeling like I need to be someone else.

  All good things must come to an end. All endings will begin new good things.
  
• RoyalRaccoon

  August 2010 75.84.62.221

  5 is a lot, but if having more classes gets you a better spot, and you think you can handle it, then do it! You can always drop classes up to a certain point without any sort of mark going onto your transcript if you get in there, and become overwhelmed on the first week.<br><br>The only thing is that with that many classes, you will be doing a lot of work, and a lot of studying. It will feel like what the teachers have told you. Don't let yourself burn out, it hits you after a few weeks, and can stick around for some students. If you get yourself into a routine and have everything listed out for the semester(your teacher should give you the schedule), then it's easier to keep a good enough drive to achieve high marks. I like to give a copy of my schedule to my mother, who then asks me if I've done such and such assignment for that week. It helps me keep on track and focused.<br><br>When it comes to mistakes, it depends on the teacher, and if the paper is being submitted for review, or submitted for a grade. If you so much as forget one quotation mark in some classes on papers for a grade, then your paper is sent to the board of education, and you are not allowed to receive any credit, or complete the class until it is resolved. One of my lab partners had this done to her on her final paper in another class. At the moment, in my mother's nursing class they are doing APA, and if there is not 1 inch spacing on each side of the paper(they actually pull out a ruler and measure :roll:), then they are given an F, regardless of the content. She's really freaking out about that, so I have to double check her papers. Now, other class I've been in are not that strict, and understand that people make mistakes. It really depends on the teacher, so make sure you clarify. English teachers in college tend to always be strict, because it is essentially their job to teach you those formats, but luckily English classes are also about a lot of rough drafts and peer reviews, before submitting a paper for a grade. <br><br>Do you know Chicago style? Ugh, just found out I have to do it for my history of civilization course. I've never heard of it, but apparently my teacher says it's what historians use....I have a feeling she just uses it, because she's from there.<br><br>Also, I forgot probably the biggest tip. <span style="font-weight:bold">Don't forget assignments, and don't turn them in late!</span> Highschool teachers can be very lax about due dates, or will deduct points for each day it's late, but in college there is not such thing as late without a real reason(emergency health problem for example). You are expected to be responsible, since your due dates are all handed out at the beginning of class. If possible work ahead, just in case something unexpected pops up.<br><br>Oh, and I'm sure you'll make friends. Unlike highschool, there isn't a lot of pettiness. If someone needs help they will talk to you, and that generally sparks a good relationship for the rest of the semester. If you want to make friends, then here are some good questions to ask after introducing yourself.<br>What's your major?<br>(if they didn't explain)What made you choose that?<br>How long have you been going here?<br>Have you heard how the teacher is for this class?<br>What do you think of this class?<br><br>Most people love to talk about their majors and what they want to be. I've always found it to be a top topic among students.

  I'm done with VP. I'll just be around until I get all my dogs and lines placed in good hands. If you want to contact me, please do so through deviantART.