From the Ask Isa inbox:
Dear Isa,
I feel like community college is going to be the end of the world and that I'm missing out life. I'm so worried because my best friends are going away and I'm stuck at home going to community college because of money issues.
I'm trying to look on the bright side but its a little hard. Like its going to be so difficult I feel like meeting new people, parties, and just finding new and different opportunities. Basically, that it is definitely going to be a different ballgame.
Sincerely,
Worried Future Student
Dear Worried Future Student,
You are the reason this blog exists.
You are the reason I did the video "Community college isn't 13th grade" (which is my most viewed one, by the way).
Because I know your story. It's my story too.
When I started community college I literally cried in the advising office. Bawled my eyes out. Hid in a corner so no one would see.
Because, like you, I literally felt like it was the end of the world. I felt like I couldn't see where my life was going, and that maybe it wasn't going anywhere.
My friends were all off at big football-focused public universities or small fancy private schools.
And, because of money, I was still 15 minutes away from home. I went to class. And then I went home. I went to class, and then I went home.
But then - someone in a class invited me to a club meeting.
I went to the meeting.
I became an officer.
I kept coming to meetings.
I eventually became president.
The single best advice I can give you right now (aside from reading my book! ;)) is to join a club at your community college.
Look on your CC's website right now and try to find a "student life" or "campus life" page and see if the clubs and club contact information are listed. If not, find the e-mail or phone number for the student activities office and go meet with the director ASAP.
When you meet, be honest with him or her just as you have been with me. Express your fears, and ask for advice. Share your interests and ask about the most active clubs on campus. Ask about open officer positions. And then JUMP in.
Attend meetings. Get to know the current officers. Express your desire to get involved.
The single best way to build a community at your community college is to get involved in a club. If you don't click with any active on campus, start your own.
This is the best way to find friends, plan parties and events on campus, build valuable resume experience, and have a great time. Community college can offer a TON of rich experiences (many also offer study abroad which I highly recommend) but it's up to YOU to seek those opportunities out.
They are there, but they won't hold your hand and drag you to them. You have to get involved, meet lots of people, and not give up.
Most of all, never just go to class and go home. Make your college your community. Get to know it. Visit all the resources (tutoring, career center, library, student life office, etc.) and invest in a club you really care about.
If I could have told my crying-self something all those years ago I would have told her this:
It's not the end of the world. It's only the beginning. And where you go to college doesn't matter as much as the effort you put into it. Make this the best time of your life, and make the most of this opportunity. It's one many never even get.
Community college changed my life. It opened up SO many new and exciting opportunities (I went on my first airplane for a community college trip), and it can do the same for you. It's just up to you to go for it and grab them. Get out of your comfort zone. And meet LOTS of people.
Opportunities happen through relationships. (And for tips on how to build those relationships check out my book.)
Good luck and continue to check this blog and my YouTube channel for advice as you continue your journey.
I have a lot of faith in you. Reaching out to this blog and taking action to ask for advice says A LOT of good things about you. You have what it takes to make this experience life changing. Go for it. I believe in you.
Showing posts with label going to community college. Show all posts
Showing posts with label going to community college. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Your quick guide to starting community college
When I wrote my book and started this blog, I had community college students in mind. What I didn't expect, was that it would garner such interest from high school students.
I've received dozens of letters from community college students who've used Community College Success as part of a class, and many of them echoed the same sentiment: This book was so helpful; I wish I read it in high school.
And yesterday, I received an e-mail from a high school student asking for my help in figuring out how to get to community college. I've received many e-mails like hers from across the country, and it serves as a reminder that no matter how much information is out there, or how much we assume people already know, we all need help starting new things in our lives.
Especially college.
Some people might think "preparing" for community college is an oxymoron. Wrong. While the application process is usually much less complicated than a 4-year university, a lot of preparation and understanding is still required.
College is complicated, especially if you are the first in your family to go. And the earlier you prepare, the better chance you have of getting the classes you want, saving money, and having a great experience.
So below is my top 10 list of things to do your senior year of high school in order to prepare to attend community college. I hope it helps!
1. Make an appointment to talk with your high school guidance counselor about your college options. Come prepared with all of your questions and be sure to follow up. Ask him or her to recommend community colleges based on the program or major you are interested in.
2. Talk to your favorite teachers about your college aspirations. Let him or her know what community college you want to attend and ask for help and advice. Many of them will be more than happy to help you and serve as a mentor.
3. Google the community colleges your guidance counselors and teachers have recommended, and read everything you can on their website. Start with the "Academics" or "Programs" tab to make sure they have a program or major that interests you.
4. Find the "Apply", "Application", or "New Students" tab on the website and read everything you can about what you need to do. Most colleges start with an online application, financial aid, and residency.
5. Start putting reminders in your calendar to send your high school transcripts to your community college once you've graduated, as well as take the necessary tests (community colleges accept SAT/ACT scores, or you can take a different test at the college; test scores do not limit you from getting in, but they do determine your starting point for your Math and English courses. If you do not score high enough, you will have to start in prep courses that cost money but do not offer college credit. These courses are okay and a good refresher, but you don't want to end up there just because you didn't study. Ask your testing center for a study guide before you take the test).
6. Schedule a tour of the community college that interests you most. You can usually do this on the website.
7. Schedule an appointment with an admissions counselor or recruiter on the community college campus to ask all of your questions and get the help you need when it comes to the other documents, like financial aid. Do this as early as possible.
8. Ask around on Facebook or in your community to find someone who goes to the community college you are interested in. Invite them out for coffee or set up a phone call and ask for their advice.
9. If you want to get a 4-year degree, start searching websites of the 4-year universities that interest you and start to plan what degree you would like to end up with. Bring this information with you when you first meet with an advisor so that you can ensure you are on a program track that will easily transition you to your 4-year school.
10. Find out when the club recruitment fair is at your college (usually the first week) and make sure you can attend. Go around to all of the tables that interest you and plan to try out a few meetings until you find a club you like. Get connected the first week so that you do not do college alone.
As I hope you can see, while there are a lot of administrative tasks, the most valuable thing you can do when preparing for college is to make sure you find other people who can help. Keep asking and seeking help until you get what you need.
I'm going to let you in on a little secret: no one who does college successfully does it alone. Some people have help built-in in their parents. Some people have help that money can buy (e.g. paid college advisors). Some people are in programs that guide them every step of the way. That's all great.
But not everyone has that.
The good news though? All people have the potential for the creativity and courage needed to seek out the help they need and make college happen. And if you've read to the end of this blog, you are exactly that kind of person. You can make it to college and beyond. And I really hope you do.
If you need any additional help feel free to e-mail me at isa@communitycollegesuccess.com or check out the first chapter of my book for free.
I've received dozens of letters from community college students who've used Community College Success as part of a class, and many of them echoed the same sentiment: This book was so helpful; I wish I read it in high school.
And yesterday, I received an e-mail from a high school student asking for my help in figuring out how to get to community college. I've received many e-mails like hers from across the country, and it serves as a reminder that no matter how much information is out there, or how much we assume people already know, we all need help starting new things in our lives.
Especially college.
Some people might think "preparing" for community college is an oxymoron. Wrong. While the application process is usually much less complicated than a 4-year university, a lot of preparation and understanding is still required.
College is complicated, especially if you are the first in your family to go. And the earlier you prepare, the better chance you have of getting the classes you want, saving money, and having a great experience.
So below is my top 10 list of things to do your senior year of high school in order to prepare to attend community college. I hope it helps!
1. Make an appointment to talk with your high school guidance counselor about your college options. Come prepared with all of your questions and be sure to follow up. Ask him or her to recommend community colleges based on the program or major you are interested in.
2. Talk to your favorite teachers about your college aspirations. Let him or her know what community college you want to attend and ask for help and advice. Many of them will be more than happy to help you and serve as a mentor.
3. Google the community colleges your guidance counselors and teachers have recommended, and read everything you can on their website. Start with the "Academics" or "Programs" tab to make sure they have a program or major that interests you.
4. Find the "Apply", "Application", or "New Students" tab on the website and read everything you can about what you need to do. Most colleges start with an online application, financial aid, and residency.
5. Start putting reminders in your calendar to send your high school transcripts to your community college once you've graduated, as well as take the necessary tests (community colleges accept SAT/ACT scores, or you can take a different test at the college; test scores do not limit you from getting in, but they do determine your starting point for your Math and English courses. If you do not score high enough, you will have to start in prep courses that cost money but do not offer college credit. These courses are okay and a good refresher, but you don't want to end up there just because you didn't study. Ask your testing center for a study guide before you take the test).
6. Schedule a tour of the community college that interests you most. You can usually do this on the website.
7. Schedule an appointment with an admissions counselor or recruiter on the community college campus to ask all of your questions and get the help you need when it comes to the other documents, like financial aid. Do this as early as possible.
8. Ask around on Facebook or in your community to find someone who goes to the community college you are interested in. Invite them out for coffee or set up a phone call and ask for their advice.
9. If you want to get a 4-year degree, start searching websites of the 4-year universities that interest you and start to plan what degree you would like to end up with. Bring this information with you when you first meet with an advisor so that you can ensure you are on a program track that will easily transition you to your 4-year school.
10. Find out when the club recruitment fair is at your college (usually the first week) and make sure you can attend. Go around to all of the tables that interest you and plan to try out a few meetings until you find a club you like. Get connected the first week so that you do not do college alone.
As I hope you can see, while there are a lot of administrative tasks, the most valuable thing you can do when preparing for college is to make sure you find other people who can help. Keep asking and seeking help until you get what you need.
I'm going to let you in on a little secret: no one who does college successfully does it alone. Some people have help built-in in their parents. Some people have help that money can buy (e.g. paid college advisors). Some people are in programs that guide them every step of the way. That's all great.
But not everyone has that.
The good news though? All people have the potential for the creativity and courage needed to seek out the help they need and make college happen. And if you've read to the end of this blog, you are exactly that kind of person. You can make it to college and beyond. And I really hope you do.
If you need any additional help feel free to e-mail me at isa@communitycollegesuccess.com or check out the first chapter of my book for free.
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