A college education is typically considered a great, ultimate life achievement for many people; and yet, it is also one of the hardest goals to achieve for young and older students alike, especially when the trials of life get in the way.
An education at a community college is a smart start that can potentially help circumvent many of the usual problems involved in attending and finishing college. Financial burdens, overwhelming responsibilities and multitasking are but a few of these problems for students. Here are some thoughtful tips to aid you in your journey through the first step of your college career.
If there’s one constant hurdle that FCC students seem to face, it’s staying in school long enough to eventually transfer to a four-year university or college. It can be tricky to prioritize schooling when you hate your classes, feel dejected when you don’t understand your homework or think you don’t fit in on a campus of more than 20,000 students.
So what is one effective way to overcome this all-too-common lack of determination? Make a plan. No, seriously – make a plan. Charting your future on paper is perhaps the single easiest way to give your life (and your education) a definite direction.
Ask yourself, “What do I want to do for a career?” “What do I enjoy doing the most?” “What am I good at?” and finally, “How do I get to where I want to be?” Think deeply about this and don’t rush the thought process.
The next step is to put this plan into action. Find out what classes at FCC you will need to transfer to your dream school, and then meet with a counselor to make sure you get those classes or courses similar to them. Consider what major you would like to study under, declare it and take classes that meet the requirements of it. Do the math on how many units you will need and how many semesters or years it will take to reach that goal.
Another tip is to never be ungrateful when it comes to financial help. The FCC financial aid department exists to give students a helping hand at a time in their life that may not be financially prosperous. The office of Federal Student Aid – part of the United States’ Department of Education – provides more than $150 million to students seeking a college education and in need of help.
More than just financial aid, however, remember that any help is beneficial – even if it comes in unexpected forms off-campus.
If you need help buying groceries or providing for your family members, programs such as Women, Infants and Children and California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids are government programs created to help those at a financial disadvantage. CalWORKS alone provided over $253 million to individuals in August of 2013, according to a California Department of Social Services report.
No matter how unglamourous, part-time jobs can also be a great start to building your resume or helping to line your wallet. Asking around or letting friends know you are in search of companies that are hiring can establish a constant stream of communication on potential employment, which means you are never out of the loop.
There’s an old adage that states, “If you want something done right, do it yourself.” Always keep this in mind when traversing the often rocky paths of community college life.
Although faculty members and professional adults are usually present to help aid you in many ways, remember that they make mistakes too and are not living solely to help you. Basically, things can (and often will) go wrong: you can be given misleading advice on what classes to take, receive email alerts too late or have important paperwork lost. These are only a few of many frustrating circumstances. So what are you to do?
Be your own counselor, that’s what. Fact-check and double-check information given to you, especially if it sounds odd or conflicting. Nobody knows your personal situation better than you do, so don’t rely on others to know all the important details needed to make things run smoothly. Be your own cheerleader, secretary and therapist, while you’re at it.
Also, accept that problems will arise when least expected. It’s not the most philosophical advice one can give out, but it makes the hardships you will inadvertently face in life easier to handle.
Remember that there will be times in your not-so-distant future that will make you want to scream and shout, cry, throw objects out of a high-rise building’s window, and sometimes, feel like giving up on life. It won’t always be easy, and this is a given. But remember to take this with a grain of salt – your lowest lows will always find balance with your incredible highs in the long run.