Fun & Elective Classes

Community colleges have become the go-to place for professional training of all kinds, but the benefits of these local schools extend far beyond the professional realm. Many adults head to community college to hone a craft, discover a hobby, or learn something new. Whether your interests lie in writing, gardening, or arts and crafts, a class at community college may be the perfect way to take your interest to the next level. Even if you want to delve into a subject you have never explored, a community college course may open the door to a new field of interest. Check out these non-credit courses community colleges offer to help adults in the community find new interests, hobbies, and activities.

Grow Native Plants

Carroll Community College in Maryland offers a non-credit course that teaches students to grow native plants in the area right in their own backyards. According to the Eldersburg Patch, the class is taught by a licensed landscape professional. It includes the benefits of growing native plants, identifying species, and properly caring for native vegetation. The course also teaches students how to incorporate native plants into their backyard landscape for an eye-pleasing look both homeowners and neighbors will love. Finally, students will learn how to select plants attracting natural wildlife to their property.

This video explains what's involved with cultivating native plants.

Whip Up a New Dish

Homesteading began in this country with the Homestead Act that was signed into law by President Lincoln in 1862. According to this legislation, people were allowed to obtain free land in exchange for the development of a homestead farm within a set time frame. If they successfully started their farm, the land it sat upon was theirs to keep.

Although homesteading laws are no longer in effect throughout most of Canada and the United States, the idea of homesteading appears to be catching on once again. We will take a look at the new definition of homesteading and visit some community colleges that are teaching students how to successfully adopt this way of life.

This video explains homesteading.

Today's Homesteading

While homesteading in the 19^th century was about staking your claim to a piece of land, today's definition is more about finding self-sufficiency in a simpler way of life. According to Modern Homesteading Today, modern homesteaders grow their own food, make their own clothing and even supply their own electricity to their homes through solar or wind power. Homesteading allows individuals to abandon the break-neck speed lifestyles common today, in favor of a simpler life living off the land and growing together as a family.

Homesteading can be done in any area of the country, including the heart of big cities. In fact, urban homesteading has become a popular

Community colleges have always been at the forefront of training students for both traditional and innovative careers...and ghost-busting is no exception! Indeed, a handful of community colleges are actually offering paranormal studies to train students in the interesting field of ghost-busting.

Be spooked or inspired by the paranormal studies available at the following community colleges. Could researching ghosts be the right career choice for you?

Ivy Tech Community College

This Indiana institution is known for many strong fields of study, but recently, the college added paranormal investigation courses to its catalog. These courses, according to the Kokomo Perspective, are designed to explore the world of paranormal behavior in a way never seen before.

The teacher of the course, Al Taylor, is the PR director of Indiana Ghost Trackers. Taylor will lead students on an exploration of paranormal research that will include conduct and safety, as well as the proper use of paranormal equipment.

The courses are offered at two different Ivy Tech campuses and are done in collaboration with the Kokomo Region of the Department of Workforce and Economic Development. This organization offer provides career training solutions to help fill the needs of today's employers.

Alamance Community College

In North Carolina, Alamance Community College is offering its own brand of paranormal training. The school's current class in paranormal investigations has been consistently topping the list as

Are you interested in a new hobby that will open the sea's mysteries? Are you hoping to enrich your college experience with a unique and entertaining course? Whether you're interested in learning to scuba dive for recreational or educational reasons, community colleges across the country are qualified to provide students with the necessary skills, training, and practice to become certified divers. These courses are generally open to registered students and adult community members pursuing continuing education.

Indeed, scuba diving courses can be a fun and engaging opportunity to explore new underwater worlds!

How to Get Certified to Scuba Dive

Scuba divers must obtain a certification card to prove they completed a reputable training course. The most common certification agencies are PADI, NAUI, YMCA, SSI, and other local institutions. Often, community college campuses provide certification courses through one of these leading agencies.

The most common certification venue when enrolling in a scuba training class is an “open w" or” scuba" class. Once you complete this primary scuba course, you must pass all the tests and required dives before receiving official certification. Upon earning a certification card, a scuba diver never needs to re-enroll for training, but once this step is completed, you can maintain your certification status for life!

Most scuba courses require that all participants be in healthy physical shape. Participants should be able to swim at least 200 yards and float or tread water for at least 10 minutes without stopping. In addition to these standards,

Could being married help you earn better grades in college? Interestingly, studies have found that students who are married generally report higher grades and grade point averages.

According to the Research in Higher Education Journal, a study of college students “confirms earlier work regarding the positive influence of marriage on the scholastic achievement of community college students.” The study also found that married students tended to excel most significantly in programs such as Business Administration, Executive Secretarial, and Nursing Education.

While the causation relationship between marriage and good grades still remains unclear, community colleges are not wasting any time in helping their students benefit from the positive correlation! Many college campuses offer marital workshops and classes that help improve relationships, while other courses delve into the sociological underpinnings of marriage in our society.

Community Colleges Workshops that Foster Stronger Marriages

Through workshops and lectures, many community colleges specifically cater to students who are currently or planning to be married. For example, at Arapahoe Community College in Littleton, Colorado, couples can take a variety of non-credit workshops, such as “Before You Say ‘I do’ Marriage Education for Engaged Couples, "Four Hours to a Happier Relationship," "Is Anyone Listening to Me? Solving Communication Problems in Relationships,” and “Preparing for Your Empty Nest Marriage: Now That the Kids are Leaving.” Through these workshops, students learn about how to strengthen their relationships – and potentially even their grades in school!

On a broader basis,