Student Issues / Attending College

Many community college students today understand all too well the frustration of trying to put together a schedule each semester but finding themselves on waiting lists. The overload leaves numerous students requiring more time to complete their degrees – and postpones their opportunities in the professional, post-academic world.

One community college has come up with what they believe is a solution to this collegiate quandary.

What if you could skip to the front of waiting lists, just by paying more? Students at Bristol Community College in Massachusetts will now have the chance to register for an academic "fast track" that will allow them to graduate faster – for an increased tuition rate, according to reports by The Boston Globe and USA Today.

This video reports on the healthcare program at Bristol Community College.

A Proposal by the Princeton Review

The idea comes from the Princeton Review, a company that had previously been primarily involved in assessments and standardized test preparation. Since the acquisition of Penn Foster, a career training provider, a few months ago, the Princeton Review has jumped into the world of continuing education. Like a few other for-profit colleges, Princeton Review is currently in the process of teaming up with community colleges that offer allied healthcare degrees to provide faster access to degrees. These programs will come at a higher price tag than standard programs at

Dormitories were once typically reserved for students attending university campuses, but more community colleges have begun opening dorms for their students. The inclusion of dorms on some community college campuses is garnering much attention, as well as surprising tension. While many assert that dorms for community college campuses provide greater conveniences for their students, others argue that the dorms should only be reserved for university campuses.

The Demand for Dormitory Living

According to the Los Angeles Times, the rising cost of tuition at many universities is pushing a larger number of students towards the more affordable degree pathways provided by community colleges. Given these increasing enrollment numbers, many community colleges are looking for ways to accommodate the growing ranks of students, and dormitories are becoming a popular solution.

Speaking on this latest development is Karen Kent from the American Association of Community Colleges in Washington D.C., “We do think it's a trend for more community colleges to provide residential housing for students.” Indeed, this trend is undeniable, as schools in Texas, Minnesota, Florida, and Washington are already completing the construction of dorms on select community college campuses.

Experts predict that California’s community colleges may be among the most popular campus locations for new dormitory construction, given the immense numbers of students enrolled on these campuses. In fact, 11 of the state’s community colleges already provide dormitories for their students. Currently, an estimated 2.8 million students are enrolled in the 110 community colleges of California, and the

A majority of California’s school districts, community colleges, and four-year universities are participating in CalPASS, a groundbreaking program that is improving their students’ academic success.

The CalPASS program makes student achievement data from kindergarten through college available to teachers of all levels. The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that CalPASS “has collected 346 million student records on 25 million students, including information on demographics, student performance and test scores.” However, students’ test scores are not connected to any personal or identifying information. Instead, teachers, professors, and administrators at all levels of California’s public education system can view the data trends, using the information to determine their instructional decisions.

CalPASS, which stands for California Partnership for Achieving Student Success, is based in Grossmont Community College in San Diego. It was started in 1998, when Brad Phillips, then the director of research, planning, and academic services at Grossmont, realized that there was no existing channel through which he could ascertain how students from his two-year college were performing academically after they transferred to four-year colleges. Phillips decided that he needed to create such a system so that teachers and administrators could use the information to improve how students are taught.

From the CalPASS website: "Cal-PASS Plus, created through leadership and funding by California Community College Chancellor’s Office, is an accessible, actionable and collaborative pre-K through 16 system of student data.

Cal-PASS Plus’ mission is to provide actionable data to help improve student success

Your smartphone can be a powerful tool to help you earn better grades at community college in several ways: ### Time Management You can use your smartphone to stay organized and manage your time more effectively. There are several apps available that can help you track your schedule, assignments, and deadlines, and set reminders for important tasks. ### Note-Taking Your smartphone can also be a great tool for taking notes in class. Many apps allow you to take handwritten or typed notes, record audio, and even add photos or diagrams to your notes. ### Study Resources There are a variety of educational apps that can help you study more effectively. These can include flashcard apps, quiz apps, and study guides that cover a wide range of subjects. ### Research Your smartphone can also be a great tool for conducting research. You can use search engines and academic databases to find articles, journals, and other resources that can help you with your assignments. ### Collaboration Your smartphone can also help you collaborate with classmates and study groups. You can use messaging apps or video conferencing apps to communicate with classmates, share notes and study materials, and even collaborate on group projects. Overall, your smartphone can be a powerful tool to help you stay organized, study effectively, and collaborate with others, all of which can help you earn better grades at community college. Source: ChatGPT

Smartphones in Community Colleges

Community college students often work in addition to school, and the ability to make learning more mobile is often highly coveted. A

Students all understand the benefits of internships, but have you explored the advantages of an apprenticeship? In today’s competitive job market, apprenticeships are becoming more popular than ever. For example, at Guam Community College, the number of apprenticeship program participants has reached a historical high.

Similar to internships, apprenticeships provide excellent opportunities for students to work alongside industry professionals, gaining hands-on experience, mentorship, and real-life guidance. Most apprenticeships focus on vocational trades and crafts, providing an excellent way to strengthen your resume and skills before entering the workforce.

This video reports on apprenticeship programs in community colleges.

Apprenticeship Opportunities

Apprenticeships are generally reserved for skill-based careers and services, and community college students pursuing studies in the following categories may benefit most from apprenticeship experiences:

• Boilermakers
• Bricklayer masons
• Building maintenance personnel
• Carpenters
• Drywall hangers
• Ceramic tile setters
• Cement finishers
• HVAC technicians
• Maintenance electricians
• Fire sprinkler installers
• Elevator constructors
• Floor layers
• Manufacturing plant electricians
• Insulators
• Ironworkers
• Plumbers
• Painters
• Roofers
• Sheet metal workers
• Telecommunication technicians

Offering apprenticeship opportunities in all of the aforementioned categories are schools such as Lane Community College, located in Eugene, Oregon, wherein students are encouraged to “Learn the aspects of a highly skilled occupation through on-the-job training and related instruction.” Better yet, students can simultaneously earn an income during their apprenticeship.

Additionally, with apprenticeship experiences, students can effectively apply information learned in the classroom to experiences in the “real world.” From an employer’s perspective, apprenticeships help the student bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

Indeed, there