Improving Learning

Students who choose to attend community college over a traditional four-year university do so to save money or to have greater flexibility with their classes. Just because you choose a community college, however, doesn’t mean you have to miss out on a true college experience. Many community colleges are starting to offer their students the same benefits that more traditional colleges offer, including study abroad opportunities. If you are a community college student considering a study abroad program, take the time to learn the pros and cons before you make your choice.

Can Community College Students Study Abroad?

Unless you’ve already done some research, you may not know that study abroad is even an option for community college students. The fact of the matter is, however, that more community college students are taking advantage of study abroad programs than ever before. According to research, nearly 6,000 community college students participated in study abroad programs in the 2012 to 2013 school year. That was a 12% increase from the year before, and the number continues to rise. Even though there are more community college students studying abroad each year, they are still just a drop in the bucket. In terms of the total number of American students who study abroad each year, community college students only represent about 3% of the total.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Studying Abroad?

Before you decide to study abroad, there are many things you need to think about. It takes a

Though many people still think that community college is a lesser version of a traditional four-year university, the truth is that your education will be what you make it – it doesn’t really matter where you go to school. In the end, all that really matters is the effort you put into it and how well you take advantage of the opportunities presented to you. If you want to graduate from community college with the best chance for future success, follow these top ten tips when you start attending school.

Why Attend a Community College?

According to the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), almost half of all undergraduate students in the United States attend community college. Community college appeals to a diverse range of students from recent high school graduates to adults seeking continued education. Many students enjoy the flexibility and affordability of community college as compared to traditional four-year universities, though both options come with their own set of unique challenges. Going to college, in general, is a major life event and the choices you make could influence your future success. Having the right mindset and being proactive about your community college career can help you to get the most out of your education.

This video offers reasons why you should attend community college.

Tips for New Community College Students

Though community college is very different from a traditional four-year

Each year, millions of students graduate from high school and move on to higher education. While 4-year colleges and universities may be the more traditional option, community college works for many students. If you are thinking about enrolling in community college, take the time to learn about this option from every angle.

In this article, you will learn about the pros and cons of community college to help you make your choice. If you do decide that community college is right for you, you’ll also receive tips for taking control of your community college education so you can graduate with the best chance for success upon entering the “real world”.

Is Community College Right for You?

If you think that community college could be the right choice for you, you would be wise to learn about the pros and cons of making this choice. Community college is an excellent alternative to four-year colleges and universities, but it isn’t the right decision for everyone. Here is a list of advantages that may be associated with community college:

• Many community colleges offer smaller class sizes which could mean more personalized attention and instruction from your teachers.
• Community college is generally much less expensive than traditional 4-year schools, especially if you continue to live at home.
• Many community colleges offer online classes and night classes, making it a more practical option for people who are working full-time or who have a family.
• You may be able to complete your core classes at a fraction

College is a time of learning and self-discovery. It is exciting to finally be out in the world on your own – you don’t have to answer to anyone and you can do whatever you want, more or less. But just because you have more freedom in your life doesn’t mean that you can abuse it. Learn from the example of some college students who didn’t take college quite as seriously as they should have, and now they are paying the price.

Top Academic Mistakes You Want to Avoid

College is where you will learn the information and skills you need to succeed in the “real world” as an adult. You will pick a major and then take all of the classes you need to graduate with a degree in that major which will (hopefully) get you a job after graduation. There is no need to pack your class schedule with all of the hardest classes the school has to offer – you aren’t really trying to impress anyone. But there are some common academic mistakes you want to avoid.

Here are a few of the most common academic mistakes first-year college students make:

Believing that college is just like high school.

In high school, your teachers hold you accountable for doing your classwork and for showing up on time. Once you get to college, however, it is on you to keep up with your classwork and homework and to show up for class. This requires a certain

For many students attending four-year colleges or universities, a semester abroad is a typical experience and one that offers a host of benefits. Students who study abroad have the opportunity to live and study within a new culture, and often have the chance to hone valuable language skills. However, for community college students, many of whom have important responsibilities outside of the classroom, spending months away from home and work is impractical at best, and more than likely impossible.

This video offers some reasons why you should study abroad.

In recent years several community colleges have identified the benefits of studying abroad, and have acknowledged the unique challenges their students face in doing so. As a result, many community colleges now offer short-term study-abroad programs, as well as traditional semester programs. In the last decades, the number of community college students who take the opportunity to study abroad has expanded tremendously, from just fewer than 4,000 students back in 2001, to almost 300,000 in 2015.

Community colleges offer programs to fit the schedules and unique learning needs of almost any student:

• Short-term educational programs
• Traditional semester-long programs
• Short and long term volunteer or service-learning programs

Community college students can work with study abroad program providers, who will coordinate with a student’s college to assess the credit available for different short and long-term programs. They can also enroll directly with foreign universities and transfer credits when they