Improving Learning

In the movies, the typical college classroom is full of young, bright-eyed students who have just made the move from high school. They’re excited about being on their own for the first time and ready to take on the world. In reality, every college classroom looks different – especially community college classrooms. Community college students come from all walks of life, including those who went to work right out of high school and those working full-time jobs or raising a family.

Community college is where many nontraditional students go to obtain an education. The flexibility and affordability of community college compared to traditional four-year schools is a major draw, but there are still plenty of challenges to overcome. Read on to learn everything you need to know about succeeding in community college as a nontraditional student.

What is a Nontraditional Student?

When you think of the average college student, you probably picture someone 18 to 22 years old balancing their time between classes, the dorm room, and the student center.

Picture this instead: a 38-year-old single mother who works days at a restaurant, attending classes at night and on her days off. Or a military veteran attending classes online hoping to start a new career after completing his service. The truth is that 38% of undergrads are older than 25. Over 25% are parents, and 58% are working while attending classes.

Students like these are considered “nontraditional,” but what exactly does that mean? Nontraditional students

High school is a stressful period for young adults. Between the struggles with changing hormones, social pressures, and academics all rolled into four years, it can be pretty overwhelming.

Some students handle the pressure of high school better than others, and some are better at school for whatever reason. Poor grades are sometimes viewed as an indicator of laziness, but that is not always the case. For many students, poor grades are a small piece of the puzzle. Many students struggle with basic study skills or test taking, while others have difficulty with learning disabilities, distractions at home, or other issues that affect their academic success.

For many students, getting good grades is the only thing that matters. After all, good grades are what gets a student into college—or are they?

College admissions have changed significantly over the years. Today, colleges want to see their students be well-rounded individuals with real-life experience and a direction for their future. Grades are still a key indicator of discipline and academic potential, but they aren’t everything. Even if you have poor grades, you can still get into college.

In this article, we’ll discuss the importance of grades and how much they matter for college applications. We’ll also discuss some strategies for addressing poor grades in college applications to increase your chances of acceptance.

Do Grades Matter for Community College?

There is a common misconception that community colleges are inferior to traditional colleges and universities. While community colleges accept non-traditional students

How Community Colleges Are Changing Remedial Education

Community colleges provide educational opportunities for many students who might not otherwise have access to higher education. First-generation college students, single parents, and other nontraditional students make up a significant percentage of the community college population.

• For those who enter community college straight after high school and for those who have already completed some higher-level coursework, community college is a less challenging transition than for those who have been out of school for years or who are pursuing higher education for the first time.
• Many nontraditional students struggle when there is a gap between what they already know when they set foot on campus for the first time and what they are expected to know.
• That’s where remedial education comes in.
• Unfortunately, a review of years of remedial education has revealed that, instead of helping students succeed in their college careers, it acts as a brick wall that prevents them from moving forward.
• Keep reading to learn more about the history of remedial education and what community colleges are doing to change it.

What is Remedial Education?

Remedial education exists at all levels of education, from grade school to post-secondary education. A remedial program is typically designed to close the gap between what a student knows and what they are expected to know, typically in math and reading courses. Simply put, remedial instruction is designed to help struggling students

Mental illness is still somewhat of a taboo subject, even though it affects millions of Americans of all ages. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, about 1 in 5 American adults suffer from some form of mental illness but only 41% of those with mental illness ever seek treatment. The stigma of mental illness makes it difficult for people who struggle with it to reach out for help, especially when they are young and may not be sure what’s going on.

Unfortunately, mental illness is very common in college students and it can impact more than just academic performance – it can affect the quality of life as well. Keep reading to learn more about common mental health issues as well as the challenges they create for students and how to manage them.

Understanding Common Mental Health Issues

There are many different forms of mental illness and they affect people in different ways. Though mental health issues are vast and varied, there are some more common than others. The top mental health issues facing college students include the following:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Eating Disorders
• Addiction

Depression is not just one of the most common forms of mental illness overall – it also affects as many as 36% of college students on some level. This condition is characterized by low mood, sadness, hopelessness, and changes in sleep, weight, and appetite. Anxiety disorders affect 40 million adults over the

Students who 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 done some research, you may not know that studying 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. Research shows that nearly 6,000 community college students participated in study abroad programs from 2012 to 2013. That was a 12% increase from the year before, and the number continues to rise. Even though more community college students are studying abroad each year, they are still just a drop in the bucket. Regarding the total number of American students who study abroad each year, community college students only represent about 3%.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Studying Abroad?

Before you decide to study abroad, there are many things you need to think about. Arranging a study abroad program requires a lot of preparation, and it’s not something you should