After Graduation: Making the Most of Community College- Special Replay The Homeschool Highschool Podcast

This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: After Graduation: Making the Most of Community College- Special Replay.





After Graduation: Making the Most of Community College

These days many homeschool graduates (and traditionally-schooled high school graduates) choose to attend community colleges. Join us for an interview Seth Tillman, a community college graduate (and now a graduate from  University of Delaware and an elementary school music teacher, as well as editor of this podcast).

Choosing community college is a great idea! Why?



* You can come ahead financially (community colleges are SO much cheaper than universities)

* Plus, you have more time to clarify majors (many times teens need an extra year or two to clarify their majors)

* You attend smaller classes (as opposed to two hundred students in freshman-level classes at some universities)

* Also, you earn general education course credits that transfer to many universities

* You can stay local (saving money and time)

* A big bonus: you can take community college experiences and opportunities to build your resume

* One of the biggest bonuses: You can build excellent networking connections



Cautionary note:

Look at transfer college's requirements, not all courses transfer. Each university or transfer college will accept different courses. Check that college's *transfer matrix*.  Sometimes community colleges will tell you lots of courses transfer, but they are not always accurate.

Note from Seth:

Even if a community college course is not quite on the transfer matrix, you might be able to appeal. (The advisor to the transfer college major department will handle this with you.) So, be sure to keep your course syllabi.

Make the most of those community college years. If you are at a local college, it might as well be awesome! Here are tips from Seth:



* Get involved

* Don't just go to class, sit in the back and be silent.

* Go to class every time

* Arrive early

* Sit near the front

* Participate in class

* Find activities in your department and campus



Study skills tips from Seth:



* Do it

* Readings

* Homework

* Follow the



* course syllabus (in many colleges: Academic Honesty Policies, grading policy of the course, texts, explanations of projects)

* course schedule (readings, homework, exams schedules)





* Study for exams

* Stay off the cell phone in class

* Get enough sleep

* Explore ways to study and land on one way to study that works for you



TOP TIP from Seth:



* Say "yes" to opportunities (especially from faculty)! The more *yeses* you say, the more opportunities will come.

* Saying *yes* builds your resume and creates great networks (and referrals).

* Get involved in work study.



Managing money is a big issue for college students. Seth was well-prepared in high school for handing his own finances.



* Take Financial Literacy in high school. Seth took 7SistersHomeschool.com's Financial Literacy from a Christian Perspective.

* Then work your financial plan and budget!

* Seth uses the *Notes* app on his phone to keep his budget records and *funds* records.



Seth's parting advice:

Don't let anyone make fun of you going to community college. When he graduated and transferred to the local university, he sometimes got a little razzing for his years at community college. However, he did not allow that to phase him. "They are just insecure and have their own problems."