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College's Language Faculty and Student Develop Online Board for the World
(WARWICK, RI) - A new forum may be a great help to students of foreign language and those studying abroad. "[it] is an important addition to the world of websites," says Dr. Brown, a professor of Spanish and Portuguese at the Community College...
Essay Types and Modes You'll Need to Write for College
~TYPES~
You Want Us to Write What? Understanding the Task Assigned
Which academic essay writing types we use depends upon which disciplines (or classes) we write for. Each instructor or professor will assign papers that invite us to reveal in...
Paying for College
College Payments
Paying for college is one of the largest expenses a parent will face in their lifetime, other than paying for a house. Because of this, care needs to be taken as well as special planning and allocations of finances in order to...
Tips To Consider For Your College Search
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With college student credit card that today, most parents
contend that it is okay to let college students obtain their
very own credit card. Not only because they want to let their
kids manage their finances alone but also because having...
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What to Consider When Choosing a College Major
So you've picked a school (college or technical) but what are
you going to study? I've compiled a list of things to consider
when choosing an academic major.
Level of interest: Do you enjoy the subject? You are more
likely to be successful if you enjoy your major. If it bores
you, you will likely be unmotivated and may suffer academically.
Do you have a natural talent/skill? Don't discount any
natural talents or skills, instead, let those skills guide you
to success.
Possible careers? What sort of job will your degree
prepare you for? Will you need additional schooling to achieve
your career goals? Is your major geared toward one particular
trade (for example; engineering or accounting) or can you apply it to
many careers (Majors such as English, history, psychology that
teach marketable, non-trade specific skills such as reasoning,
critical thinking, writing and communication)?
What are the requirements? What courses and how many
will you have to take within the major as well as supplementary
courses outside your major (i.e. accounting students take
courses in marketing, economics, and business as well as
specific accounting courses). Does the program require a minimum
GPA for admission and retention? Will you need a minor? Will you
be required to complete an internship or a co-op program?
Prerequisites. Are there specific courses you must
complete prior to engaging in major specific courses?
(Prerequisites are often lower level introductory courses that
establish a basic set of knowledge that will be referred to and
built upon in subsequent classes.) For example if you wanted to
major in psychology you would most likely be required to take a
course introducing theories, models and major researchers in the
field.
Evaluate the instructors. How qualified are the
teachers? Where did they go to school, what sort of degrees do
they hold, where have they previously worked or taught and what
have they published? Find out about reputations from other
students as well. Is a certain professor notorious for being
rigid or difficult? A good relationship with an instructor can
benefit you when you begin applying to graduate schools or jobs
and you need recommendations.
Program reputation. Does the program receive national
attention? What do graduates think of the program? What sort of
jobs do alumni hold?
Are you considering a double major? A double major can
be a huge undertaking. This can be fruitful but you will need to
be
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more organized when planning class schedules and picking
classes. Some majors will not allow you the time to devote to a
second major (often called comprehensive majors.) Be informed
and be prepared to work!
Check out survey and introductory courses in a variety of
programs. These courses will be more general and give you a
better understanding of what to expect from the program as a
whole. Remember, you probably are not going to like every single
class or topic in your major. I had a friend who loved cost
accounting but hated her tax accounting class.
Browse the course catalog. Familiarize yourself with the
policies and requirements. Read the school's handbook regarding
the differences in requirements for an Associate's Degree, a
Bachelor's of Arts, Bachelor's of Science, Bachelor's of Fine
Arts, etc. These will each require a different set of courses.
Also, check your school's general education requirements. These
are often a set core of courses every student must take in order
to earn their degree. Check for overlaps and conflicts with your
major. Some departments won't give credit for certain courses in
a major that were used for general education requirements.
Use your advisor. These people know the ropes. They are
there to help you navigate the system. If all of this is
overwhelming (and don't feel bad if it is) relax! If you have an
advisor who just isn't helping you, see if your school has a set
of general advisors set up for undecided students. These
counselors will often have access to information about general
school topics (deadlines, procedures) as well as tools to help
you find information regarding specific degree programs. If you
already have a major but are unsatisfied with your advisor,
consider asking for a reassignment. Often this can be done in
the department office.
Talk to other students. They can often provide insight
and experience that will be beneficial. An upperclassman can be
your best friend when it comes to figuring out the system. Not
only do they know the best places to eat, but they might know
the best places to buy and sell books, the best advisors and the
best teachers.
Don't be afraid to change your mind. In the long run it's better
to spend an extra year or two in college than to be miserable or
regret your decisions. People change their majors all the time
(I changed mine 3 times) and while it's a big decision, it is
only a piece of the larger puzzle.
About the author:
Kate Leas is a freelance writer living in Kansas City, Missouri.
Her current topics of interest include education and the
Internet.
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