Guide to College Survival for First-Time Students Over 30

Summer quarter is merely days away from being over. All in all, this has been the toughest quarter yet, since the instructors need to cram ten weeks worth of work into the typical eight week quarter. Though I am on the down slide of my first stint in college, (I will have completed the classes which are required for me to receive my Associate's Degree in Applied Sciences - Electrical Technology), and two of my classes are electives, the workload has never been greater. I have prevailed, though - fairly confident that I will have an overall A average, if not a 4.0 GPA for the quarter. Not too bad, if I say so myself, for a thirty-five year old sophomore.

However, like I said, this quarter has been like no other. Being the type who would never wish to guide people astray, I thought it would be nice to let those "non typical" students, like myself, in on what they can expect.

ONLINE CLASSES:

I ignored the warnings. This does not apply for everyone, by any means, but, since walking onto the college campus for my first winter quarter, I heard nothing but complaints from students, (granted, they were mostly male), saying, "I will never take another on line English class again!" I was even advised by my English instructors, saying, "Brandon, you would be better off to take your remaining English class in a classroom - especially if you are taking three other classes."

Unfortunately, I did not have that option this quarter.

If you think that on line classes merely go by your schedule, I am sorry to say that you have another thing coming, my friend!

English 103 was focused on analyzing literature in essay form. My first assignment was to read the poetry of Langston Hughes and Walt Whitman. The instructor assigned the class to read several poems by each of these men, (and if anyone has ever read the works of Whitman, then you know that, by merely reading his work, it could take awhile!). We had to participate in on line discussions about the poetry - which was graded - and write an essay either comparing or contrasting the poets' views on America through their respected work.
I know, this does not sound too bad. But, trying to complete the required reading, along with understanding and planning a 1300 word essay, (to be fair, she did not expect us to write an essay that long - I just happened to go over the required word count by 500 words), AND completing extensive homework assignments in Technical writing, AND completing work for my computer course, AND planning my research paper for a Surveying class, this on line jazz was no easy task!

When starting this on line English class, I had to read a segment about taking on line classes. I was warned that one should expect to devote more than twelve hours per week to achieve the requirements for completing an on line class. Good advice! Needless to say, with this on line class, I kept myself extremely busy every evening for eight weeks.

I am not saying that this is impossible. Believe me when I say that if I can do it, anyone can. It just takes a strong work ethic and commitment.

JUST SAVE YOUR WORK OFTEN! The power company can be your worst enemy and on line teachers do not accept this as an excuse for late or missed assignments.

FELLOW CLASSMATES:

My friend, you are going to share the classroom setting with a vast array of personalities. You are going to have to understand that, no matter how serious you are about advancing your education, there are going to be people to either side of you who seem hell-bent on holding you back. The following is a list and description of the different types of fellow classmates you can expect to deal with:

1) THE INQUISITOR (aka: "The God Love 'em, Guy):
This is the person who genuinely does not "get it". The person who, when I refer to them by name, (when telling tales out of school), I immediately follow by saying, "God love 'em!" The Inquisitor interrupts the instructor after every sentence with a question which is likely to have an answer so obvious that it gives you an acidy taste in the back of your throat. After you have identified The Inquisitor, have patience with him, (more than likely, The Inquisitor is of the male persuasion), and understand that some folks cannot see the obvious. Keep in mind that The Inquisitor is devoting as much time and money in his, (again, likely a male), education as you are and has the right to make every attempt to understand what may come easy for you. Besides...you, yourself, may be The Inquisitor in another class, eventually...

2) THE COURT ORDER STUDENT:
This is from personal experience.
In at least one of your classes, you will be asked to divide into groups for a mass assignment. Chances are, if you are taking your education seriously, you will find that one student does not seem to want to be there and is more than happy to either:
a) Allow you or another to complete the lions share of work, while wearing a "Go to Hell" look on his or her face, or:
b) Seems content to let everyone fail at the assignment, while wearing a "Go to Hell" look on his or her face," or:
c) Simply stares of into space, with a "Go to Hell" look on his or her face, waiting for the class to end so that the instructor can sign off on a "Court Order Form" which shows that this person really wants to stay out of jail.

There is really no answer to this. Focus on YOUR grade and do what is best for you. Besides, the instructor sees more than you may think...

3) THE TEXTER:
There is at least one in every classroom.
This is the person who, by some miracle of combining medical science and electrical communications, receives digital I.V. drips in order to keep them alive through his or her cell phone. Yes, that sign in the classroom states: "No Cell Phone Use is Allowed During Class" but there seems to be no stopping these guys. Though you will mesmerized by how these people can hold there communication device under their table and out of their own line of sight and type in messages while smoke pours from their fingertips, do not let it distract you from what you are trying to accomplish.

4) THE TEACHER'S PEST:
This is the person who makes your blood boil.
Also known as the "Class Smart Ass", this person seems to take a great deal of enjoyment with their untiring attempts at making the instructor's class time a life sentence in Hell. This person will ridicule the instructor, (following their comment with a look around the room to see who is watching him or her); talk over the instructor and other students, without actually saying a word; and obviously worries more about being looked at than bettering his/her-self.

NOTE: This list only includes those difficulties from one non typical student's colege experience. Personalities vary from person to person and one's own experience may be different from another.