Transitioning from high school to community college can be an unnerving experience for many students. Despite these fears, attending a community college provides numerous benefits and opportunities for a successful future. This transition includes recognizing high school and community college differences regarding teaching style, student body, academic assignments, responsibilities, scheduling, and freedom. These distinctions highlight community colleges' increased independence, responsibility, and flexibility, allowing for a more dynamic and independent learning environment. Ultimately, these distinctions help students in their pursuit of higher education.
One of the six distinctions between high school and community college is the teaching
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Without constant reminders, community college students are expected to take full responsibility for their education, manage their time, and stay current on course materials. As Thompson and Thornton briefly discuss in their academic journal, "The Transition from Extrinsic…," community college gives students more freedom in their learning. They also state that it is entirely up to the student to choose their academic pathway. This shift in teaching style highlights the increased level of responsibility and independence expected of higher education students. Although this may seem intimidating, it allows for a more dynamic and independent learning environment.
The student body is another notable difference between high school and community college. In high school, students of similar ages typically make up the student body. Students frequently share experiences in common as a result, which enhances connection. However, this similarity might restrict students' exposure to various viewpoints and experiences. In addition, high school students tend to be more unfocused and disconnected from the class, as they may have yet to fully develop the maturity and motivation needed for a more robust learning
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Academic assignments in high school are typically less challenging and complex than community college assignments. Students are given more structure and direction in managing their time and completing their assignments. High school assignments often require less research, analysis, or critical thinking as educators focus on building essential knowledge and thinking skills. On top of that, high school students usually receive more support and supervision from their teachers, helping them navigate their coursework.
In comparison, community college gives students far more challenging academic assignments that call for higher-level thinking skills. Students are often required to conduct in-depth research, analysis, and critical thinking for said assignments, leading them to dig deeper into the subject. Community college students must manage their time and finish their assignments independently. Since they receive less guidance and supervision from their teachers, they are responsible for their education. Community college students must also rely on their research and problem-solving skills to succeed in their
This trend is beginning because community colleges provide a place to begin at an affordable cost in comparison to four-year universities, while still offering the same experience. In Liz Addison’s essay “Two Years Are Better than Four,” Addison’s main purpose
After listening to the wisdom of Husky, one can recognize that he offers valuable insights, but also provides some inaccurate information regarding academic affairs in community college. Beginning with the valuable information, he is correct when he states that the cost of community college, in both tuition and price-per-credit, is significantly lower than a four-year institution. He is also partly correct about the curriculum. For students enrolled with the intention of transferring to a four-year institution, general education courses in the liberal arts are offered that will transfer to their desired school. He explains that these liberal arts courses are generally smaller than those offered at larger schools, and provide for more interaction with the instructor – both claims are true.
Each semester new students come into Blue Ridge Community College to expand their horizons. They take classes, so they will be able to graduate with an Associate’s Degree. One reason people attend Blue Ridge Community College is because they did not do well in high school and hope by attending a community college, they will have a smoother transition to a university, save money and the flexibility of class schedules. Before entering college classes, students take a placement test to determine if they are ready for college classes. Community colleges offer developmental classes in English and Math for students that did not do well on these subjects on the placement test.
A community colleges is normally located within an hours’ drive from the student’s home. A community college usually has a relatively small campus allowing students to maneuver from class to class without a
Community College is a new beginning for everyone that enrolls. The access to college allows them to broaden their minds, discover their passions, and push themselves forward. Community college opens doors for their students that they would never have believed that they were there before. It gives the students a chance to explore and see what they are truly wanting to do with their lives. Addison writes, “Just follow any one of the 1,655 road signs, and pop your head inside - yes, they let anyone in – and there you will find discoveries of a first independent film, a first independent thought, a first independent study.
When I graduated from high school college did not cross my mind. I wanted to join the Marine Corps and serve my country for as long as I could because both my grandfather and uncle we’re both in the Navy. But since complications happened I ended up in Massasoit. I chose Massasoit because it has one of the best transferring programs and has the major I wanted to get into which is Early Childhood Education. When I applied for Massasoit I did not know much about community college, I just thought that it’ll be similar to highschool which is not at all
In 2015, President Obama introduced a new program called American College Promise to help alleviate the prices of community colleges even more. In doing this, “He joined a growing community of thinkers who see the community college as central to solving a wide variety of problems in higher education” (Trainor 1). More and more people are beginning to fully believe that community colleges are the best solution to putting an end to the student debt crisis in America. Additionally, community colleges continue to solve problems for not only their students now, but also in the future.
Can Two Be Greater Than Four? Does college really matter? Has college lost its rite to passage appeal? Can one still go to college and be successful in the pursuit of self-discovery? These are the types of questions that Liz Addison challenges in her short essay “Two Years Are Better Than Four”. By taking into account my own experience as a current community college student and advocate, in this response to Addison’s essay I choose to elaborate on her views of community college being better than a four year university in the sense of offering a better college experience.
As the month of November comes along annually, every single high school senior is forced to decide which path they are going to take after graduating. For some, it is easy to choose which college to attend and how to pay for it. But, for many, it is extremely difficult to figure out a way to get the funds for college. So, they choose the community college route. Community college is drastically cheaper than tuition at a four year university.
Community college is accessible to everyone who wants to go to college for a better price than what a 4-year university might cost. Addison corroborates this idea by saying, “The community colleges of America cover this country college by college and community by community. They offer a network of affordable future, of accessible hope, and an option to dream.” The essence of Addison’s argument is that students don’t have to spend a small fortune to have a future, it can be affordable, and it is within reach. Community college can be a good choice for those who are afraid to spend a lot of money just to have an education.
The Community College of America covers this country college by college and community by a community (Addison, pg. 257). In the article “Community Colleges Offer a Smooth Transition” by Dale Schlundt the article kept repeating that with community colleges offer a smooth route to the transition from high school to the “new world” of college. Compared to their university peers, community college faculty are popularly constructed as advanced high school teachers with less teaching qualifications, credentials, or pedagogical preparation (Alexander, Karvonen, Ulrich, Davis, & Wade, 2012; Grubb, 1999; Townsend & Twombly,2007) (Flynn,2017, p.71).
The idea of community colleges to me is a place to get a good education and explore different options, and meet some great people. On the web site of the American Association of Community Colleges it says, “The mission of the community college is to provide education for individuals, many of whom are adults, in its service region”. This means that
In the United States a community college is defined as a nonresidential junior college offering courses to people living in a particular area. They are post secondary schools and are also referred to as junior colleges, vocational or technical schools because generally the course of study is for two years. The student can earn an associates degree or certification and/or continue their education by transfering to a four year college to complete their educational pursuits and earn a Bachelor 's degree. Community colleges started in the late 1800’s and have grown and evolved over the years. Today many four year colleges and universities have become so expensive to attend that many prospective students are opting for the more affordable alternative of a community college for their first two years of study where they can save money by living at home and taking classes that will transfer to a four year institution, however, there are students that cannot afford the lower cost of community colleges.
In today’s world, secondary education has become a staple in first world countries. A college degree opens a whole new realm of opportunity for the person who possesses it. Nearly every desirable, well-paying job in the world requires some form of post high school education. College has become the go to form of secondary education for students to propel themselves into the professional world. With college comes freedom and with freedom comes a lot of opportunity to make a mistake.
Third, most of the high school curriculum is to broaden students’ knowledge, while the college curriculum is to cultivate professional talents. Students in college needs to study proactively and being ready to finding a