Over the course of history, a steadfast desire for knowledge has galvanized humanity. Today, countless individuals embrace their ambitions and attend college in hopes of furthering their educations. For this reason, an abundance of attractive options is being offered to vehement learners. In particular, numerous schools across the United States have implemented living-learning communities. Within these programs, enthusiastic students reside alongside others who share similar passions and beliefs. Gradually, the popularity of these groups continues to increase and generate public interest. Joining a living-learning community is certainly a beneficial experience because the approach eases tensions, promotes engagement, and inspires success.
By opting to enroll in a living-learning community, students can alleviate their anxieties regarding college. Entering an unfamiliar environment can naturally be both a daunting and stressful endeavor. Nonetheless, administrators seek to relieve fears caused by the overwhelming presence of a university. Academic advisor Vicki Nelson acknowledges that these projects “can help to shrink the psychological size of the campus...” (“Should My College Student Consider”). While separated into distinct groupings, students avoid being exposed to the frightening magnitude of an institution. Therefore, in these reassuring circles, individuals can become comfortably acquainted with their surroundings. Soon enough, they can gain a vital sense of
Living Learning Communities facilitate learning, growth, and friendship. LLCs seek students who are dedicated and motivated. Personally, I am both; throughout high school, I have worked hard and studied hard. I maintained a high GPA while participating in theatre almost every day after school. Indeed, I was able to take rigorous Advanced Placement courses along with dual enrollment engineering course while helping to run my school’s theatre company, Lymlight Production. I plan to continue both this hard work while at USF. Thus, living in an LLC will help me meet my goals.
When it’s time for students in deciding which college they are going to attend, they consider many factors that will go into their learning experience. They take in their housing, meal, and transportation plans, all of which excite students for their college experience. However, the major factor that is a make it or break it deal for many, is if they will be able to afford schooling at a college. Many students take year off or decide to never come back to school due to the fact that college is expensive, even community college. The lack of students from being driven to attend, affects the student population at college. However, if community college were to be free it will cause a more diverse environment for students, causing them to have a different outlook in college. A reporter for US News and World Report, Joanne Jacobs, publishes the article, “As He Promotes It, Some Question Obama’s Free Community College Idea”. Where she is able to provide evidence on encouragement of free tuition. She argues that “with a more diverse group of students, community colleges could gain political capital and the funding that goes with it.” A diverse group of students will help create a new atmosphere for students and help create the college experience they seek. More students who are driven to learn, can potentially lead to new clubs being made, events, gatherings, etc. Having free tuition at community college will not only benefit students academically, but socially as well; which is all part of the development of their character.
Perhaps the rationale behind the lack of on-campus housing offered at community colleges, which is in stark contrast to that of four-year colleges and universities, is the fact that a large number of community college students live in the community, or the urban community colleges are situated whereby students may make use of mass transit means to get back and forth. This is how the system has always been designed, a single-loop approach. Conversely, if one were to apply the double-loop approach, which allows for organizations, in this instance the community colleges, to exercise more degree of flexibility and. It will further permit student affairs administrators to delve more deeply into their fundamental ideas, while meeting head-on some of the policies and challenges they face in developing new strategies in meeting the growing demands of the 21st Century community college students. This may also incorporate the systems theory approach in that it will allow the
The transition from high school to college is a dynamic time in one’s life that parallels the change from childhood to adulthood. Both of these changes are dramatic and, as a result, feelings are difficult to put down into words. A messy combination of emotions fills the heart, surfacing in strange ways. Confident high school seniors go right back to the bottom of the chain when entering college as freshmen. These students start all over, just like entering grade school or high school for the first time. The move up from high school to college signals the switch from dependence to self-sufficiency. From a personal point of view, going through the experience of graduating high school and transferring to a residential college campus at STLCOP, made me realize I was no longer a kid and capable of making my own decisions.
College. The word alone sends an icy chill down my spine as my mind wanders and dreams of the day that I will finally step foot on an enlightening campus. As a curious child and even more inquisitive teen, I have always been, and continue to be, mesmerized by the glossy college pamphlets with perfect photos of students, posing “naturally” in their science labs and English seminars. I always knew college was for me, as at the age of seven I began planning out my future major (and minors). Of course, my ideal university and course of study has changed over the years, yet the idea of college has continued to fascinate me. The core principles of any given college are most likely related to collaboration, a rigorous education, and diversity, which
In a national survey of 2000+ adults concerning college education, “74% say their college education was very useful in helping them grow intellectually,” and, “69% say it was very useful in helping them grow and mature as a person (Pew).” These statistics validate the satisfaction of students who feel like their college experience had helped them become a better person. Some may argue that higher education can be toxic, as a teacher stated that,“in schools, we create artificial learning environment for our children that they know to be contrived and unserving of their full attention and engagement (Crawford).” However, this “environment” may be tough, but at the same time is preparing students to be the best they possibly can be in the real
Colleges have always encouraged their students to live on campus, especially freshman. This is for the reason that living on campus allows student to encounter new cultures, participate in organizations, and reach academic heights. For example, Tarleton State University states that “Living on campus will enable [the student] to interact with diverse people enriching [their] educational experience and will provide convenient access to professors and academic resources the campus offers. In addition, on-campus students are more likely to become and stay involved in clubs and organizations” (Tarleton State University, 2016). Along with the notion that students residing on campus are likely to reach academic heights, a study conducted at the University of North Dakota during the fall semester of 1966-1967
Since community colleges serve as a route prior entering prestigious universities, the class sizes are five times smaller and students become accustomed to individualized attention. Students become friends with the same people they see on a daily basis and very few times form new relationships due to the twenty students per class. From small classes and a small community comes lenient work load assigned by professors which would be a day’s work at a university. Associates degrees are not as intense as the bachelor’s and master’s students at universities are pursing. Bigger class settings, less attention, and excessive work load are key contributors in making young adults ready for the career field of their
Mr. Cedant has grown tremendously since accepting a position as a resident assistant with the Department of Housing and Residence Life at the University of Central Florida (UCF) in 2013. In this role, each semester he is tasked with the responsibility of living in a college housing community and providing advice, hosting educational programs, and facilitating campus awareness and growth for forty undergraduate students. Another responsibility that comes with
In conclusion, community college is an open book for everyone, where students have a self-discovery when learning while being on able to afford tuition and save money. Writer’s Liz Addison and Rick Perlstein wrote an essay for “New York Times” about a topic: college. Perlstein wrote in “What’s the Matter with College?” that college doesn’t matter as it used to be while Addison fired back with benefits and a recommendation for community college on Addison’s essay, “Two Years Are Better Than Four”. Addison called out Perlstein about how Perlstein has given up on self-discovery when coming about to college as an adult. Addison reminded both audience and authors alike that community is rarely brought up in mediums such as social media. Community
Community college may seem like a school for underachievers, but in reality, its programs cater to many different individuals: High school students, adults returning to pursue (or finish) a degree, and people who are interested in taking recreational classes. Many community college students are programmed differently and they have different studying techniques and their own set pace for learning. The great thing about community college is that it can accommodate all of these individuals. Community college provides the tools and the know-how to help their students succeed. The affordability of community college, student enrichment programs, and smaller class sizes are just a few of its most desirable attributes. Despite the facts, there is a still a stigma surrounding the
Larger universities, such as Texas A&M, possess many different student traditions on their campus in order to bring their school together. They invest in not only the education but strive to build a student culture that is passed down every year. A campus that incorporates a “college experience” into their school is able to build their students’ independence level and social life, while also aiding them in growing their roots. These differences in a community college and university’s student life greatly affect the social aspect of a student’s college years, affecting their ability to get involved on
Embedded in my psyche as a child was the fact that college was my only option after high school. This parental sentiment was synonymous with a phrase as simple as “tie your shoes.” For me, high school graduation would be a standard occurrence, but my college graduation would be celebrated. The college I would attend required thoughtful consideration because it will be my rite of passage. When I dreamt of my intended college, I knew it would be set in a beautiful city, bustling with energy, and full of consciously creative people. I didn’t know if my university campus would be urban or suburban, but I knew it would spark excitement, fulfill my need to connect with a global community, and offer several opportunities to propel me to the top of
Transitioning into higher education presents challenges for all students, whether it’s their age or previous educational history. Numerous individuals are extremely nervous as they are entering into an advanced environment such as higher education. This because college is a new learning environment at a completely different level. However, freshmen find college to be difficult at first because it’s harder for them to adjust. That’s why many universities should have student centers in place to help students. Student centers give students the pathway for flexible learning as it results in being successful in higher education (Baužienė & Vosyliūtė 2015).
A Living learning community is a wonderful opportunity for incoming freshmen. I have talked many Georgia Tech students who have told me about their experience with Living Learning Communities, and they kept recommending me to join a Living Learning Community. As I started researching Living Learning Communities, I realized that is exactly what I want my freshmen experience to be. I will be given an opportunity create long-lasting bonds with lifelong friends. Being surrounded by people who share my interests and classes makes the daunting change of going to college less frightening.