According to a recent USA Today report, “Students Less Engaged at Community College,” many community college students begin to slip through the cracks of student involvement and academia in just the first few weeks of a new semester!
In your first year of community college, avoid the three major pitfalls that could impact your academic and professional career.
Pitfall #1: Not Meeting with Advisors
Experts assert that students must be engaged from the beginning of their academic careers. Too many students forgo meetings with advisors, an excellent resource for planning your educational and professional career. Take advantage of advisors from your first quarter in community college; your academic career will be much easier to manage.
Some community colleges have started mandating that all students engage in advising sessions, ensuring that students are personally informed of the various opportunities on campus.
This video explains why you should meet with your advisor.
Pitfall #2: Not Interacting with Instructors
In examining the potential positive outcomes of increased faculty and student interaction, USA Today argues that although faculty involvement is imperative for enhanced student success, only 15 percent of students reportedly discuss grades, issues, questions, or assignments with teachers outside of class. Only over half of all community college students surveyed have ever met with an instructor for assistance outside of class!
Meeting with your instructor is beneficial not only for your learning and grades but also for your future professional endeavors. If you plan to transfer to a four-year institution, your community college instructors will write the critical recommendation letters. Your instructors can be excellent professional references even for your first job after community college.
Many community college instructors have started enforcing mandatory office-hour visits, and students must actively seek meeting times to participate in essential classroom participation efforts.
This video discusses the mistakes students make by not visiting their instructors.
Pitfall #3: Not Participating in Campus Activities
A Nova University report published by the Education Resources Information Center found an inherent link between social activities and student performance. For example, students participating in community college student government events and opportunities reportedly experience greater connections with the campus. This connectivity results in greater involvement both socially and academically.
Many activities on campus are not only socially enjoyable but also excellent for your future resume and career. You can take on leadership roles through student organizations, whether in public relations or accounting, and this experience can translate well on your resume.
This video explains why participating in campus activities is essential.
The Benefits of Community College Participation
Community college students are provided with diverse activities and opportunities to become increasingly involved on campus. While engaging in campus activities may seem unnecessary in the collegiate pathway, involvement can help you feel incredible school pride, enjoy more social and academic networks, and boost your resume and overall college experience.
For example, highlighting the significance of student participation in organizations, Nash Community College in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, is one of the many community colleges that strive to create programs that allow students from all social backgrounds to find access to venues for participation.
As Nash explains, student organizations play a significant role in student development and campus atmosphere. Students engaging in organizations tend to be more involved with their campus community. At the same time, students can connect with peers, leaders, and organizations beyond the campus borders, as many Nash programs are affiliated with regional, state, and national organizations. By taking advantage of Nash’s student organizations and the thousands of other community college programs, students can enhance their overall academic, social, and developmental experience.
The Challenges of Community College Engagement
However, according to USA Today, community colleges face two specific blocking forces in their efforts to engage all students in campus activities and programs. Specifically, unlike universities, over 2/3 of community college students reportedly juggle full-or part-time jobs while attending college classes. Adding to this struggle, about 2/3 of the community college faculty of teachers are typically part-time instructors who are not on campus full-time and/or are not on campus for convenient student meetings.
However, by participating in campus activities, meeting with advisors, and engaging with your instructors, you can maximize your collegiate experience while improving your resume and future career.
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