Student Issues / Attending College

Are you taking unnecessary classes at your community college? You may be able to skip certain prerequisite courses by simply taking placement tests and earning passing AP test scores. If you can qualify for just 20 hours of course credit through your testing, you stand to save an average of $3,000 in tuition costs. In addition, by testing out of these courses, you not only save money but can graduate or transfer early and enter into the job market more expeditiously.

This video suggests the easier AP classes to take in order to receive college credit.

How to Test out of College Classes

The purpose of placement tests is to determine whether or not a student has mastered the particular subject matter. While testing options will vary at each community college, all students should be able to take placement tests that will earn them course credits. For example, at Warren Community College in Michigan, students can "Accelerate their graduation from college by taking exams including Advanced Placement exams, the College Level Examination Placement tests, or the Warren County Community College Institutional Credit by Exam tests." Through these exams, students can earn 30 to 45 hours of course credit - without having to actually sit in class!

Students attending Warren Community College can take the College Level Examination Placement (CLEP) or can earn credits through alternative exams:

• CLEP -

While many feel relieved after leaving behind their former high school classrooms, new college students must ensure they adhere to their community college's academic requirements. Although community college certainly offers greater freedoms, students must maintain acceptable academic progress to stay enrolled.

Academic Probation Overview

As Lord Fairfax Community College (LCC), located in Warrenton, Virginia, reveals, strict guidelines and expectations exist for students' academic progress and conduct. While each institution has its regulations, LCC requires that all students maintain a GPA above 2.0. According to LCC policies, students who fail to earn a 2.0 GPA for one semester will receive an immediate “Academic Warning.” Similarly, any student who fails any course will also receive such a warning. This warning is designed to alert students of potential consequences if the low academic achievements continue.

Students enrolled in LCC who have earned 12 credit hours and fail to meet an overall GPA of 1.5 are placed on “Academic Probation.” Academic probation is permanently documented on a student's record as a much more serious step. A student in this circumstance is required to meet with a faculty advisor for additional guidance. Furthermore, with the support of an advisor or counselor, students may be required to reduce their anticipated course load for their upcoming semester(s). Adding to the implications, students on academic probation are banned from being appointed to any elective office in student organizations. Typically, academic probation lasts only one semester, as a student can regain his or her standard

Enrolling in honors courses in high school certainly offers its advantages, ranging from intellectual challenges to fast-paced learning. The perks of honors classes, however, are not restricted to high school! Today, many community colleges are providing students with honors credit and accolades. Through the various advantages associated with honors courses, students enrolled in community college can enhance their competitiveness as they prepare for graduation and the challenging job market.

Honors Options at the Community College Level

While each community college offers its own programs and standards, Quinsigamond Community College is one of the exemplary schools providing diverse honors academic opportunities. Located in Worcester, Massachusetts, Quinsigamond Community College (QCC) is one of the many institutions providing students with advanced honors credit. As QCC explains, their honors program is designed to “Motivate academically talented students to develop their fullest potential... The Program seeks to awaken and nurture a sense of humane citizenry and community responsibility within its members.”

Alongside general credit courses, students eligible to enroll in honors courses are permitted to engage in these alternative learning venues to fine-tune their critical thinking, writing, and speaking skills. While the objectives for standard and honors courses maintain the same focus, students enrolled in QCC honors classes typically experience more classroom involvement, alongside enhanced independent analysis.

This video reports on honors programs in community colleges.

The Benefits of Honors Courses at the Community

Should You Declare Academic Bankruptcy?

Americans who have made bad financial decisions can begin fixing their poor financial history by declaring bankruptcy. However, for community college students, did you know that a similar process exists for bad grades? A semester riddled with poor grades can be wiped clean with academic bankruptcy. While an academic bankruptcy will not magically disappear from your records in seven years as a financial bankruptcy does, there are many advantages to undergoing the process. However, there are also some definite negatives to making this decision.

Pros of Academic Bankruptcy

Although academic bankruptcy may sound like a novel term, it may help raise your community college GPA. When you declare educational bankruptcy, you essentially erase the grades of one entire semester or quarter. If you’ve gotten good grades during your first two semesters in community college and then had one lousy semester due to medical, family, or other issues, that one bad semester can completely ruin your GPA. By declaring that one semester bankrupt, the grades that you received will not be calculated as part of your overall GPA. This can be a good strategy to repair and boost your cumulative GPA.

If you have lost your financial aid eligibility because of a cumulative GPA that does not meet the minimum requirements, then declaring academic bankruptcy may help you regain your financial aid more expeditiously. However, because policies vary from college to college, you should discuss this situation with your community college’s

Today’s competitive job environment dictates that professionals understand and apply business etiquette guidelines. Business etiquette involves a variety of topics, such as how to engage in professional business conversations, create strong business relationships, and host/attend a formal business dining event.

Whether community colleges provide students with formal classroom instruction or if community colleges offer smaller-scale workshops on business etiquette, nearly all students can utilize the resources from these venues to improve their overall business conduct and effectiveness. Business etiquette courses at your local community college can be an incredibly valuable asset to your future career.

What is Business Etiquette?

Business etiquette is the accepted conduct one must acknowledge when striving to create strong business networks and relationships. As The Warren Reporter explains in “Warren Community College Offers Course in Business Etiquette,” adhering to the proper business etiquette guidelines can provide individuals with an incredible competitive edge. Specifically, if students or recent community college graduates are seeking out employment while applying for jobs, The Warren Reporter asserts, “It's essential to say the right things and act appropriately in these situations… It's crucial that you make the right impression to both your employer and your clients in order to keep it.” As the job market is becoming increasingly competitive in tough economic times, most experts assert that these professional business-related skills are becoming an increasingly important priority when employers are choosing potential candidates for a job opening.

Oftentimes, as The Warren Reporter further