College Tidbits Blog

Myrna Brady, a 79 year old woman, graduated from Governors State University this past Saturday, June 12, 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts. Governors State University is located in the Chicago South Suburbs, just 35 miles south of Chicago.

This story is near and dear to my heart because Myrna happens to be my mother-In-law.

It was always her dream to return to college and graduate. But she was willing to delay finishing college when she was 18 to get married, then assist her husband in his new ministry and over the years raise 6 daughters.

By the way, each of her daughters are college graduates, three of them have advance degrees. Yesterday she joined them as a college graduate.

In an age where people are always leaving things undone, we salute you for never giving up on your dream!

College life can be exciting and rewarding, and possessing a degree will increase earning power over your lifetime dramatically.

It is estimated that 63% of high school seniors across the country will go on to attend college, with fully one third of them transferring universities at some point.

With the multitude of schools available to today’s potential enrollee across the country, being able to find the college that perfectly suits your career aspirations and financial needs is no easy task.

Often college transfers are desirable to facilitate changes in your life or better suit your academic aspirations. There are many good reasons cited for college transfers, so coming to the realization that your current school is not the best fit and moving on should not be seen as an admission of failure, but rather as an opportunity to make a change in a positive direction.

If you have started your collegiate career at a community college, a transfer to a traditional four year university can be a welcome change and fresh challenge.

Often students initiate college transfers once their grades are high enough to attend a more prestigious school with more respected academic traditions. Such a move can boost earning power once you have graduated.

Financial considerations are also a frequently listed reason for college transfers. Often students will begin their academic studies at a local community college to save money then transfer to a university after a year or two. Such a move could easily save tens of thousands of dollars.

Some students also choose to transfer to another school because they can no longer afford the college they are attending. Financial aid is a terrific means to help pay for schooling, but many students find that the out of pocket costs of living on campus and attending school full-time are far more than they expected.

There are also social or family reasons for college transfers. Some students find that the culture at the college they attend is not to their liking. This can be true of both students who feel that the party scene is too intense and distracting, and those who oppositely feel that there are not enough social activities to suit their needs.

Family obligations can also necessitate that a student transfer to a school nearer a sick or needy relative. Some college transfers are also simply undertaken by the homesick teenager to be closer to home.

It has been the dream of most parents for generations that their child one day is lucky enough to go to college. Unfortunately only 63% of high school students in the United States go on to college, and many more do not finish their degree.

There are many reasons why a high school graduate may not immediately attend a state private university, with the cost factor often rating highest on the list. An outstanding alternative for young adults who do not have a traditional four year university as on option are community colleges.

Many students contemplating their collegiate options do not know the reasons why one of the many community colleges across the nation may be a better fit for them than a traditional four year university. Tuition at major colleges has increased exponentially over the years and far surpasses the rate of inflation in the rest of the economy.

Many students do not want the burden of graduating from one of these universities with a huge debt of financial aid. Community colleges are perfect for people with this concern because tuition is far lower and the added cost of room and board is never an issue.

Community colleges can also be the right choice for a student who isn’t sure about college or what major they would like to pursue. A community college is the perfect bridge between high school and traditional universities, since the focus is entirely on academics without the distraction and drama of college life.

A community college student is free to pursue their academic career and usually still often live comfortable lives at home. Due to the low cost of community colleges, they also allow a student to pursue many different avenues toward finding a possible career path that may interest them.

Another solid reason community colleges can be a good choice is that they often offer specialized degrees or programs that can be completed in two years or less. Many students arrive at a community college with their career aspirations already set, and those sometimes do not involve a bachelor’s degree.

Degree programs in electronics, computer repair, or construction technology can offer a student outstanding opportunities to make a comfortable living in their chosen field. The added benefit of these specialized programs is that many students also are able to secure entry level work in these fields while attending community colleges, learning both on the job and in the classroom.