Why Go To College
Sure, its true that college graduates make, on average, significantly more money across their lifetimes compared to those who do not graduate college. But as someone who is dedicated to helping college students succeed and prepare themselves for their futures, I see this as just the tip of the iceberg. I recently finished up writing a book all about the point of the psychology major . Working on this book got me thinking not only about the benefits of a good psychology major, but also about the benefits of a solid college education in general. There are many.
Below is a list of 14 outcomes associated with a college education that are life-altering, and that, in combination, might encourage a student who is on the fence about college to put in the time and effort to get that degree. For the reasons spelled out below, itll most likely be worth it.
1. More money! Yes, college graduates make, on average, thousands of dollars more a year than do non-college graduates. And this difference leads to differences in hundreds of thousands of dollars in a lifetime.*
2. Become expert in a topic. In college, you pick a major area of study and take a bunch of classes all on that particular topic. Whatever your major is, and no matter your GPA, successfully completing a college major automatically ensures that you have something to bring to the table.
Bottom Line
References
Wilson, D. S. . Evolution for everyone. New York: Delacorte Press.
You Spend Your Undergraduate Life Saying Yes Really
This isn’t a hard and fast rule: some kids who attend college early are so obviously years younger than their classmates that it’s basically written on their faces in red ink. But for many of us, assimilation is the name of the game. I’m 5’10”, and have been “passing” as two to three years older since I was an early teen. So when you’re able to disguise yourself that well, the whole “16? Really?!” conversation becomes frustratingly common. Yes. Really.
Education By Means Other Than Schooling
The Education Act 1944 stated that parents are responsible for the education of their children, “by regular attendance at school or otherwise”, which allows children to be educated at home. The legislation places no requirement for parents who choose not to send their children to school to follow the National Curriculum, or to give formal lessons, or to follow school hours and terms, and parents do not need to be qualified teachers. Small but increasing numbers of parents do choose to educate their children outside the conventional school systems. Officially referred to as “Elective Home Education”, teaching ranges from structured homeschooling to less-structured unschooling.Education Otherwise has supported parents who wished to educate their children outside school since the 1970s. The state provides no financial support to parents who choose to educate their children outside of school.
You May Like: Who Buys College Books
The Early Admission Program
Robert Maynard Hutchins, who established the pioneering program at the University of Chicago, subsequently became head of the Ford Foundation in 1951. In this position, Hutchins established the Fund for the Advancement of Education, which provided a several-year grant for scholarship funding in the 1950s to support small early entrance programs at a wide spectrum of colleges and universities. Part of a suite of five programs addressing the transition between high school and college, the Early Admission Program drew impetus from the military’s need for optimally trained recruits during the Korean War.
Although originally intended to involve only four large universities, the “Early Admission Program” ultimately encompassed twelve schools: Yale, Columbia, Wisconsin, Utah, Chicago, Louisville, Fisk, Goucher, Lafayette, Morehouse, Oberlin, and Shimer. Each school chose its own entrance requirements, with most opting to be highly selective. Shimer was unique in following the original Hutchins model and opening the program to all ability levels, although this approach was modified after the initial experiment.
Do College Credits Ever Expire What You Need To Know Before Transferring
Sometimes students face unforeseen circumstances and need to take a break from their college studies. In other cases, students may earn their associate degree, embark on a career in their chosen path, and then return to pursue a bachelors degree to open up more and better-paying job opportunities. In other instances, a student may have earned their bachelors degree, but then want to earn a second bachelors or masters degree to distinguish themselves within a related or completely different field.
Regardless of the situation, students often have questions around whether the college credits theyve previously earned have expired or if those credits can count towards a different degree they plan to pursue. The ability to transfer previously earned college credits can help reduce the amount of time a student must spend working toward a new degree.
The good news is that, in most cases, college credits that have previously been earned may remain valid and do not expire. There are, however, some instances where certain types of courses and educational credits may have an expiration date.
Well cover the different scenarios where previously earned college credits can still be applied, as well as some of the common questions students have when considering returning to school.
Read Also: Study.com Partner Schools
I Decided To Start With College
I decided to apply at Lethbridge College instead, to ease myself into the whole post-secondary thing. Looking back, starting with a year of college as a stepping stone before university was the right choice for me.
I describe my experience at Lethbridge College as going to high school again but in a bigger school with a bunch of people I didnt know. I grew up in a small town, so it was nice to go to a smaller school at first.
It was easy to find my way around and make new friends. The teachers were great and my classes were all entertaining and practical. My pocketbook also didnt mind the fact that classes at a college tended to be a little cheaper than at a university.
The Longer You Stay In School The More Debt You Take On
Its extremely common for students to change majors. And thats okay. After all, most students dont really have a solid plan for their future when starting college. The only thing is, switching majors often leads to losing credits because some of the classes youve already taken are no longer applicable to your new major. This can easily force you to spend an extra year or two at college before you can graduate.
Think about it. Since colleges charge tuition annually, the longer you stay at college, the more expensive it becomes, and the deeper you fall into debt.
Also Check: Is Central Texas College Accredited
Should You Live On Campus Your First Year
In fact, a lot of schools mandate that freshmen reside on-campus for their first year. And even if your particular college has no set housing requirements, we strongly urge you to live in a dorm or campus house if possible. This is most assuredly the easiest way to acclimate/transition to college life.
If Your Child Has A Disability Understand Their Rights
Students with disabilities have special rights when facing expulsion under federal law. Schools must follow certain requirements, such as checking to see if the student’s disability was a cause or factor in the behavior. If your child has a disability and is expelled, your child must still have access to free and appropriate education.
You May Like: Grammarly Free For Students
Get Both Sides Of The Story
The first contact you receive from the school will probably be a phone call asking you to come to the school to hear why they are considering expelling your child. You will want to attend this meeting and listen carefully to what the school staff says. Stay calm during this meeting and focus on listening and asking questions to make sure you understand the school’s side of the story.
The school staff will explain what they believe your child did, and tell you what evidence they have to support this. They may explain they have video, a statement from a teacher or other students who witnessed the behavior, or that your child was directly caught by staff. Keep your questions focused on what they are saying your child did, how they know this, and how it meets the criteria for expulsion.
You will then want to have a calm discussion with your child asking them their side of the story. You may want to tell your child upfront that it is important that they are honest with you right now so you can help them through this situation.
Home To School Transport
Children of compulsory school age are eligible for free home to school transport in certain circumstances. However, students aged 14 to16 who enrol at a participating college will not be eligible because colleges are not qualifying schools for home to school transport purposes. Local authorities may choose to provide free transport for such students, but they are not obliged to do so.
Statutory guidance on home to school transport is available on GOV.UK. Students, parents, and carers can find out about their local authoritys home to school transport arrangements via GOV.UK.
You May Like: Mortuary Schools In Virginia
School To School Service
The school to school system allows schools, further education and sixth-form colleges , and local authorities to securely share student information. Information on how schools and local authorities should send student records and other information is published on GOV.UK.
Colleges who have expressed their interest, and are directly recruiting 14 to 16 year olds, will be provided with access to the school to school service via DfE Sign-In . S2S can be used by schools and colleges to transfer student information in a secure electronic environment. The School to School guidance is published on GOV.UK.
Colleges directly recruiting 14 to 16 year olds can request a secure access account using the secure access service request form. Further information, advice, and guidance can be accessed via the DfE Sign-In help page, using the main DSI page.
High Needs Students Who Do Not Have An Ehc Plan
Colleges should find out from a students school about any already identified special educational needs and whether they have been identified as high needs. Where students have been identified already as having high needs, the students home local authority should be aware of them, and colleges should ask the local authority for any further information about their needs . The college should seek agreement from the home local authority for a high needs placement.
Some high needs may be identified after enrolment. Colleges have a duty under section 66 of the Children and Families Act 2014 to use their best endeavours to meet the special educational needs of their students, including 14 and 15 year olds. Where, despite the college having taken relevant and purposeful action to identify, assess and meet the needs of the student within its existing budget, the student is still not making expected progress, the college should draw the student to the local authoritys attention, and consider requesting the local authority to conduct an EHC needs assessment.
Also Check: How Much Does It Cost To Go To Berkeley College
More Children Offered Chance To Leave School At 14 To Go To College
DfE to provide 1,000 air cleaning units for AP and special schools
Schools will face more competition for learners from general further education colleges after it was revealed another six such institutions intend to recruit 14-year-olds.
The Education Funding Agency yesterday published an updated list of FE colleges intending to start direct recruitment of full-time younger learners for this academic year, on top of the 14 already doing so.
University Technical Colleges are also able to take pupils on from the age of 14. FE colleges traditionally take students from the age of 16.
The six new providers are Cambridge Regional College , Central Bedfordshire College, East Durham College, East Kent College, John Ruskin College, in Croydon, and South Tyneside College, according to the EFA.
It brings the total number of colleges intending to deliver the programme over the coming academic year to 20, the EFA confirmed.
Anne Constantine , CRC principal, said the programme was a new and exciting development for education in the Cambridge area.
Its aim is to nurture a mature and independent approach to learning and to develop the skills students will need to be successful in securing and sustaining employment and a career.
Practical and applied learning suits some 14 year olds more than the traditional academic curriculum.
The EFA and the other five new colleges are yet to comment.
Many Colleges And Organizations Are Now Heavily Focused On Encouraging Older Adults To Return To School To Earn Or Finish Degrees Why Is This
In many states, colleges and universities are seeing demographic trends that mean the high school student population is shrinking, so for them, a matter of staying in business. At a state level, leaders are looking at returning adults as a linchpin for meeting workforce needs to fuel their local economies. Interest at the state level is truly coming from a workforce lens. Partnerships are forming between institutions not just to bring these adults back to college but to ensure they stay and go through to graduation.
You May Like: How Many College Credits To Graduate
Children In Licensed Daycare Centres
If you want your child to attend daycare, and decide not to vaccinate them due to medical, religious or philosophical reasons, you will need to give your daycare a valid written exemption. If the disease appears in your childs daycare centre, your child may have to stay out of daycare until the disease is no longer present.
Is Transferring Right For You
I had a great experience transferring from college to university, so Id obviously recommend this path if your program allows for it. Check out Transfer Alberta to learn more.
Transferring allowed me to get my feet wet in post-secondary without the insane pressure that I anticipated with going to university. I got to have a year of fun in college that served as a stepping stone from high school to university.
Ive always wanted to inspire others, so becoming a teacher is the next step in my journey.
Recommended Reading: Is Rhema Bible College Accredited
Being Too Young Or Too Old Should Not Be A Hindrance
Above, you came across the names of colleges in the US, with the most number of students aged 25 years old and above.
While it provides you with the idea that you dont have to be as young as a fresh high school graduate to be in college, however, it does not say how old you can be to finish college.
You will be surprised to know that there are those who were able to earn their college diplomas only after existing for nearly a century!
For instance, theres Leo Plass, who is just a year away from being 100 years old when he graduated from college.
Plass first went to college back in 1932, but he dropped out to work in the logging industry. However, he went back to college and, in 2011, he got his associates degree from East Oregon University at 99 years old!
Here are some of the oldest people to finish college other than Plass:
| Name |
|---|
Why You Should Vaccinate
Infectious diseases can spread among children and adolescents at school who are not vaccinated. As a parent, you can keep your kids healthy with routine health care and vaccines. Make sure your school-age children are up-to-date with their vaccinations.
Infection from certain diseases can kill or seriously harm your child. Vaccines use weakened or killed virus or bacteria to trigger your childs natural immune response to provide long-term protection against a disease . It is like a rehearsal for the immune system, so your child is prepared if they are exposed to the “real” disease.
Vaccinations are safe
Vaccinations do not cause autism.
Scientific studies and reviews continue to show no relationship between vaccines and autism.
Some people wont develop immunity to a disease after being vaccinated, but the vaccine itself cannot infect someone. If a vaccinated individual does contract a disease which they were vaccinated against, their illness will be less severe.
Read Also: Are Summer Classes Easier
Many Kids Miss Their Friends And Would Rather Be At School
I miss my friends and having a regular schedule. I used to complain every day about having to go to school, but being in quarantine has really made me appreciate being in class. Im sure that when I go back in the fall, Ill probably go back to disliking it again, but for now I wish I was back in school.
Molly Lawrence, 16, Hyattsville, Md.
I would prefer to go to school rather than be taught curriculum at home, because then I would be able to play with my friends at recess and talk with them at lunch. My parents dont know what my teacher would teach, so I cant learn the new science curriculum. I can only review science I have already been taught.
Kaelin Cunningham, 11, Fairfax, Va.
Its not as glorious as it seems. It gets boring. I personally am starting to miss my friends and my teachers. I sit inside all day and work. Yes, I am grateful for what I have, and I am grateful I still have a family. Staying home and doing distant learning has made me discover deep respect for teachers I didnt even know I have. Now I see how hard they work for their students. I see how much they care.
Tatum Connolly-Wazewski, 13, New Windsor, N.Y.
There are days where I dont want to do any work, and its really easy to just not do it. Learning at school definitely helps motivate me to get my work done, because Im in the environment to do work and theres really nothing else I can do. At home I have the liberty to literally do anything other than schoolwork.
Syeda Saima, 15, Queens