Page 2 - Adult Online Schools | Granite State College

3 weeks left!

Tuesday, March 15, 2011 by Maria Bauer

The end of the term is approaching fast. I have taken my first 5 week intensive online class. This (of course) is held the last 5 weeks of the term: which is the same time I have major research papers due in my other classes. It's a different type of experience. What's great is that adult education classes have the correct forum to try new things. Everything you do, every class you take will help you in your future endeavors. And everyone is traveling down the same road you are.

I am currently in this place where even though there are only 3 more weeks of classes, I know that time is going to fly by, however it feels like the days are never ending. This is the time when papers are due, quizzes are there to finish, etc. Outside of school, things have seemed to pile up and everything has now been officially moved to "#1 priority" which need to be done yesterday.

Life does this to you. These moments help define who you are as a person. I cannot even begin to tell you how many strong people I have met that will repeatedly stand up to the challenge. It's at these home stretches where you either "break" or walk against the wind "fight or flight."

I am a person who reflects...a lot! I was thinking about my first weekend intensive class I had at the Concord NH college campus here at Granite State College; not so much about the class itself but the atmosphere of it all. It was a very comfortable place for me. Not only was the class itself filled with information, but what was happening around us. Our class was constantly laughing - so much we had to shut the doors. The best part about it: we weren't the only ones! There were Foster Parent Classes right down the hall. Whatever you were there for, everyone seemed to have a glowing aura.

Career College Training is a resource that has become more easily accessible. From 4 year colleges, to strictly online classes, to adult accelerated degree programs (or even adult education certificates) which can be completed during day and/or night classes: there is something for you out there!

How does this relate with this being the end of the term for me? It's because I have been put in a position where I need to pick myself up off the ground, dust myself off, and get ready to fight for the next 3 weeks. These 3 weeks will be a test and I can guarantee you I will learn more about who I am as a person. Every experience, new or repeated, will help push us to where we would like to see ourselves. Hard work pays off: although I wouldn't mind having a personal genie at times :)

Fit, fit and fitting it all in

Thursday, February 24, 2011 by Tom Oetinger

Working with prospective adult students at Granite State College, three concerns about returning to college frequently surface and these personal barriers all involve ‘fit’.

Admittedly or not, adults who are in the discernment process about college are worried if they are fit (capable) of taking on the academic challenge that comes with higher ed. “It’s been years since I’ve picked up a text book; am I really up to it?” is a concern that I often hear.

Prospective adult learners looking at colleges that tout adult college programs spend a fair amount of time considering the environment, learning formats and programs when narrowing down their choices of schools. Most adults are uncomfortable thinking about sitting in a classroom with traditional-aged students or trying to figure out how they will be able to make it to classes only offered during the day. They want to pick a college that is a good fit for their life situation and needs.

Like entertainers on stage juggling multiple balls most adult learners have many life priorities. Work, family, home maintenance and leisure activities carve chunks of time out of people’s lives. Going to college is admittedly a big commitment and prospective students have legitimate concerns about their ability to fit it all in.

The good news in Granite State College in built around addressing these three concerns. Small classes populated mostly by adults with significant life experience, evening weekend and online course formats offering the ability to progress at our students’ own pace have made GSC the natural choice for those adults who quite naturally ask themselves the ‘fit’ questions.

If you're considering taking the leap feel free to give me a call. (603-513-1379)

It's A New Semester, Are You Ready?

Thursday, February 17, 2011 by Ellen Gagnon

     We all have our issues, and life has a way of making sure we keep on our toes too but that doesn't mean my issues need to be my obstacles. Even if your college legs are not yet under you and you are still a little unsure, you can make a difference in your outcomes by creating your own road map to help ensure your success.

     Talk to your Advisor; you are not re-inventing the wheel here. You are an adult going back to school, pursuing adult higher education. It's been done before so there are things you need to know. That's why Granite State College makes your first appointment with an Advisor.

     Listen to what your Advisor tells you. Then do what they tell you.

     Balance the ugly with the pretty -- this is something you don't realize at first blush. Part of my thinking went like this, "I'm 40+ years old and I haven't got time for basket weaving, so I am piling up my courses, because I'm older and wiser." The reality is that I needed time for the learning to sink in. Maybe you have to power through to get your degree, but at least remember that learning is not just a task to cross off a list. It is an experience in and of itself.

     Breathe--'nough said.

     Bite the bullet -- how ever you need to do it, role your sleeves up and get the job done. Have I told you to call your advisor yet? I will not lie to you, because that will waste my time and yours. Sometimes they are going to tell you to "put your big girl pants on and get it done", though not as succinctly as that. You're in college now you'll recognize it when you hear it.

     Get ready early -- Get your books. Make sure your computer is in good shape. Sharpen the pencils and buy new pens. Try not to leave registering for classes until the last day of the Add/Drop deadline. Know your professor's contact information.   Plan your snacks, (seriously, if your blood sugar is low after a long day at work and the professor turns the lights out to start a video at 8PM, you will miss the video because you are fighting to stay awake.)

     Make connections - get together with other students before class or over the weekend. This helps me keep my "Negative Nancy-speak" at bay. When I can share with other students in adult education courses, the learning is more enduring. Check out the GSC Online Library Make sure you connect with your professor too, let them know where you might need help. Check in with your center's Academic Resource Center to help you brush up your skills.

     Know what the end result should look like. I like pictures, so I picture myself crossing off assignments on my syllabus as they are completed, or handing in my final assignments. But the most important picture I keep is the one with me in my cap and gown on graduation day.

Myths about College Students

Monday, February 7, 2011 by Marta Smith

There are many myths about adult education colleges that keep people from applying:

1. College is only for the young. Wrong! In fact, the average college student is 27 years old. Actually many college students are more than 27 years old - age doesn't have much to do with the ability to learn, and many older students are more focused and ready to learn.

2. College is only for very smart people. Actually, many college students are of average intelligence. Why would you go to college if you already knew everything there was to know?

3. College is only for rich people. Not true. There are many ways to pay for college, including scholarships, student loans and grants. Most of the money has to be repaid, but some of it does not.

4. College is only for people who know what they want to be. Actually, college is the perfect place to figure out what you want to be when you grow up. You will find plenty of opportunities to explore.

5. College professors are less patient and understanding of older students. Not True! Many of them actually prefer older students because they are often more focused on learning and more prepared. But, professors are also understanding of the fact that many of the older students have families and jobs to juggle with the school schedule.

6. College is only for people who have a lot of free time. Actually many colleges, including Granite State College, are so flexible with their schedule that students can work around jobs, families and other commitments.

There are many other fallacies about adult college classes and many reasons you can come up with not to enroll, but any reason you might have for thinking you can't fit college into your life is easily overcome. Granite State College offers evening classes, online adult education classes and Hybrid classes which combine online and face-to-face classes. Just two classes a semester makes you a full-time student and it doesn't take long to complete your degree.

I have never found any of the professors to be impatient or condescending to the older student, in fact they are all very supportive. The advisors are very helpful in creating a game plan for you to attain your goal and in some cases you can even take the CLEP test to get the credit you need in certain classes. Of course, that takes the fun out of it for me. I prefer to actually take the classes, but it is a way to save on tuition and attain your goal that much sooner.

I have to say that most of my classes were a diverse mix of students, but more of them were over 30 than under 30, and the younger students were also very supportive and added a different viewpoint to the classes. When I recently took a class in Issues in Women's Health, it was a very mixed group - one man, three women in their early twenties, three middle-aged women and one who was over 60. It was great we had women at every stage of life, from childbearing age through menopause and beyond, plus the male take on all of the stages. It made for an interesting class.

Most of the classes I have taken at Granite State College have offered that kind of interaction. I have participated in some enlightening and valuable discussions throughout the years at GSC. The diverse ages and backgrounds of the students offer a unique opportunity for learning.

Part Time Classes

Monday, January 31, 2011 by Beth McKenna

Are you a busy person? Most people would say yes! Are you an ambitious person? Again, most people would say yes! Are you an adult who thinks college is something kids do after high school because they don't want to go to work, or they don't know what they want? To that, I hope you answered no.

What if I were to tell you that many of the people who come to classes at Granite State College are a lot like you? They are adults interested in adult education courses. They may have found a program they are interested in but most are not going to school full time. They are taking part time classes or even online adult education classes to further their education. That is pretty ambitious because they are working during the day and coming to class at night.

But classes only meet one night a week. So, just think, one night a week you could come over after work to a campus in Portsmouth, or Rochester, or Concord, or Manchester, or Berlin or Littleton and take a class instead of crashing in front of TV.

Right now I am teaching a child development course. Two people are taking the course for their Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood, one is taking it for a degree in Behavioral Science, another for an associates degree, and one person is taking it because he thought it would be interesting to know about the theories of child development.

There are so many reasons to come to Granite State College. I hope you will find a reason and I will see you in a class next semester.

FAFSA Filing Tips

Friday, January 28, 2011 by Cortney Henry

It’s that time of year again! It’s time to start thinking about filing the 2011-2012 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For many, this can be an overwhelming process, so here are a few tips to help make your FAFSA filing experience less stressful.

Many traditional schools require the FAFSA to be filed no later than March 1^st. Granite State College, however, does not have a filing deadline since our institution provides Adult and Continuing Education classes with rolling admissions. This means that our students can apply for Financial Aid at any point during the year. We do strongly encourage our students to apply by May 1^st if possible so they will be considered for any State Grants available. However, if students file after the priority filing date, they will still be considered for the federal aid programs including the Federal Pell Grant and the Stafford Loan Programs.
Students must be enrolled at least Part Time to be eligible to receive federal financial aid. Each school determines what they consider to be Part Time Classes and for Granite State College, students are required to take at least four credits to be eligible for aid. This means that our students who want to Take College Classes Online or in one of our centers, but can only do one class per term are still eligible to receive Federal Financial Aid.
For those students who recently got married, please be very careful when filing your new FAFSA. If you have not received confirmation from Social Security that your name has been updated in their system, you do not want to file your FAFSA using your married name. This will cause the FAFSA to reject. Always file your FAFSA using your legal name; this means the name that is listed on your Social Security card. Do not use abbreviations or nicknames either as this will cause the FAFSA to reject as well.
If at the time you filed your previous year’s tax return you were married, but you are now separated or divorced, still use the joint income listed on the tax return when filing your FAFSA. The Office of Financial Aid can separate out your income to reflect a more accurate financial picture, but will need additional documentation to do so. You will be required to complete a Special Circumstance form. Once your documents are received, the Office of Financial Aid will review them and make any adjustments possible to the information listed on the FAFSA. It is required that the Office of Financial Aid makes these adjustments since any change to a student’s income must be fully documented for audit purposes.
To be considered a veteran, you must have served on Active duty and must have been discharged under other than dishonorable conditions. If your service was only for training purposes such as the National Guard or Reserves, you are not considered a veteran for federal financial aid purposes.
The number one mistake students make is leaving a field blank. All income questions must be completed. If the answer is zero or the questions do not apply to you, write in a zero. Do not use dashes or leave the question blank.
If you have an unborn child who will be born before or during the award year (July 1 through June 30^th) and that child will receive more than half of his or her support from you, you can count that child as a member of your household when answering the household and dependents questions on the FAFSA.
Always remember to electronically sing your FAFSA with your PIN. The FAFSA will not be considered valid until your signature is applied.

For more tips and instructions, check out this FAFSA Video.

As always, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at Granite State College at 603-513-1392 with any questions or concerns. Happy Filing!

When the going gets tough...

Friday, January 28, 2011 by Maria Bauer

College life can be hard sometimes, maybe harder for others at times. When you find yourself trying to dig yourself out of a hole (or trying to keep yourself out of one, which is just as much work!) it can be discouraging. One of the toughest lessons is knowing there are no easy answers.

This is the second term that I have taken online classes for college. One thing you should know about me, is that I was intimidated by taking online adult education classes, mostly because there was a lot of uncertainty. It was one of the smartest things I've done! Instead of ignoring them altogether (my original plan) I started talking to other students at Granite State College who had taken online classes and they got me excited about it. One student even opened up his laptop to show me the layout of his class.

The reason I bring this up is because recently I have been taking a lot of time looking back at where I was a year ago. A year ago, I was just getting my life put back together, and I was just starting to think about going back to school - I had quit after only having 9 credits (3 classes) from another school. Now I'm a sophomore and I'd like to think I've done a pretty darn good job piecing my life together.

I was having a conversation with an old friend (who goes to another college), and she was telling me that school can get in the way of life. I felt sad for her, because she honestly doesn't know what school is supposed to be like. I didn't start out at Granite State, and I know that if I didn't get that push to go in and talk to somebody here, I wouldn't have gone back to college at all.

An adult college program, for me, is a way for me to grow; every time I'm in a class or even writing a paper, I feel stronger. (Corny I know...but hear me out) When you find yourself in that tough spot, this is the place where you can reach out to people and they are there for you with welcome arms. You are the one that has/is putting in all that work, and every result that you get back is from your hard work. College, and classes, are something that we have control over. Granted, there may be a few things that may not be in our favor, but we still have the chance to affect our outcome.

Guilty Pleasures

Thursday, January 13, 2011 by Marta Smith

This week we were visited by the snowstorm of the year-well this year, so far anyway. I was taken back to my childhood for the day as I had the same feeling I used to get back then when I would wake up to find it had snowed so much during the night that school was canceled.

I haven't had that feeling very often as an adult because my work doesn't follow the school schedule for storm closings. Instead we are given the direction to use our own discretion when deciding if it's safe to come to work. Nobody is ordered to work, but what to do if the building is open and no one is there to man it? We have one person who lives less than a mile away who always makes it in and the rest of us who live on roads that are unplowed until late in the day who really can't make it in-so I didn't.

Let me tell you about my "snow day;" first, I canceled my early morning doctors appointment, then I tried to call in, but since those who made it in were out shoveling a pathway into the building it took a few tries to reach anyone. After that I logged on and did some homework for my online class, which wasn't canceled, because-yahoo, no driving required! Ah, the benefits of online classes at Granite State College!
After that it was lunch time and I warmed up some really great leftover boiled dinner from Sunday dinner-which by the way was only better as I ate snuggled up in my chair watching the snow fall outside my window. Later on in the afternoon I was a little bored, so I baked some cookies and then I read for a while. All through the afternoon I watched the snow fall and it was so beautiful, more so since I didn't have to clean the car off or shovel a path to work.

When I think back on the first big storm of the New Year, I will remember it as my guilty pleasure-one I haven't enjoyed in a long while.

One Year Ago...

Monday, January 10, 2011 by Maria Bauer

Online Classes: It's that time again. Instead of being stressed out about it, I'm actually very relieved. The holidays are over, and now it's time to settle down into a routine, and taking either the accelerated college classes and/or regular 12 week online classes, you have the peace of mind that you are working towards that well deserved degree.

Each first day of a new term is always a day I look forward to: It's a first day of school for adults. Granted, I have a lot of first days, but that spills over into the other parts of my life. It reminds me that I won't always have the same job forever, and that there really are a lot of "tomorrows." However, this specific day was even more symbolic. It was not only the first day of school, but it was the first day of class in the New Year.

Last week I was taking a look at where I was at this point last year. I wasn't even enrolled in school last year. I was living in Texas recovering from an severe illness. Now, because of my hard work, I am now working part time and taking 3-4 classes a semester and now a sophomore ... In less than a year. It's always amazing to see how far one person can go in the "short" amount of time of one year.

I challenge you, whoever may be reading this blog right now, to look into taking a class (or 2) and see where it takes you. Either online classes, weekend intensive classes, adult education certificate classes, etc.. Take a look at where you are right now, and then think about where you can you be in a year from now. If there is one thing that I can be brutally honest about, it's that I never thought I would have come this far this fast. You won't know where you will be a year from now unless you bite the bullet and sign up for classes and do it. Don't give yourself any excuses either - there is financial aid available. No more excuses! It might be the scariest thing you do, but you will NOT regret it!

See you next time! :)

Ant farms, students and curiosity

Sunday, January 9, 2011 by Beth Benoit

Although the purpose of this blog isn't to promote products - even if they ARE educational toys! - I can't resist writing about the ant farm we got for two of our grandchildren that may go down in history as the first thing to distract them from video games! It actually lights up and has a gel that the ants appear to eat and dig their tunnels in as well. Our daughter loves it so much she goes into the room where the farm is lit up, to read. And she talked me into getting one for my office too.

Here it is, though this doesn't show how it lights up, which is especially cool!

What got my brain going was thinking how we've always compared hard workers to ants. Remember the Aesop fable when you were a kid about "The Grasshopper and the Ant"? The grasshopper has a "what, me worry?" attitude toward life (which Walt Disney made into a wonderful song in the 1934 cartoon that goes like this: "Oh, the world owes me a living..."). He's disdainful of the ant who just keeps plodding along and works hard to get the job done of preparing for winter. The climax of the story, of course, is that winter comes, and the grasshopper is in trouble because he's not prepared, so he learns a lesson from the ant. (In the Disney version, the ant kindly helps the grasshopper. I'll bet in Aesop's version though, that the grasshopper froze to death!)

Some of my students have told me that when they were in high school, they couldn't wait to graduate and "get out into the real world." Alas, after a few years (or even decades) in the real world, they realized that a high school diploma wasn't going to get them where they wanted to go. Sometimes they just wanted to feel more educated. Sometimes they realized they needed further training to achieve a goal they'd decided was worthwhile. But always, the lure of a diploma got them started. Many of them sign up for regular classes at Granite State College, and some sign up for adult online courses. We even have accelerated undergraduate courses, so you can complete some courses in as little as five weeks. (This is hardly the easy way out, though, because you're taking a full college course in that short time! But for some, it's a blessing to be able to squeeze in a course in less time than a regular college course.)

So I can't resist trying to make my readers decide whether they want to be a grasshopper or an ant...at least, metaphorically!

Meanwhile, I'll write again when my ants arrive in their heated package. (I kid you not - that's how they can mail them in the winter!) Now wouldn't the grasshopper have loved that?

Franklin, NH Partnership with Granite State College

Thursday, January 6, 2011 by Betsy Gemmecke

I am really excited about the expanding partnership that the City of Franklin has with Granite State College. A very energetic committee of Franklin agencies and citizens have partnered with us to increase the visibility and access of our college to its residents.

The second Tuesday of the every month I will be at the second floor of the Franklin Public Library to encourage people to consider further education and career advancement. Many people do not realize that affordable college study is within their reach. Students can take college evening classes in Concord and elsewhere in the state; and also can benefit from online adult degrees.

On Tuesday January 11, I will be running a free workshop for anyone unsure of their future direction. We will discuss non-traditional paths of learning and strategies to move ahead. Many people I have met don't believe they have the skills to go to college and feel "rusty" since they have been out of school for a while. Actually they will find the process is easier than they think and there is extensive adult financial aid available for people returning to school. The first step is really to take a risk and meet with someone to begin to explore future options. I will be in Franklin once a month and I hope people will feel comfortable to meet me at the Library for an informal chat when I am there, perhaps over coffee.

"Make life happen for you instead of letting it happen to you!"

How important is memory?

Sunday, January 2, 2011 by Beth Benoit

I watched a "60 Minutes" episode recently, where a half dozen people who have "superior autobiographical memory" were interviewed. (The group included Marilu Henner, whom I remember fondly from a sitcom called "Taxi.") The segment was called "The Gift of Endless Memory," and Leslie Stahl interviewed five people who didn't have just "great" memories. They could remember everything that had ever happened to them, and when. Given any date, each could remember tiny details of the day, and of course, the interviewers made certain to verify these memories.

The researcher involved, Dr. James McGaugh, is a professor of neurobiology at the University of California Irvine, and he's a well-known expert on memory. He would ask these subjects (there are six known in the world), what would ordinarily be difficult or impossible for an ordinary person to recall, but could be verified by records, such as which days of a month twenty years ago, that it rained. When they showed one subject being questioned about the weather twenty years ago, she not only recalled which days it rained, but the weather for the days before!

Psychology courses often delve into how memory works. At Granite State College we have a lot of psychology courses and behavioral science classes, both online and classroom courses (the classroom courses take place in one of our nine NH state college campuses), including some we call "five-week intensives," that are accelerated courses. You'll read a lot, and become immersed in your subject, but at the end of five weeks, you'll be impressed with yourself, to realize that you've completed a whole college course! And the only shortcut is the length of time it took to finish the course. You'll still be learning the same things you'd learn in a full-length course! (But we can't promise that, like the people I've described, you'll remember everything for as long as you live!!!)

At Granite State College, we find ourselves emphasizing "adult learning," but once you finish high school, it's true that all college learning is "adult learning." And our learners range from just out of high school to senior citizens! (The oldest student I've had so far was 71 years "young" and the youngest was 17!)

Oh, and back to that fascinating segment on "60 Minutes": I loved when Marilu Henner said, "You know what I love? I love when people get so flattered, Like they go, 'Wow, I must've really made an impression on you.' And I go, 'No, no, believe me - I remember everything' '" And the fact that these people seem to have just a little bit of OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder): they like to keep things in order and to collect things.

But the thing that's also stuck in my mind over the last week is that of the five subjects on the show, only one - Marilu Henner - had ever been married. (And she'd been married three times.) Is it possible that being able to remember everything (including arguments and hurt feelings) might make a long-term relationship more tenuous? Maybe it's important for our social "grease" to be able to actually forget details. (Ah, that's something that I should bring up in Social Psychology course, one of the online adult education classes that's coming up!)

So, I'm wondering if maybe that not-so-great memory of mine may have contributed to the longevity of my marriage. (We just celebrated our 42nd anniversary.) Well, there certainly aren't any proven "magic pills," but you never know...

Here's a link if you want to watch the "60 Minutes" segment.

Fall Term Winding Down

Thursday, December 9, 2010 by Joe Grabowski

Another twelve weeks has come and gone at Granite State College, and I am emerging on the other side of this term changed once again. Perhaps 'changed' isn't the right word, as each class has enhanced or refined who I am as a person. I don't believe that one can actively engage one's mind and learn new concepts without being impacted. A truth, once learned, becomes a part of who we are. Once our eyes are opened, it would be utter foolishness to close them again to what we have seen.

Learning doesn't stop at the classroom door. Some people consider their educational career to have been completed upon receiving their high school diploma; others equate learning with adult continuing education programs, and "pause" between courses. What I've found from taking my behavioral science classes, as well as the core and elective classes, is that the readings, discussions, and assignments throughout the terms have stirred my hunger for knowledge.

I've often filled the between-times trying to learn more about the subjects I've already learned, or trying to satisfy my curiosity about thoughts and ideas yet to be explored. A simple search for "behavioral science" on YouTube results in many videos illustrating the psychological concepts discussed in textbooks and classes. Another favorite site of mine is http://www.sciencedaily.com, which I've used extensively both in my classes and for my own interest.

One of the many benefits of being a recipient of adult higher education at Granite State College is that it has prepare my mind to be a lifelong learner, not only in the classroom or through the online adult programs, but in the great classroom of life.

There is knowledge waiting to be discovered everywhere. Whet your appetite and prime the pump at Granite State College.

The semester countdown has started!

Thursday, December 9, 2010 by Mary Clouter

Hi all.

Only a few more days until I finish these three courses of the fall semester. I really enjoyed my Human Development class with Beth Benoit (Hi Beth!). Beth is my instructor as well as a fellow Granite State College blogger.

I'm finding my degree specific classes for the bachelor's in Behavioral Science to be so interesting. I want more of it! This may later prove to fall under the category of "be careful of what you wish for," but I don't think so. Beth will also be teaching my online course for Social Psychology, one of the behavioral science classes, and I imagine I will enjoy that just as much as I've enjoyed this one.

It's so nice to get to this stage of my life and really know what I want to focus on and that is to help others. Not that I regret the past, but now I feel more focused and ready to stretch myself to new experiences. When I was in my 30s, going back to school wasn't even a blip on the screen for me, but now... I can't believe how many cool things I've gotten a chance to do in my 40s! A few weeks ago, I received my GSC reminder to submit my "Intent to Graduate" form. How exciting! Two more semesters and I'll have my bachelor's from GSC, the center of adult education. I can hardly believe it.

We're capable of accomplishing so much and life can be so rewarding. I have my ups and downs too, but, wow, life is good!

If I don't write again until after the holidays. I hope your holidays are everything you hoped for and that you have a wonderful new year!

An Attitude of Gratitude

Monday, November 22, 2010 by Joe Grabowski

I have been spending the month of November cultivating an "attitude of gratitude" on Facebook. At least once a day, I have written a brief note about someone or something for which I am thankful. As I had previously written about, the last couple of months have been personally challenging for me, but I've purposely adopted a mindset as of late to focus on the positive things in my life.

So, on that note, I thought I'd mention a few things for which I am particularly grateful for Granite State College this year:

I am thankful for professors who, though physically distant, have shown empathy, patience, and compassion as I've struggled to keep up with this term's coursework. Though I've not had this problem in my previous classes, I've seen these qualities consistently exhibited to my fellow students. The educators at GSC truly want to see us succeed, and are willing to work with us to ensure that.
I am thankful for my advisor, Kate O'Neill. Based out of the Claremont office, she has always made herself available whenever I've had a question, or have needed some guidance in the next steps I should take in my journey.
I am thankful for being able to participate in the GSC student blogging program. Though I've not yet written much, I have appreciated the opportunities to tell my stories, and to encourage anyone considering, or pursuing, an adult college education.
I am thankful for the Granite State College blogs in general. The various posts by some of the administration, teachers, and fellow students have given a state-wide, online school for adults a sense of community. Even though I am an isolated student, I feel as though I am part of a digital campus. It has been great to hear the heartbeats of the very people who make GSC such a great college.
I am thankful for having had the opportunity to redeem past potential and dormant dreams. I'll be writing more about that in the days ahead, but for now, I can attest to GSC's contribution toward helping me to become the person I was always meant to be.

There are so many more things for which I am thankful to Granite State College. Rather than express them all, though, I'd like to encourage you to take that step of faith, and to enroll. It is never too late to let your dream become reality.

YOU will be thankful that you did!

Happy Thanksgiving!

What a Whirlwind of a Fall!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010 by Erin Todd

I don't know about you, but I have been unbelievably busy for the past several months! Fall Term at Granite State College is winding down and registration for Winter Term is less than a week away! It's hard to believe how many things have happened in such a brief span of time.

A huge amount of my time and energy has gone towards getting my daughter settled into her freshman year at college. Unlike me, Jess has opted for the traditional academic route, with all the triumphs and tribulations that those very intense four years entail. She is attending a small, residential college here in New England. She studied like crazy all last year because she was intent on getting into an elite school - and she did it! I'm ecstatic for her! And so very proud of her!

Even so, the meandering educational path I took - that many Granite State College students take - is equally valid. We just have a different set of accomplishments and adversities. We may not have to deal with communal living or eat cafeteria food ... our challenges are often more to do with finding child care in order to attend college evening courses ... or waiting until after the kids go to bed in order to focus on our online classes for adults.

Neither pathway to a college degree is without challenges. Both routes offer opportunities for success. And while having a destination in mind, such as the attainment of a college degree, the really meaningful stuff is the learning that takes place along the way. As impatient as we might be to reach that goal, we have to travel some distance to get there, and we might just find that the journey is as precious - perhaps even more than - than reaching the destination.

Whichever path you're on, don't forget to stop and look around along the way to enjoy the view!

Family Weekend - Smith College - Anna, Me & Jess (L to R) - Enjoying the View from the Bridge

Here I am with my daughters Anna (L) and Jess (R) on Family Weekend at her college - enjoying the view from the bridge across the babbling brook that runs through campus.

Life Happens

Thursday, November 11, 2010 by Joe Grabowski

Life just happens.

This has not been one of my best terms. I don't say that because my classes are difficult, or because I've been under the weight of heavy coursework. I say that because life threw me a curve ball at the end of summer, a sudden change of direction that I am still processing. Over the past few months, I have found my sense of focus and motivation challenged by these unexpected circumstances, and it has been all I can do to keep myself still moving forward toward my goal of earning my Bachelors Degree in Behavioral Science.

Having said that, I can say that it goes to show the beauty of adult online classes. Had I been constrained to a more traditional approach to continuing education, I might not have made it this far through this term. The ability to adapt my schooling to my ever-changing daily life has been a critical part of my success so far. As adults with busy lives, careers, families, and a thousand other demands put upon us, finding the time and the self-discipline to add school into that mix is challenging.

But it can be done.

Another thing that I can attest to is that the professors at Granite State College are committed to helping you succeed. I've yet to encounter even one teacher who has not been willing to work with me when situations have emerged that I have had to tend to. Communication is important. Don't make excuses, but be real. You'll be pleasantly surprised at the people who rally to your side.

I have four weeks left to go to this term. To date, I've been running a 3.97 GPA, but this term may bring that number down a little bit. One thing I have learned, however, is that it is not so much about how well you run each step of the race, but that you persevere to the finish line. I have four more terms to go, and though I may have stumbled a little during this leg of the race, I am still on my way forward.

Race for the cure

Sunday, October 17, 2010 by Gail Gifford

It was a sunny Saturday morning September 26, 2010 when over 3,000 people came out to run a 5k, 1k or walk the distance for breast cancer. I was one of them. They raised more than $500,000 for the cause. I had a great time at Race. My boss, Jim, and friend, Jana, all ran the distance. None of us beat our times but we did finish. There had to be ten or more hills; hate those hills that wind through downtown Greenville, SC., but, we got the t-shirts and had a good day.

All three of us learned that so many people have suffered with breast cancer, had families that suffered, lost loved ones from the disease. Learning is something that takes place in all forms of life, school, work, friendships and even races. We learn how to deal with things, how to improve our times in the race, how we deal with loss of loved ones. Whether it be by experiences through our life or at college.

Granite State College gave me such insight into the world, to life, to be able to think outside the box. Whether it was online adult learning classes or face-to-face classes in Manchester NH college campus or the Portsmouth NH college campus, I learned so much. Just like I learned so much entering this fundraising function for Breast Cancer.

So many people had names of loved ones pinned to their backs of their t-shirts. So many had Survivor t-shirts on, how wonderful, others went because they had daughters whom they cared about with hopes of finding a cure for this disease. It was a great day and a great learning experience.

What does the fall season bring to NH? ................Pumpkins, apples, soccer and school!

Saturday, October 16, 2010 by Deidre Romeo

I love this season. The views of the changing colors of our trees are truly something to be seen and appreciated; no matter how many autumns one has spent in New England. Granite State College has centers throughout the state. All one has to do is travel from one Granite State College location to the other to enjoy all that New Hampshire has to offer; from the seacoast to the white mountains.

To me the fall season means it is time to go apple picking and pumpkin shopping. It means it is time to yell and cheer at soccer games and then return home and start hitting the books again. I took the summer off from my adult college program but could not wait to get back into the classroom this fall. For the fall season I opted to take weekend college classes, every other Saturday so that I could still enjoy the weaning daylight after work! For the winter season I decided to take advantage of the offered online classes for college so I can stay home in the cold weather and accomplish my schoolwork at my convenience in the warmth of my own home!

What does the autumn season mean to you?

Leaf Peeper

Monday, October 11, 2010 by Leslie Bowering

     Sometimes Granite State College students just need to take a break. What better time to take a break from the studying grind than during the burst and blaze of peak season in the month of October.

     Friday morning, while I made every effort to work on my Linguistics Homework 6, becoming more frustrated in the process because I could not access the online Oxford English Dictionary, no matter what method I tried, I realized I needed to pack my bags, fill up the car with gas, and drive northbound for our cabin in Maine.

    Make no mistake about it! I packed one bag full of books; text books, notebooks, and the one book for my capstone project that I needed to finish by the end of the weekend. By 12:00pm on the sunniest afternoon ever with a large cup of Dunkin' Donuts ice coffee in my cup holder, I approached rte. 95 at 70 mph and never looked back.

     Three hours later, when I pulled into the driveway, my husband was happy but very surprised to see me until he spied the bag full of school books in the back seat of the car. Then he knew...

Homework is more portable than ever now so don't let it be the reason why you shy away from taking classes to complete your degree through an adult learning program such as I am achieving through Granite State College.

     Even though I went for a foliage ride, took a long hike in the woods with my husband, and played Rummie 500 with him in the evenings, I still completed my goal of working on my Linguistics homework as well as finishing the book for my I-search paper before I headed for home on Sunday morning at 7a.m.

     Because I remembered to stop and catch my breath a bit, I rejuvenated myself for the hard work ahead of me this week.