It's been a year since I received my associates in general studies from Granite State College. I can't believe the year has gone by so fast. After taking some time off, I'm ready to get back in the saddle again and dive back into my education. I'm currently enrolled in a Literature and Ideas course, and a Psychology course at the Conway NH college campus. Although it's a bit hard getting used to doing homework again, I'm learning some really great things. Not only just about the courses I'm taking, but about the world around me.
I'm really looking forward to some neat projects coming up in the next few weeks in my adult college classes that will help give me good hands on experience of what I'm learning, and how to apply it to my life. I can't wait to see what this semester has in store for me :)
At all of our Granite State College campuses, we have recently implemented a new model for serving students on their path to degree completion. We have formed Student Success Teams at each of our campuses. I am very excited about this because it provides students with even more support than they have previously enjoyed.
At the Conway NH college campus where I work, everyone is coming together to support our learners. We have so many new options to make college learning easier! We are offering a series of workshops, including writing and math labs, workshops on time management, organization....lots of different kinds of information to help students be more successful. These workshops are offered in a small group format, which allows us to support more students while fostering networking and relationship building.
Another exciting direction we are moving in is offering Career Advancement Services. We have always offered one-on-one career counseling, but we are expanding our programs and will soon have more to offer to students who need extensive career and life planning.
We are very unique amongst colleges with online classes in that we offer so many different kinds of learning supports. We have online 24/7 tutoring, "Smart Thinking" and online students who have access to one of our GSC Campuses, are also able to attend the live workshops.
Another exciting tool we offer is a degree auditing system called CAPP. Its available online, 24/7 and helps learners track their path toward an adult education diploma. CAPP shows students where transfer credits fit in, display grades and gpa information, and allows students to do a "What If" analysis that shows where their credits would fit in if they switch majors.
If you have a suggestion for workshops you would like to see to support your learning, please email me your suggestions at
jan.hodges@granite.edu.
Have I mentioned that I am a big believer in life-long learning? To that end, I have recently embarked on a new adventure. I am currently teaching Intro to Drawing for the first time at the Conway, NH Granite State College campus. Teaching a college evening class has always been on my "bucket list" and it has been a wonderful experience so far.
Much to my surprise and delight, 15 students registered for my course. As is typical at
GSC, the class is a rich and diverse mix of ages, from 18 to 50. I have been so impressed by the warm and supportive atmosphere that has developed in the class. I have always heard about the wonderful atmosphere in GSC courses, but it is exciting to experience it first hand.
When you think of continuing education degree programs, you wouldn't necessarily picture a studio art class like this one, with students of all ages sprawled around the room with drawing boards, the furious sound of quick sketching, the smell of fixative and markers in the air. Every Monday when I teach the class, I am struck by the wonderful diversity that Granite State offers, from online degrees to live college classes.
At Granite State College, adult continuing education includes those of us who are staff and faculty, not only students. We strive to develop new skills, expand our knowledge base and engage in professional development.
I'm excited by this experience because it gives me a new way to connect with my students, as well as allowing me to use a lifetime of accumulated knowledge in a new way. Even though this course is still in progress, I can't wait to do it again!
With Thanksgiving just a few days ago I have been spending time thinking about what I'm thankful for. Of course I 'm thankful for my husband, family, and friends, but also Granite State College and the doors it has helped me open. I really feel thankful for so many thing about the college. The class size, the convenient Conway NH college campus location, great teachers, fellow adult learners, and of course great classes that really teach me so much more then just what I'm studying. I think that it's great to know there are so many doors opening for me, and that also makes me thankful for Granite State College because I know if I wasn't involved in the learning community my life wouldn't be the same.
I hope you all had a nice holiday :)
A few weeks ago I took a mid-term in my Behavioral Science class at the Conway NH college campus and we got our grades back two days ago. I got an 89 - wow, what a good feeling to know all my hard work is paying off. It's moments like those when I know I'm doing the right thing.
I have two research papers due next week, so I've been busting my butt proof reading and putting together my PowerPoint presentation. I have taken so many great classes on PowerPoint, I know I won't have any problem. I love it when I can use something I learned in one class for another class. Bridging that learning between more then one class really is a full circle feeling and it helps me to know I'm on the right track.
I know I made the right choice choosing Granite State College, I can't wait to see what the future holds :)
I have been working part-time jobs since I began my college career. One of the biggest reasons I starting taking classes at Granite State College was because I wanted to work towards a career. Working and living pay check to pay check is something I wanted to avoid. I really feel that since I began classes at the Conway NH Campus, I have really enriched not only my education but also my work ethic.
Some courses I have taken have really taught me more about work then school, and have really helped me decide which path I want to take once I have my Bachelors Degree in Behavioral Science. I feel that knowing I have Granite State College on my resume, I really shine over some of the other applicants when I apply for a job. I never realized how much that impacts my chances. As much work as school is, it's totally worth it to be building my future, and working towards something I really want to do with my life.
I recently got offered a really good job, and I know one of the main reasons is because of my education. I feel that I can credit that to Granite State College and the knowledge I have acquired, while being a student there. I really feel like all my hard work is paying off, that's a really encouraging feeling when planning for the future. :)
Being enrolled in two upper level psychology courses means a lot of research papers. That means at least 25+ sources of different sources of information, between the two papers. The easiest place to go for me is the EBSCOhost Database. In the online library on the Granite State College website, I have access to over thousands of articles, books, journals, etc. You have the option to create your own account and folder to save found material. I have used it several times in the past and I know it will be used a lot in the future. It's so nice to know I have such a great resource at my fingertips every time I need it, especially so I can write two great papers.
There is also a great new academic resource coordinator at the Conway NH college campus. I can't wait to bring these papers to him to look over, and help me polish. I also want to check out the library, I have access to any book in New Hampshire by being a student here. There really are so many resources at Granite State College, with a lot of dedication, it's hard not to succeed. :)
I recently had a meeting with a distraught student named Alison, who attends classes here at Granite State College in Conway, NH. She received her first C in a course and was feeling like a failure. As we spoke she began to reveal that her child had been very ill, necessitating many trips to a specialist on the other side of the state, her husband had lost his job and she had increased her hours at work in an attempt to make ends meet. Under these challenging circumstances she still managed to keep doing her school work, and successfully complete the class. It saddened me that she saw her C as a failure.
After this meeting and a number of similar ones, I have been thinking about the role perfectionism plays in achieving an adult education diploma. As a somewhat reformed perfectionist, I remember the fervor with which I pursued the holy grail of the perfect 4.0. While this is clearly a laudable goal, life seems to delight in throwing unexpected curve balls at adult learners, making perfection nearly impossible.
When life turns up the heat, adding new responsibilities to the daily load - a sick parent or child, an extra shift at work, etc. - students have a choice to make. Some students are able to adjust their expectations of themselves, admit that they have less time and energy to devote to a particular course, and keep plugging away at it. Others, in pursuit of the 4.0, would rather withdraw than risk a bad grade.
Let's think about this for a moment. A C is a perfectly acceptable grade. It satisfies core requirements, as well as courses in the major. Classes with a C or better are fully transferable. The occasional C does not drastically harm your GPA, or scream to the world that you are a bad student. Withdrawing, however, can have many adverse ramifications. Depending on when the course is dropped, you could lose registration fees, tuition, get a W on your transcript, or even worse - an AF if withdrawal is not done properly. It can impact your financial aid. Even if a courses is dropped by the deadline, a semester's worth of progress is lost, making the path to completion longer.
Sometimes it is better to be able to accept life on life's terms and learn to embrace the concept of "good enough." I am not advocating the pursuit of mediocrity here. I believe in giving your best and in giving 100%. I am suggesting that we need to recognize that our "best" varies from semester to semester and sometimes giving your best means staying the course even though there are many obstacles to doing so. In Alison's case, I would consider her C a victory.
In the summer I volunteer at the
Therapeutic Riding Program at the University of New Hampshire system. It is a horseback riding program that serves children and adults with physical, developmental, and emotional challenges. It is a volunteer dependent program as it takes 3-4 handlers per student: one to lead the horse, 2 on each side of the horse, initially holding on to the student as she/he rides, and sometimes one additional spotter. (The program also depends on donations in case you are feeling generous.) As the summer progresses so do the students' abilities and some are allowed to become more and more independent riders. I get a lump in my throat and feel so proud when we are able to let go of them or the lead line comes off and they are in control. Believe me, nothing makes you feel more empowered than knowing that you have control of a 1000 lb animal with just a set of reins and a bit! It is truly a fantastic experience for me to be a part of.
What does this have to do with my role as advisor at
Granite State College at the Conway NH college campus, you ask? In June I attended the graduation ceremonies for the college and recently received the conferral list from the registrar. The ceremony is a wonderful day of recognizing completion and independence. As I read the list of names again and again I felt so proud of each student who completed their degree program. I feel like I am letting go of the lead line and watching them go out on their own to pursue other opportunities since they now have completed a continuing education degree program. I know each student is proud of them self as well and feels more in control of their lives, which can be much like a 1000 lb animal at times.
Congratulations to all graduates and I wish you all the best as you continue your life's adventure.
Wow, summer sure did fly by! I can't believe that it's already almost time for fall semester to start. I don't know about you, but I had an eventful summer. I got married, moved into a new house, and went on a few really nice vacations.
Now that my summer off is almost over and fall is upon us it's time for me to start thinking about what classes I wanted to take for the fall semester at
Granite State College. The Conway campus has some great classes to offer this fall, especially for my major: behavioral science.
Living in the White Mountains means that during the fall, my two jobs are very busy and it could be a challenge to also try to take classes. With the convenient evening college classes at the Conway NH college campus, I can make a schedule that really works for me. I also have a great advisor, who can help me figure out which courses will work best with my busy schedule. That's one of my favorite things about GSC: there is always someone there to help you throughout your education journey.
I'm going to take Art therapy, and Cognition and Learning this upcoming semester. Both are Psychology classes, and both seem really interesting. I'm not a great artist, but I love the challenge of taking a class that will teach me more about something I'm not the best at. I feel that's an important part of the college experience; to try to be challenged as often as possible. I think Cognition and Learning will help me build a better foundation to achieve my career in behavioral science. I can't wait to meet my new professors and new classmates. With one more month to go, I need to order my books and supplies. I love that you can order them directly from the Granite State College Website, it makes it so easy to be prepared for the first night of class.
I hope to see you on the Conway NH college campus in a few weeks :)
I had put my dreams of a college degree away and carried on with my life. I was busy, and happy in my career, but really never thought I would "close the book" on an adult education diploma. I was enjoying some success in my career and as luck would have it, I was promoted to Lieutenant of the Conway Police Department. This was a happy time for me but a crossroads as well. Now that I was an administrator, would I have the credibility dealing with budgets, Boards and Committees? I new I had to take another look at finishing my educational journey.
In December of 2007, I went down to the local
Granite State College office and met the greatest people. From my academic advisor Nancee Caughey to the office staff, Cindy, Patti, Julie and Molly, they were all clearly pulling for me to get back in the game! They could tell that I was nervous about returning to classes after 15 years, especially the online classes for criminal justice. I wasn't the most computer savvy guy and I was more than a little intimidated. They explained the process of re-enrollment, accuplacer testing and the many new programs available to help me obtain an accelerated undergraduate degree.
The thing that caught my attention first was the huge variety of degree choices. I had choices like Associate in Science in Business, Criminal Justice or even General Studies. All of these choices were now available online too. No traveling to the Berlin NH College or to any Concord NH Classes for credit. I settled on continuing with a Business Degree, now at the Associate level, and realized I was actually more than half way there! My fear was replaced with excitement and a renewed sense of purpose. I thought, "This is really going to happen!"
Next: Online classes, test outs and the impossible becomes possible!
As a mom of a newly-minted high school graduate, I now understand the difficulty parents experience when it comes to letting go of their college-age children. As parents we dedicate so much time and energy to taking care of our children, guiding...helping. It is hard to recognize when we cross the boundary into new territory where the most helpful thing we can do is to let our children help themselves and make their own decisions.
I have been comparing notes with friends whose children also just graduated and are on their way to various New Hampshire Colleges and Universities this fall. Many have already attended orientations where the children are herded off to one session, the parents to another. The parent orientations talk about financial aid, what we can expect from our children once they are in college - but the main focus seems to be on teaching us to let our children have their own academic experience, complete with poor decisions and the occasional failure - and for us to resist the urge to do everything for them. Point taken.
Even though GSC is known for Adult Higher Education, we are seeing more and more traditional age students. As an Academic Advisor at Granite State College in Conway, NH, I have been in the position to gently point out to parents who are emailing or calling me for course suggestions, that perhaps it might be better for the student to communicate with me directly. Of course, there are also laws that prohibit advisors from sharing adult student's information.
For parents of new Granite State College students, however, it is a somewhat easier transition. Because we are not a residential college, the student is still living at home. Also, unlike many other colleges, Granite State College employs full time academic advisors who are designated student advocates. Parents can take comfort in knowing there is someone there to provide guidance and help when needed.
So, fellow parents, join me in learning how to let go so we can watch our children learn to soar.
What a busy and excitng time this spring has been! So much so that I have not taken time to blog. Our Conway NH College has been busy with lots of new inquires about our online programs and affordable bachelor degree programs.
I continued to offer our "Who are You" career opportunities education workshops and many participants have realized it IS time to go back to school! One woman in the North Country who had been looking for a job for a long time took this workshop, then changed the way she wrote a resume and approached her interview and GOT a job in the teaching field! Now she knows she is ready to take the next step to enroll in our Post Baccalaureate Teacher Certificate Program. ( I would love to know if we should do more such workshops for the college...Let me know!)
This weekend, hardy souls attended the Littleton Home Show and a number of people didn't realize that there was a Littleton NH College that offered Bachelor degrees. One woman decided to try out a summer class, after she learned that there were adult college classes in her area.
Yesterday I spoke to about 100 real estate agents and support people about Granite State College. Several told me that when people come to the North Country to explore housing, they ask about lifelong learning college opportunities. It felt great to let them know all about what is right here in the North Country!
Many of you may have noticed that there are quite a few changes happening in the Financial Aid world right now. A new legislature was passed stating that all schools are now required to switch their lending program to Direct Lending(meaning the government will now be providing Stafford loans as opposed to private lenders). Are you wondering how this will effect you?
The good news is that for the most part it will be seamless for students. You will be required to sign a
New Master Promissory Note (MPN) with Direct Lending, but other than that, things will remain the same in terms of how and when the aid is disbursed.
The real change will happen behind the scenes at the Adult Financial Aid office here at
Granite State College. We have been working feverishly to make sure we are ready for the July 1st deadline imposed by the government.
What was the reason behind the switch you ask? The intention is to provide increased funding for federal grant programs such as the Pell Grant. Now, rather than private lenders collecting origination fees from students and using them towards their own services, the Department of Education will now take the fees charged for the Stafford loan programs and funnel it back into the Federal Grant programs.
Also, over time, the Department of Education is planning to lower the Stafford Loan Interest rates, making educational loans more affordable for students.
In order to make the process of signing the new Direct Lending MPN easier for our students, the Office of Financial Aid will be making visits to the Rochester NH College, the Claremont NH College, the Conway NH College and the Manchester New Hampshire College to assist students and answer any questions. To find out the specific times of our visits, please contact the regional centers. Also, as always, students are welcome to stop in and see us at the Concord New Hampshire College at any time.
As an Academic Advisor at Granite State College in Conway, NH, one of my greatest joys is working with students, assisting them to open new doors in their lives. It is so inspiring to see people of all ages design a better future through adult college education.
A few hours ago, I met with a student who is about to turn 60 and has decided that she wants to get an associate's degree and become a Paraeducator. She had heard that Granite State offered affordable adult college degrees and paraeducator certification.
"I love learning, and I miss being in school!" She stated as we began to talk. She was alive with enthusiasm and her hopes for her future. Her dream is to become a certified Paraeducator, and she feels that her ability to help children will not be hampered by being in her 60's. In fact, her life experience and years raising children will be a significant benefit in the classroom. Her oldest child is 35 and her youngest is 15, so she's had many years to hone her skills!
It is never too late to be a life long learner.
This week marked the end of Winter Term classes at Granite State College. That means no more weekend college classes, online classes or evening college classes (at least for a couple of weeks). What did I do with my free time? I hiked up to Tuckerman Ravine on Mt. Washington this Saturday, and did some spring skiing. A person mentioned to me that "there are days you don't go to Tuckerman Ravine; there are days you do go; and there is THE day to ski Tucks." I think it is safe to say that this was THE day this spring to motivate up to this unique place in New Hampshire. What an amazing day!
Pics below. . .but don't forget, you still have time to register for Spring classes at our
Rochester NH College and
Portsmouth NH College. I should also probably mention that you can take classes at our
Conway NH College. . .which is only 20 minutes down the road from where I started my hike!!
I have been having such a great time watching the Olympics and am awed by the determination and risk-taking of the competitors.
It reminds me of that same determination of some of the new students I have recently met. They have enrolled at
Granite State College, our Conway NH College campus. They are going through the process despite significant family and income issues.
One woman is juggling her 2 jobs and family to get her online adult education classes completed. Another did poorly in High School but is determined to prove she can do college level work and is succeeding in her behavioral science classes. Another young mother was happy to find she could benefit from our affordable college experience and is getting financial aid even while taking part time classes.
Let's celebrate the determination and risk-taking of our students as they too can be seen as Olympians!
As the mom of a senior in high school, I am experiencing the college application process from a new perspective. Being on the other side of the equation makes you realize how fraught with anxiety the process can be. Where to apply? How do you fill out THE FAFSA!!!?? What to major in?? So many different things to consider and deal with. The process can seem so impersonal.
Working with my son through this process has caused me to look at Granite State College in a whole new light. Although we are primarily known for our adult college degrees, here at the Conway, NH College, we see many traditional age college students as well. These students choose Granite State as their first choice for an affordable bachelor degree because of the ability to live at home, (save the room and board fees) and continue working while pursuing a degree. GSC meets so many objectives in a difficult economic climate.
I also hear enthusiastic comments about how easy the application process is. Students can apply at any time, come into a local office, get face to face help with every aspect of the process. A complete online application is also available for those who plan to pursue online classes for college. Students who haven't taken their SAT's, are excited to discover they can get in without them. There are so many ways our process is easier, and more flexible.
Traditional age students often discover that GSC can be a great stepping stone. Perhaps their grades in high school were not sufficient to get them into their institution of choice. A few successful semesters at GSC makes them a much better transfer candidate to the other colleges of New Hampshire. There are so many ways that GSC provides flexible options.
Mary was discouraged when she first came to see me. She had attended a large university for three semesters and had not been terribly successful. She had gone to college straight from high school, following the "traditional" undergraduate college path. Her peers had encouraged her to go to a big school. "It will be exciting!" She was told. "So many things to do on campus!"
Her first semester she could not understand why she was experiencing so much academic difficulty. She had been a great student in high school, achieving good grades with relative ease. She struggled through her first semester, enjoying the social life and many great activities the large university had to offer. She failed half of her classes.
After 3 semesters, she had only successfully completed half of her classes. She finally realized that is was the size of the classes that did not work for her. She felt small and lost in the large lecture hall courses with 200 other people and dis-empowered to speak up.
Discouraged, Mary dropped out of school and came home to the North Country, feeling like an academic failure.
Then a friend told her about Granite State College. "They have adult programs online!" she was told, "They have a Conway NH College!" Mary saw a local billboard featuring a smiling student and decided to call. She was greeted by friendly office staff. By the time she made it into my office she was beginning to feel more hopeful.
As we talked I told her about Granite State College's small, personal classes. She was excited that the small class size would allow her to get to know her instructor and fellow students. I went on to describe GSC's evening college courses, weekend college courses and online adult degrees. When she found out that two courses is full time at GSC, her smile beamed. "I was overwhelmed in four courses!" She exclaimed. "Juggling work and a four course load was impossible."
I then assured her that I have an open door policy. I want my students to come see me any time they are experiencing any kind of obstacle or if they just want to talk. "I never had anyone help me at my old school." She said.
She left a very happy, soon to be new Granite State College student.
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