Evening College Classes

I love to travel, always have. I travel so much that my friend at Granite State College never knew where I was at any single time. She would call and say, "where are you" every time we talked. Inevitably, I was in another state or city checking out the stores and sites. I would travel on weekends to visit new cities and towns in the area, especially if I was new to the area. There was no limit to the ground I would cover when I was behind the wheel of my car or on my bike. I also love history, so often found myself in museums. I enjoy seeing new art, visiting new knitting shops, and talking to people at various stores. Traveling is an outing for me, and my kind of adventure - I don't think I will ever stop.

This weekend, I'm traveling to see my daughter in Greenville, South Carolina. That is the very place I finished my online degree with Granite State College. I truly enjoyed going to school and online learning. I was never limited to what courses I could take - GSC offers so many options! Online learning is so convenient, even when you are a traveler. I was initially worried about taking a math class online, but the teacher was great and there were so many resources availabe for students to use. If you like to travel and you're looking to further your education, I highly recommend online learning.

If you are planning a move, a trip, or just wanting to try college, check out Granite State College and their online learning curriculum..... I think you will agree, it works!!

There are many things to love about Granite State College. When I walked into my first class about three years ago, I was very nervous and quiet. GSC provided a relaxed atmosphere to learn and meet new and interesting people. I broke out of my shell and even began serving my town in ways I never thought were possible.

The flexibilty is very helpful for my lifestyle. I am epileptic and I can't drive. I have taken classes on campus but I have to rely on others to drive me. I find online classes very helpful - I can work around my busy schedule of home educating my children, conducting Bible lessons, caring for my family, and other life duties.

For many years I tried submitting an application to GSC but was afraid I could not succeed in working towards a college degree. My neurologist told me that he felt I had cognitive difficulties and that college wasn't right for me. Yes, I have epilepsy. Yes, I take an anti-seizure medication. Yes, there are side effects. That doesn't mean I can't learn. Thanks to GSC I am now half-way through my degree program with a goal of enrolling in a post-baccalaureate program. I am grateful for the opportunity of earning a college education. GSC is the best choice for me offering flexiblity and interesting classes that I can use in many aspects of my life. Thank you GSC!

- Angela

I started off looking into colleges in 2011. I was 33 at the time and a little nervous. I really wanted to further my education and start working my "dream" job as an educator. Granite State College was SO welcoming and help me with every step of the way. I had no idea as to what I needed to do to get started. Previous colleges I went to try and get info from, before learning about GSC, didn't return phone calls and weren't really personable. From the beginning, GSC employees have been there and wanting to help in any way possible. If it wasn't for GSC, I most likely would have given up on looking for a school because I had no idea how to begin the process. Even after enrolling, I had GSC employees helping me with my struggles of learning. Online classes at Granite State College has also allowed me to be home for my children, work a par- time job, and continue my education. My future is looking brighter, thanks to GSC, and I am so grateful for all of the support I have received and continue to receive from GSC. Thank you!!

- Kathy

I was searching for an affordable, online master's degree program that offered project management and/or leadership. Granite State College is that place! I have been enrolled for just under a year, and I love the programs offered. I am enrolled in the MSLD with a focus in Project Management and I wouldn't change a thing. The director of the program is wonderful and very attentive to the students' needs. The classes are fun and interactive even though they are all online. I am highly looking forward to graduating this coming December!

- Jana

The entire GSC community depends on their online connection to the college and nearly every single one of our students takes classes online… but what happens when technology isn’t cooperating?

Students (faculty and staff, as well!) who are having service issues can report them online or by calling 888.372.4270. In January 2013, GSC added some new features that make this resource even more useful for students.

Now, after you file a report, you’ll receive updates throughout your case including notifications when its created, when comments are added, and when the case is closed. Additionally, you can check in on your its status while it’s being worked on—a new feature!   

Afterwards, the Service Desk will provide a brief survey to make sure that each of your needs was met.

The Service Desk is open:

Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Friday, 8:30 AM­—4:30 PM
Closed Saturday & Sunday.

A staff member will respond to your case within 2 hours when received during service hours and within 24 hours if your request is submitted when the Service Desk is closed.
 

I was faltering while attending college at another school when I stumbled upon GSC via a web search. I decided to give it a shot and couldn't be happier with my choice! I have found a degree I LOVE! Knowing GSC is a part of the University System of NH makes me confident that this a credible school.The faculty here is amazing and so helpful! I had my entire class schedule planned out for my bachelor's degree program the first term I arrived. The online option has given me the flexability to work full time and continue to take care of my family while pursuing my education - I even made Deans list!! Thank you GSC!!!

- Anne

GSC makes it easy for me to continue my education even though I have three little kids at home and a husband that travels often. I started at the college a few years back and have enjoyed taking classes online and in the Rochester, Concord, and Portsmouth locations. Every class has been great and the other students and teachers I have dealt with have all made the experience that much better. The degree program that I am currently enrolled in is perfect for me and exactly what I was looking for. The 4 terms a year allows me to take fewer classes a term while still completing my degree in a reasonable amount of time!

- Heidi

After nearly failing out of high school and actually failing out of college as a teenager, I thought I would never be someone who could earn a degree. I don't learn well in the classroom. After several years passed, I finally decided that I wanted to find a way to make it work on my own terms and Granite State College offered me that opportunity. Online classes are amazing - they let me accomplish something I never thought I would and I am so thankful. I have a lot of support when I need it, but freedom to learn in my own way. Not only have I made it through into my second year of school, but I'm getting good grades - I even made deans list!

- Margaret

I have been planning on transferring to Granite State College since Spring 2012. I was accepted into the Bachelor in Behavioral Sciences Program. I did not graduate when I expected to and had to postpone my transfer until Winter 2012. When I graduated with my associates, I faced many difficult situations. The school I was transferring from was not cooperating and did not send my transcripts quick enough. Throughout the financial aid process I faced many issues and then found out it was not going to cover my tuition. Classes were scheduled to start within days of my receiving this information. I was even dropped from my classes. My GSC advisor, Becky, (who is absolutely amazing) worked with me daily on these issues. She supported me the entire way and ensured me it would work out and not to stress during the holidays. In the end, it worked out - I have started my classes as a Psychology Major and couldn't be happier! I am so grateful for my advisor as well as the staff in the Financial Aid department for helping me and guiding me through this extremely stressful time!

- Michelle

I always knew I would go back to school and work towards my bachelor's degree. Granite State College is about to make that a reality. I am a Registered Dental Hygienist, that graduated over 20 years ago with an associates degree. I plan on graduating this June from GSC with a bachelor's degree in applied technology (education and management). I love the convenience of online classes, in fact all my classes have been online. The tools are easy to use and online fits into my work and children's schedules. I would not be close to graduating without the ease of online learning. The transition back was scary at first, but my advisor made it a smooth transition. I am even considering my master's degree with GSC! Thanks GSC for making my dream a reality.

- Stacy

I have always been, and always will be a learner. I found myself faced with having to be creative with my education when my parents had the difficult conversation with me that my acceptance to Northeastern University was not something they could afford, even with the $3,000 a semester scholarship. A well respected and accomplished student all throughout my childhood education and suddenly I was faced with having to create my own method of continuing my growth as an adult. Little did I realize at the time - this was a good position for someone like me to be in.

I was fortunate to get a contracted job with full benefits at the University of New Hampshire right out of high school Fall of 2001. It is the University System of New Hampshire I have to thank for my education – both professionally and academically. While working full-time at UNH, I attended classes part-time, receiving a free class each semester as long as I kept my GPA up. Some semesters I took on multiple classes; a couple I even attended full-time while continuing to work full-time as well. It took five years, but I was able to receive my Associate of Applied Science in Community Leadership at the Thompson School without any debt whatsoever. This degree focused a lot on non-profit management and leadership development. It literally opened my eyes to options for a career I had never considered before. I began to research local non profits and seek out leadership positions. This search successfully led me to working for Strafford County Nursing Home as an Activity Aide, which then turned into the positions I have held since, working with elderly and in non-profit agencies.

For my bachelor's degree I was referred to Granite State College as my professor and advisor thought the self-design program was right for me. She was certainly correct in thinking so! The self-design program at GSC, along with their supportive staff assisted me to create a meaningful and fulfilling curriculum that I use today in my statewide job. Granite State College is a school that works alongside with you, and that is why I love it so much.

I am now working on my master's degree in Leadership at GSC so I can truly complete the journey I have started for myself through the University System of NH. I currently oversee a federal, statewide program for NH call the Senior Companion Program. We have 80 volunteers who visit with over 400 frail and homebound elders and adults with disabilities in their homes. We partner with 27 fellow senior care and non profit agencies in our program. To have a master's degree of this aptitude I will be able to continue to expand my leadership role within the program and beyond. I have aspirations to be the Director of Elder Services for my agency one day. My current director is looking at retirement in the near future and I would love to take on the challenge. If not with the current agency I am in, I am now also considering working for a federal or state program with a high level of responsibility. I have always said since realizing I loved working with seniors, I would like to one day be an administrator who oversees a community living facility for seniors or even work with the Attorney General’s Office.

- Nicole

I had been taking classes at another college and wasn't honestly doing so well. When I needed help there wasn't any: for help in classes, financial aid, anything. I was just frustrated and ended up leaving the school. Almost a year later I enrolled at Granite State College. Not only was the staff helpful and friendly, but if you had an issue with almost anything they were, and are, happy to assist if possible. Financial aid was a breeze and all of the extra help that was available helped me earn a spot on the Dean's list in the Spring of 2012. Classes are great, even the difficult ones, with instructors and staff that are willing to work with you. I'm now just over half way through my associate's degree and excited to finish it here at GSC.

- Viktoria

I am only in my 3rd term at Granite State College, but already feel very at home. From the first day that I stepped foot into the offices in Manchester, I was welcomed with friendly faces and had all my questions answered. I was not even planning on enrolling in GSC when I went to speak with someone in Manchester, and when I left that day, I was all enrolled in a B.A. program. Everyone I have been in contact with from financial aid to scheduling classes, has made everything stress-free for me. I love that I can get my entire degree online if I want to also!

The #1 reason why I love GSC, is their affiliation with the school district where I work (Hudson, NH), and my district will pay for some of my classes! I thought I would never see a light at the end of the tunnel, but I plan to graduate from GSC with my bachelor's degree in the Spring of 2014! From there, I hope to get a job teaching Math, and once I am settled, I will continue my education at GSC and someday receive my Master's Degree.

- Rachel

You can run, but you can’t hide—in online.

If you have never taken an online course, or have free floating anxiety about logging into a classroom, please read on. Some of the potential students I meet in information sessions, graduate school fairs, or speak with on the phone, have a huge block of fear when it comes to learning this way. At Granite State College (GSC), we offer two master’s degree programs: an M.S. in Leadership and M.S. in Project Management. We do offer a few graduate courses in Concord, Portsmouth, and Manchester - however, the majority of the Master of Science classes are often online.

Laura was an adult Granite State College student for several years, furiously working towards completing her baccalaureate degree while taking part time classes. She was a professional HR director, and GSC helped her get to where she wanted to be. She loved taking courses at GSC, and had taken them in all delivery methods - hybrid, weekend, evening, and online courses. I was delighted to meet Laura at a conference recently - her enthusiasm for lifelong learning was infectious. I thought she would be a great master's candidate for either the Project Management or Leadership program.

As she was nearing the end of her undergraduate career, the last course she needed to complete was Interpersonal Communication. It was a course offered online and she had every intention of taking it, even with its ironic online delivery. While telling me her story, I flashed back to my undergraduate days. I took Interpersonal Communication in a decade when online learning was not available. I quickly assumed it could only be a classroom course, learning the art and science of successful communication. I paused in my thoughts and was preparing for the worst. How could a college create this online? I prepared for a sympathetic reply.

As she continued her enthusiasm for (what I thought) was a pedagogical mish mash of course delivery gone wrong, I started to listen closer. Her family and friends thought she was making an error in judgment.  "Don’t do it," they said. "You’re crazy." She took the course successfully and told me it was the best course she ever took. The posts were lively, deep, and thoughtful. She made friends with a number of people in the virtual classroom. “You can’t hide in an online learning platform. Students who are shy in a classroom can’t hide in online learning. You can also think about your posts, edit, and get your point across clearly.” Her sales pitch was right on queue. And, I know she is correct.

This brief encounter with Laura gives me more fuel and intelligence for the GSC graduate programs. I have chatted with potential students who feel the same way Laura’s friends and family did. The anxiety about getting a graduate degree online can be eradicated when you listen to Laura's story. She preferred her online courses. It was her time. She’d get up at 5:00 a.m. and start her coursework before the day got away from her. Laura is now applying to Master of Science in Leadership, and is very excited about the incredibly flexible, affordable, and relevant program. “It’s time to do it. And, I love that I can take it online.”

 

Here it is Thursday morning and a new day.  My mind seems to be thinking about life, what mine is like and how blessed I truly am. Life is short which is why there is no time like the present.  The present to make some choices for your future.  If you have been thinking about going to school and getting your education, do it. Do it now and don't wait another day.  Pick up the phone and call Granite State College. It is the kind of college that will work with you, guide you to a curriculum that works with your busy life.  It worked for mine and it can work for you also.  I even took my last two years of school through online classes for adults. Yes, Granite State College has these classes. It worked for me, it can work for you too.  Life is short, don't waste another day!! 

I just had a full day at work and we (significant other) are deciding what to do for the evening. Summer nights in Michigan are just as nice as the ones in South Carolina. There are lots of things to do in the mitten state, that is what Michiganders call it.  We have crisp nights with a coolness in the air, has been a nice refreshing change from the southern nights.  We always have choices for our evenings. We like to go to a great little venue in Livonia called Trinity House, where music of all kinds are played.  We have seen many different artist there and have traveled elsewhere to follow them as they were so enjoyable to listen too.  We have gone to the DIA (Detroit Institute of Art) to walk around and enjoy the art. We also have the riverfront where barges float by and music is played, children are running through the fountain and across the water lies Windsor, Canada where I used to go almost every weekend as a child (my Grandparents lived there). 

One of my favorites though is going to the DIA. I love to look at art.  I took a art appreciation class in my adult college classes. If you are in college and have not taken an Art class, ask the faculty about it, see if they can suggest one for you. I can't imagine they would not encourage such an experience.   

Got to run...be back soon with more.

I had the most amazing weekend and also the most challenging weekend I have had in a long, long time. I was part of the West Michigan Breakaway MS bike event.  I raised money to help the society with research and hopefully, find a cure for MS.  There were so many people at this event. All kinds of people, from all walks of life and all ages.  I rode with a lady I had never met before. She worked for the same company as I did but a different building. We met that evening for the first time when she walked through the door at Hope College in Holland, Michigan. We were staying in the dorm and were linked as roommates by the registration coordinator for the event. We instantly bonded and had great conversation until late that night. We had to get some sleep because we were riding our road bikes in the morning, one hundred miles. Yep, you read that right, a century ride.  I have been training to do the ride for the past couple of months so I had this goal. It wasn't really her goal but she was in as long as I rode with her the following day. So, that was our plan. Ride together at a good pace, make the 75 mile loop by 3:00pm and finish the last 25 before 5ish.  We did it and then there was the next day. I wasn't real keen on riding a century again, but I actually felt better than I thought I would. The following day was another great day, but a tiring 58 mile loop. Going across that finish line both days was spectacular. It was an accomplishment and I had felt the power of doing a century. Going to Granite State College gave me a similar feeling of accomplishment. I accomplished getting my degree later in life. I had the same determination I had riding my bike as I did when I took all those classes to get my BS degree in Business Management. I have often thought about taking Project Management Masters Program courses and may do that someday down the road.  With evening college classes, it would be possible. It is all possible: biking, school etc. You just have to have the drive to succeed to gain that power.  

Times are changing and so are the thoughts on Leadership.  Companies are changing their way of thinking, their way of managing their employees. Being productive is not the only thing to concur in businesses today. Statistics show that employees that are happy are more productive employees.  So how do you make employees happy?  Well, it takes lots of patience and understanding along with knowledge and the ability to be creative, thinking outside the Box, something you can learn at Granite State College.  Yes, this is a skill, a skill that can be learned, discussed and debated in the classroom before you put it to the test in the Real World workplace. 

I have worked many places and held many different kinds of jobs. Happy employees make more productive employees is a very true statement.  There are evening college classes that you can take to get those skills well tuned so you have the confidence to engage them in the workplace. Get engaged in the times, sign up for classes at Granite State College!! Did you know that Granite State College even offers a new Leadership Master's Program? Check it out! 

The thing about lifelong learning is, even after you've acquired the formal education you might need for your career, as an inquisitive human being your brain continuously craves more information. That's why the Internet is so powerful, right? It's driven by information. How do things work? What events in history led to where you are? How do you accomplish certain things? Who else has written about, discovered, or invented the subject matter that you find fascinating?

There's a reason that Granite State College used to be called the College for Lifelong Learning. And that former title was one of the major factors that drew me to the school. I am a lifelong learner. Ever since high school when I first became able to pick my own classes, I've always gotten so excited over the new course schedules. So many amazing choices with so many possibilities to learn something new!

Now, since Granite State College's website has become more advanced, it's easy for me to explore the new class offerings online. And it doesn't matter that I've already graduated because you don't have to be enrolled in a degree program to take a class here or there.

Here are some Concord, NH classes that look promising for the Spring term in 2012:

"Modern America and the Movies"

"Society and the Individual"

"Nutrition Concepts and Controversies"

"Vietnam War: An Historical Perspective"

And if I wanted to take college classes online in July and August, these look really interesting:

"Interpersonal Communication"

"American Popular Culture"

"History of New England"

"Survey of World Architecture"

Here's the link to the full summer course schedule:

http://www.granite.edu/courseschedule/summer2012.html

I just signed up for a class this Spring term to help me move closer in obtaining my undergraduate degree in psychology from Granite State College. I enrolled in ENG 508: Media and Its Messages. I was so pumped when I got the syllabus because of the type of learning I was about to delve into. This is not one of your old school monotone instructors who ask you to read 100 pages and write a response every week. No! This is another course where I get to be in control of my learning, to put things that are happening in everyday life and turn them into great learning experiences!  As a mother of a two year old I do not get to watch much TV, let alone find out what is going on in the world around me. If it doesn’t come from Elmo or Barney, then I don’t have a clue! I think most working mothers can relate to me here! Between running around doing errands, cooking for my family, and changing diapers, I admit (ashamedly so) that I do not pay attention to current events in the news. I don’t even know what the weather is going to be like until I step outside! I know it sounds awful, but it’s the life most of us busy mothers live. In this class I am not only using modern media decipher what is happening around me in a “buyer beware” sort of attitude. But I am also teaching myself to slow down and really take a look at what is going on around me in the world. Many of these things that are happening on the news are going to greatly affect my life, like current politics. I think this class is going to help me in more ways that just academics. I am going to become a more well-rounded and well-read person because I will not only know how to look and decipher what is being tossed my way in the media and news outlets, but I will also know how to take the time to give myself that opportunity. I think that is definitely something a book and tests cannot teach you.