Page 2 - Online Graduate Degrees | Granite State College

Dear Mother Nature, 'nuf with the snow!

Tuesday, March 1, 2011 by Mary Clouter

Dear Mother Nature, 'nuf with the snow! I am ready for Spring!

For me, Spring is the best time of year. The temperature becomes a perfect mix of cool and warm, people are outside more, and nature starts to wake up. Every Spring day brings

along something new; new buds on trees, birds I haven't heard for awhile and didn't realize that I missed, and flowers beginning to bloom. I love the feeling that it gives me of new and hopeful beginnings.

One more semester to go before I graduate from Granite State College and start my "new and hopeful" life outside of GSC. The feeling is both satisfying and also a bit scary. It's not always easy trying something new that will be outside of my comfort zone however positive it may be. There was a time when I am sure I felt the same way about entering college. All of the "what ifs" creep up... what if I don't do well, what if I can't find the time, what if, what if, what if. All it took though was one class at a time and now, with the help of GSC's affordable continuing education options and class formats (classroom, online, and weekend intensive), the one class at a time has become a bachelor's degree in Behavioral Science. How exciting!

Continuing my education was the best thing I ever did. Give Granite State College a call and see what "new and hopeful beginnings" are waiting for you!

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.

What do I want to be When I grow up?

Thursday, January 13, 2011 by Marta Smith

Remember when you could pick a job and stay with it until retirement? When I graduated from high school there were two kinds of graduates - the college-bound and the factory-bound - or at least that's how I thought of it.

Well, there was also the house-bound, but many women were choosing to forgo marriage and babies for awhile - I graduated in the 70s and women were exploring their options more since the 60s revolution that took women out of the home and into the workforce, but I digress! Many of the students I graduated with had parents in local factories and they were quite content to follow the same path into a nice secure union job. Sure it was hard monotonous work, but it was steady and paid well - the only thing better was a government job, the benefits were great! Sure many graduates changed jobs a time or two until they found the right niche, but then it was punching the same time clock until retirement. Not so anymore.

Times have changed since then and factories are few and far between, and even the students who went of to college back then may be out looking for a job at a time in their lives when they should be thinking of retirement. Nothing is certain anymore when it comes to jobs and even government jobs can be risky and without all the benefits they used to offer.

In the past the average worker would possibly go through one career change in his lifetime - if that. Today, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, the average worker can expect to go through between 3 and 5 career changes in his lifetime. One of the best ways to be prepared for this, in my opinion is to take as many classes in your field of expertise as possible and one of the best places to do that is at Granite State College. You will have flexible hours and hundreds of different classes to choose from all over the state and even online. You can take a few classes to round out your degree, or start a whole new career by getting a degree in an entirely different field. Granite State College has many people available to help you decide the best option for your needs and even to show you how to manage the financial aid.
Stop by your local office or go online and look at the classes offered. Even people who have retired from one career can benefit from the classes offered at Granite State-either for enrichment programs or maybe to start a whole new career or possibly a small business. Learning doesn't stop at 65! The more you use your brain the younger it stays!

The start of a new semester!

Thursday, January 13, 2011 by Mary Clouter

Our Winter session has started. I was really excited about the start of this new semester. Part of the reason is that I only have five more courses (including this semester) before I graduate in June with my Bachelor's degree in Behavioral Science and I'm looking forward to my courses.

I'll have two online classes for college this semester and one in the classroom at the Manchester NH college campus. I can't say that I'm very good at biology, but I am so looking forward to my class, "The Human Brain." It will be interesting to learn more about different disorders and what parts of the brain are affected. Cool stuff!

I'll also have my Introduction to Research Methods in the Behavioral Sciences and Social Psychology - Hi Beth! (Beth was the instructor for my Human Development class too.)

The Intro class is so interesting even though we're only about half way through the first week. Lots of great online discussions as responses to a posted question from our instructor.

I can't wait to see how these classes unfold. I wish in some ways that I had started at Granite State College earlier because they have so many interesting classes being offered through the year. But I'm not complaining! It's because of Granite State College's flexible class schedules and different formats (classroom, online, and weekend intensive) that's allowing me to graduate in June!

I'll let you know how things progress!

mary

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!

Shelby

Thursday, November 18, 2010 by Granite State College Stories

I graduated from GSC in June of 2010, 51 yrs young. GSC has given me far more than a Bachelors degree. Laid off in Nov '08 from the design & construction field, I was at a loss. My youngest still in High School my ability to move to more opportunities in my field was out of the question. I had taught as an adjunct faculty member and loved the prospect of teaching design full time. Problem #1 I didn't have an under grad degree. GSC with its weekend, evening and online classes made it happen. Everyone was supportive, informed and made it as easy as I could possibly imagine. Currently I am finishing my 1st semester for my MFA and will graduate in May '12. Thank you GSC for getting me here!

Name: Shelby S. Hicks
Graduated: GSC 6/10 Endicott MFA 5/12
Location: Concord
Email: sshicks12@gmail.com
Degree: BS applied studies w option in management

Unemployed

Wednesday, November 17, 2010 by Mary Clouter

Ok. There. I said it. Unemployed. But this isn't about the who, what, where, why, or how of this topic. A little over three years ago, I was let go from my job, though I have to admit, I was very ready to move on to something new. I am so happy that when I left that job, I made the decision to go back to college. At 47, I received an associates degree in Paralegal Studies. I had always wanted my degree. I knew I could do more and I really wanted to prove that to myself. I'm now continuing on for my bachelor's in Behavioral Science.

Initially, I was able to pay for college out of my own pocket, but as time went on and the job market became tougher and tougher, I applied for financial aid to help me with the costs of going to school. I have student loans now, but I won't need to start paying them until after I graduate. Other students are able to qualify and receive Pell Grants and other types of grants. These grants are for education and never need to be paid back.

What I am trying to say is that being unemployed is a tough spot to be in, but it doesn't mean that I can't continue my education. With Granite State College's flexible schedules of evening, weekend, and online classes, I can look for a job during the day and accept a job when one comes up, without affecting my continuing education or possible employment. Granite State College also has a Financial Aid office that has helped me with applying for financial aid and any questions that I've had along the way.

Going back to school was the best thing I ever did and being unemployed didn't need to interfere with my ambitions. Perhaps there's an opportunity for you as well. Speaking with someone in financial aid about more information to continue your studies at Granite State College may end up being one of the best decisions you've ever made. You won't know unless you try! I'm so glad I did.

It is not rocket science and you're smart!

Thursday, October 14, 2010 by Deidre Romeo

A friend presented me with a challenge this week. When I admitted that I struggled at my first attempt at the challenge his response to me was, “It is not rocket science and you’re smart.” He was correct, the challenge is not beyond my means, I just needed someone to remind me that I am a smart woman. How did this new friend know that I was smart? He has not known me long, we have not worked together professionally, I can only assume he believed it to be true because that is what I portrayed to him, and after all, I am a Granite State College graduate!

I struggled during my first online classes for college, I struggled during my first night college classes, who am I kidding, I struggled during most of my adult college courses! I never gave up though. My professors and classmates constantly encouraged me and reminded me that I was a “smart” woman. Today, with my adult college degree in hand, I only need to be reminded once to believe it to be true. I am a smart woman capable of almost anything. I will succeed in my current challenge and know it us due in part to the experiences I have received through my adult college program.

Signs, Signs, Everywhere Are Signs

Tuesday, September 14, 2010 by Heather Carter

After the idea started percolating in my head that Granite State College (formally College for Lifelong Learning, or CLL) just might be the perfect route to my long-desired college degree, I still hesitated. After all, it was really scary. The notion of going to college at all made me nervous. The notion of going to college as an adult, years after most people with whom I'd attended high school had already graduated from higher education institutions, was really daunting. Going to college while working full-time and raising a child as a single mother, seemed utterly terrifying.

I calculated how long it would take me to graduate with a Bachelor degree if I only took one 4-credit class a term. 38-years-old?!? That idea floored me. Then I thought, well, I'm going to be 38-years-old eventually anyway. I might as well be 38-years-old with a degree! However, I still couldn't bring myself to make the call to the school to start the process.

Then mysterious things started happening to me! Suddenly, it seemed that I was constantly reminded about the college, after never having heard of it before. I'd be listening to the radio while I worked and I'd hear an ad talking about the college and how it offered classes at the Concord, NH college campus (perfect for me, since I worked in Concord at the time). I'd be in line at the bank and would overhear people discussing the school and how they offer online college English classes (I'd longed to study English and literature). Suddenly, a friend that I'd known for years happened to mention that she was attending CLL's graduation ceremony where her sister was celebrating her newly-acquired adult education certificate.

It was so strange! This kind of thing seemed to happen over and over again. And, as if the universe's message couldn't pummel me any harder, everywhere I went I'd see the initials C.L.L.-- especially on license plates!

I remember the actual moment when I surrendered to the signs that bombarded me. I was sitting in my car noticing yet another car's license tags that contained the letters CLL. I threw my hands up in the air, laughed gleefully, and said out loud, "Okay, okay. I get it! I'll go!"

The next day I called the main number and, within minutes, had an appointment scheduled with an adviser. And my college career had begun!

Who knew What I knew Had Value?

Monday, August 16, 2010 by Chris Perley

After graduation I hit the ground running. I decided I would still signed up for a class a semester, starting with Survey of World Architecture. I was taken by surprise by the summer semester a little bit. The previous summer I had done test-outs, so this was my first real summer class online. Don't be fooled by the length, it's 8 weeks long but 12 weeks full!  I am always amazed at the end of a class by the quality of Granite State College compared to other distance learning universities. I learned so much about the world around me, and now see buildings differently.  This class really made me feel like I was at an institution of higher learning!

I also took a trip to validation nation last winter. With the help of my academic advisor Nancee Caughey, I gathered up all the specialized training I had received over the years. I was now enrolled in a Criminal Justice administration degree program so I knew my prior classes would be a big help. I was doing all my online classes for criminal justice, and figured if I could validate out of a couple, all the better.

Validation at GSC is a process where you present, in a somewhat formal fashion, evidence of prior learning.   The prior learning has to have been A. significant, B. measurable and C. evidence of both provided. It sounds more complicated than it is.  I presented many of the career college training classes in criminal justice I had taken at the police academy and other law enforcement institutions.  All of my efforts paid of BIG TIME! I was awarded 22 credits towards my degree in criminal justice administration. Do the math of this one: 22 credits, at about $300 bucks a credit, is $6,600.00 I saved. Plus at one class a semester, I saved 6 semesters or 1 1/2 years of time towards my degree.

Anyone who has previously taken classes for work or pleasure should seriously consider the validation process. It really confirmed in my mind that GSC wants me to succeed more than anything else!   Don't wait, VALIDATE!!!!!!!!!

Next Up: Why the integrated seminar should be more like a lost weekend.

Diversity

Monday, August 16, 2010 by Erin Todd

In my Managing Diversity weekend intensive class, there is a 38-year-old Nigerian-born U.S. citizen, a 50-year-old Korean-American, a 28-year-old veteran of the Iraq War, a 20-year-old recent high school graduate, a 32-year-old state trooper, a 44-year-old executive and a 42-year-old UNH police officer. And me. Six of us are white. There are more men than women in this class -- a fact that is statistically atypical for Granite State College. Gender aside, the age, occupational and racial/ethnic differences of the students that make up this class are typical of GSC. Such diversity is one of my favorite aspects of taking classes at this NH State College.

Our first assignment for this class was to ask ten random people what they think "Diversity" means. The people I asked gave responses using the words "understanding, respecting, accepting, appreciating, embracing, honoring and celebrating" those "different from ourselves." That is how I feel in a GSC class, because my classmates and I come from all walks of life, from all over the state, even from different parts of the world. Some of us are just out of high school, some are stay-at-home parents and some are parents who also work outside the home, some of us are mid-career or mid-life, and some are older adults. And those differences always result in students coming away from any given class with a new understanding of someone else's perspective.

One of the people I asked responded that diversity is an opportunity that helps us grow as human beings. Another declared that there is strength in diversity. Several expressed how boring the world would be if everyone was the same. I agree with all of these statements. As a student, I have witnessed and experienced the really transformative learning that takes place in a GSC classroom. Part of that learning is intellectual, part is social, part is even growth on an emotional level. One of the greatest strengths of adult and continuing education at GSC is the opportunity to glean knowledge from the broad life experiences of our classmates.

How appealing would it be to sit down to a meal of, say, unseasoned white rice and plain boiled potatoes and white bread? Bland and boring are two adjectives that come to mind. On the other hand, partaking of a meal made up of butternut squash and flame-broiled steak and green beans seasoned with fresh herbs is a more vibrant and flavorful culinary experience. It's also more interesting.

My classmates are very interesting people. They come from all age groups, income brackets, occupations and geographic areas. A lot of my classmates are taking part time classes, though some have a full time course load; some prefer evening college classes and many also take college classes online. Many are looking for a career advancement education and some are fulfilling a goal of getting their college degree through GSC's continuing education degree programs.

The students that make up my classes are hard-working folks. They're focused. They're driven. They're probably not getting enough sleep. But. They know how important it is to have a college degree in this work climate. Many employers are expecting their employees to have, or be working on, a four-year college degree. At GSC my classmates and I are getting a truly affordable bachelor degree. No matter our age, our past work experiences, our income levels or our geographic background.

How to obtain your degree with limited financial resources...

Sunday, August 15, 2010 by Deidre Romeo

As an adult college degree recipient, I can tell you firsthand how it is possible to go back to school without the financial resources to do so. I did it, and so can you. My first mistake was to think I was not eligible for financial aid because I had a good job, was able to support myself and my one daughter who was still considered a dependent on my income tax return. Do not make this same mistake. The very first step you need to take in financing your adult education degree is to submit a FAFSA application online. It is not at all intimidating as I believed it to be. Not only did I qualify for more than $1,000 in federal and state grants during my freshman year but by completing the FAFSA I qualified for deferred interest loans and numerous adult scholarships as well. Grants are a gift, they do not need to be repaid. The Subsidized Stafford loans are educational loans which do not start accumulating interest until 6 months after you graduate or stop taking classes. Currently the deferred rate of these loans is only 4.5%. I challenge you to find a loan without collateral at a comparable rate!

Now, how to find adult education scholarships…

Use the internet and search every possible avenue. Here in the State of New Hampshire I found many scholarships I qualified for and applied for every single one of them. Yes, it does take some time and effort but it is certainly worth it. GSC offers the “Osher Re-Entry Scholarship,” as well as the ALA Merit Scholarship. Next I found the Adult Student Aid Program Scholarship available through the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. Through my continued Internet searches I found available scholarships through the numerous NH chapters of the Business and Professional Women’s Foundation, the “Take it to the Bank” scholarship offered by NHHEAF and many small local scholarship programs specifically offered to residents of individual counties and communities. Aside from these scholarships available to NH residents there are countless national scholarships also available to the adult college degree student. Many banks, retail stores and businesses offer student scholarship contests. Take the time and put in the effort to apply for and attain the required finances you need to obtain your degree. I did it, so can you. Every scholarship I was awarded was again offered to me for a second and third time in my subsequent years of study.

In my next post I will give you other tips and tricks on obtaining your adult college degree with limited finances. Most scholarships have deadlines so do not procrastinate and get started right away on your scholarship search. Once you have completed this you will be ready for the next phase of financing your education....

The Graduation of my friend, Donna Downes

Sunday, July 25, 2010 by Leslie Bowering

My friend Donna deserves to have fireworks for the rest of her life for she has truly earned them! In June 2010 she graduate from Granite State College with a GPA of 3.93! As important as her grades are, they only give us a sliver of a glimpse into who this woman really is and where she is headed in life.

Donna fits the demographic of the typical Granite State College Adult Learner to a tee. She has lived a life of many years previous to setting and meeting Adult College Courses; she got married, became a mother, then a step-mother, while working at many different jobs along the way. For instance, in 1973 Donna was the first woman hired at the Hampton Toll Booth in New Hampshire. She was eventually "retired" from this position at the age of 25 because she was pregnant and "everybody would know what she had done to be in that condition."

As Donna continued to have children she continued to change jobs for different reasons. In 1993 she began a degree program because the company she worked for planned to downsize. But as her children began to attend college Donna's plan was set aside money in an effort to support the ambitions of her children and to also pay their tuition.

Miracles do happen! In 2009 after Donna's company closed its doors she was free to complete her Bachelor of Science degree at Granite State College in Rochester through the Trade Act. With the help of her dedicated and efficient Advisor, Linda Buttrick, Donna was quickly enrolled into classes in July of 2009.

In order to graduate, Donna's ambitious goal included the completion of nine courses. Through the Trade Act she was required to take two courses per semester which meant she had to take three courses for the last semester.

An example of Donna's Adult College Program palette includes fun courses like Software Tools and Interpersonal Communications, which she took as Online Classes for Adults. In the Fall she took The Principles of Assessments, Introduction to Research in Behavioral Science and Sociology which was a bit more challenging for her. But lets revisit her GPA of 3.93 for a moment, which speaks to the astute characteristics of dedication and determination most adult learners already posses when they arrive at Granite State College.

Self-determined to succeed because "failure was not an option," Donna met with Nicole McMillan in the writing lab to set up a study schedule and to make appointments to proof-read Donna's prolific works. Once she was settled in her daily routine of good consistent study habits, Donna went on to complete every single course required of her to meet the standard qualifications for the degree she ardently pursued.

I had the wonderful honor and enjoyment of meeting Donna while we were enrolled in Professor Sparrow's course, The Principles of Assesments, Introduction to Research in Behavioral Science and Sociology. During that time I learned about Donna's love of fiction writing which added yet another dimension to an amazing multidimensional person I will not soon forget.

Bring your creativity! Bring your diversity! Bring an insatiable appetite for the learning process and you too will fit right in. When Donna arrived she made the learning process her own, until ultimately she reached her own seemingly unobtainable heights!

Good Luck Donna!

Change and education opportunities

Sunday, July 25, 2010 by John Ford

Recently I've had a few opportunities to talk with some recent high school graduates about their plans for the summer and beyond....including continuing education. I found it rather interesting listening to them talk about the pressures of attaining good grades to get into good schools to try and get good jobs (the typical parental mantra to motivate kids through the high school years - it didn't work on us when we were kids yet we try it on our kids and they will try it on theirs as well - maybe some things are genetically coded.....).

Anyway what struck me is the attitude of some of these young people. They are not "buying in" to the college right after high school tradition. As a matter of fact many of them are looking at ways to get involved in the global community for a year or two before going "back to school" to earn a degree.

Some are looking at AmericaCorp, Habitat for Humanity, and other global service opportunities. They are seeking ways to expand their experiences as a world citizen, gain a better understanding of how the world works, meet some people with similar values and aspirations and concerns, and share their passion for giving back. Some want to be able to use this time to get to know themselves better. Many are considering smaller, less well known colleges or universities. Some are pursuing their own interests distance learning universities and online classes. And yes, the truth be told, some just don't know what they want to do, but they know that the traditional path just isn't the right thing for them now.

Some are looking at the experiences that their parents have had both in academics and in the business world. Many think about deferring college to enlist in the military. Some are considering adult education certificate programs or getting into an adult education diploma program that allows them to go to school while pursuing a job or their passion. They've seen their parents working while getting their degrees (undergrad as well as post grad work). They've seen their parents go back to get a second degree or certificate and start a new career. They have learned that education is the key to their future, but it doesn't have to be down the traditional path.

For all of the caterwauling about today's generation (every generation past has complained about the one they created), there are a lot of bright kids (okay, parents, you can acknowledge that you did a great job with your kids....there, feel better?). I came away from this conversation feeling pretty good about the next generation of learners. They are taking charge of their own education. They have challenged the system, the teachers, the parent, and even the business world. They have options that we never heard about, they are courageous, they are afraid of the future, but not paralyzed by their fear. It feeds their desire to get outside of their comfort zone. They know that you can hit the reset button and recover if you make a mistake. They are not afraid of doing something they haven't done before. They create opportunities, they create their future, they create our future.

They will change the way education will be delivered in the years to come and they will complain and be overly concerned about the next generation.....and somewhere down the road, some one will have a conversation with a group of the next generation and find out that this new generation, like the ones before it, will create a world of new knowledge and opportunities for living, for working and even for learning.......

They are using online courses, accelerated undergraduate programs, and distance learning in ways that create opportunities for those in academics to create the future of colleges and universities. They are creating new careers and new technologies that are creating opportunities for colleges and universities to grow and evolve faster than ever before.

The adult learning community is listening and responding! Never before has there been so many options for today's learning community to access education. Never before has there been so many options and academic programs to purse so many unique and innovative degrees. Never before has the academic world been more ready to serve and support the adult learning community.

So, graduates (high school, tech school, community college, college and university grad, and even you post-grad learners) when you get ready to turn to the college and university community to continue and support your education and career advancement goals, we will be there, ready to give you the education you need to continue your journey as a lifelong learner......

See you in class......

Embrace the fear!

Thursday, July 22, 2010 by Marta Smith

I was 49 went I went back to school. I was excited, but a little apprehensive as well. I wanted to take as many writing courses as possible, and I did. Of course I also chose history, astronomy and art classes. In fact, I took a little bit of everything, except math.

I have to admit that I was a bit math phobic. I didn't have any good memories of math class after about 6th grade. Give me addition, subtraction and multiplication and I'm good to go -- even fractions, no worries --but algebra and geometry, not so good, and considering how long ago I had taken those classes I was terrified about passing the math class I would need to take to get my degree. Needless to say, I put it off as long as I could.

I took the Accuplacer and sailed through the reading comprehension part, but I didn't score high enough on the math portion to go directly into the regular college math class. I wasn't too enthused about taking the remedial math as I called it, but it turned out to be the best thing I ever did. I barely made it through my high school math classes and even repeated algebra to try to improve my grade, without success. However, my Granite State College experience was very different.

The Math teacher I had at Granite State College was wonderful; she didn't treat us like we were dense if we didn't get it right away and she explained everything in an a clear, understandable manner. Even though many of my classmates were fresh out of high school and I was a late learner, I discovered that I had one skill that would make up for my years away from school -- I still knew my times tables! Who knew that all of that memorization would stick with me for so long and apparently it applies to all the other forms of math. I not only passed the basic math course, I also went on to the Intro to College Math class and passed it with flying colors.

My fear of math is not unusual in a student returning to school after years away from formal learning. One thing you should know is that even though you may have been out of school, chances are you have still been learning -- at your job, raising your kids, traveling, whatever your life has been will translate into life skills that will be useful in your return to school. There is even a class you can take to help you determine what life skills you have that may translate into credits. Any fear you have about returning to college life is exactly the same fear we have all had; you are not alone.

One of the amazing things about Granite State College is that they really want you to succeed and they provide you with all of the tools you need to do just that. They have supportive teachers and staff, tutors if you need extra help and even students who will help classmates when needed, if you are serious about putting in the work the support system won't let you down. The staff and advisors at the college will help through the process from financial aid to selecting the classes you need to reminding you when it's time to prepare for graduation.

One of the best things about Granite State College is the variety of offerings. I have enjoyed everything from creative writing to Astronomy to Sustainable Gardening, which was my last science class, and more fun than learning in the classroom from a textbook and I learned so much that I can actually use every year when I have a successful garden.

I once spent an amazing four days on the Isles of Shoals taking a creative writing course with a great group of writers. We all just clicked and ended up sharing stories with each other that we would never have shared under any other circumstances-that group, at that time in that place opened up all of the creative flow and it poured out. Even the reluctant writers produced the most amazing work, much to their surprise. But then, how could anyone not be moved to write while sitting in a porch rocker on the deck of an old hotel on an island frozen in time? If you ever get the chance to take a class or participate in a retreat on the Isle of Shoals, Star Island -- go for it. You will never forget it, believe me.

Another non-traditional aspect of the Granite State College experience is the availability of online and Hybrid (half online, half face to face) courses which many people choose because it works around their job and family obligations. Just imagine a class that is available at 3 in the am or 11 pm and anytime in between! I personally prefer face to face or hybrid classes because I like the real time interaction and the instant response aspect, but that may just be my age-I'm more used to the traditional classroom. While I see the benefits of online, I hope the traditional classroom never goes away.

The most important thing I have learned since going back to school is that the learning process never ends. Whether a student is 18 or 80 Granite State has much to offer, they really are the perfect place for the lifelong student.

My Philosophy

Tuesday, July 20, 2010 by Mary Gaetz

What Would Mel Brooks Do?

I tend to ask myself this whenever I am held up by my own insecurities and fears.  I have lot of anxiety and so I almost always have Mel Brooks in my head. Mel's movies and sense of humor always remind me of how ridiculous the entire world can be, and if we're stressed out about it, we're probably taking ourselves too seriously. I am the newly hired Outreach Coordinator for Granite State College, Claremont/Lebanon. I am thrilled to be working in a college again, but I am very nervous and definitely have some anxiety about starting this job. I totally commiserate with those of you beginning your studies this semester. So here we go.  Remember: life is unrehearsed and a sense of humor is necessary.

I suppose I must admit that I am not from around here. I was born and raised in Kansas and went to graduate school in Nebraska. Just a note: if you are from New Hampshire NEVER GO TO THESE STATES. You won't like them. Trust me. I, on the other hand, am in long distance love affair with Kansas. I won't elaborate except to say that I find it beautiful and enchanting and like nowhere else I've ever been. I also liked Nebraska very much and hope to end up back there someday.

Education is very important to me and I understand the value of it.  Since I was young I always assumed I would go to college after high school. Both of my parents have Bachelor degrees and growing up we were regaled with fun stories from my father's exploits as a college student. I couldn't wait to adopt stray cats and keep them in my dorm room, accidentally blow up trash cans at drive thrus, and put pink light bulbs in all the light fixtures. I wanted to have friends with weird names like "Tree", or call them by their last names. It was what I wanted while I was in high school--freedom! Unfortunately, life happened while I was making college plans and college fell by the wayside. So life beat me up for five years, but during those five years I never forgot about college. I would look at adult education services at local community colleges, but could never seem to get my life together enough to take the plunge. I thought about taking part-time classes or night time classes but still wasn't sure how to make it work. And of course there was no such thing as taking online classes back in the nineties. I didn't even own a computer.

One day, when I finally had a great job, a cute apartment, and a cat, I knew it was time. I had proved to myself that I could have a stable life, so time to scrap it and get going on making those dreams come true. I packed up the cat and the boyfriend and moved to Emporia KS where I spent the next five years learning everything I could fit into my schedule. It. was. so. hard. I. was. so. scared. I would mourn the loss of my job and apartment and sit around being a big ball of stress. But: I was succeeding in my studies in a way that was surprising and exciting.  I set the goal that I would get a B+ average in my first semester. I had a 4.0. I was very shy around the other students. They were all so young and spry, beautiful and annoying. They were also talented, accepting, inspiring, smart and LIKED me!! My fellow students were a great source of inspiration and information, and still are to this day.  I liked school so much that I went on to get my MFA at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Through it all I have had the most incredible teachers and the most supportive classmates, but I never forget that I worked my tail off, that I did it, that I had the strength and the vision and the courage to get my degree. Sure, I missed out on the dorm experiences, but I still have college stories that I hope to share some day with my children--the cat doesn't seem to care. So now I am ready to embark on my adventure at Granite State College, helping people transition into students, a noble and wonderful title.

Happy day for Two...

Saturday, July 17, 2010 by Gail Gifford

Thought I would share a happy moment that occurred for me a few months ago. My oldest daughter Amber, graduated from Nursing School the same month I graduated from Granite State College. When she was born, I never would have thought she and I would be getting our Higher Education Certificates / Degrees together, but we did. Hers of course was in Birmingham, Alabama where she lived and mine was here in SC as a distance learner taking online classes for college with Granite State College. She is so much like her mom: gets a goal and does not give up until she completes it.

She has recently moved to Greenville, SC and I am just thrilled to have one of my children close by. Looking back on all her struggles with school and her determination never to give up, is just inspiring for me and many of her friends. She had started school about 6 years ago in Columbia TN and got dismissed a few times from the nursing program, it is a very hard program to get through, and found herself out the door. She kept at it and finally fulfilled her dream. She is a nurse and a wonderful nurse at that. Determination to succeed is inherited gene from her mom. I was so determined to get mine, nothing would have held me back. Not even a move from one state to another. With my schooling at Granite State College, I have found that the professors work with you so well, there is always help if you ask. They don't want you to fail, they want you to succeed and learn the information and how it applies to everyday life.

Amber had no problem getting a job even in these tough times, she is now working for the Greenville Hospital System in Powdersville, SC. I am still at Ford Motor Credit enjoying my job and looking forward to other opportunities that may open, thanks to my Granite State College Adult Degree!!

Success As Measured in Bacons

Thursday, June 24, 2010 by Douglas Cooper

There must have been a time when livestock was expensive enough that it was currency unto itself, hence phrases like "bring home the bacon." I am pretty sure the term bucks came to mean dollars in the frontier days of the U.S for the same reason. There was probably an era, when prosperity and success in life in the developed world could be correlated to the amount of bacon a particular person ate, or at least had access to.

This however, is not the bacon I have in mind; instead, I am thinking of Kevin Bacon. In particular, I think that Kevin Bacon should get his own unit of measure, not shockingly called Bacons.

Let me back up: ever since 7th grade, I thought it would be the coolest thing to have my own unit of measure (after I took chemistry in 10th grade, I added that having my own chemical element would be awesome, too). The greatest names in science, as a tribute to their contributions to knowledge, were made synonymous with units of measure in their fields of endeavor. Some of the are familiar and heard every day, like Fahrenheit, or Newtons, if you've ever taken physics. There are dozens more, and they can get totally obscure, like angstroms, gauss, roentgens, farradays, etc. Since I changed my major in college from chemistry to psychology in my sophomore year, the odds of getting my own element or unit don't look good. Almost everyone else alive today won't get one either, but each of us can make a difference in the world with our Bacons.

The idea is to play off the "six degrees of Kevin Bacon" game, so that your one-Bacons are the people immediately around you: family, friends, colleagues. The two-Bacons and beyond are somewhat harder to measure, but it could certainly be done. Focusing on the one-Bacons, I believe that the well-being of your one-Bacons is a direct measure of yourself. The best part about this is that everyone you've ever seen, spoken, or been around is one of your one-Bacons, and anyone that they've ever seen, spoken to, or been around is one of your two-Bacons. Similarly, you could very well be a two-Bacon to two complete strangers, who turn out to be within four or five Bacons of each other....whoa, hang on... I'm dizzy.

This all hit me at the Granite State College Commencement ceremony a couple weekends ago. Even though I have been to a dozen graduation ceremonies before, both as a spectator and a graduate, I just realized a couple weeks ago that an elusive concept like success can be easily measured as your one-Bacons. Each speaker at Commencement, including GSC President Dr. Karol LaCroix, Governor John Lynch, and the faculty and student speakers, more or less made this point from different perspectives. When the students thanked their husbands and wives and children and families, they spoke volumes about being the one-Bacons of their family members. The award recipients basically said the same thing - that their personal achievements were possible only because they are the one-Bacons of their families and colleagues.

I also had a great day that Sunday on account of my one-Bacons. For the first graduation since I started here, I had a number of students graduate that "came in" with me, which is to say I was their advisor from their first day, to that Sunday where they graduated. My one-Bacons are everywhere, too. Some of them had been to multiple schools in the University of New Hampshire System, but finished at GSC. Others have a career for years, even decades, before deciding to finish with online classes for criminal justice.

All of this was huge for me, although to be fair, it's sort of rigged: each of my advisees who graduated are some of my one-Bacons, and it felt really good to have helped in the success and graduation of that many folks. The families and friends assembled that afternoon must have also been proud, so that my two-Bacons also had a great day.

Please know, this is not all about me, or about any one of us, individually. Instead, I think the true measure of the success of any one of us can be measured by our Bacons. Ask yourself, just as I do everyday (wait, that's not true; it's not every day, how about a few times a week):

How did I make my organization better today?
How did I make my spouse's/child's/friend's/neighbor's life better today?

Your one-Bacons (and two-Bacons and three-Bacons, and so on) can be your most trusted friends or total strangers on the bus, and any one of them or all of them can be vastly upgraded by the simplest or silliest things. And even though it's true that we have an opportunity to better ourselves by actively bettering the lot of our one-Bacons, it always helps to have a ceremony or event that broadcasts the betterment of your one-Bacons, like when a number of my students walked across that stage when their names were called at Commencement.

The shortest distance between two points

Thursday, June 3, 2010 by Tom Oetinger

During my student recruiting travels for Granite State College I frequently hear stories of woe from parents of traditional age college students about how their child’s undergraduate experience took longer than the anticipated four years. “My son spent six years in college because he majored in fraternities during his first two years” said one parent. All too frequently, students who complete eight full-time semesters in a bachelor’s degree program have either insufficient credits or lack required courses for graduation. Changing majors, dropping courses, poor academic performance and course scheduling mistakes are common reasons for an extended college experience. These extra semesters equate to higher out of pocket costs for parents and students and bigger student loans.

Fortunately there are strategies that can assist the traditional-age college student to complete their bachelor’s degree on time and, in some cases, ahead of schedule. Taking one or two summer courses every year, along with proper academic planning can enable a student to complete their plan of study a full semester ahead of time. This strategy can reduce both tuition and room and board costs and enables the student to begin the career search five months earlier than their classmates.

Many students at our sister University System of NH schools take advantage of Granite State College’s five week online spring courses or eight week summer term to build credits, then transfer these course credits into the plan of study at their ‘home’ college. Our online, evening and weekend course options allow students to complete the coursework while still working summer jobs and having adequate ‘beach time’. Registering for a summer course at Granite State College is both affordable and easy. The NH Transfer.org website allows students to make sure that the selected courses will transfer and meet their plan of study needs. My son is a communications major at Keene State College and by taking a summer course every year at GSC is on track to complete his degree requirements in December of his senior year. My checkbook is really liking that!

If you are interested in learning more about this and other accelerated graduation strategies drop me an e-mail at tom.oetinger@granite.edu .

The Changing of the Guard

Monday, April 12, 2010 by Deidre Romeo

It has now become reality in my mind; Karol LaCroix is really retiring this June! Karol is the current President of Granite State College. She has truly made this school what it is today, a thriving academic environment available to all within our State and beyond. Granite State College is one of the best Colleges of New Hampshire. We are the leader in online course offerings and almost 50% of our alumni continue on to graduate school. GSC offers flexible class scheduling, many degree majors which include self-design degrees and utilizes an abundance of career educators as well as business leaders to teach our students. Karol has been instrumental in bringing Granite State College to the new millennium. Karol has been a strong leader, a mentor to many and a friend to all. She will be greatly missed.

Last week the new President of Granite State College was announced, Dr. Todd Leach from the College of Professional Studies at Northeastern University. I was fortunate enough to be able to attend a question and answer forum with Dr. Leach and the other two finalists for the Presidency. I was very pleased with the information and answers he gave at his “drilling”! You can find a link to his resume on the GSC homepage if you are interested. Below is a word cloud I created from my impression of our new President.

If it is not obvious, I am reluctantly excited. My reluctance is only in losing Karol, I could not be more pleased with the candidate that was chosen. Change is usually a good thing. I welcome Dr. Leach to our learning community and look forward to the opportunity to watch him thrive.