Page 2 - Part Time Classes | Granite State College

Those who paved theway

Tuesday, March 22, 2011 by Marta Smith

I just realized the other day - I am not the first generation of non-traditional learners.

I know it seems like this midlife, adult education program is brand new, but actually it isn't. I vaguely remember my mother dusting off her books and heading back to school when my youngest sister was about 6. I always thought she did it to get away from my sister, but I may be projecting! Anyway, my mother got her teaching degree beforer she married my father and after they were married they moved around quite a bit. After awhile I was born, then sister number 1 and sister number 2, and my mother became a stay-at-home mom. She may have worked a few part-time jobs over the years, but mostly she stayed home. When my youngest sister went to school, my mother went back to school, taking college evening classes and others, to renew her teaching certificate.

As I was reading the obituary of an older friend who recently passed away, I realized that she had also taken time off to raise her kids and then gone back to school to finish her degree, and then she went on to teach at the local high school. She raised successful children who went on to prestigious colleges and then highly successful careers and then she went back to teach other children how to be successful in life.
So, my point is they are the ones who paved the way for us. It wasn't as easy for them to go back to school and to pursue adult education and training as it is for us. There was less help with tuition and very few places to go and less flexible class schedules. We are so much luckier than those who went before.

TOP 10 REASONS TO TAKE AN ONLINE CLASS

Monday, March 21, 2011 by Chuck Bagley

Learning online at Granite State College is practical and functional for many adult learners taking adult college courses. It lends itself well to how adult learners learn best, under the unique conditions they often find themselves. Online learning is appealing from a practical lifestyle perspective but also from a theoretical and neuro-scientific perspective. Here are the top ten reasons to take online classes for college:

Easy to get started - You can get started learning online with a computer and Internet access. Computers are becoming more powerful, less expensive and more user-friendly. Internet service is widely available in many places. If owning your own computer or accessing the Internet from home is a problem, many public libraries offer free computer and Internet access. Be sure to check your school’s technical requirements for your computer before taking an online class.

Economical - No travel costs, no commuting, and no dormitory fees - just tuition and occasionally materials fees.

Accessible – As long as you have an Internet connection, you can access your online course. This is particularly appealing to parents of young children or students who travel often for their work.

Flexible –Unable to make a 9:00 AM Economics lecture on a college campus? Online classes are available 24 hours a day. You can learn online from your own home at a time that is convenient for you.

Effective – When you take online classes for adults, you can expect to learn important career building skills and abilities equal to, or better than, a traditional classroom setting. According to a 2010 evaluation of online learning conducted by the U.S. Department of Education, “Students in online conditions performed modestly better, on average, than those learning the same material through traditional face-to-face instruction.”

It gets better - Thanks to advances in technology, learning online continues to improve at an unprecedented rate. New technologies facilitate active engagement that allow adult learners to apply, integrate, implement, differentiate, and formulate new learning into experience generating activities. Technological advances also enhance learner connectedness, interaction and mutual support. Immersive learning environments and serious games are no longer distant concepts but rapidly becoming more common in online learning.

Challenging – Though there are deadlines and due dates, there are no class meeting times (although some online classes may require mandatory synchronous session), you are constantly working on your own resourcefulness and initiative to complete the coursework.

Time for Reflection – Unlike a face-to-face class where immediate responses are often required in class discussions, online discussion boards allow time for thoughtful reflection and critical thinking when interacting and responding on an online discussion board. This reflection time can facilitate metacognition – thinking about one’s own thinking or “the ability to monitor one’s current level of understanding and decide when it is not adequate” (How People Learn, 2000).

Your experience counts – Online learning facilitates the connection to past experience (cognitive activation) critical to the adult learning process. Raymond Wlodkowski author of “Enhancing Adult Motivation to Learn” explains it this way; “adults have had more time and seen the benefits and outcomes of a greater variety of experiences. Neurologically, their brains are more developed and capable of judging, planning, and making decisions about their experiences in a manner that is more integrated, stable, reflective, and future oriented.” Online learning interactive activities such as discussion boards, blogs and journals provide the opportunities to employ an adult’s “rich mosaic of experience” at deeper levels of learning as part of the learning experience.

Meaningful - You determine the meaning of the learning. “Most experts who have studied or participated in online learning communities share an approach to adult learners described as ‘constructivism.’ It is based on the premise that knowledge is constructed by adult learners as they filter new information through the prism of their own experience. It is quite different from the more traditional ‘objectivist’ idea of knowledge as a preexisting reality that teachers simply transmit by means of effective communication, and reinforce through practice and repetition. Constructivists expect adult learners to be active, reflective, and creative: managing their own learning process and often collaborating with each other to test new ideas and information by applying them to real problems and circumstances. Therefore, constructivists often describe their approach as student-centered rather than teacher-centered. Instructors facilitate learners’ progress rather than operating primarily as podium-based sages.” – Dr. Burgess Smith, Granite State College.

Like any other endeavor, learning online is what you make of it. Organization, discipline and hard work are all successful components to a positive online learning experience. As Judy Willis, MD, M.Ed. puts it: “The person who does the work LEARNS.”

Citations

Means, B, Toyama, Y, Murphy, R, Bakia, M, & Jones, K. (2010). Evaluation of Evidence-based Practices in Online Learning: A Meta-analysis and Review of Online Learning Studies . U.S. Department of Education, Office of Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development Policy and Program Studies Service.

How People Learn. (2000). Washington, D.C. National Research Council.

Wlodkowski , R. (2008). Enhancing Adult Motivation to Learn. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Smith, B. (2011, February). How We Learn Online [Web log message]. Retrieved from https://blackboard.granite.edu/

3 weeks left!

Tuesday, March 15, 2011 by Maria Bauer

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

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

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

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

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

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

Snow, Snow, Everwhere Snow

Friday, February 25, 2011 by Marta Smith

I was so happy the other day when my Burpees seed catalog came in the mail. Aha! Spring is almost here - it must be since I got the catalog. Imagine my disappointment when I went outside this morning to go to work. As I stood there in about 6 inches of snow, I saw my dreams of an early spring drifting away like a snowflake on the wind.

I slogged through the snow and cleaned about a foot of snow off the roof and windshield and back of the car, started it up and waited for the ice to melt. My hair was dripping frozen ice down my back and my feet were already wet and I hadn't even left the driveway.When I got to work I had to trudge through another 6 inches of snow because of course we hadn't been plowed out yet.

Finally, I was at my desk, a little warmer and dryer and I was doing my favorite thing - checking in new books. One of the first books I opened up was a new gardening book. It had bright colorful pictures, lots of flowers and vegetables in containers and raised beds and neatly tilled garden beds. I daydreamed about the vegetables and flowers I might grow this year, if spring ever comes!

I remembered last year when I planted a garden for the first time in about 20 years, I was inspired to take the Sustainable Gardening class offered as part of the adult continuing education programs at Granite State College. It was taught by Henry Homeyer from Cornish and I learned so much. I noticed that he will be teaching it again this spring, at the Lebanon NH college campus, this time - I think.

If you like to garden, or want to know more about sustainable gardening or just want to get closer to spring check out his class. It was great, we visited several vegetable and fruit farms in the early spring, planned our garden plots and started seeds inside - it gave us something green to watch as the last of the snow disappeared. And, if the snow is depressing you as much as it is me, I recommend stopping into your local library and checking out a few gardening books and start planning your own garden, or dreaming about it anyway, maybe you could sign up for the Sustainable Gardening class if it's been a while and you need a few pointers.

Keep the faith - spring is just around the corner - I think.

A Busy Week

Tuesday, February 22, 2011 by Gail Gifford

I have got a week ahead of me that would make anyone's head spin. I am so thankful for my good friend in New Hampshire that I met in my Economics Class at Granite State College. We took many classes together even weekend college classes (called "weekend intensives") over at the Portsmouth NH college campus. We had fun together, learning and experiencing college life. She has been there for me when I needed to vent this week. I have my daughters shower on Sunday and I am so excited about it but as everyone knows, it is a lot of work and planning. Of course my 40-hour work week is still part of my life while I am trying to cram in all the other "stuff" I need to do. My daughter's happiness is so important to me and I really want it to be a happy time in her life and our life. I am going to do the best to make her shower a happy one and memorable one. Memories are good, good for the soul. I have many fond memories, not only of my daughter growing up through the years but also of my time at college. Good times!!

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.

Part Time Classes

Monday, January 31, 2011 by Beth McKenna

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

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

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

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

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

FAFSA Filing Tips

Friday, January 28, 2011 by Cortney Henry

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

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

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

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

One Year Ago...

Monday, January 10, 2011 by Maria Bauer

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

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

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

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

See you next time! :)

Skating a tradition

Sunday, December 19, 2010 by Gail Gifford

We have many traditions in our family and one of them is to skate on Christmas Eve. We started it years ago and have done it ever since. We skated in TN, NH, FL and now SC. Well, as close to Christmas Eve as I could since I have moved to South Carolina. They don't seem to have the inside rinks open during Christmas Eve so as long as we do it during the holidays, we can all say "we skated." The four children are scattered all over the US these days so we try to call each other and tell each other when we are hitting the rink.

That event took place yesterday at the Pavilion in Taylor's, which is suburb of Greenville. My daughter and her fiance came as well as a fellow I have been dating and two girls from work. One friend brought her daughter along for the fun. It was the first time her daughter had skated and she took to her skates in no time and was out there enjoying herself just like the rest of us. Learning to skate? Is just like learning anything, it takes time and patience. Patience and determination is all it takes which is similar to learning in school. One has to be determined to do it, patience to keep going, and will to polish off the task at hand.

College is very much the same. Going back to school for me took lots of patience as I took adult college classes. I had wanted to go to school for years. I was busy being a mom to four kids, there was not much time for me. But, once I had made that decision, which was a hard decision to make. Once I had the determination to get my adult education degree, the rest was easy. I had a professor tell me once, "not to look at all the classes you have to take to get your adult college degree, but to take one class at a time, then move on to the next". Those words got me through college, one class at a time. Just like that little girl learning to skate, one slide at a time and before she knew it, she was doing it.

Standing with me is my oldest daughter Amber. Her and I just love to skate. My youngest daughter will get in just before Christmas and we will hit the ice after Christmas this year. It is a family thing we do and one of our traditions. School is another tradition that I am hoping they cherish along life's journey. Learning is such a part of my life and will continue to be so for as long as I live.

My Little Sparkles

Thursday, December 9, 2010 by Ellen Gagnon

     Do you have that thing that makes you smile each time you encounter it? Maybe it's the picture that you took when you were on vacation. Perhaps it was the trinket from your last excursion to the beach. Maybe its a mark on the calendar that reminds you of an event that will occur. No matter what it is you find yourself being excited by that little something. I call that "My Little Sparkle." There is no magic in it -- it is just how I react when I see or think about "My Little Sparkle."

     Now what I am about to reveal is corny and I do not want to be judged for the small things I find delightful. So please honor this as a piece of sacred information.

     "My Little Sparkle," I want to share with you is when the new Granite State college catalog arrives in the mail. I look forward to it arriving.

     You see, it is not easy to be going to college as an adult. I still have to earn a living, and take care of all my responsibilities, like my house, my family, my life. But choosing to carve out the time for classes and homework means I have signed up for A LOT of extra work. Sometimes when I am in the middle of a semester, and I am tired, I invariably ask myself, 'Is this REALLY worth it?' This little ripple of uncertainty lingers for awhile and the resolve to plug through my class will eventually arrive. I begrudgingly convince myself that continuing is the better part of valor by saying,
     'You already paid the tuition and bought the books, you might as well get the grade.'

     I go through this process each time. So when I get home and the new catalog is in the mailbox I smile. It means a new adventure in learning for me. Will I be in a face to face class, will I meet new people or run into others who I have already met? Will I take online college English classes or try something totally different? The possibilities are almost endless. Regardless of what I choose to do receiving a new catalog ultimately means I am one step closer to achieving my goal of getting a college degree. Knowing that makes me smile.

Fall Term Winding Down

Thursday, December 9, 2010 by Joe Grabowski

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

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

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

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

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

Reflections and Registration

Wednesday, December 1, 2010 by Joe Grabowski

Less than two weeks remaining of the Fall term at Granite State College!

I can honestly say that this term has gone by the fastest for me of the seven terms I've attended to date. At the risk of sounding like a walking cliché, it feels like just yesterday that I was registering for my current classes. In all actuality, I cannot believe that it's already been over two years since I first registered with GSC.

I'd flirted with the idea for years, but never found the courage to actually take that step until after I'd turned 40 in April of 2008. Even then, I procrastinated for as long as I could as I took a small baby step forward by making an initial appointment with an advisor. I didn't know where to start, and was overwhelmed by what I'd imagined the process to entail.

I can assure you that it was much less daunting than my mind had painted it out to be.

If you are currently considering pursuing an affordable bachelor degree, or any other adult college degree, I encourage you to look no farther than Granite State College. Located in New Hampshire, GSC is small enough to retain a sense of community, even to those of us who attend almost entirely online, yet big enough to offer a broad range of online classes for adults and evening college classes located throughout the state. Financial aid is available even if you don't have time for anything more than part time classes.

There's plenty of information about how to get started, or to request more information, to be found at the Granite State College website. Here are a few pieces of information that I wish that I'd had when I first started weighing the idea of returning to college:

You can apply for financial aid online. The FAFSA (Free Application for Student Aid) doesn't take nearly as long to complete as you might imagine, and you may even discover, as I did, that you are eligible for grants and/or scholarships. Though there is an annual deadline to apply, I completed mine in mid-August, and began my classes on time in September. For more information, check out GSC's Financial Aid page.
If you fill out the FAFSA, you'll need a PIN. This isn't a big deal at all, but serves as your electronic signature. A link to the Federal Student Aid web site is provided on the FAFSA web site. Creating a PIN only takes a moment, and is very easy.
You can meet with an advisor, even if you haven't formally decided to enroll. I first met with an advisor from GSC a couple of years before I actually enrolled. He answered all of my questions, and never once made me feel as though I was wasting his time. Though I didn't actively enroll at that time, that meeting prepared me for the later step.
Download and view the Winter 2011 catalog, or prior catalogs going back several years. Once you start reading about the courses offered by Granite State College, you'll soon find yourself wanting to take many of them!
Register online! According to GSC's web site, you can even register for a class now and apply later. Registration for the Winter 2011 term is now open through December 29th, 2010, and classes begin January 8th, 2011.

I am living proof that it is never too late to pursue a college degree. As one of the student bloggers at Granite State College, my goal is to help encourage you to take that first step to embark on an exciting journey. I've been there, and I'm well on my way.

If I can do it, so can you!

Semester is Winding Down...

Sunday, November 28, 2010 by Ryan Hill

The semester is almost over and I can't believe how fast it went by. One of my classes is almost over, and one just ended last week. They were both upper-level Behavioral Science classes that had really neat projects and class discussions. I did very well in my Cognition and Learning class, and I hope I do just as well in my Art Therapy class.

Two research papers, two projects, hours of class time, and one night of class left, and I will be able to hold in my hands my Associates Degree in General Studies. Taking me one step closer to my Bachelors Degree in Behavioral Science. I can't believe that it's finally here after three long years. I'm so happy, I can't wait to admire my degree on the wall, that will make it worth it for sure :)

Now that I'm finally done for this semester it's already time to register for classes for Winter. There is never a dull moment in this college girls life, but that's all part of the fun!

Mixed Blessings

Tuesday, November 23, 2010 by Erin Todd

As a full-time Granite State College employee, a part-time GSC student, and a parent of two teenage daughters ... my life has been a blur these last twelve weeks. I can honestly say that I live up to my image on the billboard GSC put up in Newport, NH, in that I could be the poster child for adult and continuing education. As proof, here is a partial list of the parental responsibilities that have occupied my time & energy over the past several months:

Packing up and delivering my daughter, Jess, to college. It was one of those 98 degree days, she had a car FULL of stuff, and she's on the third floor of her dorm (no elevator). Whew!

Assuring, and reassuring, Jess that her financial aid situation WILL work out. Even if her FA package changes a dozen times before the semester is half over! It will all be ok. (and it is!)

Talking Jess through her 'first-year' anxieties ... will she make any friends, will she and her roommate get along, will she be able to keep up with the other students??? (Yes, yes & yes!)

Bringing Jess home for an extended break when she got Mono. Mm-hmm ... Mono. Washing three weeks worth of her laundry & germ-ridden bedding. Nursing her back to health. Returning her to school with a month's supply of provisions - because "the food at school is terrible!"

Cheering Jess on with all the positive encouragement I can muster (You can too write that Psych paper by tomorrow noon! Honey, 'B' is a GOOD grade, not something to lament about! I'm sorry you're tired and your head hurts ... take a nap, drink gallons of water, take an ibuprofen if you need to ... and then study for your Italian exam.)

***

Cell phones & computers have made it possible to stay in CONSTANT communication with each other. Texting, Calling, Emailing, Facebook messaging ... there's no escape! I've barely had a chance to start missing my kid. But I do. Of course I do. There are certain things that cannot be conveyed in a text message.

There's nothing like the spontaneous discussions that spring forth when Jess bounds into my bedroom at midnight to enlighten me of her latest philosophical revelation. I miss my daughter's energy, her joi de vivre, the excitement that emanates from her very pores, when she is following the thread of an idea. I miss her pensive, deep-in-thought facial expression when she's reading a book or writing a paper. I miss Jess' light-up-a-room smile.

Fortunately, my daughter will be home over (aptly enough) Thanksgiving break, and I look forward to spending some face-to-face time with her. I think this is what people mean when they say they are enjoying the rewards of the hard work of parenting. Here's wishing all my classmates and colleagues at GSC's Claremont NH College a Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you each get to take a break from the hectic pace of work and school to count your blessings - mixed though they may be.

Everyone Here Spoke Sign Language

Friday, November 12, 2010 by Beth Benoit

I've been reading a fascinating book that was suggested by one of my students in my adult online Human Development class at Granite State College. It's called, Everyone Here Spoke Sign Language: Hereditary Deafness on Martha's Vineyard, by Nora Ellen Groce. It's about hereditary deafness on Martha's Vineyard, but most remarkably, no one thought of them as handicapped, AND it seems that everybody knew sign language. This hereditary deafness affected hundreds of people on Martha's Vineyard for about 250 years. The last deaf person in that group died in the 1950s.

Here are some statistics: In the United States in 1854, only one person out of every 5728 was deaf. But on Martha's Vineyard, an astounding one person in 155 people were deaf. At that time, no one knew what caused these people to be born deaf. Theories abounded, from the "unusual geography" of the particular part of Martha's Vineyard where these people lived (around Chilmark) to their mothers being frightened when pregnant. Of course, all of these explanations were wrong. The real reason was that there was a recessive gene for deafness that showed itself when both mother and father had the gene. And since the island of Martha's Vineyard was small and, at that time, relatively isolated, people who were even distantly related, married and gave the gene to their children.

But the most wonderful part of the book was summed up in this quote by the author:

"Perhaps the best description of the status of deaf individuals on the Vineyard was given to me by an island woman in her eighties, when I asked about those who were handicapped by deafness when she was a girl. 'Oh,' she said emphatically, 'those people weren't handicapped. They were just deaf.' "

This is the kind of thing we learn about in the adult online class I teach at Granite State College. And I love that it was one of my adult students who told the class about the book, and I went right out to get it!

Life Happens

Thursday, November 11, 2010 by Joe Grabowski

Life just happens.

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

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

But it can be done.

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

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

What happened to summer??

Friday, October 22, 2010 by Mary Clouter

It seems hard to believe that another summer has gone by. At about the time I'm ready to enjoy it, fall starts making its way in.

I wanted you all to know about my first semester at Granite State College. The summer session was the first semester that I have been at GSC and it went by so fast. I took two online courses, Critical Thinking and Victim Rights and Advocacy. I'm pursuing my bachelor's degree in Behavioral Science and chose the Victim Rights course as one of my electives, among a variety of behavioral science classes. I am also a volunteer advocate for victims of violence, so this was a class that I knew I could use as part of my volunteer work. What a great course!

I wasn't sure how the online course would work out, whether I would learn anything or if it would even keep me interested. I was very pleasantly surprised by how well the course went. We used Blackboard, an online learning "environment." There were links for the class discussion board, messages, quizzes, grades, syllabus, and module (usually weekly) descriptions of what was due and when. Every week, our instructor, Kathy Minaert, would post questions/topics on the discussion board for us to answer and we would have weekly quizzes. What was nice about doing the quizzes online was that once we finished a quiz, it was automatically graded, so we could see how we did.

The discussion board always had some interesting discussions going on. We were a diverse group from different backgrounds such as law enforcement, court workers, and education. What a great group to learn from! And Kathy helped out with any questions that we had either through the discussion board or through email.

My first semester at Granite State College went really well and any of the fears that I may have had regarding how engaged I would be were completely removed. It was a terrific introduction to how well online courses are done at GSC.

I started my fall semester in September and I'll share more of that in my upcoming posts!

Enjoy the fall!

Work

Monday, October 18, 2010 by Ryan Hill

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. :)

Going Back to Kansas

Monday, October 4, 2010 by Mary Gaetz

My husband and I are preparing to visit family back in our home state of Kansas. It is an exciting but daunting prospect. I am always nervous about running into people with which I went to high school. In high school, I was the weird, artsy, semi-smart student in a class of 40ish kids. After graduation, I didn't go to college. I, instead, became a mother. I found out I was pregnant three weeks before graduation--I received confirmation from the doctor's office on the pay phone at school. I tried not to tell anyone until after graduation, but it came out at lunch one day. Consequently, I am remember by my peers as the weird, artsy, teenage mother-to-be. I am still fighting the shame of that title, all these years later. Right after high school, everyone left town to go to college. I stayed and took classes at a local college (a lot like Granite State College) and worked my part-time pizzeria job. The best part of my days were my classes in the evenings. I could stretch the brain muscles that my job didn't need, and those classes made me want more. There was no such thing as online classes for adults back then, and my options were limited by my location. When I finally moved away to go to college it was terrifying and liberating at the same time, but I was brave enough and wise enough to know that, if I was going to do this, I was going to do it well--and I did. If I hadn't pursued my education and career advancement the way I have I am sure I would never go back to my hometown, except maybe for my parents funeral.
I was never a popular girl in high school, but lucky for me most of life happens after high school, and those experiences form a sort of lifelong learning college that helps me expand and grow each day I am in the world.