Mary was discouraged when she first came to see me. She had attended a large university for three semesters and had not been terribly successful. She had gone to college straight from high school, following the "traditional" undergraduate college path. Her peers had encouraged her to go to a big school. "It will be exciting!" She was told. "So many things to do on campus!"
Her first semester she could not understand why she was experiencing so much academic difficulty. She had been a great student in high school, achieving good grades with relative ease. She struggled through her first semester, enjoying the social life and many great activities the large university had to offer. She failed half of her classes.
After 3 semesters, she had only successfully completed half of her classes. She finally realized that is was the size of the classes that did not work for her. She felt small and lost in the large lecture hall courses with 200 other people and dis-empowered to speak up.
Discouraged, Mary dropped out of school and came home to the North Country, feeling like an academic failure.
Then a friend told her about Granite State College. "They have adult programs online!" she was told, "They have a Conway NH College!" Mary saw a local billboard featuring a smiling student and decided to call. She was greeted by friendly office staff. By the time she made it into my office she was beginning to feel more hopeful.
As we talked I told her about Granite State College's small, personal classes. She was excited that the small class size would allow her to get to know her instructor and fellow students. I went on to describe GSC's evening college courses, weekend college courses and online adult degrees. When she found out that two courses is full time at GSC, her smile beamed. "I was overwhelmed in four courses!" She exclaimed. "Juggling work and a four course load was impossible."
I then assured her that I have an open door policy. I want my students to come see me any time they are experiencing any kind of obstacle or if they just want to talk. "I never had anyone help me at my old school." She said.
She left a very happy, soon to be new Granite State College student.
Her first semester she could not understand why she was experiencing so much academic difficulty. She had been a great student in high school, achieving good grades with relative ease. She struggled through her first semester, enjoying the social life and many great activities the large university had to offer. She failed half of her classes.
After 3 semesters, she had only successfully completed half of her classes. She finally realized that is was the size of the classes that did not work for her. She felt small and lost in the large lecture hall courses with 200 other people and dis-empowered to speak up.
Discouraged, Mary dropped out of school and came home to the North Country, feeling like an academic failure.
Then a friend told her about Granite State College. "They have adult programs online!" she was told, "They have a Conway NH College!" Mary saw a local billboard featuring a smiling student and decided to call. She was greeted by friendly office staff. By the time she made it into my office she was beginning to feel more hopeful.
As we talked I told her about Granite State College's small, personal classes. She was excited that the small class size would allow her to get to know her instructor and fellow students. I went on to describe GSC's evening college courses, weekend college courses and online adult degrees. When she found out that two courses is full time at GSC, her smile beamed. "I was overwhelmed in four courses!" She exclaimed. "Juggling work and a four course load was impossible."
I then assured her that I have an open door policy. I want my students to come see me any time they are experiencing any kind of obstacle or if they just want to talk. "I never had anyone help me at my old school." She said.
She left a very happy, soon to be new Granite State College student.
Powered by Compendium
Comments for The Story of Mary: From Traditional to Non-Traditional Student