Insider Tips to college

TRUST ME...we know exactly how you feel when you get caught off guard by a negative "oh, you didn't know?"...

 

So...we compiled a list of "Insider Tips" and presented them at one of our workshops.

Please see video below:

 

Sometimes we doen't pay attention to the minute details simply because we never thought it would pertain to us.  Then one day, you're heading to your car after school only to find out you have a boot in place because you owe $99 or more in parking fees. (yes...it happened to me)

PLEASE WATCH THE VIDEO.

 

 

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A Different Perspective

The majority of the time, those who have not yet begun college...or have just started their college journey...feel VERY VERY lost.

I know I was in that boat when I began in 2005.  

From that point on...it was a never ending, twisting road to "on the go" knowledge.  A lot of us don't have, or didn't have, mentors to guide us along the way...especially in South Texas where most of us are first-generation college students.  

Prior to developing the College 101 workshop series at Texas State Technical College Harlingen, we couldn't help but create a survey (more like a mini-test) to see exactly how much knowledge our incoming cohort had in regards to college.  The results were NOT surprising.  

After our initial workshop series was provided, we were asked to present at the 2009 Tech Prep Regional Conference sponsored by Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley, Inc.  

The purpose of this presentation was to provide an overview of the inner workings of the Student Success Office and Academic Achievement Center at Texas State Technical College Harlingen, and explore the use of technology, advisement, mentoring, tutoring and supplemental instruction available to students. 

While we are at the conference, we decided at the last minute to conduct the same survey at the beginning of our presentation and compare the results to our students.  

The results were STAGGERING. 

When asked "How much do you understand about college?", the majority replied "Almost Everything". 

Come to find out, the questions most regularly missed were no different than that of the students we had surveyed only weeks prior.  

There seems to be a bit of confusion or need of clarification regarding the amount of semesters in an Academic Year, and the definition of College Credits, or how to calculate your GPA on a 4.0 scale.  

It was then that we realized how important our workshops were going to be and the hidden need we will be fulfilling.  With that, I'd like to emphasize to everyone who thinks they are behind the curve of college...YOU ARE NOT ALONE.  

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College 101: "College Degrees" PowerPoint

The levels of degrees are thrown around in casual conversation all the time...but sometimes...if you are not familiar with it, you can be thrown off.  Here is a PowerPoint presentation given by one of our On-Campus Mentors, that may just help clarify some definitions...

 

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College 101: "Financial Aid" PowerPoint

Financial Aid can be confusing, hopefully this will clear the air a little.  

Included in this presentation is a list of documents you will need for filling out the FAFSA application, including the websites to visit and a general knowledge of what FAFSA is.  

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College 101: "College Scholarships" PowerPoint

Here is another PowerPoint version of our College 101 workshop series, created for easy use by those students unable to attend our workshop dates and times.  

This particular one was created by one of our On-Campus Mentors (a service provided by the Student Success Office).  

 

Posted via web from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

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Posted via web from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

Did You Know...

Did you know that the last day to drop courses at Texas State Technical College Harlingen - varies depending on whether you are taking courses in-house or online? 

It's TRUE! 

The official last day to drop courses with a "W" (for the 15 week session):

In-house (in person) = April 1, 2010

Online = Differs depending on the start date of the course...

FYI: Classes must be officially "dropped" to avoid receiving a failing or incomplete grade. Please stop by the Office of Admissions and Records to pick up a Course Schedule Change Form or call 956.364.4320 for more information. 

I would recommend you call Distance Learning (956.364.4950) to see when the official "last day to drop" is for your course(s). 

If you are on the regular 15 week session schedule, here's a little confusing insider information that my co-worker, Robert Foshie, researched...

From 2/8/10 until 3/12/10: A student is allowed to drop ONE class without owing anything. If the student decides to drop all of their classes, they would be responsible for paying back their Financial Aid.

From 3/12/10 until 4/1/10: This is the 60% period...students may drop with a "W" during this time.  

Basically, if you plan on dropping only ONE course, you can do it anytime before April 1.  If you plan on dropping more than one, you should wait until AFTER March 12th.  

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