Showing posts with label Studying. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Studying. Show all posts
Advice - Summer Classes.
Summer classes are hard. Forget that niggling thought in the back of your head that tells you they won't be. It is 15 weeks of work crammed into 5 weeks of classes. Do the math. Everything you're doing is horrendously fast-paced.This summer I am taking an advanced English composition class in which I have to turn in a minimum of two fully planned and thought-out essays daily and complete various reading assignments, your knowledge of which being tested within class time. I am also taking an intermediate level Math class. American Math is much harder than British Math. They start complex topics at a much younger age and expect all students to continue their Mathematics education throughout all schooling. I haven't done Math for over 4 years. Admittedly, the Math course I am currently taking isn't the hardest course out there but to complete the subject in a third of the normal allotted time is tough.
I have classes in the morning and the evening which leaves a substantial amount of time in between the two to write, study or read whatever task I have to complete for the following day, as well as time to make sure I have some form of life outside of classes.
Having said this, summer classes are an easy way to complete a portion of the prerequisites necessary. It is impossible, and I can't stress this enough, to complete and obtain a decent grade in an associate's degree in two years without summer classes. I don't care what advisors or admissions personnel say, it is NOT possible without summer classes. For anyone looking into college in America, plan to take summer classes. Don't think you can go without, you can't. Simple as. Take the basics in summer, like your composition classes or your non-credit classes then focus on completing the more challenging topics during the lengthier semesters.
MCC Instrumental Music Concert.
May 2014.
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| Student-Led Brass Ensemble; MCC Jazz Combo |
In typical musician fashion, the fun continued long after the concert ended with Buffalo Wild Wings being the venue of choice for many.
Music (Yeah). Friends (Yeah). Drinks (Well..)
Prof. Nyerges getting a wee bit too into 'Anthropologie'
Cheeky solos from MCC Jazz Combo
'The Nearness of You' feat. Caroline Fish
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| Kyle Lee - Classical Guitar; Brass Ensemble; MCC Students watching the pros; Pro Drummer Chris Teal |
Don't worry if you missed out on this one! There are multiple concerts every semester and a vocal concert next Wednesday in Building 4, MCC at 19:30!
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| New York City - Broadway |
The Backstory.
September 2013.
A large collection of negative experiences meant that I finally decided I needed to move on and accelerate my life in a direction that I wanted it to go in. An ultimate goal of mine (and many others, I'm sure) was to live and study abroad, specifically America. The US is an excellent place to pursue studies, especially for a Brit, for various reasons.
- We all speak the same language (a definite plus).
- The culture isn't drastically different.
- (To be really boring) The academics provide excellent flexibility and allow you to begin studies as an 'undeclared' major meaning if you (like me) have no idea, or a couple of different ideas, you can start classes without it being detrimental.
- OPT. I can't express my excitement for this enough. After completion of a degree, you can complete one year of Optional Practical Training (a job) within the US, wherever you want. The only catch is that the work has to relate to your field of study.
Once I decided that I definitely wanted to pursue this crazy adventure, a lot of research was needed. Where was I going to study? How does all of this work?
Quite early on in my research, it was clear to me that a community college was the best way to go. They are cheaper (being the main attraction) and, often, share professors with the four-year institutions.
I had my heart set, instantly, on studying in New York. Looking at community colleges within New York state, I came up with a shortlist of colleges that checked all of the boxes on my 'need' list and fulfilled quite a few on my 'want' list. The biggest 'need' was accommodation, which many colleges lack.
To cut a (very) long story short, I settled on Monroe Community College in Rochester, New York. This school seemed to fit my needs the best and the admissions staff were excellent with answering any queries I had.
Application (Sent). Accepted (Yay!). Nerves (Well and truly set in).
Follow my blog with Bloglovin'
Once I decided that I definitely wanted to pursue this crazy adventure, a lot of research was needed. Where was I going to study? How does all of this work?
Quite early on in my research, it was clear to me that a community college was the best way to go. They are cheaper (being the main attraction) and, often, share professors with the four-year institutions.
I had my heart set, instantly, on studying in New York. Looking at community colleges within New York state, I came up with a shortlist of colleges that checked all of the boxes on my 'need' list and fulfilled quite a few on my 'want' list. The biggest 'need' was accommodation, which many colleges lack.
To cut a (very) long story short, I settled on Monroe Community College in Rochester, New York. This school seemed to fit my needs the best and the admissions staff were excellent with answering any queries I had.
Application (Sent). Accepted (Yay!). Nerves (Well and truly set in).
Follow my blog with Bloglovin'
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