Two Rules For College Success
Sadly, just over half the students who attend college graduate within six years.
A lot of time and energy have been given to trying to discover what leads to success in college. And, as you might guess, research has uncovered a direct correlation between the rigor of students' high school curricula and their subsequent academic success in college.
And, as colleges have known for years, the higher a student's grades in high school, the more likely he or she will be to find success in college.
And, most educators agree that students from families that appreciate the value of higher education are more likely to do well in college than students from families less convinced of the advantages of a college degree.
But, once at college, what can a student do to give himself or herself the best chance to leave with a degree? There are no guarantees, but there are two very important things for students to be aware of.
First, students should not overburden themselves academically. For most freshmen, carrying more than fifteen credits a semester is a big mistake. Many, in fact, would be smart to carry no more than twelve hours during their initial semester, as they adjust to the demands of college.
Equally important is course selection. Whenever possible, students should spread out the courses they find most difficult instead of scheduling three or four of them during the same semester.
After academic overload, the most common reason students leave college without a degree is that they work more hours than they should. Some very good research has shown that students who are employed for more than twenty hours a week are four times as likely as others to drop out of college at some point.
There are many things which may stand between students and earning a degree. Among them are immaturity, lack of motivation, poor study skills, an inability to manage time, and lack of self-discipline.
But, if you are mature, if you are motivated, and if you have reasonable academic skills, there are only two things you must remember to greatly increase your chances to complete college successfully. Schedule carefully; choose the number and kinds of courses you take thoughtfully, so you do not bite off more than you can chew, particularly as a freshman. And, do not under any circumstances, accept a job that requires late evening hours or more than twenty hours a week. By: Daniel Kane Article Source: http://www.ArticleDashboard.com Daniel Kane is a veteran teacher, college Director of Admissions, and university Dean. The websites he originally created as a hobby now assist students seeking information on colleges, college scholarships, and online education,
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