Category: Connect

Starting college can be an intimidating experience. If you are a first-generation college student – meaning your parents didn’t graduate from college, then you may be feeling overwhelmed as you explore your own college opportunities.

Here are four more things to remember as you think about pursuing a college degree:

Create a flexible work schedule

To cover the cost of college, which in addition to tuition may include rent, utilities, textbooks, and food, you might need to work while taking classes. Don’t let that stop you from pursuing your degree. According to the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, 70 percent of college students work while in school – 25 percent balance a full-time work schedule with full-time enrollment.

Earning while learning is possible. However, as a student, school should be your top priority. Try to find a job that offers flexible hours and doesn’t interfere with your class and study schedule. An on-campus job might be more accommodating than working for a private business, but keep an open mind. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. Apply for several different jobs to maximize your options.      

Find a mentor

College will expose you to new ideas and perspectives. College is also a great chance to meet people who have succeeded in your desired career field. Introduce yourself to these people – during office hours or after class – and ask for their advice. Professors and lecturers are passionate about helping students learn and grow. Don’t feel like you’re bugging them by asking for help.

Get the most out of your investment

Choosing a major and career path that you are passionate about is incredibly important. But in order to get positive returns on the investment of a college education, consider a career path that will lead to a growing professional field. Research which industries are growing, have the most jobs, and offer the highest wages. Visit moscores.mo.gov to look at Missouri colleges, majors, and career outcomes. 

Remember, you belong

Even if you are the first member of your family to pursue a college degree, you have just as much right and reason to be there as anyone else. You don’t need to come from a long line of lawyers or doctors to succeed in college. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, more than one-third of undergraduate college students reported being the first in their families to attend college. There are millions of students just like you, blazing a trail, pursuing their dreams, and improving their lives.

Don’t think of being the first in your family to attend college as a disadvantage. As a first-generation student, you have a unique perspective. Understand that these few years, where you’ll have access to technology, professors, and other resources, is a great opportunity that won’t last forever. Attend class, ask questions, get involved, and make the most out of your time at school.

At first glance, applying to college may seem overwhelming. Colleges and universities have varying degree programs, application requirements, and submission deadlines. But if you treat your college applications like a class project, the process will be less daunting. Complete a checklist of all the information you’ll need to apply, and give yourself plenty of time to complete your applications before their deadlines. Yes – there are deadlines, and now is the time to get started!

Research careers that interest you

• Look at future job demand.
• Research income potential.
• Find out how much education beyond high school is required for each career you may be interested in.
• Job shadow someone in your community with that type of job.

Research colleges and majors

• Once you’ve established possible careers, find out which schools offer specific majors that can help you achieve your career goals.
• Think about all aspects of college life. Decide what your top priorities will be when deciding on the right school for you.
• Consider how much you can afford, if you want to move or stay at home, what organizations or clubs you may want to be a part of, if you will take your car to school with you, if you anticipate needing tutoring services, etc.
• Go on college visits or take virtual tours of the colleges to help you make a more informed decision.

Gather all of your documents

• Know your social security number, GPA, and class rank.
• Make a list of your achievements, awards, and clubs or organizations you’ve been involved with.
• Have your top ACT and SAT score on hand. Check your top school choices to see if your score will qualify you for any institutional scholarships.
• Ask your favorite teachers, counselors, coaches, and employers if you can put them down as references. Make note of which universities require references to write letters of recommendation. Be sure to ask your references for their letters early so you don’t miss the submission deadline.
• Look through the list of Missouri colleges and universities. Make a list of your top 5-10 schools to start comparing your options.
• If you will qualify for the A+ Scholarship, compare qualifying two-year colleges and career schools in your research.

Last spring, many students suddenly found themselves in online courses. This quick transition was bumpy for some and unexpected for all. As we approach the fall semester, you may have some uncertainty about taking online classes again. But there’s a difference between a class that is abruptly converted from in-person to online and one that is specifically designed to be delivered online. If you’re nervous about enrolling in another online class this fall, we’re here to tell you that you can be successful. To help you get prepared, we’ve asked a few instructors to share their best advice. Here are our top ten tips for online success!

1. “Go” to class. Treat your online class like a regular class. Schedule time for it on your calendar. Login on a regular basis. Take notes during lectures. 
2. Know how to get IT help. Become familiar with the learning management system your college uses. Your instructor may not be able to help you with IT issues, so find out how to get help before you need it. Take some time and play around with the system so you can navigate it easily. Make sure your housing situation; whether that means a house, apartment, or dorm; has reliable internet.
3. Communication is key. Speak up and let your instructor know when you have questions. Attend virtual class meetings or office hours even if they’re optional. Don’t be afraid to call your instructor if you’re not getting the information you need online. Take initiative and advocate for yourself.
4. Make a good online impression. You may not meet your instructor face-to-face, so remember to be professional in your written and video communications. You don’t want your first impression to be based off of an email filled with spelling errors and texting abbreviations, or a shirt you elected not to wear for a video chat. Remember, your instructor probably has a lot of students, so be sure to identify yourself and the class you’re referring to in every email.
5. Read the syllabus and then read it again. Online classes provide a lot of flexibility, but still have deadlines and expectations for you to meet. Read the syllabus to know your instructor’s policy on late work, extra credit, and their preferred method of communication. The syllabus usually includes a schedule or timeline for the whole semester, so you can plan ahead for when big projects are due.
6. Give yourself plenty of time. Have you ever had your computer crash or internet go down? Waiting to the last minute to complete assignments or exams is especially dangerous with online classes. Don’t let technology fail you. Plan ahead so you’re not in a panicked, last-minute situation.
7. Set yourself up for success. We’re not always as good at multi-tasking as we think we are. Be honest with yourself and prepare a time and place where you can focus on your online class without distractions like TV, music, and loud roommates. If possible, try to complete your assignments and tests on a computer rather than a smart phone.
8. Pay attention to details. A lot of online classes include threaded discussions, chat sessions, and/or short reading quizzes that are only worth a few points. While these activities may seem like they’re not important, over the course of a semester, they can really add up and impact your grade. Plus, any chance to discuss and share ideas makes an online class feel more like an actual classroom.
9. Do the work. An online class is not a shortcut to college credit. You should expect to commit eight to 12 hours a week for every three credit hour course. This means reading the textbook, reviewing additional course materials, and submitting assignments on time.
10. Do your own work. Resist the urge to copy and paste someone else’s words and use them as your own. Instructors run online submissions through websites like turnitin.com to check for plagiarism. Just cite your sources and give credit where credit is due.

COVID-19 has caused some major disruptions among Missouri’s colleges and universities.

Students like you are now faced with the decision to enroll in fall classes or take the semester off.

A recent survey conducted by OneClass* found that some students don’t think signing up for a semester of online learning would be worth enrolling and paying full tuition.

However, the vast majority of Missouri’s colleges have already announced plans to re-open with in-person classes in the fall. And school presidents are currently working with health officials to develop safety guidelines for everyone on campus.

Here are some things to keep in mind if you’re still considering taking a semester off,:

Students who take time off are less likely to earn a degree.

About 4 million students with some college and no degree have re-enrolled in school at some point in the past five years. Only a quarter of those students end up completing college.

Life sometimes gets in the way of learning. Health problems, emergency expenses, family crises, and even global pandemics can come up unexpectedly. However, the best way to ensure that you’ll graduate on time, and in the cheapest manner possible, is to stay in school until your degree program is complete. 

Economic uncertainty is often the best time to pursue higher education.

Americans often turn to higher education during times of economic strife. Unfortunately, unemployment rates are up, which means that well-paying jobs may be hard to find right now.

An economic downturn is a good time to earn a professional credential or degree. It makes you an attractive candidate when the job market starts to improve. Studies show that people with a degree are also less likely to be unemployed, even during uncertain times like a pandemic.  

Many schools want small classes to be held in person.

Universities all across the country – from Ivy League schools to Missouri’s public institutions – are optimistic that some in-person learning will take place. Colleges’ large lecture halls are usually reserved for general education or lower-level courses. Upper-division, degree-program class sizes are relatively small, so those classes could still be held in person while adhering to social distancing guidelines.

A degree is still a degree.

As a survey respondent told OneClass, “Whether I’m in-person or online, I’m still paying to get the same degree.”

It’s totally understandable to prefer face-to-face, in-person classes to online learning. Just know that taking online classes for a semester won’t negatively impact the value of your degree. Future employers will see that you’ve completed and passed all the courses and exams your degree program requires. They might even commend you for staying on track under such abnormal circumstances.

This semester could be the most affordable one yet.

A surveyed college student said because of COVID-19, he isn’t expecting to pay for student housing or a meal plan this coming semester. Those are two pretty major expenses. If you choose to commute from home or take online classes this fall, continuing this semester could end up saving you money.

*This article previously contained a link to a published study by OneClass.com titled, “Will you withdraw if your current school only offers remote/e-learning option for Fall 2020.” As of December 2023, this study is no longer available online. 

Certain majors open up a wide range of career opportunities. Engineers and computer scientist, on average, earn the higher salaries. Students with accounting or teaching degrees tend to have an easy time finding employment. However, the major you choose does not necessarily determine what kind of job you’ll have or how much money you’ll make.

A recent study conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York found that only 27 percent of college graduates work in their field of study. A quality education, regardless of your major, will equip you with a broad and adaptable skillset. A philosophy major could go into supply-chain management, a journalism student could land a job as a graphic designer, an accounting major could decide to go to law school instead of study for the CPA exam.

Choosing a major doesn’t necessarily narrow your possibilities, it creates more. Follow your passion and do what you find interesting, and the right future will find you. Utilize the Journey to College College and Degree Search or MoSCORES to explore majors offered right here in Missouri. 

Applying to multiple schools is a smart move to help you keep your options open. Having a few choices allows you to weigh your options and opportunities, and find the best fit for you. Applying to multiple colleges during your senior year of high school lets you make a more informed decision on where to attend.

Students should take costs into consideration when finalizing their future plans. You could be eligible for grants and scholarships, which can help you make the right decision for you. There is also always the possibility that you may not get accepted to your top college choice, so applying to multiple schools helps to make sure you don’t end up without a plan. Consider applying to multiple schools, going on campus visits, looking at the types of degree programs offered, and reviewing your financial aid offer before making a final decision.

School’s out for the summer, but there is plenty to do before fall.

Don’t get sidetracked by summer melt — where students who intend to go to college never actually enroll for the fall semester.

Start checking these items off your list to make sure you’re in good shape to start your freshman year.

To do:

• Register for and attend summer orientation.
• Pay all required deposits.
• Register for fall semester classes.
• Make sure you have a plan for housing and transportation.
• Save money to pay for your books.
• Make a realistic spending plan for when you start college.
• Look at your degree map and plan out how many credit hours you need each semester to graduate on time.
• Seek out part-time employment before the fall semester starts.
• Consider job shadowing a few different career options throughout the summer to help you identify which career path is right for you.
• Check with the admissions and financial aid departments at your school to make sure they have all of the information they need from you.

If you need help finalizing your college plans, contact the admissions department at your school. If you’re in the Kansas City area, contact the Missouri College Advising Corps College Connections Center.