Staying the Course

Have you committed to completing your degree yet? If not, be sure to visit Community College Completion Corps to sign the pledge!

We know that nationwide, nearly 25% of students who enroll in the fall semester do not return in spring. We also know that 40% of all community college students across the country must work part-time to help support their educational goals. Many students are overwhelmed and unprepared for higher education and often lack the financial resources necessary to complete their studies.

But we also know that unemployment rates are 5.5% LOWER for those who have an associate degree and that median annual earnings are more than $23,000 higher than jobs that require only a high school diploma or equivalent.

These are among the several reasons we believe that each BC3 student should make a commitment to complete graduation requirements. No one will suggest that dedicating yourself to that cause will be easy, but we know you can do it and we are here to help you stay on track to graduation.

So how do we do that? Here are a few common tips that can help keep the ship upright and on course….starting with the BC3 website.

• Meet regularly with your assigned faculty advisor. He or she might have the power to aid you in a way you might not have thought of yourself.
• Follow your curriculum plan noting that taking courses in a certain order can help you stay on track with pre-requisites and fall/spring semester sequencing.
• Be sure to communicate with your instructors. If you need help or are having difficulties don’t be shy about letting them know. Their office hours and contact information are posted on the course syllabus you were given the first day of class.
• Stay flexible. Things change all the time so don’t panic – adjust and adapt.
• Take summer courses and Fast Track sessions whenever possible. This can help you finish more quickly and help shave dollars off your college costs.
• Utilize the new BC3 Student Planning system to map out courses to help you stay on track. You can even run a degree audit for a different major if you are thinking about a change.

Here are some other sites that offer good suggestions:

• Staying on Track for College Graduation.
• 10 Steps for Staying on Track in College.

As always, please know that we are here to help you every step of the way.  Contact any of these offices should you need assistance:

• BC3 Main Phone Number: 724.287.8711
• Admissions: 724.284.8501
• Academic Center for Enrichment (ACE: Placement Testing & Advising):  724.287.8711 x8606
• Financial Aid: 724.287.8711 x8509
• Records and Registration: 724.287.8711 x8253