SmartAboutCollege

Students

What does a modern college student look like?

At this point, a college student can be just about anyone. They can be young. They can be old. They can be male. They can be female. They can be of any ethnicity. Higher education is within reach of all of us, and in Montana, the number of people choosing to pursue higher education continues to grow and become more diverse.

In fact, full-time enrollment in Montana colleges increased 5.4 percent between the Fall of 2009 and the Fall of 2010. And while students between the ages of 18 and 24 continue to comprise the majority of enrolled students in Montana universities, students 25 years and older made up 33.5 percent of enrollment in the Fall of 2010. That number continues to climb as workers return for re-training.

According to statistics compiled by The Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, more than 60 percent of jobs will require a college education by the end of this decade. For that reason, the more people to achieve a college education, the better for Montana’s future!

What school is right for you?

Different types of colleges suit different types of people. Consider your long-term goals when exploring your college options, and from there, decide which one best fits your needs.

There are many factors to consider. First and foremost, understand what you want to do with your life. You may find it hard to narrow your options to a specific occupation, like nursing, and instead choose to look at health sciences. Choosing a field, like health sciences, allows you to explore many options within the field before preparing for a specific occupation. A broad field of education might also help you navigate challenging economic times because you’ll have the background to work in multiple occupations in your field.

Once you know what you want to do, look at all the college options that can help you prepare. The following information may help you narrow your choices and find the college that is perfect for you!

  • Programs of Study and Degree Options — Does the school offer the education and credential(s) you’ll need? If your chosen field requires an advanced degree, you’ll eventually attend a university. Colleges generally offer two-year and/or four-year programs, and some colleges specialize in two-year programs. Two-year colleges may be part of a larger system, such as a college of technology, or they may be independent, like community colleges and tribal colleges.
  • Location, location, location — Compare characteristics for both in-state and out-of-state schools. Depending on your situation, you may find that certain schools offer more generous scholarships for your field of study. In-state schools generally offer reduced tuition for state residents – the savings can be significant.
    Also, whether you choose to attend school in state or out of state, think about the type of community in which you’ll be most comfortable and have access to recreational activities you enjoy. If you enjoy the energy of a city, you might feel right at home on a large campus. If the thought of being surrounded by strangers bothers you, a college in a small town may be a better fit.
  • Cost — Make sure you have all the facts when evaluating the cost of college. Myths abound when it comes to this subject. You may have heard that private schools are always more expensive than public schools, but that’s not necessarily the case. You might be thinking you won’t be eligible for financial aid, but unless you fill out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you won’t know for sure.

Factors to consider in choosing a college

Students should consider a wide variety of factors when identifying prospective colleges. Free online services, family and friends can be good resources when narrowing down the field of higher education institutions. Some items to consider include:

  • Curriculum/majors
  • Quality of education
  • Admission requirements
  • Cost Accreditation (Visit www.ope.ed.gov/accreditation/ for more information about U.S. Secretary of Education regional and national accrediting agencies.)
  • Facilities
  • Campus life/recreation
  • Location
  • Retention and graduation rates

Types of degrees

If you decide to attend college, it’s wise to decide what type of degree you are interested in pursuing before beginning the application process. Five recognized types of degree programs exist:

  • Certificate of Completion — These typically take anywhere from eight weeks to a year to complete. Careers including criminal justice, food service and financial planning, are examples of occupations that may require a certificate of completion.
  • Associate’s Degree — This type of degree requires about 60 credit hours of study. Some examples of careers that require an associate’s degree are surgical technology and drafting technology. Many students who complete an associate’s degree program often transfer into a bachelor’s degree program
  • Bachelor’s Degree — The bachelor’s degree is the most popular of all the degree programs. Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree must complete between 120 and 128 credit hours. Students pursuing professions such as public administration, computer systems development, human resources and more take this study path.
  • Master’s Degree — In order to obtain a master’s degree, students must have already obtained a bachelor’s degree. Usually, students are required to write a thesis or be able to apply work experience to the degree program in order to obtain a degree.
  • Doctoral Degree — It takes about five years for the average student to complete a doctoral degree. In order to obtain this degree, students must write a publishable thesis, complete their own original research and complete a course of study.

Want to succeed in college?

The road to success in college is different for everyone, but here are some pointers to get you headed in the right direction.

  • Get your bearings — Either take a formal tour or grab a college map and take a walk around your campus to familiarize yourself with the layout. This will be your home away from home, so you might as well get comfortable.
  • Get organized — College classes move too fast for you to be misplacing your study notes and mixing up deadlines. Develop a system for coordinating class materials and get yourself a daily planner. No one is going to hold your hand!
  • Attend class — The best way to absorb the course material, understand the professors’ expectations, and glean tips on what to expect on exams is to go to class. Besides, you’re paying for this education!
  • Get to know your academic advisor and professors — Advisors and professors can serve as a lifeline on a college campus. They are important resources and can act as advocates for you when you need them.
  • Get good grades — Yes, your grades do count and can be an important factor in determining what jobs are available to you when you graduate. Set goals for yourself and be prepared to work to achieve them. Give yourself time to study and complete assignments without rushing.
  • Take time out for yourself — As in life, it’s important to strike a balance between work and play at college. Be sure to make time to socialize and enjoy the experience. The last thing you want is to burn out before you even get started on your career!
  • Keep your finances in order — Now is the time to live like a student. You have a lifetime ahead of you to buy new cars and expensive clothes. Be rigid in your money management now to make sure you can play later. For more tips on managing your money, click here.
  • Don’t freak out — College is a busy time and you will have a lot of demands on your attention. Everyone is going through this and you should view it as an opportunity to learn to manage your duties. If you are having difficulties doing this, talk to your academic advisor or professors. Ask for help.

Going back to school after a break?

If your life took a detour and you weren’t able to go to college right after high school, now’s the time to map a different direction. Pursuing postsecondary education for the first time, or returning to school after a prolonged period, is a difficult decision for many adults. Can I really do this? You aren’t the first student to ask yourself this question.

What do I do first?

If you didn’t finish high school or receive your General Educational Development (GED) certificate, contact your local GED or Adult Education Center for assistance. Your school may also offer Ability to Benefit (ATB) testing which will allow you to start college without a GED.

Ask if your adult education center can help you research careers to help you identify the right college or trade school for you.

Fill your tank before you start your journey!

  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It is the first step in obtaining federal, state or some institutional aid. Get a PIN at pin.ed.gov and complete the FAFSA online at fafsa.gov. If you need help completing the form, go to a College Goal Montana event.
  • Search for grants and scholarships to help cover the cost of going back to school.
  • Talk to your employer about whether any assistance is available to employees who want to further their education.
  • If you need retraining for a new career, check with Social and Rehabilitative Services (SRA) or Vocational Rehabilitation Services for funding.
  • If you need help with any of these items, visit any of Student Assistance Foundation’s campus outreach managers to get advice on how to continue your academic journey.

PEP (Personalized Employment Plan)

Out of work? Looking for a new career? PEP (Personalized Employment Plan) Talk is a great place to start your search!

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Additional PEP Talk Information

To learn more about careers and what education path you should follow to pursue them, explore the Montana Career Information System (MCIS). Click here