By Joshua Knopp/managing editor
For many students, the college workload can be a shock.
“I wish I knew that juggling work and school and homework would be so difficult,” said South Campus student Sara Wulfert.
NE academic advisor Kim Eason said juggling isn’t the way to handle it.
“What we suggest in our student group advisement is for every hour in the classroom, you should take two hours to prepare,” Eason said.
By this policy, 12 hours for full-time students translates into a total of 36 hours a week spent on schoolwork, hence the phrase “full-time.”
Eason said students shouldn’t put themselves in the position to have to balance school and work.
“If you’re working full time, we suggest one or two classes a semester,” she said. “If you’re not working or only working 25 hours a week, we suggest four-five classes.”
NW student Kamron Johnson was particularly amazed by how much of the onus was now on him, the student, to do his work.
“The fact that they leave everything up to you. I remember in high school, everyone would call the parents and say that [students] are missing things,” Johnson said. “Here, they just expect you to get it in on time.”
Eason chalked this up to the nature of college.
“When you’re in college, this is really the first time you’re responsible for your education,” she said. “If you’re responsible, you should be successful.”
Surprises can be pleasant, however.
“Just the amount of resources they have available to you,” said NE student Taylor Aubrey.
Attending TCC provides access to the campus libraries, tutoring, testing and student activities centers, health and disability support services and a litany of academic success programs.
“They’re easy to miss, but you’ve just got to ask the right people about them,” Aubrey said. “They’re really helpful.”
The biggest surprises, however, come from the student body.
“It’s a bad idea to eat in the café on the day that they are passing out free condoms,” said SE student Cara Chambers. “I am really scarred. They were purple, and [students] shoved curly fries in them.”
