GOOD PLANNING MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE
Many students in the Scholars Program have great grades and have done a fine job of planning. It is those of you who are struggling academically who raise a little more concern for us here in the Scholars Program.Some students in the Scholars Program seem to think that the Scholars certification is the answer to what could be considered mediocre planning and/or lackluster grades. The Scholars Program can certainly help boost the less-than- perfect student, but it cannot solve all problems.
The Director of Undergraduate Admissions addressed this idea at last year’s TAP Conference at UCLA. She said, “A 3.0 grade point average may certify you as a TAP student; it may not get you in.” In light of the increasing demand for admissions, the GPAs for many universities are steadily moving up the scale. The Director also stated that UCLA simply could not accept students who were barely making the Scholars Program’s required 3.0 GPA.
The counselors here at Santa Monica College talk constantly about the importance of competitive GPAs and major preparation. But, more importantly, we also often see students who are really unsure of the path that they are following. Often, it seems that this uncertainty is really the problem. We see some students who are less than thrilled with the courses they are taking, and, as a result are not doing very well in those courses. (Of course, we’re not talking about the Scholars courses!) It is extremely important to take some time to find the course of study that suits you. It is important for students to choose courses and majors based upon their own research and planning. Friends and parents can be helpful but, ultimately, they are not the ones who live with the decisions.
Planning is the key here. A good plan can help the grade point average and make a person a happier individual. Happy individuals have a better chance of getting into the school that is right for them.
KNOW YOUR IGETC REQUIREMENTS
You should periodically check the IGETC requirements to be sure that you are completing all the requirements. The Counseling/Transfer Center has reported that several students have transferred and later discovered that their IGETC is incomplete. In those cases, the student was required to complete the general education pattern of the transfer school. This might result in taking 3-4 additional general education classes to graduate. The moral of this story is to check your IGETC coursework carefully. Common mistakes include missing a lab class, taking the wrong English 2 at another college, and not taking enough high school or college language classes. It is particularly important to have transcripts from other colleges evaluated by a Scholars Program counselor.
The IGETC petition form is located at the information counter in the Admissions and Records Office. This petition process is only available during 3 specific times of the year. Please check the important dates for the time periods for petitions for certification. Students should apply during their last semester of attendance at SMC.TIME MANAGEMENT
Time management is easier said than done. Every semester we see students in our office who are struggling with their courses. Usually it comes down to how they manage their time. Most of you are “balancing” your time between school, a job, and club or volunteer activities. Many of you also have family obligations. In order to make it all work for you, it is important to take a step back and look at how you are actually spending your time. Remember: when you are planning your classes for Spring Semester, each unit of class requires at least two hours of study time per week (add a little more time for a Scholars class). If you are taking the typical 12 units of full-time coursework, this means that you will be putting into your studies, at minimum, 24 hours per week of outside classroom time. Full-time students literally are like full-time workers! Don’t shortchange yourself. If you need to be employed while in school, try to keep a job that has flexible hours or one that will allow you to cut back during finals, etc. You may even be eligible for money through scholarships or financial aid, allowing you to work less. Most importantly, if you are having problems with your courses or need some suggestions on how to manage your time more effectively, come meet with one of the Scholars counselors. The Counseling/Transfer Center also hosts workshops on time management every semester. We all have the same 24 hours in a day; some just use them better than others!