Student Profile with Introduction
PROFILE
Maria Lopez, 18
Early Childhood Education Major, Lone Star College
Maria Lopez always knew she was going to college even though no one else in her family had ever attended any college or university. For Maria, going to Lone Star College was an easy choice, and she is very happy that she chose to attend a two-year college. “It is close to home,” she explains, “so I can still help my family, keep my part-time job, and continue my education with some of my high school friends.”
“In my first-year-experience course . . . I . . . quickly learned the importance of organizing, managing my time, and staying on top of my assignments.”
Now that her first year is under way, Maria has learned there are some key differences between high school and college, specifically the amount of time she spends studying. “In high school, I studied maybe five hours a week,” she explains. “Now I study many more hours, something I learned was important right away in my first-year-experience course. I also quickly learned the importance of organizing, managing my time, and staying on top of my assignments. Setting goals and finding a purpose for being in college have also led to my success.”
Maria enjoys attending her college. “Here everyone guides you,” she says. “You can ask for help from your instructors, other students, and a lot of other people like tutors or counselors. I think I would be lost at a university in my first year, not having anyone to teach me about the rules of the college and how it is different from high school.”
1.1Why This Course and This Textbook are Important
1.2The College Experience
1.3Setting Goals for Your College Experience and Beyond
1.4Making the Transition
Maria, like many other two-year college students, hopes to graduate and find a good job. Today, the workplace is changing so much that most people will need some education beyond high school to support themselves and their families properly. In the United States, more than 67 percent of high school graduates (approximately 21 million students) attend college. As the job market changes, even some students with four-year college degrees are attending two-year colleges to prepare themselves for a second career.
Because a college education is so important, this book will present you with a set of strategies to help you succeed in college. As you’re settling into your new college routine, we want to welcome you to the world of higher education.