You may have tons of questions about college that you’re afraid to ask. Even if it seems silly, it’s not! In fact, it’s great that you are taking care to understand and gather information as you make decisions about your future.
Should I go to college with my high school sweetheart?
Ultimately, this decision is up to you. It’s important to consider your individual future when making a big decision like choosing a college. Ask yourself, “If I go to the same school as my partner and we break up, will I still be happy with this decision?”
What is a credit hour?
A credit hour is a unit of measurement for college courses. It’s usually based on the amount of classroom (physical or virtual) hours you’ll spend per week throughout the semester. For the typical 3 credit hour course, it is expected that a student spends 3 hours in class each week. Remember, this does not include the time you would be studying or doing homework.
What happens if I fail a class?
In college, there are several options if you find that you are not succeeding in class. Be sure to familiarize yourself with your school’s policies for Withdrawals (W), Grade Forgiveness, and No Credit (NC).
Withdrawal allows you to drop a course mid-semester. Instead of earning a grade on your transcript, you will have a “W” that will indicate the withdrawal. You want to be careful with withdrawals because you don’t want a pattern of them on your transcript. Withdrawing may also have financial aid implications if your scholarship has specific requirements against them or if you drop below full-time status.
Grade Forgiveness is the ability to repeat a course for a chance to replace the initial grade you earned with an improved grade.
No Credit (NC) is an option available at the discretion of the professor. If your professor feels you have met certain requirements or demonstrated a valiant effort towards completing the course, they may grant you an NC. With an NC, you will not receive credit for the course, but there will not be a negative impact on your GPA.
What if I don’t get in?
If you find yourself in the situation in which you were not accepted to the schools you applied to, it will be okay! Everyone’s journey looks different, and worst case scenario, your college dreams are merely postponed for a little while.
What if I have no idea what I want to major in?
You are not alone! In fact, 80% of students change their major throughout their college education. Not only do you have time to figure it out, but you have plenty of people to support you, including your professors and advisors.
What if I get homesick?
Going to college is full of transitions, so it’s completely normal to feel homesick. Keep in mind that these feelings will only be temporary. Once the initial wave of homesickness passes, you may be fortunate enough to feel “at home” in two places.
If you don’t see your question listed here, don’t be afraid to reach out to your school counselor for help!