“What do you want to do for the rest of your life?” For college students, this question brings moments of panic, while searching for a legitimate answer. Unfortunately, knowing what to do is the first step to answering the big question and how to get there next.Taking a variety of classes is a great way to get a true college experience, however, it could be financially crippling if not properly planned. Also to the new, economically minded student it may not be the best option.”A visit with an adviser is always a good first step for a new college student to take,” said Interim Dean of University Studies Shelley Caraway. “Early registration is a smart approach to finding help in decision making. It allows time for you to discuss with your counselor your interests of study, and help relieve the pressure of confusion.”Another option is to complete interest assessments to determine strengths, Caraway said.Career assessments are tests that help analyze the individual’s interests, and suggest possible career choices for the applicant through a series of multiple-choice suggestions.Once a student has found interest in an area of study, the problem of deciding where to continue a course of study to complete their bachelor’s degree becomes the next task. At this point in the search, advisers are a valuable resource to the student. The advisers support decisions by sitting down with the student to research schools. “The clearer you are on where you want to transfer, the easier it is to avoid transfer issues,” said adviser Alexis Davis.The concern is the four-year university a student may want to transfer to in order to finish their bachelor’s may require different classes – see Advising page 8 -than TJC. In order to avoid these sort of foul ups, talking to the transfer institution’s admissions desk is a good solution. “I recommend getting the catalog for that institution and following it,” said Caraway. Advisers will be more than happy to help students contact schools to get the things they need. Even though all these tools are at the student’s disposal, it is solely up to the student to take the initiative to gather information on their major. This is information that is crucial to both the student’s education and wallet. Transfer students should especially be aware of their required classes, because often it is easy to misinterpret their major’s requirements and inevitably spend more money. It may be hard to understand how a student might take a wrong class. “It’s probably, because they (the student) think they know what courses to take already, when in reality they don’t,” said sophomore Patrick Reynaud, who is still undecided about his major. For more information about transferring, contact with one of TJC’s advisers on the second floor of the Rogers Student Center.
