What to Expect the First Year of College
By Dante Sweet
Contributing Writer to RNDegrees.net
Why Do I Have To Take General Education Courses?
One thing students can expect is that the freshman year in college will in some ways be similar to high school. The first two years of college are usually taken up largely with basic courses such as composition, algebra, social sciences and physical education. Many of these classes actually cover the same material as some high school courses. Sometimes students expect freshman coursework to deal more directly with their intended major or explain something other than the fundamentals, but those courses are not likely to come about until the junior year.
One reason for this repetition is that not every student took psychology in high school, for instance, and building on that information would then be impossible for those students who don't have the base. States or college systems also often have specific requirements about what information must be included in a class, such as the types of essays in composition. High schools are usually exempt from those requirements, so in order to ensure that system or state college graduates have covered what the policy makers consider the most important elements, the basic courses must be offered.
What will likely be different about these classes is the pace at which the material is covered and how the grade in the class is achieved. Freshman courses may have little or no graded homework or other outside assignments, so studying for exams becomes much more important. Although sometimes attendance and/or participation is part of the grade, points are often lost for absences or lack of input rather than gained for positive action. A freshman will often expect to get points just for showing up to class, but such is very seldom the case.
What If I Miss A Class?
The expectation about absenteeism is another major difference students should expect when entering college. College instructors don't typically want to hear why a freshman missed class; they just want students to make sure they find out what was missed and turn in any assignments on time. It is best to discuss make-up work with the teacher in high school, but the expectation in college is that students will find out what they missed from a classmate. Late work may not be accepted, no matter what the excuse. Such policies are usually outlined in the thesis given out the first day, so freshmen should hang on to that paper and refer to it when needed throughout the semester.
The urge to party and blow off classes, particularly if those classes don't have attendance requirements, is tremendous. Without a parent there to push them out of bed when the alarm goes off, many freshmen sleep in, feeling that a few missed hours won't matter. Such actions quickly become habits, however, and missing classes means missing material. Most instructors give exams that cover material in the text as well as that discussed in class, whether it be lecture, a film or a group activity. Constantly asking other students for their notes will quickly earn a student a reputation as a leech and still will not get the experience that was missed in class.
Learning To Manage Your Money
Freshmen should also expect that this is a time of major financial changes for themselves, especially if they will be living away from home for the first time. Students who live off campus will need to be prepared to budget their money carefully to be able to pay for December and January rent, times in between financial aid disbursements. All students should expect to pay at least $300/semester for books, even those that are used. Money will be required for laundry, cold medicines and probably some lab fees.
Being a freshman in college, although often a difficult transitional period, can also be a great time in students- lives if they know what to expect and do some preparation. Once they know what to expect, the choices they make affect how positive the first year in college can be. The power is in their hands.
Find Nursing Schools and Allied Health Programs Near You
Search our directory of accredited nursing schools and allied health training programs by state which provides school information, description, programs offered, and information request form for each. Request additional information to speak with a program adviser: Find Health Care Schools Near You
University of St. Mary
Online
Give your career a boost with University of Saint Mary. We offer online degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels to help make your educational and professional goals a reality.
Programs:- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Career Colleges of America
Campus
Get your career started with Career Colleges of America. We have four campuses in the Los Angeles area offering a wide variety of allied health training programs.
Programs:- Vocational Nurse
- Nurse Assistant
- Medical Assistant
- Gardena
- San Bernardino
- Los Angeles
- South Gate
Bryant and Stratton College
Campus
Give your career a boost with an education from Bryant and Stratton College. We offer certificate, associate degree, and bachelor's degree programs for careers in the business, criminal justice, design, finance, technology, health care, and legal fields.
For more information about Bryant and Stratton’s graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website at www.bryantstratton.edu/disclosures.
Programs:- Nursing
- Medical Assisting
- Milwaukee
- Richmond
- Cleveland
- Buffalo
- Rochester
- Virginia Beach
Carrington College
Campus
Carrington College has helped over 45,000 graduates realize their dream of a career in healthcare. Now it's your turn. Choose from eleven conveniently located campuses.
Programs:- Registered Nursing
- Medical Assisting
- Boise
- Albuquerque
- Phoenix
- Portland
- Mesa
- Spokane
- Tucson
- Reno
- Mesquite
University of Phoenix
Campus
As the largest private university in North America, University of Phoenix has more than 200 locations, and is available online in most countries around the world. Whether you're seeking a college degree at an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral level, we can help you reach your academic goal—and sooner than you might think.
Programs:- BS in Nursing (RN Required)
- M.S. in Nursing
- Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
- Online
- Dallas
- Houston
- Phoenix
- Sarasota
- Las Vegas
- St Louis Park
- Chandler
- Lathrop
- Saint Paul
- Fresno
- Jacksonville
- Oakland
- Salida
- Fairfield
- Lone Tree
- Grand Rapids
- Killeen
- San Antonio
- Hollywood
- Palm Beach Gardens
- Lancaster
- Ann Arbor
- Maitland
- Westminster
- Nashville
- Los Angeles
- Miami
- Clearwater
- Pasadena
- Spring
- Troy
- Livermore
- Sacramento
- Beachwood
- Diamond Bar
- Saint Louis
- Daytona Beach
- Orlando
- Bakersfield
- Reston
- Littleton
- Ontario
- Sugar Land
- San Francisco
- Murrieta
- Hurst
- Irving
- Costa Mesa
- Manassas
- Aurora
- San Diego
- Baton Rouge
- Independence
- Arlington
- Henderson
- Woodland Hills
- East Lansing
- Mesa
- St. Louis
- Elk Grove
- Roseville
- Tucson
- Livonia
- Clinton Township
- Tampa
- Flint
- Fairfax
- Gardena
- San Jose
- Rancho Cordova
- Fort Lauderdale
- Temple Terrace
- Plantation
- Westlake
- Southfield
- Portage
- Palm Desert
Concorde
Campus
Get your career started with Concorde Career College. Our training programs are short, affordable, and hands-on. We offer training programs in medical assisting, dental assisting, insurance coding, respiratory therapy, surgical technology, vocational/practical nursing, patient care, and more.
Programs:- Nursing - (AS)
- Nursing - (AAS)
- Vocational Nurse
- Tampa
- San Diego
- Aurora
- Portland
- San Bernardino
- North Hollywood
- Kansas City
- Garden Grove
- Arlington
- Orlando
- San Antonio
- Jacksonville
- Memphis
- Dallas
Medtech
Campus
Start your career with an education from Medtech. We offer programs in biotechnology, health care management, medical assisting, medical billing and coding, medical lab technology, and nursing, plus several short-term career courses.
Programs:- School of Nursing
- Medical Assistant
- Fort Wayne
CollegeAmerica
Campus
Finally, a college that delivers. CollegeAmerica is truly unique in that their curriculum is designed for one purpose and one purpose only: to prepare students for success.
Programs:- Bachelor of Science Completion in Nursing (Online)
- Associate Degree in Nursing
- Bachelor of Science Completion in Nursing Administration (Online)
- Phoenix
- Colorado Springs
- Flagstaff
- Fort Collins
- Cheyenne
- Denver
Lincoln Technical Institute
Campus
Lincoln Technical Institute provides career-focused, hands-on training programs with industry experienced instructors. Get the skills for a rewarding in-demand career.
For more student consumer information, please visit www.lincolnedu.com/lincolnconsumerinfo
Programs:- Nursing
- Medical Assistant
- Paramus
- Casselberry
- Hamden
- Mount Laurel
- Philadelphia
- Edison
- Shelton
- Somerville
- Lincoln
- Allentown
- Brockton
- Lowell
- Saint Petersburg
American Sentinel University Online
Online
Advance your career with the right online degree. ACCIS offers self-paced, real-world programs in Computer Science, Information Systems, Management Information Systems, and Business Administration.
Programs:- MS Nursing - Case Management
- MS Nursing - Infection Prevention and Control
- MS Nursing - Management and Organizational Leadership
Medical Career Institute
Campus
Experience the Rewards of Caring, With ECPI’s Medical Careers Institute, you can Earn Your Bachelor’s Degree in 2.5 Years or Your Associate’s Even Sooner through Our Year-Round Schedule!
Programs:- Nursing (BSN) - Bachelor
- Registered Nursing - Associate
- Practical Nursing - Diploma
- Virginia Beach
- Newport News
- Richmond
- Henrico
- Manassas
- Raleigh
- Greenville
- North Charleston
- Greensboro
- Charlotte
- Columbia
Stevens-Henager
Campus
For more than 119 years, Stevens-Henager College has worked to train generations of graduates for new careers. Stevens-Henager College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). Our degree programs, designed to help graduates compete in the ever-evolving employment market, include Medical Specialties, Respiratory Therapy, Healthcare Administration, Surgical Technology, Business Management and Accounting, Computer Technology and Networking, Computer Programming, Computer Science, and Graphic Arts*. Online programs are offered via Stevens-Henager College, Salt Lake City/Murray. Stevens-Henager College Idaho Falls is a branch campus of the CollegeAmerica, Flagstaff, AZ, main campus.
*Check each campus for program availability.
- Bachelor of Science Completion in Nursing
- Associate Degree in Nursing Education
- Master of Science in Nursing Administration
- Boise
- Layton
- Ogden
- Nampa
- Idaho Falls
- Lehi
- Saint George
- Logan
- Murray
- Orem
Kaplan University - KHE
Campus
Don't wait another day to take the next step forward in your career. Kaplan University can give you the real-world knowledge and skills you need to succeed in your chosen field.
Programs:- Associate of Science: Nursing
- Diploma: Practical Nursing
- Certificate: Medical Assistant
- Cedar Rapids
- Urbandale
- Omaha
- Lincoln
- Cedar Falls
- Mason City
- Council Bluffs
- Lewiston
- Hagerstown
- South Portland
- Davenport
Harrison College
Campus
Get started on your career with an education from Harrison College. We offer more than 30 degree, certificate, and diploma programs in the fields of health sciences, veterinary technology, information technology, criminal justice, and business, in addition to our culinary arts academy.
Programs:- Nursing - Associate of Science
- Medical Assistant
- Fort Wayne
- Indianapolis
- Anderson
- Muncie
- Elkhart
- Columbus
- Grove City
- Terre Haute
- Lafayette
- Evansville
Lincoln College of Technology
Campus
Imagine the possibilities of furthering your education from the comforts of anywhere with Internet access. Imagine working towards your college degree and expanding your future career opportunities! With Lincoln College Online, you can. Use the internet to join students from all over the country who share your same educational and career goals. By enrolling in Lincoln College Online, you'll have the opportunity to learn while maintaining your active lifestyle. At Lincoln College Online you'll learn through simulation activities, participate in a virtual classroom, study lessons from qualified instructors who promote learning and participation in the online environment, and communicate with peers from across the United States of America.
For more student consumer information, please visit www.lincolnedu.com/lincolnconsumerinfo
Programs:- Nursing
- Medical Assistant
- Florence
- Cincinnati
- Marietta
- Franklin
- Toledo
