Things To Consider Today

Take A Class  

With the fall season coming, it’s time to think about school and classes. No I’m not talking about classes for your kids. I’m talking about classes for you.

As an adult there are many reasons why you may be interested in taking a class. Perhaps you need to get up-to-date in an area related to your job. You may have a hobby or personal pursuit and there are classes available related to it. You may be curious to learn about a topic or get involved in some area and take a class to gain exposure. Some people take a class merely to get out the house and have something to do. Whatever your motivation is, there are lots of classes.

Credit classes count towards a specific college degree - associate (two year), bachelor (4 year), master and doctor’s (graduate school). These classes are available via a junior college or a four year college or university. Many credit classes are more traditional classes that have been around for years. Some of these classes are new due to expanded fields of study in science, technology, and others areas. This expansion of knowledge has changed course materials, as well as increased the number and variety of courses open to college students today.

The biggest increase in variety has come through the non-credit classes. Many types of classes have been added at the local level or in the community. Most of these are available through junior colleges. There are classes in the medical area, sport and fitness, business, cooking, creative arts, languages, gardening, hobbies, investments, home improvement, parenting, travel, music, etc. Variety such as this is only one reason more people are taking classes. Many classes are shorter in length than a college quarter or semester. They are less expensive too. Most are local so little travel is involved.

The traditional class requires regular attendance. Thanks to the increase of distance learning classes for both credit and non-credit classes, regular attendance is not required. Usually these classes only require that you show up for the first class and then for the midterm and final examination.

With the Internet it is possible to take all types of online classes without leaving your home. Some are offered by the typical college and others by special schools and companies. The advantage of such courses is that you can easily fit them into your own work and family schedule. The disadvantage is the lack of interaction with other students and actual classroom study or discussion. Some offer chat rooms on the Internet or other means to communicate between the teacher and members of the class.

The class you take doesn’t have to be difficult nor expensive. Some classes are only two or three weeks long, and others are three to four months to correspond with the college quarter or semester. You can even take a class with a friend.

Check the catalog of courses for the educational institutions in your local area. Some are mailed out, and others are available by picking them up in person or requesting them on the phone. Some are available online also. By merely looking through all the types of classes available, you’re certainly going to find some classes of interest. It’s only a matter of how much you’d like to take a class and your reason for doing so.

Once some tentative choices have been made about one or more classes, it is then only a matter of considering the cost and time involved. There could also be a schedule problem between class times and personal commitments.

One thing to remember is this. A class taken because you want to be involved in it is far more enjoyable than taking a class because you have to take it for a particular degree. On top of this, the class you choose to take is probably one you not only like, but have some aptitude for it, as well as interest. This increases the chance that you’ll do well in the class and utilize what you learned in some aspect of your life.

I challenge you to consider taking a class this fall. Reduce some of your wasted time in order to make room for the class. Cut out some of the extra money you spend on less important things in order to pay for the class. Reduce television watching in order to have more time to study or do projects for the class. In this way you’ll find that the class will have the minimum impact upon your personal resources, yet add fulfillment to your life.

If you’re taking the slow route towards an associate or bachelor’s degree for college, then taking one or two classes per quarter or semester will allow you to eventually get the degree even though you are working part-time or full-time and have family responsibilities. So do not hesitate to start taking classes. Don’t drop out of them. Do not give up on your plans for a degree. With time you’ll not only enjoy more of your classes, but be applying what you learn in your life, as well as utilizing some class material in your current work or a new type of work.

It is up to you, but remember, the years are passing by. Do you really want to pass up the opportunity to take some classes? Do you want to look back someday and say, I wish I had taken some classes? They probably could have added some variety and spice to my life, and helped broaden me out as an individual. Don’t let this happen to you. The sooner you act, the more classes can help you.

For credit classes that you need to take while pursuing a degree, consider this. College costs are going up. Job opportunities may be passing you by because of a lack of training and education. If you don’t have the time and money now, nor the energy and enthusiasm, why will you have it in the future?

I have taken classes after college graduation in areas that broadened me out. My wife has taken classes to continue her education while she had teenagers in our home. Both of us are happy we took the classes and we learned from them. We even took a couple of classes together. This was a lot of fun because it was like a couple’s night out together, not to mention we could study together. You may end up taking a class with your mate, an older child, or a good friend. Like working out or doing physical exercise, having someone do it with you makes the whole experience more enjoyable and increases the odds that you’ll stick with it until the goal is accomplished.

Good luck in selecting classes that are suitable for your interests and needs at this time in your life.

YOUR OPINION - Let us know if you liked this article, and whether you agree or disagree with it? Provide your comments here .

Click here to return to the top.

Copyright  2008     Leland Pulley