Phrases become cliches in popular usage because they express some essential fact or situation concisely. "The devil is in the details" is a popular term which may be another way to say, "Always read the fine print."
When Josh, a film major, returned to campus this term he was surprised to learn he had a balance due, which meant he owed money, on his campus account. Early last spring Josh had completed his financial aid application as well as his registration for Fall and thought no more about it. One of the courses Josh enrolled in was an on-line course. It was offered through the department in which Josh was majoring and would be three upper division units. Josh figured with everything on line he could complete the course work on his own schedule. This could leave more time for other things like work, friends, well, other things.
Thoroughly confused and more than a little annoyed, Josh went to the Student Accounts office where he learned a large portion of his financial aid had been cancelled. After a fit of frenzied diligence Josh learned the on-line course he had enrolled in was not eligible for financial aid. Because this was an ineligible course Josh's financial aid dropped below the minimum units for full time aid.
What were Josh's choices right now? More important what would yours be. Get more time at work to start paying on the balance due? Do a late add on an eligible course? Call the Bank of Mom and Dad for another emergency loan?
The wisdom of hindsight points out that this situation could have been avoided had Josh read the fine print in his school's annual catalogue. Somewhere in there in fine print it says "Not all on-line courses" are eligible for financial aid. The on-line course Josh had signed up for was one of those ineligible courses.
If you, like Josh, did not or do not read or don't even know your school has a course catalogue then here is today's Planet College Headline. Your school does have a course catalogue. The catalogue contains the guidelines, requirements and essential information you need to know about courses, registration, eligibility and graduation. There is a lot of fine print and it reads like a legal document because it is a legal document. There are probably still some paper ones around the admin building but if you ask the librarian she can help you find it on line. It is there. It contains the rules and at some point you will need to know them. Not knowing can cost you. The cliche is a cliche because it is accurate. Don't be 'deviled' by the details.
Oh and Josh? He found a Professor he knows in his department who signed him up for three units of Special Studies and his financial aid was restored.
Welcome back, and good luck this term from Planet College.
Showing posts with label course. Show all posts
Showing posts with label course. Show all posts
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Monday, July 6, 2009
A word about "easy."
Some words catch on and become part of the currency of daily living on Planet College. Easy is such a word. It has an attraction, "Easy." Sounds appealing. Take it easy, Easy street. The appeal of "easy" permeates our culture.
Some times students become too captivated by "easy." Often they feel taking the easiest courses or courses which are supposed to be easy is the best way through school. As some students have learned easy isn't always the answer. What is easy for one student is sometimes surprisingly difficult for another.
Rather than remain captivated by the alleged easiness of one course or another it is wise to ease out of 'easy' for the duration of your education. Rather than 'easy' substitute 'degree of difficulty' as a scale for measuring courses. Some courses are simply more or less difficult. If a course is less difficult for you that can free up your time to apply yourself to completing the requirements for more difficult courses.
A successful schedule, like the one coming up next term, is one which contains courses with varying degrees of difficulty. You probably know by now which courses or instructors are more or less difficult in your major. Avoiding difficult courses simply prolongs your time on Planet College and that can get real expensive.
If this has been your approach you may be surprised to learn that most students are stimulated by a difficult course and a challenging instructor. Whereas continuing 'easiness' leads students to boredom and disinterest. This fact is demonstrated on one campus which uses instructor evaluations. Often students have commented, " He made the course too easy." This has not been intended as a complement.
If you are stuck in "easy" you probably aren't making all of the progress possible toward your degree. Next term approach your schedule without the thought of "easy". This time use "degrees of difficulty" as a standard. Schedule a mix of courses which include varying degrees of difficulty. You may be stimulated to apply yourself for the first time. And the results may surprise you.
Some times students become too captivated by "easy." Often they feel taking the easiest courses or courses which are supposed to be easy is the best way through school. As some students have learned easy isn't always the answer. What is easy for one student is sometimes surprisingly difficult for another.
Rather than remain captivated by the alleged easiness of one course or another it is wise to ease out of 'easy' for the duration of your education. Rather than 'easy' substitute 'degree of difficulty' as a scale for measuring courses. Some courses are simply more or less difficult. If a course is less difficult for you that can free up your time to apply yourself to completing the requirements for more difficult courses.
A successful schedule, like the one coming up next term, is one which contains courses with varying degrees of difficulty. You probably know by now which courses or instructors are more or less difficult in your major. Avoiding difficult courses simply prolongs your time on Planet College and that can get real expensive.
If this has been your approach you may be surprised to learn that most students are stimulated by a difficult course and a challenging instructor. Whereas continuing 'easiness' leads students to boredom and disinterest. This fact is demonstrated on one campus which uses instructor evaluations. Often students have commented, " He made the course too easy." This has not been intended as a complement.
If you are stuck in "easy" you probably aren't making all of the progress possible toward your degree. Next term approach your schedule without the thought of "easy". This time use "degrees of difficulty" as a standard. Schedule a mix of courses which include varying degrees of difficulty. You may be stimulated to apply yourself for the first time. And the results may surprise you.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)