Recent data shows that almost 75% of college students were enrolled in a hybrid or fully remote program.
Since the pandemic, students have had the opportunity to learn from their homes. If you’ve taken advantage of this, but want more intensive courses, you can apply for a local college or university. Most people don’t realize it, but besides transferring colleges, which is getting more and more convenient each day, you can be attending two colleges at once to make the most of your academic career.
Preparation and organization are key to success. If you’re considering enrolling in two colleges, there are some things you’ll want to know, keep reading below!
It’s Common
One of the first things to know about attending two colleges at once is that you won’t be alone.
Students around the county take courses at more than one community college or university. Since university costs are typically higher, it’s less common for students to attend more than one. Combining community college and university courses can help you save money and sign up for the most beneficial classes.
Try not to get discouraged if people don’t understand why you’re taking on another school. For instance, many people start with community college and integrate university classes.
Segment Your Courses
Hopping between online courses or switching campuses throughout the day can get exhausting.
Instead of wasting your time and energy, try to schedule your classes so they don’t intertwine. Since most lectures and online classes are scheduled for every other day, you can use the open time to focus on your other enrollment.
Without organizing your courses, it’s easy to confuse testing dates, financial aid info, and courses. If you don’t need to segment your classes by the school location, you can do it with different subjects. For example, science and literature can be dedicated to specific days.
Find Your Strategy
There are plenty of college benefits, but if you don’t have the right strategy, you could increase your risk of failure.
Some students take online courses from one or both of their schools. It’s more frequent for people to attend courses at one school while doing remote through another institution. If you’re planning to attend two different colleges in person, make sure you can handle the commutes.
Students typically underestimate the time it takes to get to class. If you don’t account for your daily routine, school schedule, and work, you may struggle in one aspect of life. Take a look at the associated colleges your university works with to see if there are any shortcuts to your schedule!
Pay Attention to Finals Week
There’s nothing worse than realizing you have a schedule conflict during midterms or finals week.
Professors don’t like to give extensions and it can be stressful to schedule a different testing date. Once you get approved for the courses and receive the syllabus, take a closer look at your dates. Typically, finals aren’t scheduled at the same time as the classes, which could increase your risk of conflict.
It’s best to discuss testing options with your professor with plenty of notice. Even if it’s the first week of class and you see a scheduling conflict, try to get it resolved. You don’t want to worry about scheduling issues on top of studying at the last minute of the semester.
Check Credit Transfers
Any college survival guide will tell you to be careful with your credits if you intend to transfer schools.
It’s easy to assume that any credit you earn is beneficial, and while it is to a certain extent, it can have downfalls. Colleges often create limits for credit transfers to ensure their standards are being met. To receive credits that go toward your major, make sure they are transferred to another school and you may need to supply a syllabus.
Dual enrollment students may waste money on non-transferable credits and could delay graduation. Always keep your class documents to help prove the objectives and lessons from each course.
You Can Use Financial Aid Assistance
Whether you get government or private student loans, you don’t have to cover the costs on your own.
It’s important to work with a student advisor since financial aid details can get confusing when enrolled in more than one school. Although it’s not a difficult process to add schools to an aid list, you’ll need to balance the aid and designate an amount for each place.
To help save money and future headaches, look for tuition-free schools. You can also apply for grants and scholarships, which will help you finance your education without accumulating debt. You must sign a consortium agreement to designate schools as a home or host location.
It Could Excel Your College Career
Some people recommend dual enrollment if you want to excel in your college education.
Attending two colleges at once can help you earn your degree quicker and increase learning opportunities. Instead of summer breaks, you can overlap your college courses and earn your degree ahead of time.
Getting ahead in college can help you enter your career field earlier and become a larger asset to companies. Not only will you have the degree, but you’ll also prove your commitment and expertise.
Attending Two Colleges at Once Isn’t Impossible
Whether you’re hoping to approach your graduation date sooner or save some money, another college can help.
Attending two colleges at once can help you earn your degree without adding more stress. Carefully planning your schedule can ensure that you don’t have exam dilemmas or issues with commuting. The sooner you can address any conflicts in the semester, the easier it’ll be to transfer credits and excel.
Take a look at our page if you want more college survival content to help you get through your education!
- Impact of Emotionally Absent Fathers on Daughters - April 30, 2024
- Sagittarius Man & Gemini Woman Love and Sex Compatibility - January 31, 2024
- Taurus Ascendant Rising Personality Traits in Men (Guide) - January 31, 2024