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Adjusting to classes after clepping?
#1
So I've been CLEPing on and off for the past two years and I decided to finish up my degree at TESC. I'm starting summer classes on Tuesday (!!!!!) and I was wondering, for those who have taken, say, Intro to Psych and then taken higher level Psych classes through TESC (or any of the other colleges), did you find the transition difficult? Did you feel lost? Was it a struggle to grasp concepts and complete assignments on them?
There were times when I was CLEPing where I felt that I needed to memorize the basics and pass. For writing an essay on evaluating the differences between one thing and another, that's a whole new ball game.

I guess the nerves are getting to me a little bit too... @_@
#2
Aubs Wrote:So I've been CLEPing on and off for the past two years and I decided to finish up my degree at TESC. I'm starting summer classes on Tuesday (!!!!!) and I was wondering, for those who have taken, say, Intro to Psych and then taken higher level Psych classes through TESC (or any of the other colleges), did you find the transition difficult? Did you feel lost? Was it a struggle to grasp concepts and complete assignments on them?
There were times when I was CLEPing where I felt that I needed to memorize the basics and pass. For writing an essay on evaluating the differences between one thing and another, that's a whole new ball game.

I guess the nerves are getting to me a little bit too... @_@

I think you'll do great!! Smile The fact that you're concerned means that you're already trying to figure out how to do your best and master the class. I think the folks who think an online class will be super easy get in trouble. I can tell you it happens ALL THE TIME. Someone will ask "can I just take one class and graduate with a 4.0" only to fail their one class (or close to it!) There are a few easy A's but I wouldn't count on many. Sorry, but it will take work!

I tested out of all my gen eds, and then took courses for all of my major at TESC. I think it is an adjustment in the simple housekeeping sense; meaning, you'll have to figure out how the course works- how to log in- how to check the forum- how to submit homework, etc. All that takes a bit of getting used to. In addition, you'll have a person giving their OPINION of your work! That can be rough, especially on essays or short answer assignments. I'd just simply say (as the teacher) that if you do exactly what the assignment asks, you'll do great. I've had students lose points for STUPID things, like turning in late or not following instructions (a title page, or X number of references, etc) that are essentially freebies. As a student, I always figure there is room for improvement in all my work- so I want them to grade me on MY work. I never, ever, ever want to lose points for dumb things like not following specific instructions. Pay close attention to due dates, anticipate internet glitches, turn stuff in early always. As they say, "collect the low hanging fruit" first because you might have to work hard for points later.

P.S. Sometimes teachers are poor graders (being vague is just as bad as being punitive) so you'll always have that variable. I have a hard time with this -teachers- so I can tell you just to take it in stride, but easier said than done lol!! I am in the minority probably, but I hate getting "100 good job" on assignments. When I work hard, I want real feedback....after all, I've paid a good deal of money for that feedback. Also, I hate punitive graders "-5 points for not putting the paper clip in the LEFT corner, yours is on the right" *that was an actual comment on my son's English 102 paper at our local CC.

Good luck and ENJOY!!
#3
Thank you!!!! Thank you thank you thank you.
Yes, the forums are certainly taking some getting used to. Pushing all the buttons multiple times to figure out what button does what Tongue

Oh goodness yes, running out of time/not finishing an assignment is one of my biggest nightmares. Plus it's really nice to have that weight off the shoulders early, not having that constant nag in the back of your head all week, "Papers due, papers due, why are you sleeping?"

UUUUUGH five points docked for a paper clip in the wrong corner!? That just...insane. Crossing fingers that any teachers like that @_@

Thank you so so much. You've just given me a huge dose of peace in all the first week chaos!
#4
grasping concepts is easy

you're definitely prepared for higher level work

the worst part about classes is having to participate in forum discussions and collaborating on papers

every upper level class I've taken (4) have required group projects or papers
complete waste of time
learned absolutely nothing doing it

could have researched and written a paper and learned a lot in 1/2 time it takes to do a group paper and learn jack squat

the experience is painful

others may have different experiences, but I will never take another class unless I am absolutely forced too
#5
While I am not a great test-taker, I do like self-directed independent work (which is part of why I LOVE portfolios). Classes that require to writing in the ridiculous forums a certain amount of times a week and responding to classmates' comments drive me mad!

However, having a few different methods for getting your degree finished is advantageous in that it prepares us for different types of scenarios. The logistics of it you can definitely figure out if you have been disciplined enough to get far on your own.



cookderosa Wrote:I think you'll do great!! Smile The fact that you're concerned means that you're already trying to figure out how to do your best and master the class. I think the folks who think an online class will be super easy get in trouble. I can tell you it happens ALL THE TIME. Someone will ask "can I just take one class and graduate with a 4.0" only to fail their one class (or close to it!) There are a few easy A's but I wouldn't count on many. Sorry, but it will take work!

I tested out of all my gen eds, and then took courses for all of my major at TESC. I think it is an adjustment in the simple housekeeping sense; meaning, you'll have to figure out how the course works- how to log in- how to check the forum- how to submit homework, etc. All that takes a bit of getting used to. In addition, you'll have a person giving their OPINION of your work! That can be rough, especially on essays or short answer assignments. I'd just simply say (as the teacher) that if you do exactly what the assignment asks, you'll do great. I've had students lose points for STUPID things, like turning in late or not following instructions (a title page, or X number of references, etc) that are essentially freebies. As a student, I always figure there is room for improvement in all my work- so I want them to grade me on MY work. I never, ever, ever want to lose points for dumb things like not following specific instructions. Pay close attention to due dates, anticipate internet glitches, turn stuff in early always. As they say, "collect the low hanging fruit" first because you might have to work hard for points later.

P.S. Sometimes teachers are poor graders (being vague is just as bad as being punitive) so you'll always have that variable. I have a hard time with this -teachers- so I can tell you just to take it in stride, but easier said than done lol!! I am in the minority probably, but I hate getting "100 good job" on assignments. When I work hard, I want real feedback....after all, I've paid a good deal of money for that feedback. Also, I hate punitive graders "-5 points for not putting the paper clip in the LEFT corner, yours is on the right" *that was an actual comment on my son's English 102 paper at our local CC.

Good luck and ENJOY!!
Associate in Arts - Thomas Edison State University
Bachelor of Arts in Humanities - Thomas Edison State University
pursuing Master's degree, Applied Linguistics - Universidad Antonio de Nebrija

*credit sources: Patten University, Straighterline, Learning Counts, The Institutes, Torah College Credits, Kaplan Open College, UMUC, Thomas Edison State University (guided study liberal arts capstone)
#6
I'm going in the opposite direction I have completed about 50 classes at a B&M institution and am now trying to test out of the last needed classes for any degree. For some people the structure of classes is nice because it lays out a specific path of what to do when. I do well in classes because it forces me to do work and learn material, I’m afraid that I will get distracted and slack on my studying for tests when there isn’t any specific deadline given to me.
#7
I wanted to piggy-back on the advice here and say that I think TESC still puts the course syllabus online for you to preview before registering. If this option is still available, you can check what kind of assignments will make up your score. Eg. a course where 50% of the grade comes from the mid-term and 50% from the final would not be one "I" would register for, on the other hand, doing 25 little assignments that are 4% each would be too much busy work for me. I like a balance, but what each person likes will differ.
P.S. I've never taken a class with a group project except back in 1990 in culinary school- it was one big restaurant development project, but as for my other credits, no. I've done undergrad and grad work at schools besides where I've earned my degree also, so I think I've gotten lucky. I don't think I'd choose a course with a group project.
#8
took a class in Epidemiology through one of the State University of New York schools Open SUNY - Take a Course: The State University of New York

one of the projects was

assign each person in your group a role
1) medical doctor
2) lawyer
3) local politician
4) fishing captain (or something like that)

assume there has been an outbreak of cholera in the clams of the coast of Alabama in the United Sates

write a report from the view point of the role you have been assigned

combine the reports into a recommendation for the CDC and government

I got assigned lawyer Sad

never again


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