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HACC: Where new beginnings start
Thinking about making a change or starting something new? Education may be the answer; here’s why.
Education provides opportunities to be part of a community, meet new people, read books, listen to experts discuss topics of interest, engage in the use of technology and learn new skills. Learning new skills encourages students to think, ask questions and explore new ideas, which allows for personal growth. In college, one of the most important tasks is to learn and take charge of your life by making your own choices.
HACC provides a wealth of educational learning opportunities and our doors are open to you. We are a diverse institution, offering flexible scheduling and serving a wide variety of needs, such as programs to prepare for a career, upgrade skills for a particular job, attain an associate degree and transfer to a four-year institution, pursue interests (such as learning a language) or just try out college.
An important first step is making connections and taking advantage of the resources HACC offers. Our research suggests that “first year” or “new” students do better in small, structured learning environments. Students also need to feel welcome, supported, celebrated and connected with professors and classmates.
In response to this research, HACC implemented two courses, “College Success” and “Intro to College Experience,” to engage and assist new students in building resilience, coping with failures and challenges, and establishing life, work and school balance. Practical skills for student success also are emphasized, such as connecting to technology tools and resources, overcoming procrastination, developing time management skills and learning effective test-taking strategies.
After completing the “College Success” course, student Aries Rodriquez said: “I love this class so much. It has taught me, not only to be a great college student, but a lifelong all-around good person. I’m more accepting of my choices and the consequences that come with them. I understand that I deserve the best life, but it is up to me to strive and put forth effort to be the best that I can be. I understand that I can choose to let something destroy me and cause it to make me a victim, instead of a creator. I promise you that this class will not let you down. It has tremendously influenced my life.”
HACC also offers “Career Development and Decision Making,” a course that teaches students how to discover their natural abilities, strengths and talents and use them for career planning. The course also offers work exploration, developing self-awareness, occupational research and goal setting. While there are no magic formulas for success, research shows that new students do better when they take college success courses as they transition into college life.
HACC’s Gettysburg Campus is your friendly community college campus and we welcome you to join us. Our campus is filled with intelligent students, professors who care and enjoy teaching, and professional staff who are in tune with the community and know how their college can improve lives. Let us help you get started on beginning something new and let education change your life.
For information on how to begin at HACC’s Gettysburg Campus, contact Sara Maines, admissions counselor, at email@example.com or 717-339-3514.
Dianne Brooks is an assistant professor and faculty counselor at the Gettysburg Campus of HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College.