The 19yo is talking about college. Of course, when I overheard him say, “I was reading this college catalog…” I stopped dead in my tracks. After several years of unschooling and some pretty serious slacker practice before that, I wasn’t even pretending that college was in his future—at least not right away. So this news that he’d already assessed and discarded one community college option and was considering another was a surprise to me.

As I listened from a vaguely discreet distance, there was a tone in his voice and a certain lean to his body that I recognized. This particular combo is what he uses when he’s trying to convince someone that he’s doing what they want him to do. But it’s a little tricky because it’s also the tone and posture he uses when he’s trying something on for size—sort of sussing out if he really believes what he’s saying, seeing if what he’s thinking of is really a good fit for him. I like it when he does this. I think it’s really wise. It makes me proud.

Later he and I were able to talk this college thing out a bit over breakfast. (These things always go better over a breakfast burrito.) It became clear that while he’s aware that most of the parental-types in his life would like to see him in college at some point, he wasn’t just blowing smoke at us when he mentioned the college catalogs. He really is interested in the possibility of taking some course — he’s just not sure how to do college his own unconventional way. He doesn’t want to get trapped on some horrid jump-through-the-hoops, school-debt, hamster wheel from hell. In short, he’s trying to figure out how to make college work for him, instead of the other way around.

See, I told you he was smart.

This got me to thinking about all the courses I slogged through and hated, and all the books I bought and never used. It was a lot of waste. So here, in retrospect are my Magpie Girl’s Tips for College Courses.

 1. Take Eclectic Classes. At most schools you can attend “non-matriculated”-meaning you don’t have to be accepted into a specific program to take a course in the program. Use this to your advantage. Skip the pre-requisites as much as possible, and try out a handful of varied topics that intrigue you. (The 19yo’s short list? Math, Logic, Epistemology.)

2. Don’t Throw the Baby out with the Bath Water. The problem with first year classes, is that they are first-year classes. The prof is underpaid, half of his/her students don’t want to be there, and quite frankly, neither do they. NOT ALL CLASSES ARE LIKE THAT. Don’t give up. Try the one down the hall.

3. Don’t Buy the Books. If possible (and it will depend on the class) sit in on at least the first class session (or 2, or 3) before you buy the books. You want to be able to walk away with your bank account unscathed. If you can tell the class is the wrong fit for you early on, then you’ve saved yourself some money. Also, save your receipts. Selling books back at the end of the term will get you far less than half the price of what you paid for them in September. And try BigWords.com or Half.com for discounted textbooks.

4. Transfer. If you don’t like a class, change it. Understand your school’s rules about the deadlines for changing courses. You usually have a week or so to swap courses if you change your mind. Some schools let you change one or two courses for free, but even a small fee is better than a semester in a course that’s not right for you. At big schools pre-requisite freshmen courses are sometimes taught in multiple sessions with different lecturers or TA’s. Don’t like yours? Sit in on a different session and see if someone else is a little less sleep inducing.

5. Be Independent. If you parent’s can’t help you pay for college, consider filing for taxes as an independent. This will mean your parent’s can’t “claim” you on their taxes and won’t get to have you as a deduction, so talk it out with them. But if it’s just you and your McJob salary on the FASA application, you’ll probably get a better financial aid package.

6. Think about Community Colleges. If you travel off the beaten path, a straight-up four year school might not be for you. Back in the day, community colleges were called “Junior College” and had a “lesser than” stigma attached to them. Now, many Community Colleges are functioning like charter school, specializing in niche programs like graphic design, or early childhood education. Some are hidden gems, offering fine-tune training at lower prices and with less competition than the universities. They’re also a less expensive place to explore. Also, new professors often get their first gigs at community colleges and can shine with newbie enthusiasm.

7. Consider Non-Traditional Schools. Grade-free schools and/or those with self-designed programs like Reed College (Oregon) or Evergreen College (Washington) or UC Santa Cruz (California) are also great starting out, or transfer schools. Just because you don’t like structure doesn’t mean you won’t like college.

8. Do it Slow. There’s no need to go into debt and finish in four years. Part-time is fine—even preferable—as it gives you more time to build a resume, experiment with subjects you like, and earn-along. (So much more preferable than big loans! Remember, you may be a social worker and not a MBA when you’re done!)

In short, explore. You’re already on your path. Enjoy it!

What tips to do you have for college-aged kids young adults who don’t follow the beaten path? What do you wish you had a “do over” on from your college days? Tell us in the comments below, and add to the Giant Pool of Wisdom,  forming now.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 16th, 2009 at 2:24 pm and is filed under Magpie Mama.
Tags: ask magpie, Magpie Mama, souren, Teen Coaching



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