Ready. Set. Go(wn)?

 

If you plan to graduate from Mt. Hood in June, now is the time to formally apply for graduation.

All students who apply during the school year are eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony, even if their coursework is not complete.

Even if you are not close to completing your degree, make sure you are on track!

 

Are you on track?  

Becoming familiar with DARS (Degree Audit Reporting System) allows you to check your progress toward a degree.

“I think the most important thing, from Day One all the way to graduation, is to check your DARS report,” Calvin Walker, MHCC academic adviser said. “It’s not going to lead you wrong.”

Walker encourages financial aid students, in particular, to track their progress: “It’s extremely important for them to always know where they are.”

Those concerned about their financial aid status should not hesitate to speak with their financial aid adviser, he said.

From the time students first arrive at MHCC, picking a track and taking relevant classes is key.

“Most students avoid math like the plague,” said Walker. “Start taking that early,” he advised. “Don’t wait ’til the end of your degree time and create a huge amount of anxiety.”

He recommends that students blend tougher courses with less rigorous courses they may enjoy. “You should plan things out so at any point in this academic venture, you’re not overwhelmed,” he said.

 

Selecting classes:

Not sure what you want to take, or what degree to pursue?

Start with the Associates of Art degree. “That is, in my opinion, the best degree we have,” Walker said. “It gives you a real foundation for education.”

You can also speak with an academic adviser or visit the MHCC career planning and counseling center.

“If you’re going to take on the responsibility of being a student here, make it worth your while. You may never ever again in life get this opportunity,” Walker said.

Whatever you do, “Don’t waste your electives,” he said.

“You kind of want to hold onto those, because this is an evolution. You start mentally and physically one way here, you end physically and mentally another way. You’re a different person after a year… You want to take advantage of that evolution,” he advised.

When signing up for classes, make sure each will help you earn your degree. What’s more, when students sign up for classes, then drop them, it skews the numbers and creates difficulties for other students.

 

Being successful:

“If you walk into a class… and you know from the moment that that instructor opens their mouth that you know it’s not going to be a good fit for you… get out of the class and get something else,” said Walker.

If you have a question about subject matter in a course, start with your instructor and don’t wait until the term is almost over. “If your car had a flat and you didn’t have a spare, wouldn’t you talk to the tire guy?” Walker said.

He encourages students to visit the Learning Success Center and take advantage of other campus resources: “You’re paying for these things. Use them!”

Walker said to “take this seriously.

“Can you imagine if we have this mass of people that are moderately or highly educated? We’re going to have a different society. People look at things in a different way when they’re educated,” he said.

“When you’re young, that’s the time to venture out and discover.”

 

Transferring:

Once you have made key decisions and chosen a path, Walker recommends you begin the search for a good destination for your transfer.

“It can never be too early,” he said. He recommends that you contact any school in which you are interested. Advisers will be eager to talk to prospective students.

Mt. Hood’s goal is to bring two transfer advisers to MHCC each month and it also hosts Oregon Transfer Day during Winter Term.

Even so, students really must “take control of their destiny,” Walker said.

Once you have narrowed your potential (four-year) universities, select electives that will help toward earning your degree there, he said.

When ready to apply to a university, you can order a transcript online or have them shipped for free in the Student Services office. Make sure you bring the address of the school to which you are applying.