This issue I would like to apologize to my readers for being absent last issue. I was taking a long well deserved vacation in the Philippines. But I’m back just in time for the final issue of the season! So this issue’s letter comes from Chiman Lee. Chiman Lee I send my sincerest apologies for not answering your question on time, I was out of the country. So I hope my advice to you is better late than never.
Dear Advice Nerd,
I have a problem with studying. I’m currently working part time, 28 yrs old, married, and going to school part time to change my career. Hopefully to find something I like and something that would help others. I’m just tired of my job after 12 yrs.
I dropped out of high school back then, and I’m having a tough time studying for my classes. My GPA is a mediocre 3.0.
I feel my ten year absence from school has rusted my brain, and I can’t keep up in class especially in English. Should I try paying for tutoring? I’ve tried the STAARS program but the counselor just tells me to try different techniques in studying.
Another problem I have is that I went to the counselor a couple times to figure out my classes and things like that but seems to me like they want to “HOT SELL” classes instead of getting me on the right track to get out of Skyline. Am I the only one getting that vibe from the counselors? It’s like I was taking classes and I didn’t need for my degree.
Lastly what type of clubs does Skyline have for Chinese students or things like that? I’m a 28 year old Chinese guy that’s very shy and I would like to build my networking/social skills for the future.
Thanks,
Chiman Lee
Dear Chiman Lee,
You are a very busy person, and for all that have a pretty good GPA. You may have been gone from school for ten years, but what you feel is no different from what other students feel. We all feel stuck in a rut and it seems like no one can help us. So I’m going to answer your questions to the best of my knowledge.
The need for foreign help
Guess what Lee! You don’t need to pay for tutoring in English, Skyline offers free tutoring sessions. All you have to do is go to the learning center in building five to check it out. If you feel that the tutors at Skyline can’t be of much help to you then perhaps you may want to pay someone outside to tutor you. If you feel you need to do better in English, then, by all means, do whatever you can to make your grade higher.
Night of the counselor
No matter what your major is, you have to finish general education to leave skyline. There are 39 required units you have to take, while the remaining 21 are yours to pick any class you want thus, leaving you with a total of 60 units required to leave Skyline. If you truly feel your counselor isn’t choosing the right classes for you then pick up a class catalog and pick the classes yourself. All you need to know is what classes are required which you can find in a form of a handout in the admissions office. This way you can choose your classes on your own and make you own path without feeling controlled by the counselor.
I want to be in a club
Skyline offers a variety of programs you can find on the website www.skylinecollege.net such as Honors Transfer Club, Journalism Club, Phi Theta Kappa (Academic Honor Society), Photography Club and many more. All you have to do is check the website for programs at skyline, or just drop by the students’ activities office for information on clubs. I know you’re shy but you’ll never get over it if you don’t get out there and start talking to people. If you want to build social skills I recommend joining the Skyline View staff! We love newbies!
I hope I was of some help to you Chiman Lee in overcoming your shyness and check out what Skyline has to offer!
This has been the Advice Nerd. Until next semester, have a great summer!