Whether they come to learn job skills or start their journey toward earning a college degree, students at Vance-Granville Community College have some interesting options when it comes to the length of time they take to complete a class.
It’s called “compressed learning,” and VGCC director of Advising & College Success Amy O’Geary discussed some of the options available for VGCC students with John C. Rose on Tuesday’s Town Talk.
A traditional college semester is 16 weeks long, but O’Geary said that, as students’ needs change – maybe they hold a full-time job while going to school – and the environment changes – think virtual learning because of the COVID-19 pandemic – the way school is organized needs to change, too.
“It’s hard for people to predict what they’re going to be doing for 16 weeks,” she said, adding that the shorter terms can more easily accommodate schedules and commitments.
The first 8-week term began in August, and registration is underway now for the second term, which begins Oct. 13. And then on Nov. 1, registration for Spring 2022 begins.
O’Geary said the shorter terms are designed to give students more valuable assignments for their learning – it’s not a matter of cramming more information into a shorter time-frame. Another benefit of offering two shorter terms, she said, is to keep students motivated.
“A lot of times, when students come to us, they’re ready,” O’Geary said, with emphasis on “ready.” They’re ready to get started right then, she said. “When they have to wait until January, sometimes they can lose their momentum.”
She said a lot of the major programs at VGCC have gone to the 8-week format, and even more will be offered for Spring 2022 and beyond.
Some of the classes O’Geary highlighted are keyboarding, intro to computers and public speaking, all of which provide essential skills for employees in today’s workplace.
Computers are used everywhere, and knowing how to properly use a keyboard, as well as the various software programs, are valuable to today’s workers.
But public speaking?
“A lot of people shy away from public speaking,” she said. “There aren’t many jobs that don’t require public speaking. (And) the more you do it, the better you get.”
Whether it’s a question of brushing up on computer skills or learning something entirely new, VGCC encourages students to start whenever they can and then just keep moving forward.
And for some, working in eight-week bursts instead of the traditional semester, may be a better option to keep moving forward.
Visit www.vgcc.edu to learn more.
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