September 15, 2010
40Plus and OnCampus

Well, I’ve complted four weeks of classes so far, and I’m still in one piece! 

Just as I thought, the campus is much more active and vibrant now that Fall semester is happening.  I’m meeting more people and learning something every day.  For example, I just learned that the NETC library is open free to the public.  I’m sure not too many people know that but I have found it to be a good library with a nice assortment of publications for one of its size.  Students, faculty and employees also have the option of using the Partnership Among South Carolina Academic Libraries (PASCAL) system to check out books not in the NETC library inventory.  This system provides access to other South Carolina academic institutions’ libraries.  PASCAL is currently not available to the public but this is a great resource to NETC students and employees.  I’ve also learned that studying in the library is so much more productive for me.  My home, unfortunately, is not because there are way too many distractions.

This semester is particularly interesting because two of my classes incorporate the distance learning technology. For example, while I attend my English 101 class in Cheraw, my instructor teaches from Bennettsville and we (in Cheraw) interact with him and our classmates in Bennettsville using microphones and video monitors.  My Sociolgy 205 (Social Problems) class uses the same video teleconferencing but in this case, the class is broadcast from Cheraw, where I attend class, to NETC community campuses in Bennettsville and Dillon.  This type of delivery format is a great opportunity for people to attend classes in their hometowns and not be required to travel to Cheraw.  If nothing else, you’ll save some gas money. Faculty are still available via email or phone for support and advisement if you can’t make it to Cheraw for their office hours.  The college also offers online courses for those not wishing to attend in person. In fact, NETC has expanded the number of online course offerings from two in the Fall of 2008 to more than 40 offerings during the current semester.

I love my English and Sociology classes, since I am a writer and student of people.  I fully expect to earn “As” in both classes. However, I’m back in math again taking Math 101.  Algebra is just not my cup of tea; and other students and I continue to bemoan the fact that we have to take it even though it may not be useful in our lives.  If you recall, I did end up with a “C” in Math 150 at the end of spring semester so at least I made it through with some level of success.  This semester I’m shooting for at least a “B”.  It will involve discipline, which I do sorely lack, and working with a tutor offered through the College’s Success Center.

I am truly heartened by the response I have received to this column from both students and newspaper readers.  Recently, a student reader picked up on my ongoing employment search, which I mentioned in a column, and contacted with a suggestion.  Even though the lead didn’t pan out, I have made a new friend and contact I can reference in the future which is, as we all know, the best way to learn information.  It’s ALL about networking! I also believe that just being in college and working toward a degree can be helpful in opening doors to professional networking.  That being said, I believe my experience here at NETC is going to help me find the type of human services job I’m seeking.

If you care to add yourself to my list of new friends, email me at  karolynt@shtc.net.  See you next month!

Karolyn Tredeau, 63 of Ruby, entered college after taking a 40-year hiatus from formal education.  She is a student at Northeastern Technical College and will write about her experiences in this column, “Plus40 & OnCampus” once a month.  Karolyn can be reached at  karolynt@shtc.net.


Read Karolyn's August column