August 9, 2011
Plus 40 & OnCampus

Hello readers! I’m back after a class-free summer and really looking forward to getting back to school. Classes for fall semester starts on Aug. 15, and I will be there with bells on.

Open registration is Aug. 10 at the main campus in Cheraw. Open registration is open to any new or returning students who have completed the admissions and financial aid processes or are ready to pay the cost associated with enrollment. General information is available on the website or by calling NETC’s Admissions Office at 1-800-921-7399.

I had thought that I would study math during the summer in preparation for taking it again in the fall. However, as much as I did try, I could not motivate myself to attend to that promise I made to myself. I have decided to put off Math 101 until another semester. I don’t know why I have such an aversion to algebra, but I do, and so do most people I have talked to. As long as I am employed, I have to take classes that do not overly tax my time. As I have said before, I know my limits and think that is essential for any older adult who decides to go back to school. Of course, there are people who are able to handle schedules that I know I could not. A co-worker of mine, who is 39, is taking three online classes. I do not believe I have the discipline or the time to do that. We are all different. NETC now also offers a few Saturday classes, which can benefit some individuals.

My schedule is comprised of two on-campus classes and one online.  I am happy to be taking Spanish I, which I have wanted to take since I started back to school. There just wasn’t a viable Spanish class in a time slot I could handle. I took four years of Spanish in high school and was very good at it. It should be like riding a bike, and I will pick it up fairly easily.  This Spanish class is one hour and 50 minutes as opposed to the normal hour and 15 minutes, and it is worth four credits as opposed to three as in most subjects. English II is my second on-campus class and also a favorite. My online class is American History I. History is a subject I have always enjoyed. That goes right along with my being a long-time antiques dealer.

The schedule I arrived at will enable me to fulfill my employment obligations, while providing enough time for me to do well in my classes. As an AmeriCorps volunteer, I am required to work a certain amount of hours to complete my contract. Because of my previous two semesters’ schedules, I ended up short on my hours and have had to work really hard to complete them. This time I am more aware of my time constraints. Of course, at this point in time, I am still awaiting word as to whether I will be with AmeriCorps for another year, although all indications point to that being a reality.

I am looking forward to being on-campus again, meeting more new people and learning new things. It’s also great to be writing this column again and continuing to sharpen my writing skills!  I’m sure there will be a lot to report on in my September column.  Please feel free to email me any time.

Karolyn Tredeau, 64 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 May column.