The teachers I have had so far are very professional, and definitely know their stuff. I am getting my associates degree here. I know I will be very well-prepared for my future career.
Do you enjoy the experience at your school?
I can go home between classes. The campus is very clean for a community college. In fact, it's pretty impressive. The faculty and staff are always very helpful. I can access the gym and the library for as long as the campus is open on the given day.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
I am taking all my core classes here. Because I'm getting all of my General Education credits out of the way at a community college, I am saving thousands of dollars, while learning the same stuff I would be learning had I attended a state university or private college from the start. Going to CSM is a smart choice.
Just remember if you live outside Charles County or St. Mary's County, you may have to spend quite a bit more, because you may not be zoned for any of the campuses. Always check online for details.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
(1) Make sure you read the instructor/ professor reviews. You get to add and/or drop classes a couple of months after the semester starts, but that would be a waste of time and effort, so it's best to pick the right instructor from the start, or at least get a feel for what to expect within the first week, when your class is just going over the syllabus and/or when the first lesson is introduced. Don't get me wrong; the professors are all great in their own way, but you want to make sure YOUR professor's teaching style suits YOU. Same goes for any learning institution.
(2) Always check Blackboard Online, and your CSM WebCT. You'll know what those are once you are registered, but they are very helpful tools to keep you on track. If your Internet stops working one day, make sure you check them at school or somewhere else where you have access.
(3) Do not hesitate to email your professors or go to their office when you have questions. It's not embarrassing, and it's not bothersome. They are required to be in their office at some point in the day almost everyday for your convenience. Their hours are always on the syllabus they give you at the beginning of the course.
(4) Always have a copy of the syllabus. If you loose it, copy someone else's or ask for a new one. This goes hand-in-hand with #'s 2 and 3.
(5) Check your email, the weather closing hot line, or the school website for any indication that your class has been canceled. You don't want to drive all the way to school for nothing.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
(1) Students looking to transfer--and save money in the process. First and foremost, you highest degree you will likely get at the College of Southern Maryland is your associates. Your best bet is that you will knock all of your general education credits out of the way, and THEN transfer to a different college/university to finish it off and get your bachelor's degree. My goal is to transfer, but since by the time I do, I will have enough credits to get my associates degree, I feel like I might as well obtain it in the process. I hear from the faculty that the curriculum at the school is specially designed so that all of your obtained credits are transferable to any Maryland state college or university. The amount of transferable credits colleges and universities accept vary, so you really have to check with both CSM and your intended school to be sure. The Transfer Services Office at the school will be more than happy to help.
(2) Students who don't like lectures at all. They have online courses for those who are up for it. You save time and gas money--just make sure you can keep yourself focused.
(3) Students who want to be in the classroom only some of the time. There are these things called web-hybrid classes, in which you meet with your class and your instructor only every-so-often. For example, if on the course description it says you will meet once a week or twice a month, that is when you will have to go to a campus and meet up with your instructor and fellow students. All meetings are scheduled in advance, and you are notified when a meeting is coming up. You can sometimes make up for the ones you miss, but it all depends on your instructor's policies. When you're not meeting, then all assignments are online and due when specified.
(4) Working students. There is a career center that will help you fix up your resume. If you currently have a job, then it's very easy to schedule your classes around your work schedule. There are co-op programs...
The teachers I have had so far are very professional, and definitely know their stuff. I am getting my associates degree here. I know I will be very well-prepared for my future career.
I can go home between classes. The campus is very clean for a community college. In fact, it's pretty impressive. The faculty and staff are always very helpful. I can access the gym and the library for as long as the campus is open on the given day.
I am taking all my core classes here. Because I'm getting all of my General Education credits out of the way at a community college, I am saving thousands of dollars, while learning the same stuff I would be learning had I attended a state university or private college from the start. Going to CSM is a smart choice. Just remember if you live outside Charles County or St. Mary's County, you may have to spend quite a bit more, because you may not be zoned for any of the campuses. Always check online for details.
(1) Make sure you read the instructor/ professor reviews. You get to add and/or drop classes a couple of months after the semester starts, but that would be a waste of time and effort, so it's best to pick the right instructor from the start, or at least get a feel for what to expect within the first week, when your class is just going over the syllabus and/or when the first lesson is introduced. Don't get me wrong; the professors are all great in their own way, but you want to make sure YOUR professor's teaching style suits YOU. Same goes for any learning institution. (2) Always check Blackboard Online, and your CSM WebCT. You'll know what those are once you are registered, but they are very helpful tools to keep you on track. If your Internet stops working one day, make sure you check them at school or somewhere else where you have access. (3) Do not hesitate to email your professors or go to their office when you have questions. It's not embarrassing, and it's not bothersome. They are required to be in their office at some point in the day almost everyday for your convenience. Their hours are always on the syllabus they give you at the beginning of the course. (4) Always have a copy of the syllabus. If you loose it, copy someone else's or ask for a new one. This goes hand-in-hand with #'s 2 and 3. (5) Check your email, the weather closing hot line, or the school website for any indication that your class has been canceled. You don't want to drive all the way to school for nothing.
(1) Students looking to transfer--and save money in the process. First and foremost, you highest degree you will likely get at the College of Southern Maryland is your associates. Your best bet is that you will knock all of your general education credits out of the way, and THEN transfer to a different college/university to finish it off and get your bachelor's degree. My goal is to transfer, but since by the time I do, I will have enough credits to get my associates degree, I feel like I might as well obtain it in the process. I hear from the faculty that the curriculum at the school is specially designed so that all of your obtained credits are transferable to any Maryland state college or university. The amount of transferable credits colleges and universities accept vary, so you really have to check with both CSM and your intended school to be sure. The Transfer Services Office at the school will be more than happy to help. (2) Students who don't like lectures at all. They have online courses for those who are up for it. You save time and gas money--just make sure you can keep yourself focused. (3) Students who want to be in the classroom only some of the time. There are these things called web-hybrid classes, in which you meet with your class and your instructor only every-so-often. For example, if on the course description it says you will meet once a week or twice a month, that is when you will have to go to a campus and meet up with your instructor and fellow students. All meetings are scheduled in advance, and you are notified when a meeting is coming up. You can sometimes make up for the ones you miss, but it all depends on your instructor's policies. When you're not meeting, then all assignments are online and due when specified. (4) Working students. There is a career center that will help you fix up your resume. If you currently have a job, then it's very easy to schedule your classes around your work schedule. There are co-op programs...