In the long run, after high school if I plan on going to a community college for 2 years then transferring to a university after, does it really matter what grades I get in high school? Since, community colleges are basically open admission, anyone gets in so does it even matter what grades I get in high school right now? I know you have to get good grades in cc before transferring though. Thanks if anyone knows, I would highly appreciate any comments.
Is it a path to an eventual college diploma? Sure. But what you don’t see are 80% of people with similar intentions of going to CC then transfer to a 4 year bachelors – who never get out of CC.
I took some CC classes b/c I toyed with an idea for a certain sort of Masters and wanted some pre-req classes. Every one of them had about a 70-90% attrition rate. And these were SIMPLE classes.
If you have weak study habits and school work ethic now, why do you think it’ll change in CC? That’s what many people fool themselves into thinking. And ten semesters later, they’re not even close to getting a Bachelors.
@T26E4 That is true, thanks.
I spent three years going to CC before transferring to a university. It took me six years to get a degree. If you do well in CC, your high school grades won’t matter as much, if at all. Not everyone, myself included, is going to go right into a four year college and get a degree in that time. Some people are working, saving money, have other obligations, or just aren’t ready to do it in four years. That was me.
@T26E4 , with all due respect, because you are normally spot on, I do not think your answer is, on this occasion. I actaully was a good student in high school. I went to CC, and was a late “bloomer.” I started messing around and ditching classes, then got put on academic probation. I finally woke up and smelled the coffee, transferred and made the Dean’s List. Not everyone matures at the same rate. I wasn’t ready to be serious about college, until I was. OP, do not let some poor grades in HS stop you from going to college. And even if you go to CC, and mess up like I did, still don’t let that stop you. You can get a BA or BSc, or a Masters, or a PhD, it’s just up to you to do it.
I am now in my 50s. I have a friend who is the same age and right now, she is finishing up a few courses so she can finally get her degree, which was put on hold when life got in the way. I have another friend who went to vet school at the age of 35 and is now a well-established horse vet. My current job is only possible because I got a degree way back in the stone-age. Going to college is only a good thing and you will never regret getting a degree. You might well regret not getting one though. Don’t let a few bad grades determine your future.
I agree with @T26E4. Acquiring bad study habits in high school because grades won’t matter for getting into community college will not serve you well when grades do matter and you have to unlearn bad habits. My husband teaches at Cal Poly and frequently counsels students from our two local community colleges, which are feeder schools to Cal Poly. He has told me that the students who transfer in without problems are those who were good students in high school and generally choose community college for financial reasons.
What’s up with the negative advice folks? It sounds like you are telling OP not to bother if her grades aren’t great in high school. I disagree with that. OP, please go to college, despite what grades you get in high school. You are young and have plenty of time to mature and be a successful adult.
@Lindagaf: I see your point. The OP is writing b/c he/she is in HS now and having a rough go at some classes. The bigger picture I want to impress is to not get overwhelmed by his/her disappointing initial results. Sure, a path to a bachelors exists for people who don’t excel in HS. Many examples of that. But I believe the OP is only a sophomore and there are many options to improve, gain solid study habits, etc. that will lessen the hurdles of an eventual bachelors, if that’s really a heartfelt goal. (And I’m not saying that everyone needs a bachelors to become contributing members of society, either.)
Of course, I agree 100% that OP needs to improve study habits. OP has another thread and is quite upset due to failing a class. That gives context to this post. OP, you still have two years in which to improve your study habits and do your best to get good grades. Your failed class will not derail you future plans for college unless you let it. When you get behind or find yourself not understsnding material in other classes, be very proactive and get extra help or tutoring right away. Also, there are many free resources such as Khan Academy and other videos which will help you a lot of you use them.
Just want to be sure that OP understands that there have been many kids on CC who post similar issues, and many of them post updates on their progress. By coming here and asking for advice, the OP has taken a step in the right direction and has shown that she has the will to do better. Best of luck, OP.
Sorry if I misinterpreted the question - I was not trying to give “negative” advice. I thought the question was whether the poster should bother to try to get good grades in high school since they were going to community college. Now that I understand that the poster is not asking whether they can just coast on average grades in high school but whether average grades in high school will hurt them down the line when they transfer from community college to a four year, then no. Not if your grades in community college are good.
For a variety of reasons, students may not do well in high school. One of my son’s closest friends had an anxiety disorder. He began cognitive therapy and community college at the same time. As his condition improved, his grades did too. He transferred into UC Davis as a regents scholar.
They’re not saying don’t bother if you don’t get good grades – they’re saying TRY, so you get good grades. OP is giving up before they’ve even started, sounds like.
thank you @Lindagaf for encouraging me and sharing your comments. I really do appreciate your positive feedback on both of my threads. It makes me feel better about this situation and about myself.
The better you do in high school, the better you will do in college, including community college if that is where you will start college. And the better you do in community college, the more transfer choices you will have, and the better you will do after transfer.