<p>I've been reading about Colorado College and it's block plan. In many of the threads reference is made to students being accepted or denied on whether or not the school saw the block plan as "right" for them. However, I can't seem to find any mention of what the parameters are used for the students who take to the block plan best. </p>
<p>Thoughts?</p>
<p>I wouldn’t put this on an application but I think it’s great for procrastinators! Some college students tend to drift from one deadline to the next, and these deadlines can be spaced pretty far apart in a semester system (i.e. midterm and final). But on the block system, the work gets done in a short burst of time, so motivation never stops.</p>
<p>For application purposes, it wouldn’t hurt to emphasize that the student really likes going in depth on a particular topic - for example, drilling down to get deeper meaning from a group of texts, or researching deeply related aspects of a scientific problem.</p>
<p>^^ At a CC info session, the presenter said “the block plan beats the procrastination out of them”.</p>
<p>Also, a great feature of the block plan is that it allows you to spend the full time on a class that isn’t your major, or isn’t your strength. Instead of having to say “well, I don’t have time for this non-major course because I’ve got too much in-major homework”, you can devote the time needed for all your classes. Therefore, it’s good for someone who enjoys whatever it is he’s learning. How would you like having nothing but your least favorite class for three and a half weeks?</p>
<p>I considered Colordo College for D1, but feard the block system might “cause” more problems than it solved. If as your procrasatinating student adjusts to the block system, s/he may misses/skips a couple of classes, s/he can fall behind quickly – and find him/herself without enough time to make up for the slow/weak start. Also, because one takes so few courses during each block, students may struggle with course requiring continuity (year-long or 2 semester math/sci and language sequences can take 4 blocks and probab can’t be scheduled back-to-back). OTOH, Colorado College is pretty free w/ exemptions or waivers for geneds and distrib reqs.</p>
<p>I was intrigued by Colorado College too when S and I heard their “8 of the Best” presentation. S seemed to hear only one thing the presenter said: “Mom, those kids take 9 AM classes EVERY DAY OF COLLEGE!” I have to say, he has a point :-).</p>
<p>I always thought that those who find transitions a challenge- say those with ADD or executive function disorder- might find the focus and structure of a block system to be beneficial. Personally I find I really thrive when I sink into something deeply and exclusively but getting to that level of immersion can be a challenge. </p>
<p>Personality or preference wise, I think people might vary on whether they like to do lots of things simultaneously, or to focus down more intensely on one or a few things at a time. As a professor, I like to do all my teaching at the same time in the year so its either all ‘teaching mode’ or all ‘research mode’; I prefer to do just a few research projects at a time and move onto the next set, whereas some of my colleagues like to do a lot of projects simultaneously. Some people eat all their veggies, then their meat on their plate; others mix it up together :). Maybe some students have thrived doing one EC quite deeply whereas other students prefer to spread themselves out with lots of variety. And so on. </p>
<p>I know if I was a student again I would absolutely LOVE and thrive in the the block plan, but I’m not sure I would have known that to be true about myself at 18.</p>
<p>Talked to a professor at a semester based college at a social event last night. He said when they do their month-long J-term classes it is very hard on the instructors to adapt this different style. But I suppose professors at somewhere like Colorado College have their systems down.</p>
<p>My main concern is does the information sink in as well when students are given so much info in such a short period of time? Also what if they get sick and have to miss a day or two – how would they ever catch up?</p>
<p>I think it is NOT great for procrastinators! If the term for a course is short… then if a student stalls they will never be able to catch up. They have to keep on top of things and not let time pass. There are lots of summer programs (for HS and college) where people do a semester course in 6 or 8 weeks… so this would be similar, no? </p>
<p>The kids I have known who have gone to CC have been self starters, hard workers, etc.</p>
<p>I think it depends on what sort of a procrastinator you are. My son attends classes and does homework, but he waits till the last minute for his papers. Last year he stayed up 48 hours straight and only a little more sleep the other days with an Arab final followed by papers due each day for the next three days. If there had been only one paper he would have been better off.</p>
<p>My S has been interested in Colorado College for a long time… he is a Senior now and we are finally getting there for an, interview, class visit and overnight in a few weeks. My S really likes the idea of only having to take one class at a time… he is a somewhat of a procrastinator and also has ADD… I do know that when he did take a summer school class that was a years worth of material in 4 weeks he did GREAT!! It did seem to put an end to his last minute philosphy and he was MUCH more organized. The bad thing is that you do have to go to school EVERYDAY, but at the end of each 3 1/2 week block you have almost 5 days off. My S loves this as he is an avid rock climber, moutaineer, snowboarder. and he would have a lot of time to do that each month. </p>
<p>I have been on the CC thread extensively and I have only heard positive things about the block plan… even in Science classes such as Orgo… my S will be pre-med so this is definitely a concern for him. As far as retention students seemed to think that they retained the info better and was a plus in the MCAT. THe other great thing is that since there is only one class the professor is able to do whatever they want in that time… a lot of classes are off-campus and in different locations… sometimes for the whole month. I Know students and professors who have gone to China, London, Greece, etc. </p>
<p>We will know more after our visit, but for my S it seems VERY intriguing.</p>
<p>My D also did well in her summer college course - - but she was taking only one course. I’m not sure she would have been as successful had she had to “juggle” the work of two (or more) courses. </p>
<p>Isn’t there a mid-west college that has a one-course-at-a-time schedule?</p>
<p>Hard working student will adjust to any type of schedule.</p>
<p>Also what if they get sick and have to miss a day or two – how would they ever catch up? </p>
<p>^^That was one of my concerns - - not only does missing a few days mean missing a lot of course work (since each class lasts 3-4 hrs), but there is absolutely no time to catch up.</p>
<p>Cornell in Iowa has a one course at a time schedule.</p>
<p>My niece and her husband went to Colorado College. They both loved, loved, loved it and wanted my son to apply. </p>
<p>My niece gets very stressed out when she has too much on her plate so having only one class at a time she had to concentrate on was perfect for her. </p>
<p>Also, a lot of the kids at CC are into outdoorsy activiies and having a 4 day break between classes gave them time to go skiing, mountain climbing, backpacking, or up to Boulder (where according to my niece the good music was.)</p>
<p>If you get sick it is very difficult and there are times you have to drop the class because of it. But all there friends graduated in 4 years so it must get worked out.</p>