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have you or your son/daughter enrolled in enough classes to stay on track to complete an associate degree or certificate on time?
The magic number is 15 credit hours. Taking 15 credit hours per semester is essential to completing your associate degree or certificate in two years. “LSC-Montgomery is doing a great job creating the ‘Zero to 60 mph initiative,’ a direct route to graduation,” said Dr. Michael Chavez, vice president of student success at LSC-Montgomery. “It is a priority for our advisors, faculty and staff to help students complete 60 credit hours in two years because graduating on time puts our students in a position to get a better career and begin making higher wages sooner.”
It might sound surprising, but students who take 15 credit semesters
tend to do better academically than those who do not. The worry that grades
will decline with the increased work is unfounded. Many students say more
credits help them stay focused on school.
Regina Salem, a graduate of LSC-Montgomery who
transferred to study bilingual education and Spanish at Texas A&M agrees.
“I took 16-19 credits a semester and I took summer classes,” said Salem. “I
also built a rapport with my professors. They motivated me and made me want to
work harder so I did not let them down. When people say get to know your
teachers, take at least 15 credits and you will have a better study life, it is
not a joke.”
Think about the other benefits: the more credits
you earn, the less laps you will take to complete your degree or certificate. This
achievement could even help you take a victory lap faster, continuing on to
your bachelor’s degree and beyond!
You have a lot to monitor on your dashboard: work,
family and your education, but if you use all the benefits of the
LSC-Montgomery campus you’ll succeed. Take classes that fit your schedule: register
for online classes, where you can do your work at home; buckle up for a
mini-mester, where you can complete a course on an accelerated schedule; find
late start classes, so you can master a subject in as little as six weeks; or
plan night classes to boost the number of credits you take.
Councilors and advisors are there for you as part
of your pit crew. Meet with them, create a career plan and listen to their
advice! Discuss the track you are on and talk about feasible ideas to complete
at least 15 credit hours a semester.
Finally, talk to the financial aid office. If you
qualify, you may have enough financial aid to assist you with tuition and books
for 15 credit hours.
Bottom line after taking
15 credits a semester for two years you will be celebrating at the finish line
in your cap and gown and you will be looking forward to gaining additional
years of higher earnings.
For more information
visit LoneStar.edu/Montgomery-ZeroToSixty.
LSC-Montgomery is located at 3200
College Park Drive, one-half mile west of Interstate 45, between Conroe and The
Woodlands. For more information about the college, call 936.273.7000, or visit LoneStar.edu/Montgomery.
Known for its leadership, innovation and steadfast commitment to student success, Lone Star College provides high-quality academic transfer and workforce education / career training programs to more than 83,000 credit students each semester, and a total enrollment of 95,000 students. LSC is training tomorrow’s workforce today and redefining the community college experience to promote student success and economic prosperity. Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., is the chancellor of LSC, the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area, which consists of six colleges, eight centers, two university centers, Lone Star Corporate College and LSC-Online. To learn more visit LoneStar.edu.