The Perks of Attending a Community College

Attending college is an experience unlike any other. You meet new people, learn new things and obtain a degree or certification for all your hard work. After all is said and done, you take off with your new-found knowledge in search of a job that fits your expertise. No matter where you go to school, this ending goal is the same. So, why do students pay so much to attend expensive universities and private colleges? Is it really worth paying upwards of $40,000 for those two extra years? We’ve decided to put together a list of the perks of attending a community college.

1. Keeping Your Money in Your Pocket

The most well-known perk for attending a community college is the amount of money you save. According to collegeview.com, community college students spend just over $3,000 a year on school. As for state college students, they spend about $17,800 while private college students spend around $39,500. Community colleges provide students the opportunity to receive a high level education at sometimes a tenth of the cost.

2. New People and New Experiences

One of the main reasons for attending a four-year school is for the “complete college experience.” Community colleges provide students with a diverse group of classmates and course options. Students are able to learn from those of different backgrounds and use that knowledge to benefit them in the future. They can also spend more time finding their passion and less time at school. However, if you are looking to meet people through organizations, most community colleges have extra-curricular groups, such as Student Government, as an option to join.

3. Work around Your Schedule

Community Colleges offer a variety of daytime and nighttime classes to fit anybody’s schedule. Instructors are helpful when a student is in need of assistance or require time away due to unforeseen issues. With a much lower teacher to student ratio, community colleges aren’t interested in your failure, they want to help you succeed.

4. Many Opportunities Ahead

With the stigma of community colleges slowly fading away, more employers than ever are looking to see a community college on applicant résumés. These employers are interested in future employees with hands-on learning experience -- a strength that sets you apart from other applicants.

It all eventually comes down to what you believe is the correct path to take. At M State Detroit Lakes, we would love nothing more than to help you accomplish your goals quickly and affordably, while still benefiting from the collegiate experience. We believe every student has the right to an affordable and high quality education. Become a Spartan, and watch as the doors of opportunity fly open for you.

What is a Degree in Marine Engine Technology?

You’ve always been interested in the way things work. You love fixing things. Machines are fascinating to you. But, how do you take these interests and make them a career? At M State - Detroit Lakes, we offer our students a wide variety of programs to fit their specific interests and visions for their career path - including our Marine Engine Technology program.

For those interested in marine equipment- involving how these machines work and are fixed- this is definitely the program for you. Within this program, you will learn to diagnose, service and repair outboard and sterndrive/inboard engines, drive systems and other systems and components. Many of these skills will be learned through hands-on learning consisting of planning and repairing on various procedures.

A degree in marine engine technology offers a wide variety of possibilities for employment. With this being in such high demand, many individuals can choose not only which state they would like to work in, but also which country they would prefer.

With this degree, there are many different careers you can pursue. These types of careers could be more involved in the business side of the marine industry or the technical side. Some different types of careers include:

• Hydrographer
• Marine survey technician
• Marine electronics technician
• Ship’s technician
• Fisheries technician
• Marine engineering
• Mechanical engineering
• Electrical engineering

Sometimes, starting out in college, it can be difficult to decide what you want to do with the rest of your life. This is a great degree to go into if you are interested in marine engines because there is some flexibility with a variety of different careers to choose from.

Visit our website for more information about the Marine Engine Technology curriculum and program.

Studying Tips To Get Through Final Exams

This fall semester has flown by and it is hard to believe that finals are just around the corner. You may be starting to realize there is just not enough time in the day to get everything accomplished and start studying. Worry no more, we have got the tips for you to succeed during finals:

Photo by Steve O.

1. Location, location, location! Finding the perfect study location is one of the most important decisions you can make to ensure a successful session. You want to choose a spot that is not distracting to you. It is also a good idea to mix up your study locations, in order to keep yourself from getting bored in the same spot. Choose quiet places with low traffic to limit the distractions you may encounter.

Photo by Lucas ()

2. Start early. Cramming is one of the most ineffective ways of studying. Although many procrastinate and think it works, information is better retained when spent studying over a longer period of time.

Photo by Uwe Hermann

3. Get organized. Create study guides, categorize your notes, and organize each subject so you are prepared to study. Also, it is important to manage your time needed for each subject, how much time you have throughout the day and what other activities or tasks you may have.

4. Switch subjects. Once you have everything organized, make sure you switch up your subjects periodically. By switching subjects, it is easier to stay focused because you won’t get bored with one subject or the other.

Photo by Luis Rasilvi

5. Sleep! During finals week, many people lack sleep. When it comes to studying and taking exams, sleep is very important. If your brain isn’t well rested, it will not perform as well. Everyone should try to get six to eight hours of sleep a night, especially the night before the exam.

Photo by Mikael Nyberg

6. Breaks are good! It’s important to give you and your brain a break every once in a while. By giving yourself a break, it is easier to remain focused while studying. Go workout at the gym, read a book, listen to some music, call your mom, (you should do that anyway) just find some way to release some stress. Whatever you choose to do, make sure you limit yourself so you can return to studying and get focused again.

We all know good studying habits, the tricky part is sticking with them, don’t be deterred.

With these tips you will succeed in studying for your finals and do well on your exams. Just remember, winter break is just around the corner! You can do it!

M State Open House Showcases College Opportunities

MEDIA RELEASE
Oct. 15, 2014
For Release: Immediate
Minnesota State Community and Technical College

Contact: Peter Wielinski – 218-631-7810 – peter.wielinski@minnesota.edu

M State open house showcases college opportunities

DETROIT LAKES, Minn. – Minnesota State Community and Technical College invites prospective students, parents and community members to visit the Detroit Lakes campus during an open house from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28.

At the open house, visitors will be able to:

• Learn about M State, watch program demonstrations, get questions answered by instructors and administrators, and hear from M State students
• Apply to M State and get a $50 gift certificate redeemable at an M State bookstore when you register for classes
• Check out the campuses by touring classrooms and facilities to see the learning environment, technology and equipment
• Receive information on financial aid, scholarships and veterans services
• Visit the eCampus Café, where coffee and treats are on the menu
• Enjoy refreshments and giveaways
• Enter a drawing for a season pass to Detroit Mountain or an iPad Mini
• Bring the kids, and they can decorate a pumpkin

M State also will have campus open houses from 4-8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27, in Moorhead; Thursday, Oct. 30 in Fergus Falls; and Thursday, Nov. 6, in Wadena. The open houses coincide with College Knowledge Month, which is marked by colleges nationally during October.

For more information about the open house and M State registration, contact the college’s Solution Center at 877.450.3322.

As a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, M State serves more than 9,000 students in credit courses each year in more than 70 career and liberal arts programs at its four campuses in Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, Moorhead and Wadena, and through eCampus. By partnering with communities, the college also provides custom training services and other responsive training programs.

Minnesota State Community and Technical College is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System and is an equal opportunity educator / employer. Upon request, this information is available in alternative formats.