Student involvement essential to success

My friend Will graduated from a large university, but he's an alumnus of two higher education institutions.

Will's college career began at a community college and he later transferred to a four-year school. The experience, he said, was a positive one.

"I edited the school paper, took a leadership class, which was by invitation only, and gave a commencement address," he said.

The smaller campus, he said, made it easy to branch out and try new things.

"The newspaper gig led to everything else," Will said. "It's easy to become high-profile once you get involved with a group. Instructors start to know you."

Yet many community college students don't find it so easy. A recent study released by the Community College of Student Engagement (http:/ /www.ccsse.org/publications/ 2007NatlRpt-final.pdf ) reported that a large share of community college students fail to actively engage in college life, thus lessening their chance for academic success.

Many of the students surveyed saw value in advising and education planning, yet only 43 percent students said they met with an academic advisor to discuss goals by the end of the first four weeks at school. Thirty-six percent said they didn't take a placement test (such as COMPASS) in that time to determine which reading, writing or math courses they should take.

Community colleges have challenges that directly impact their ability to actively engage students. More than two-thirds of their students attend college part time and many are juggling work and family life, too. Also, about two-thirds of community college faculty are part-time instructors who spend a limited amount of time on campus. Community colleges don't have an easy job of engaging students, but people like my friend Will prove that it can be done.

The Community College of Student Engagement is urging colleges to "aggressively create opportunities to involve students" in their studies. I applaud their efforts. It's important for students to be actively engaged in their education - no matter their age or where they go to school. Studies have shown that students who take a hands-on approach to learning improve their chances for academic success. When students are eager to go to class, take notes, study, and turn in their homework, they not only learn but find it easier to continue to learn. These students feel good about themselves and their ability to learn.

College students should meet with their academic advisor regularly. Likewise, high school students should meet with their counselors. Students often wait until there's an issue before scheduling an appointment, but meeting on a regular basis could help avoid such situations. Students should be active participants in class, too, whether it's speaking up during class discussions or asking questions.

Engagement isn't limited to academics. Students should also seek out extracurricular opportunities. High schools and college campuses offer students activities of all kinds, giving students many chances to get involved - athletics, music, drama, the school newspaper, and service projects. The opportunity to explore different activities and meeting new people is irreplaceable, and might even inspire future career goals.

Whether a student is 18 or 50, enrolled in high school, a community college, or a four-year school, no one should ignore the chance to take a more active role in his education. Educational engagement is the stepping stone to success.

Rose Rennekamp is the vice president of communications for ACT. She is a mom and has a master's of education in guidance and counseling. For more college and career-planning information, visit www.actstudent. org. Have a question you want answered in a future column? Send a letter to this newspaper or e-mail Rose at AskRose@act.org.