Community Classes Prepare Students
By: Halley Swindle
Staff Writer
Learning community classes are two hour, ten credit classes that combine the work of two separate courses.
Marcie Sims, a community class professor at Green River College, believes that these classes create a faster pace environment, long lasting connections, and prepare students for higher level courses.
Dez Everett, a new GRC student who is currently taking a community English 101/English 220 class, said that the class has enhanced her understanding of the course and improved her social life.
“Since you’re with a small group of around 25 students, you get so close to people in such a short amount of time and work together easily,” Everett said.
She added that this classroom environment has made her adjustment into college a lot easier and that she would recommend these classes to anyone.
Nolan Hamel, another Green River student, also agrees that learning community classes create stronger bonds between students.
“I used to struggle with ELA,” Hamel said, “but with learning community classes and the help of Ms. Sims I am absorbing all the information [with ease].”
Overall, Hamel could not be more grateful for the opportunity to take such an inspiring and academically challenging college course.
Ben Holland, a student taking his second quarter at the college, signed up for his community class by accident.
“It was the only English 101 class left so I registered before I realized I was signing up for two classes in one,” Holland said. “We have a lot more time in class to discuss and get work done so not only does that make the work go smoothly but also allows for better understanding of the material.”
Liam Connor, an upperclassman and student athlete at the college, said that he could see the direct impact a learning community class has in the success of even more difficult classes.
“I already knew how to do a majority of the skills,” Connor said. “I felt like I was ahead of some of my other classmates because I was more prepared.”
In addition to seeing a positive impact on his future classes, he recalled how the environment of the classroom made his experience more positive.
“We were all in this together, [and] when you’re in a classroom together everyday for two hours you automatically spend more time together and make deeper bonds,” Connor said.
Signing up for community classes are a great way to make friends, get a lot of credits, and learn how to balance an intimidating work load. Keep this in mind when signing up for winter quarter this November.
