Lots of people perform better when allowed to focus on one task at a time.
Such people often find a single challenge, even one that is difficult, less daunting than two, three, or sometimes even four far less difficult ones.
It should be no surprise that these same folks almost always adapt well to a one-course-at-a-time calendar, particularly if they are enrolled in a degree program while juggling family, professional, and/or other responsibilities. For that reason, online degree programs are often offered in a one-course-at-a-time format.
But, you might be surprised to learn that three traditional colleges offer the same structure. One is Colorado College, a highly selective institution which adopted what it calls the Block Plan in 1970. The Block plan divides the academic year into eight terms, each three and a half weeks long. Depending on the material to be covered, students may take a single course for one block, two blocks, or more.
Iowa's Cornell College, not to be confused with Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, uses an identical calendar and an identical one-course-at-a-time system.
Tusculum College, in Greeneville, Tennessee calls its system a focused calendar. The Tusculum calendar consists of four blocks per semester, with a four day break between blocks. Three optional blocks are offered during the summer.
There are lots of differences between the three aforementioned colleges. Colorado College is far more selective than the other two, and Cornell is more selective than Tusculum. The cities or towns in which they are located offer very different environments, as do the campuses themselves. But, the websites of all three tout the same potential advantages of their academic calendars; the time to focus on and learn a subject, the luxury of keeping a lab project or interesting discussion going longer than would otherwise be possible, and the chance to study with a professor who does not have to devote time and energy to other classes.
If you like the idea of taking one course at a time and the advantages of a block plan appeal to you, you should check out one or more of these unique colleges.
Daniel Kane has counseled high school and college students for more than three decades. His websites cover subjects which include scholarships for college , financial aid, college admission, and online education . This article is available as a unique content article with free reprint rights.
|
