Career Tips & Advice

Ways to Prepare Before Classes Begin

Concorde Staff

Concorde Staff

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Updated October 4, 2017. The information contained in this blog is current and accurate as of this date.
health care programs

We know the start of classes for more traditional schools started last month. But at Concorde, we have classes in various health care programs starting every month. So, we thought we'd share with our soon-to-be students some helpful tips on how to prepare yourself before that first class begins.

Ways to prepare before class begins in health care programs

Stacie Williams, Director of Student Affairs at Concordes campus in San Antonio, offered a checklist of items to ensure you're ready for health care programs such as those offered at Concorde.

  • Make sure you have everything in order (i.e., childcare, housing, transportation, etc.).
  • Have a back-up plan in all areas.
  • Mentally prepare for the start of class by telling yourself you can do this!
  • Lean on your support system and make sure they know the time demands of you being in school.
  • Contact the school if you have any questions. We are here to help!

7 things to know before your first college class in health care programs

USA Today published an article a few years ago that offered helpful advice on how to make certain you're fully prepared for what's ahead. The most important thing to keep in mind, according to the article, is that college classes will be a very different experience when compared to high school classes.

Here are some of the key things you should know before diving headlong into health care programs.

  1. Arrive early. This also was true in high school, but it carries more weight in college. It gives you some time to scope out the room, land a good seat and get your materials together so you are fully prepared and not distracted when the class starts.
  2. There might be homework due. It is common for professors to expect you to have an assignment completed for the first day of class, as they often like to get right into the material.
  3. Bring your laptop - if you can handle it. Using a laptop during class is commonplace in college - in fact, some instructors encourage it. Using your laptop is a fast and simple way to take notes, keep up with PowerPoint slides and look up key information for discussion. However, it's crucial to not abuse the privilege by using the time to scroll social media.
  4. Keep up with the professor. Instructors often don't have time, especially in an accelerated learning class, to stop mid-lecture and let you catch up. Be ready to pay close attention.

And, here are the other tips for health care programs

  1. Be prepared to actually work. While the first days of high school were often used as ice-breakers and going over the class syllabus, students are usually expected to jump right into college work, especially in accelerated learning health care programs.
  2. Have an open mind about your classmates. Never underestimate the ability of strong classmates to make a class experience easier. You can easily get lost when you’re completely on your own.
  3. Start taking notes immediately. The first day of any college class is filled with valuable information. Instructors might explain what their teaching method is like, how to best contact them, or what opportunities they offer for extra credit. These pieces of information can be some of the most important factors in succeeding in a class.

Take The Next Step Towards a Brighter Future

We have a Concorde representative ready to talk about what matters most to you. Get answers about start dates, curriculum, financial aid, scholarships and more!

  1. Program length may be subject to change dependent on transfer credits and course load. Please refer to current course catalog for more information. Concorde does not guarantee admittance, graduation, subsequent employment or salary amount.

  2. Professional certification is not a requirement for graduation, may not be a requirement for employment nor does it guarantee employment.

  3. Financial aid is available to those who qualify but may not be available for all programs. Concorde does not guarantee financial aid or scholarship awards or amounts.

  4. Clinical hour requirements and delivery may vary by campus location and may be subject to change. Concorde does not guarantee clinical site assignments based upon student preference or geographic convenience; nor do clinical experiences guarantee graduation, post-clinical employment or salary outcomes.

  5. Registration and certification requirements for taking and passing these examinations are not controlled by Concorde, but by outside agencies, and are subject to change by the agency without notice. Therefore, Concorde cannot guarantee that graduates will be eligible to take these exams, at all or at any specific time, regardless of their eligibility status upon enrollment.

  6. Externships are a non-paid in-person learning experience, whose length and location may be subject to change. Concorde does not guarantee externship placement, graduation, post-externship employment or salary outcomes.