By Addison Chrivia, Editor with Additional Commentary by David Lavrinovich, Alumni Editor
Classes are filling up! If you haven’t registered for classes yet, then now is the time! There are so
many fun and interesting classes to choose from, from exploring the world of myth in European Literature to age-old mountains and dinosaurs in Historical Geology. If you’re looking for a career-focused degree, where you’ll be learning hands-on, then Pellissippi State Community College is the place for you! Technical programs, whether it be for water quality, cybersecurity, or interior design, will help you develop the skills you need to succeed in the workforce. There are also a multitude of wonderful summer programs and classes that are still available for student registration!
But, before you register, if you plan to transfer, be sure you are checking that the classes you sign up for are aligned with your school of choice. You can do this by talking with an advisor, or checking your “What-If” on My Pellissippi and looking at “UTP” aligned pathways for schools that Pellissippi State is partnered with to ensure all of your current classes are transferable credits. You can also look at the transfer hub to get information about a specific university, but don’t hesitate to contact an advisor or transfer coordinator for questions or advice! At the end of this article, our wonderful Alumni Editor, David Lavrinovich, will talk about his experience transferring and give you all the tips and tricks you need when registering for classes!
Fantastic Fall Classes!
Professor Trent Eades’s Topics in European Literature course is geared towards those who love to read and are ready to dive into the nitty-gritty of it. Explore worlds filled with giants and cyclops, nymphs and demons! Students will read and engage with The Odyssey, The Iliad, The Aeneid, Dante’s Inferno, and Paradise Lost, all of which will be provided in class, so there’s no need to buy textbooks! If you love epics or have any interest in mythology, this class is for you!
There is also a new psychology course, Biological Basis of Behavior, the perfect fit for those looking to go into psychology or related medical fields. It will explore the science and psychology behind sleep, drugs, neurotransmitters, hormones, emotions, mental health disorders, and how the brain works to understand the world around us. If you are interested in understanding how the human body works on a deeper level, sign up now!
If you’re looking for a fun science credit that will leave you looking at the world in a new light, then Historical Geology is for you! This class takes trips to McClung’s Natural History Museum, Ijams, and more, all the while teaching you about how mountains, rocks, and fossils are formed and shaped by nature. This class gives you every opportunity to explore the Earth’s wonders and the ability to recognize the processes that form the things surrounding you! Taking this class will rock your world!
If you have an opening for a humanities course, Social Problems is a fantastic choice! This more focused sociology class goes in depth on the issues our society faces, providing a larger perspective of the world around us. It will dive into issues like alcoholism, crime, inequality, environmental abuse, and more, looking through the lens of social change and how these problems have evolved over time. Open your eyes to the world around us, understanding these harsh issues, and exploring possible solutions.
Pellissippi Programs
The Earn and Learn initiatives offered are a great opportunity to understand the work you’re learning about in a real-world setting, and get paid for those work experiences. Pellissippi State currently has Electrical Engineering technology, Water Quality Technology, Civil and Construction Engineering, and Computer Information Technology: Cyber Defense. These classes set you up for success, connecting you with employers and teaching you skills hands-on.
The interior design program here at Pellissippi State is another great choice! Teaching students everything they need to know, from hand-drafting to (Computer-Aided Design) CAD. This program helps build on preexisting communication, organization, and creative skills, ensuring all graduates are successful when they move to the workforce. Pursuing a technical degree like this is a great choice for those looking for a directly applicable degree and looking for more hands-on learning. If you have any interest in interior design, Pellissippi State is the perfect place to explore it!
A Note about Transferring from David Lavrinovich, Alumni Editor
It’s never too early to think of transferring to another college, as many students at Pellissippi State Community College plan to do. The most common transfer pathway is the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. This is where I chose to pursue my Bachelor’s degree, yet that’s far from the only option. There are so many other Tennessee colleges that Pellissippi State Students can look at for relatively easy transfer processes. A few popular options also include Maryville College, Tennessee Tech University, East Tennessee State University, and Middle Tennessee State University. With so many options, it’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed and confused about how to seamlessly transfer to a new institution.
The most valuable resource, in my opinion, that not enough students utilize is the credit transfer tools. While you should go to your advisors to discuss your academic career plans, it definitely doesn’t hurt to do your own research. The Tennessee Reconnect website has a very beneficial tool that shows you where Pellissippi State credits can transfer to, with its built-in search engine for Course Equivalency for over 20 Tennessee colleges. Even specific institutions have their own tools for this. During my time at Pellissippi State, I utilized the University of Tennessee Transfer Course Equivalency page quite a lot. Other universities like East Tennessee State University and Middle Tennessee State University also have their own pages for transfer course equivalencies.
Of course, there are plenty of other considerations when it comes to transferring from Pellissippi State. That is something I quickly learned during the first few months of adjusting to life at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Knowing exactly what kind of degree program you’d like to pursue and its requirements can help you pick classes to take at Pellissippi State so that transferring will be much easier.
Plus, you can always reach out to advisors at other colleges for more information! Phone calls and making in-person visits to the advising offices of other colleges will help you feel way more prepared and confident about transferring. Another tip I have is to apply early; many colleges will allow you to defer acceptance. This is what I did, and it gave me a lot more time to figure out my transfer plan while I was still a student at Pellissippi State and made my graduation a lot less stressful.
In essence, registration is the perfect time to dedicate a little extra time to figuring out what you want to do after your time at Pellissippi State. Take classes that are fun or interesting, but also be strategic with what credits you’re getting! Your future self will thank you for it.
