Full-Time Versus Part-Time Students

There are many reasons why a student might debate over going to college full-time or part-time. Some of the most common reasons include money, time commitment and accessibility to college in the Cheyenne, WY area. We here at IBMC College understand the challenges current and future students face when trying to select classes to take. That is why we are committed to helping all of our students make the right decision regarding their education path, including offering assistance on deciding on whether to go to school full-time or part-time.

Here are some things we suggest all students consider before enrolling at Cheyenne, Wyoming colleges:

Commitment

The first thing we suggest students do is to determine how much time is available to commit to studying and taking classes. It is important to keep in mind that a full schedule requires even more time studying outside of the classroom. Full-time students must be committed to spending at least 12 hours a week in the classroom. Part-time students can take as little as one class a week, averaging a third of the classroom time per week.

The biggest benefit of being a full-time student means that the commitment timeframe required to be in school is shorter. Most full-time students can complete a degree in 19 months, when following the prescribed coursework, while it could take much longer for those taking a partial or single class load, to earn the same degree.

Financial

There are many different ways finances need to be factored in when deciding to go to school full-time versus part-time. One of the biggest concerns is having enough money to support a family, pay rent, pay bills and so on. If working full-time is a necessity to support the student and possibly a family, attending school part-time might be the only option available.

Another way finances can affect the decision to go to school full-time or not is having enough money to pay for all of the classes and books. If financial assistance is not available and the student does not want to take out a student loan, it might be necessary for the student to attend school on a part-time basis.

Accessibility

Some students might not be able to get to campus for classes, making it impossible to attend school full-time. We suggest that before enrolling students determine how they will get to and from school.

Making the decision to go to school full-time or part-time should be taken seriously, requiring each student to take a close look at finances and current life activities.