Reading Center: Harry Potter yourself some credits!
Andrew Garten
Copy Editor
When I found out that I could read a novel and get credit for it here at Shoreline Community College
I could hardly believe my good fortune. You see, I need just a credit or two to qualify as a full time
student and receive the greatest payout of my Montgomery G.I. Bill. I also found out that I could take
a math lab class for credit too, but that’s a different story.
If you are looking for one to three credits and like to read, take English 089. Not only can you get
credit reading for fun, you can use it to improve your college level reading skills, and develop your
classroom and study skills. You can improve your note taking, time management, test taking and train
your memory. And yes, you do get credit while doing all of these things.
The credits for the class are based on the time you spend in the lab. Each credit requires 20 hours in
the Academic Skills Center (ASC) room 1501. So, one credit requires you to be in the ASC for 20
hours out of the quarter, 40 hours for two credits and 60 hours for three credits. Just a little time
management will ensure you get your full time in the lab to receive your credits.
The ASC is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.. The amount of time you spend there
and how often you go is entirely up to you. If you’re too busy to go one week, make up the time in
other weeks. My strategy one semester was to get all of my 20 hours in during the first half of the
quarter so I could focus on my finals by the end.
While you’re considering the possibility of signing up for English 089, don’t wait too long. You’ve got
eight weeks to sign up, but after the first week you’ll need the instructor’s signature. Grace Rhodes runs
the ASC so she’s the one to contact. Once you’ve signed up you are required to participate in a 30 to
45-minute orientation and are provided with your own lab folder used to track your time in the lab and
the progress you make on assignments.
When I did the pleasure reading, my folder consisted of a reading log in which I recorded main plot
points I read every 30 minutes. This was useful for writing a final short book report in which I discussed
various characters and plots of the book I read.
English 089 is a pass or no credit class and does not affect your GPA. You can sign up for the class in
as many quarters as you like because doing so does not result in a repeat class on your transcript. Each
time you take the class you will have new assignments to work on.
You cannot simply go to the ASC to do your reading homework from other classes. An instructor will,
however, give you assignments throughout the quarter directed at teaching you strategies for learning
and remembering what you do read for your other classes.
There are other bonuses for signing up for English 089. You can use the computers in the ASC lab at
no extra cost. As a credit-earning student, you get priority attention over walk-ins from the helpful lab
assistants. Also, the time you spend in the lab earning credits will improve your skills and likely your
grades as well.
Remember, English 089 is not just for lower-level students. It is for students who really want to shine
and just want or need a little polish on their school performance, or just need to refresh their brains
with a great novel. By great novel I mean lots of classics and books for all reading levels.
Novel reading was a great way to unwind my stressed brain during the quarters I took English 089.
This stress relieving activity is undervalued and a great way to maintain the emotional balance required
for true success in school and life. I could not think of a better way to refresh myself than reading
great literature. I could escape from computer programming and calculus by following the adventures
of Dr. Frankenstein, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and Dorian Gray. I joined the Adventure to the Center
of the Earth and Jurassic Park.
Great pleasure reading and so much more awaits you at the ASC.
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