College of the Redwoods is a true rural community college in that it draws all kinds of people from the near community as well as creating a bridge for people who come from other parts of the region and even far away places. Whether people are born and raised in the area or are drawn to it for its arts, nature, wellness or many other distinguishing characteristics, college is a time for self-exploration and exploration of the world. Meeting lifelong friends and gaining valuable experiences both inside and outside of the classroom is a requisite of the College of the Redwoods experience. There are a few things you must do.
In the spirit of self and world/environment exploration, sit in on a class just because you are curious about it: photography, astronomy, plant propagation, or pose as a model for figure drawing. Make sure it is OK with the teacher. You probably won’t be able to sit in on a firearms class that is part of the police academy at College of the Redwoods, but it can’t hurt to ask about your options.
If you have an opinion you want to share, please do! Raise your hand in class, take it to a rally, write a piece for publication, and share with your club or even start a new club. Your voice matters! People care, even if they don’t know it yet, because they are waiting to hear what you have to say.
Discover something unique to College of the Redwoods in your free time. They say CR has its own Loch Ness Monster in the little lake between Creative Arts and the Cafeteria. Find your own trail, your own spot to sit and observe the beautiful natural setting for your college experience. In fact, find a sit spot and sit in it for at least 15 minutes every day with no other intention than to observe. No exercise, no reading, no phone calls, no company. You are in a beautiful natural setting, so take advantage!
Interested in attending College of the Redwoods? Check out this article about the campus tour.
Convince your teacher to take advantage of sunny days to teach class in the lawn. One of my most memorable classes was a history class with George Potamianos. Normally we would sit inside to discuss history. Each class, he had us place all of our seats in a circle for a lively discussion of different aspects and issues of history in a round robin of voices as we used the book series “Opposing Viewpoints” to dissect and explore history in an exciting way. None of my other teachers took us out of our rows-of-seats lecture-style formats. The only thing that made the class better was when we took class outside!
Be proud of being a student at College of the Redwoods. It is cool now to be a nerdy prep! Apathy was so last decade. Wear the CR gear, tell people about your experiences, invite your extended friends and family to share in your college experience through campus and club events.
Whatever you do as a student at College of the Redwoods, make sure to enjoy yourself, engage with your community, and make memories that will last a lifetime.
Also: Put. Down. Your. Phone. The Redwood Trees speak if you are listening.
Holly A. Sisson, College of the Redwoods alumna, 2007, MA, AA
Key takeaways
- Sit in on a class just because you are curious, like photography, astronomy, or plant propagation, as long as the teacher is OK with it.
- Find a sit spot and observe for at least 15 minutes a day with no other intention.
- Students say CR has its own Loch Ness Monster in the little lake between Creative Arts and the Cafeteria.
- George Potamianos's history class used seats in a circle and the \"Opposing Viewpoints\" series, plus lessons outside on sunny days.
- Put down your phone; the Redwood trees speak if you are listening.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a sit spot at College of the Redwoods?
- A spot you sit in for at least 15 minutes every day with no other intention than to observe: no exercise, reading, phone calls, or company.
- What is the Loch Ness Monster legend at CR?
- Students say College of the Redwoods has its own Loch Ness Monster in the little lake between Creative Arts and the Cafeteria.
- What made George Potamianos's history class memorable?
- Seats arranged in a circle for round-robin discussions using the “Opposing Viewpoints” book series, plus classes taught outside on sunny days.
- Can you sit in on classes at College of the Redwoods?
- Yes, with the teacher’s OK; photography, astronomy, and plant propagation are examples, though a police academy firearms class is a long shot.
- What is the last piece of advice for CR students?
- Put down your phone; the Redwood trees speak if you are listening.
- How long should you sit in a sit spot each day?
- At least 15 minutes every day, with no other intention than to observe.
- What is an example of a class you can sit in on at College of the Redwoods?
- Photography, astronomy, and plant propagation, as long as it is OK with the teacher.
Sources
- College of the Redwoods, official site, linked in the original post