JWCC Blog

More than a Hometown Community College: One Student's Takeaways from Her Time at JWCC

Leading up to my graduation in 2020 from Quincy Senior High School, I was convinced I needed to get out of Quincy and get myself to a four-year university. I aspired to go to places like the Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville, the University of Illinois Chicago, and the University...

Online: Ten Tips for Success

Get a head start It’s important to get a head start and familiarize yourself with your online class, the navigation, syllabus, schedule and requirements. As soon as the class opens, log-in and look around. Make sure your logins work and give yourself plenty of time to get help or technical...

A JWCC Student learning to work on a diesel engine.

Five Signs You'd Make a Great Diesel Tech

Diesel techs are in huge demand to service all forms of heavy equipment and trucks for transportation, construction and agriculture industries. Techs can be trained in a year or less and often receive job offers (starting at $40,000 or $20/hr.) prior to completing programs. Five signs diesel technology could be for you: 1.People...

Parents walking with a graduate

Parents: Ten Conversations to Have with Your Child About College

  As a parent, you want to make sure you are preparing your child for the many challenges they face in their life. One of the biggest challenges they will face is finding the right college for them, with factors like cost, culture and careers all weighing in. The thought...

A tutor helping someone learn to read

Passionate about reading? JWCC Literacy Volunteers Needed!

In addition to the degree and certificate programs, John Wood Community College offers a successful tutoring program that is completely FREE to those who qualify. An integral part of the tutoring program is the dedicated Literacy Volunteers from the community. The volunteers are the backbone of the Literacy program and ...

A family of four

Why Should You Go to College?

A List of Some Known and Some Surprising Benefits Many have received advice in their lifetimes, encouraging them to attend college or earn a post-high school certificate, but what is the actual benefit of doing so? Does attending college really have the benefits that people say it does? To be...

Two healthcare workers on the job

WHY Healthcare?

  Job Security The area’s population is aging and also focused on preventative care, so an array of healthcare workers are needed from clinics and convenient care to hospitals and nursing homes. Baby boomers in the industry are retiring, leaving leadership opportunities and their jobs need to be filled. Right...

Five Signs You Are Ready for a Career Change

Five Signs You Are Ready For A Career Change

Making a career change is a scary thing, but sometimes it is worse to stay in a job or career that is mentally and physically draining the life out of you.  Here are some signs you might want to start looking for a new career.  If you aren’t sure you...

Stressed out student.

How to Choose Your Major

1. Check Yourself What lights you up? What do you look forward to doing?  How do you interact with people? What are your strengths? Identifying these things can help you find your major.  How do you identify these things? Free, easy assessments or tests (without grades).   Try these: Ferguson’s...

Five Signs You Should Transfer to Another College

Five Signs You Should Transfer

Big Guy in a Little Coat. It just isn’t a good fit.  You’ve tried to lose the weight of the feelings, but instead you go to the all-you-can-eat ice cream bar in the cafeteria. The first step is to admit the problem. This school just isn’t for you. (If the...

Mature students working in library

Worried You Will Be The Oldest In College? Think Again

Think everyone in your class at John Wood will be an 18-year-old youngster? Think again. You will find that around 1 in 3 students is a non-traditional adult student like yourself. That number is even higher in online courses. We promise, you will not be the only person over 18...

Katie Richard on the John Wood campus in Quincy, Ill.

Five Myths About Community College

Katie Richárd is a JWCC alum who transferred to the University of Central Oklahoma. She earned two bachelor’s degrees from UCO in 2017.  This original post was written after her first year at JWCC.  Updates on Katie’s path follow the post.  1. My education will suffer because of the affordable...