Owens Community College

Date: Oct 30 2010
Major: Geography and Geosciences (This Major's Salary over time)
Firstly, let me make clear that I am a Findlay campus student. I really have nothing to offer about the Toledo Campus because I rarely went up there. I have been at Owens full time for almost three years and I have to say it's been a pretty positive experience. As you can tell from the other reviews, Owens does have it's drawbacks. Yes, this isn't really the place to party or make lots of friends. But it's a commuter community college; what do you expect? It also is true that at some point you will have to battle the Financial Aid office on some issue, but they're working on that.

So with that said, let's gets talk about the positives, because in my opinion, they outweigh the negatives. First and foremost, the vast majority of the instructors are great. If you're going to the Findlay Campus, I highly recommend Dr. Mariam Moore for Sociology, and Dr. Ballard for history. They're both a lot of fun and you will get a lot from their classes. The rest of the instructors are good as well, I have only ran into a couple that I was disappointed with.

Secondly, Owens has a very laid back atmosphere. There are no college mandated attendance or tardiness policies. Everyone student is responsible for their own success, and all the faculty is willing to help any student who asks. One big perk at Owens is the free math, writing, study skills, and science labs. They are staffed with tutors and instructors who are friendly and very helpful. There's no appointments necessary and they're open almost every day. This is great for anyone who has trouble with any of these subjects, or who just wants to spend extra time mastering the material.

Another great thing about the Findlay campus is that everything is new and modern. The campus is only a few years old, and the architecture is awesome. Lots of windows to let light in, and no cinder block walls to bring down your spirits (except vocational classrooms). Every computer lab contains new PC's with large flat panel monitors, and several design classrooms also have brand new mac's this year. The atrium is also really cool. It's kind of like a giant glass hanger and has all the student service offices, the bookstore, and the Grill. I'll also note that the new food company has really turned the Grill around this year and it's actually pretty tasty with reasonable prices.

With all that in mind, I'd like to leave you with a few final pieces of advice. First, get all of you Financial Aid stuff done early, so you don't have to deal with them dropping your classes half-way through. Also make sure to register for classes early to get the schedule you want. Take advantage of the websites that have professor reviews such as

ratemyprofessor.com.

They will give you a general idea of what your getting into. If your looking to make friends, get involved with what clubs are available. Always take land-based classes if possible. Use the resources available to you (labs) and don't be afraid to ask your instructors for help. You may also contact your department chair if you have any VALID complaints about an instructor. Be diligent with your studies and get everything in on time. If you can't get something in on time, ask your instructor for extra time; whats the worst they can say? Ask questions, and be involved in your classes. If you plan to transfer on, know what classes you will need at your next destination and plan your Owens schedule around that.

I'd like to leave you with a this final thought. Owens is what you make it. If your looking for a big University atmosphere, if you want a big social experience and a great nightlife, don't go here. However, if your looking for a practical way to get a degree or save some money, and you want to be serious about your academics and actually learn some stuff, this may be the perfect school for you. I have enjoyed my time at Owens, and I'd recommend it to anyone.