-- — Editor's note: Community college enrollment is on the rise as Michigan residents endure a bitter recession. This is the fourth and final installment in a series that focuses on Northwestern Michigan College students and their educational experiences.
TRAVERSE CITY -- One thing Kristina Coykendall learned in her first year at Northwestern Michigan College: The workload had a habit of sneaking up on her.
School chores appeared manageable, but then time passed, assignments built and suddenly the semester neared an end. By the time classes end May 8 and grades are finished a few days later, Coykendall, 19, will have turned in several papers and projects.
It's best to "do one thing at a time," the Benzie County resident said. "Before you really realize it, you're a lot farther than you thought you were."
Another record-busting term is nearly done: Close to 5,200 students enrolled in classes this spring.
Coykendall's goal is to transfer to Central Michigan University after next year, possibly to study special education. If she earns enough credits for an associate's degree first, she'll accept one, but the credential isn't necessary to transfer.
In all, 576 students earned, or anticipate they will earn, enough credits to graduate, said Jan Gasnik, a records specialist with NMC's registrar's office. Of them, 254 said they want to participate in commencement ceremonies Saturday.
Commencement is held once a year for students who are degree-eligible in the fall, spring and summer semesters.
Next spring, "I am hoping to be walking down that aisle getting my diploma," said Mary Kate Rea, a student in NMC's Great Lakes Maritime Academy.
It won't be an easy road for Rea, 21, of Vacaville, Calif. She enrolled in 23 credits this spring and has 17 more on her summer schedule.
Not only that, but she likely will start to study for the U.S. Coast Guard licensing test she'll take next fall to determine whether she is certified to work in the shipping industry.
"I decided to take an easy semester last spring," Rea said, adding, "It's probably going to be pretty busy."
Her boyfriend, fellow maritime student Will Thompson, took the opposite path. He signed up for two classes this summer, both through Ferris State University, which will grant bachelor's degrees in business along with their NMC associate's degrees.
"When I started here, I piled in all my classes early," said Thompson, 25, of Somersworth, N.H. "I'm in danger of not being a full-time student."
Come this fall, he might have to take more elective classes to maintain his student status. He is considering some that could apply if he decides to pursue a second bachelor's degree in civil engineering.
Will Mitchell needs to attend NMC at least half-time this fall. He might enroll in three courses, with math and his second required English class near the top in priority.
He took one class, introductory English, this semester in part because he waited too long to enroll and most sections already were filled.
This summer, Mitchell, 23, of Traverse City, will take one night class and another online. He doesn't know now whether he'll act in any community theater productions this summer like he'd planned. Mitchell expects to pull more hours at Doug Murdick's Fudge downtown when tourists arrive.
"I do want to get (school) over with, but I don't want to give myself too much of a workload," he said. "I have the motivation to get through school as painlessly as possible."
It will be a hectic end to the spring term for John Reed. He expects to submit a final English paper and take algebra exams during the same week in May, which follows the National Trout Festival in Kalkaska.
Reed, 48, of Kalkaska County's Clearwater Township, is a member of the festival board and has been planning the event for months.
After this semester, the nontraditional student -- he is pursuing a degree in renewable energy with a focus on electrical systems after being laid off from Tower Automotive -- should be halfway through his program. He enrolled in two summer classes.
"It's pretty close to the end," Reed said. "One year from now, hopefully I'll be looking at graduation."
