Tips For Your First Semester

With orientation and assessment behind you, you’re ready to begin your college experience. Creating a class schedule and choosing your courses will be one of the first things. In high school you may not have been given many choices, but college is different. Some schools offer literally thousands of classes. Deciding what to take can make even the most experienced student dizzy.

Selecting Classes

The following tips and strategies will help you in selecting your courses.

Tip 1: Search on WebAdvisor

Go to www.norcocollege.edu Links to an external site.. Click on ‘WebAdvisor’ and login. Using WebAdvisor and EduNav you will find class names, titles, location, meeting information, units, faculty, and available capacity. By clicking on specific course sections you can find detailed information, units, faculty, and available capacity. By clicking on specific course sections you can find detailed information about the class including prerequisite requirements, and whether the class is part of a specialized program or group.

Tip 2: Find a Balance of Hard and Easy Courses

You may be eager to jump into difficult classes your first year, but beware of taking too many. You may not realize how challenging college courses can be, and how much reading and other work they require. And don’t forget that this will be your first semester on campus – you’re in for lots of changes. Too many hard courses can put a real strain on you and it will show in your grades.

Tip 3: Find a Balance of Subject Areas

You should also take subjects that require different kinds of work. For example, some classes, like literature and history, require a lot of reading, while others, like journalism, require lots of writing. And courses like math and science will have you solving problem sets. Choose a variety of subjects, so you’re not stuck writing five research papers or having to read five books in one week.

Tip 4: Take an English or Math Course

It’s in your best interest to take a English class or math class during your first semester, even if it’s not required. These skills will apply to other courses throughout college and whatever career you choose. See a counselor for help in picking the right class for you.

Tip 5: Take Advantage of Counseling

Make it a priority to meet with a counselor and develop a two-year Student Education Plan (SEP). Appointments are available by visiting the Counseling Department or going to the Counseling link found on www.norcocollege.edu Links to an external site.. Students undecided on their career choice or needing help with being in college can also choose Guidance courses for additional support.