PRCC New Student Guide

MISSION STATEMENT

Pearl River Community College is a public institution committed to providing quality educational and service opportunities for all who seek them.

STRATEGIC GOALS

• To prepare students to complete a degree or certificate program and to be competent in careers for which they have been prepared.

• To provide quality student services.

• To provide access to college courses and programs using various instructional methods, including online and dual enrollment/credit courses.

• To employ qualified faculty and staff, compensate them well, and provide opportunities for their professional development.

• To provide facilities, technology, and support staff in order to improve student learning, enhance faculty and staff performance, and augment community services.

• To provide adequate communication among campus personnel and community members regarding the college goals, outcomes, and activities.

• To recruit and retain students from a diverse population.

• To provide workforce training programs that meet requirements of business, industry, educational, and public service agencies for basic skills, specific job skills, and technical skills training.

FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE: YOUR SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Checklist

Here are things you’ll want to do before your classes start:

¨ Login to RiverGuide:

 Visit ROAR Resources in your New Student Portal

 Review your account balance & Financial Aid status

 Set up your payment plan if needed

 Confirm you can access Canvas

 Check your student email

Link your student email account to your phone. Go to prcc.edu/about/office-of-information-technology for instructions.

¨ Save a copy of your schedule to your phone for easy access:

 Pay attention to the start & end dates

 Know where your classes are located if you’re attending an in-person class

Access the campus map in this booklet to find the building codes.

¨ Get school supplies:

You decide what supplies work best for you. In addition to your basic supplies like pencils, notebooks, highlighters, we highly recommend a planner.

¨ On-Campus items:

(Can be completed @ Wildcat Welcome)

 Get your student ID made

 Pick up your parking decal

Fully-online students do not need these two items.

¨ Additional items to check back on:

 Make sure your final documents (like your transcripts) are turned into Admissions before the deadline.

 Visit your Financial Aid portal to view the status on your FAFSA and complete any required documentation.

 If you are living in the dorms, be sure your housing application is complete and check your status in the housing portal.

Hello New Wildcat !

We are so excited to serve you as a new student here at Pearl River Community College. We’ve created a unique experience just for you. PRCC’s exciting new First Year Experience program is designed for entering students and focuses on success. Our goals are to help you transition to college, get connected and engaged on campus, and achieve your academic goals. All the information provided in this booklet will help you get started on those goals.

Another way FYE helps you is through our social media page. Follow us on Instagram, @prccfye, for helpful tips and important reminders throughout the year. This is one of the most exciting times in your life, and to make sure you get started on the right foot, here are a few tips I’d like to share:

1. Many studies show that class attendance is strongly correlated to academic success. So tip #1 is to GO TO CLASS! 2. Learn how to study differently. What worked in high school might not work in a lecture-based classroom. Not only will you be tested on lecture material, but you will also be required to read the textbook and be tested on that as well.

3. Make sure you get enough sleep. Transitioning to a new environment can be challenging, but don’t let your physical health fall to the wayside.

4. Get a planner. Having a planner will allow you to keep track of when assignments are due and what times you have available to study. 5. Find a mentor or advisor. In your first semester, seek out someone that you feel comfortable with, either an instructor or advisor, and go to them for advice. Whether it’s getting help in picking out a major or just talking about a situation, a mentor could really be key to your success.

I look forward to seeing you around campus and you being successful at this whole college thing. As Orientation Coordinator, I am here to help you meet your goals and feel at home while you are a student here. Please do not hesitate to come by my office for help or just to visit. I can’t wait to meet you!

Sincerely,

Emily Sheckells

FYE Orientation Coordinator

Center for Academic Engagement

Campus resources

PRCC has a wide range of free resources available to students.

Our resources range from the Wildcat Den to tutoring

& everything in between.

Wildcat Den Bookstore

Located on FCC and Poplarville Campuses

PRCC’s Wildcat Den is a local bookstore serving the students, faculty and staff and community of Pearl River Community College with pride. Their primary goal is to ensure students are able to obtain the course materials they need at reasonable prices. They also provide many other items to support your academic career and school spirit. Please browse the website bookstore. prcc.edu or stop by the store anytime!

Student Support Services

Located on Poplarville Campus

Student Support Services (SSS) is a federally funded program (Federal TRIO Programs, U.S. Department of Education) designed to provide academic support and personal motivation for students to be successful in higher education. All services are provided at no cost to students.

Services Available:

» Tutorial Services — Peer tutoring in academic subjects, individual and small group sessions

» Educational Counseling Services — Academic Advisement, Educational Counseling, Career Counseling, and Transfer Assistance

» Assistance with Financial Aid — Apply for and receive the aid for which students are eligible

» Assistance and Support to Students with Disabilities — Provide advocacy and learning opportunities for the academic success of students with disabilities. Telephone: (601) 403-1266

Campus resources

There are many advantages of taking online classes. Online classes are available 24/7, and are available anywhere there is internet access.  Online courses can help traditional students with schedule conflicts that may occur. While they might not be for everyone, online classes help many people earn a degree, which may not be possible due to military service, work, or other personal circumstances.   Carefully consider whether online classes are right for you. An online student should be: self-motivated, responsible, independent, and organized. To be successful, it is imperative that you have a personal computer and internet access at home. Online students are encouraged to check their course and email daily.

For more information about online classes, please visit the Office eLearning website

math lab

Math instructors and student workers from all levels of math are available to assist students with math assignments, studying and testing. Calculators, headphones, and printers are also available. The Testing Lab, located inside the Math Lab, is for taking math tests (including tests for online math courses). Calculators are provided. Blue books are required for testing and can be purchased in the bookstore only.

Center for Academic Engagement

The CAE offers guidance and support to all students to encourage academic success. CAE is home to two departments: Advising and First-Year Experience. Advising offers registration assistance, degree evaluations, and transfer assistance. Advising also has Peer Leaders available to offer tutoring in select academic classes. Email advisement@prcc.edu to learn how to take advantage of these resources.

FYE offers programs and resources to support the college transition. This includes ROAR and all orientation classes. FYE also provides additional academic courses, social media engagement opportunities, and workshops that support student success. Check out prcc.edu/fye to learn how to take advantage of these resources.

Cafeteria

Poplarville Campus only

Breakfast: 7:00am to 9:00am (Monday-Friday)

Lunch: 10:30am to 1:00pm (Monday-Friday)

Dinner: 4:30pm to 6:00pm (Monday-Thursday)

Dinner (Friday): 4:30pm to 5:00pm

**SATURDAY**

Brunch: 10:00am to 11:00am

Dinner: 4:00pm to 5:00pm

**SUNDAY**

Brunch: 10:00am to 11:00am

Dinner: 4:00pm to 5:00pm

**These hours of operation will be followed unless otherwise posted.**

Dormitory Meal Plan: All dormitory students have a seven-day meal plan included in room/board charge.

Commuter Meal Plan: Commuter students must go to the Wildcat Den to purchase a commuter meal plan.

Campus Mail

Poplarville Campus only

For students wishing to have an on-campus mail box, please contact the Business office.

Campus mail is located in the Post Office building next to Crosby Hall.

You can purchase a parking decal on our website at:

Click on the “purchase a parking decal” link and you will be directed to the fillable form.

POLICE DEPARTMENT parking

The PRCC Police Department is a fully certified police department staffed with full time, state certified police officers who have full arrest powers and are granted full enforcement authority for college, city, county, and state laws, regulations, and ordinances.

The Police Department is here to provide you with a safe and friendly environment, which fosters education, protection, and service. They are committed to the prevention of crime and the protection of life and property, which will make for a better college experience for you. You can contact the Police Department at 601-403-1300 (Poplarville) or 601-554-5513 (FCC).

Campus resources

Health Services

Poplarville Campus only

The on-campus registered nurse is located in Crosby Hall from 8am-3pm, Monday – Friday.

Veteran Services

The Office of Veteran Services provides service to those who wish to utilize military-related education benefits at all locations of Pearl River Community College. For more information email va@prcc.edu or visit our website

Disability Services

Pearl River Community College offers equal education and employment opportunities. The College does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, veteran status, pregnancy, or disability. For inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policy or to request accommodations, special assistance, or alternate format publications, contact Tonia Seal, Director of Admissions and Records and ADA/Civil Rights Coordinator, at 101 HWY 11 N., Poplarville, MS 39470 or 601-4031214. For inquiries regarding Title IX, contact Alexandra Kennedy, Title IX Coordinator, at 101 Hwy 11 N., Poplarville, MS 39470 or 601-4031546.

Scan the QR code below to complete an application for accommodations. Once you have completed the application you will receive an email with additional documentation you should provide. If you have questions contact ada@prcc.edu or by phone at 601-403-1214.

Online Resources

LIBRARY

You can access all of the libraries online resources, such as EBSCO and other research databases, on the website prcc.edu/libraries. You also have access to Mississippi Electronic Libraries Online. Mississippi Electronic Libraries Online (MELO) is a virtual library developed in March 2000 to meet academic resource needs of distance learning within the Mississippi community and junior colleges. It is an electronic environment that mirrors the traditional library through online databases, electronic books and journals, and scholarly web sites.

TUTORING

We strongly recommend our students to use the free, online tutoring service that PRCC offers. The service is called NetTutor. Online math tutoring is available 24 hours a day, every day of the week. Writing assignments can be submitted 24 hours a day, every day of the week. All writing submissions to NetTutor will maintain a 48-72 hour turnaround time. All other subjects will follow the NetTutor subject hours for the semester. NetTutor is available to all PRCC students, in all courses (online, hybrid, and traditional).

PROCTORING

All PRCC online courses require students to take proctored exams. If you are registered for a fully online class through Mississippi Virtual Community College (any community college in Mississippi), you should schedule through the 'Proctoring' button in your Canvas course.

CANVAS

Canvas is the platform we use for all of our courses, whether online, inperson or hybrid. You can download the Canvas App on your phone for easy access.

TECHNOLOGY

As a PRCC student, you have free access to some great technologies such as Microsoft 365 and Grammarly Premium. To learn how to utilize these tools, visit prcc.edu/academics/elearning

SUPPORT

We offer many online support systems available to all students: Your instructor, PRCC Help Desk, Canvas Support, and eLearning Support.

Housing and Dorm Information

To Bring:

Pearl River Community College welcomes you to be a part of our Residence Life community! The Office of Residence and Student Life’s objective is to provide students with a positive overall learning experience and a life-style that meets their needs. Our staff’s goal is to provide a positive social, academic and recreational environment. Our personnel will strive to make your life in the residence halls as pleasant as possible. We look forward to seeing you on campus and helping you get the most out of your college experience!

What to Bring and Not Bring

Not To Bring:

 Bed Linens (Twin XL), pillows, blankets

 Towels and other bathroom necessities

 School supplies - book bag, paper, pens, pencils, laptop, printer, etc.

 Cleaning supplies

 Storage boxes with locks

 Laundry basket and detergent (quarters for laundry)

 Small first-aid kit

 Renter’s insurance or a personal property rider on your parents’ insurance

 Television

 Microwave- 1500 watts or less

 Refrigerator- 4.5 cubic feet

REQUIREMENTS FOR HOUSING:

 A student must be enrolled in a minimum of 15 semester hours to live in college housing.

 A student must maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined below to reside in college housing.

 No command strips/ hooks, nails, or tape on dormitory walls.

 Weapons of any kind

 Ammunition

 Alcoholic beverages and/or empty containers

 Controlled substances

 Candles

 Air Fryer, hotplates, toasters, and/or toaster ovens

 Personal air-conditioners or space heaters

 Pets

 Water guns

 Firecrackers or other explosives

 Grills

 Incense

 Satellite dishes

HOURS ATTEMPTED FOR GPA 0-24, 25-36, 37 & above

MINIMUM CUMULATIVE GPA 1.5, 1.75, 2.0

student life

There is always something going on at Pearl River. At Pearl River Community College we realize students have to get involved outside of the classroom if we expect them to excel in the classroom. PRCC has built a foundation to support the academic and recreational needs of our students. We have a wealth of clubs and organizations for students who seek professional, religious, and social activities. Follow @studentactivitiesattheriver for current news and possible schedule changes.

Poplarville Campus:

Ally Club

Baptist Student Union

DECA

Fellowship of Christian Athletes

Honors Institute

Information Tech (ITSA)

Phi Theta Kappa

PRCC Gaming and Strategy Club

River Navigators

Forrest County Center:

American Dental Hygienists’ Association

Baptist Student Union

Fellowship of Christian Athletes

Forrest County Center Science Club

History and Humanities Club

Mu Alpha Theta

National Technical Honor Society

Hancock Center:

Baptist Student Union

Recreational Sports:

Skills USA

STEM Club (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)

Student Activities Board

Student Alumni Association

Student Government Association

Student Nurses Association

Young Americans for Liberty

Phi Theta Kappa-Beta Tau Gamma Chapter

Sigma Kappa Delta National English Honor Society

DECA

Student Government Association

Honors Institute

Video Game Club

Phi Theta Kappa

At the River, we do something other than your “old-time” or “traditional” Intramural Sports. We hold tournaments and competitions in a wide variety of recreational activities. We do it this way because, with a busy student schedule, who has time to devote to a month-long Basketball League? We typically hold tournaments that range from 1 – 3 different nights that more easily fit the schedules of participants. Participation is GREAT and the prizes aren’t bad either. Sports include:

3 on 3 Basketball

Dodgeball

Ping Pong

Card Games

Cornhole

Volleyball

Cabbage Ball

Kickball

Whiffle Ball

Disc Golf

Flag Football

Obstacle Race

Don’t Go Hungry! Wildcat Bucks Dining Plan

We know that dining with friends is an integral part of your college experience.

Whether it’s a quick bite on the go or a casual sit down with your friends, a dining plan makes it easy to refuel and reconnect.

Use your Financial Aid to purchase Wildcat Bucks.

Wildcat Bucks are flexible dollars that can be spent at our food court locations on campus.

Follow these easy steps:

1. Fill out the request form in the Business Office.

2. Purchase meal plan in the Business Office.

3. Turn the completed form and receipt to the Cafeteria.

For questions call the Wildcat Den @ 601-403-1360.

Financial Aid

The Office of Financial Aid is dedicated to helping students and families reach educational and career goals through the various financial aid programs available at Pearl River Community College. Financial aid helps students and their families pay for college and is available through a variety of federal, state and institutional programs. Students may receive assistance through scholarships, grants, loans, and/or part-time employment.

Steps to Apply for Federal Financial Aid

Step 1: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at studentaid.gov

Contact Information:

Main Office Number-Poplarville (601) 403-1000 finaid@prcc.edu

Main Office Number-Hattiesburg (601) 554-5534 finaid@prcc.edu

Main Office Number-Hancock Center (228) 252-7001 finaid@prcc.edu

Step 2: Student may accept or decline federal student loans in RiverGuide. Parents of dependent students may also apply for the Federal Direct PLUS loan.

Step 3: Students who want to apply for federal and institutional work-study must complete the Work-Study Application in River Guide.

Important Note: Students must be regularly admitted and seeking a degree or certificate from Pearl River Community College in order to qualify for any type of federal student aid.

The PRCC Financial Aid staff is available to answer questions about the application process and understanding policies. Although the main financial aid office is located at the Poplarville campus, staff at the Forrest County and Hancock Centers can answer general questions for students.

State Grants

The Mississippi Resident Tuition Assistance Grant, or MTAG, offers up to $500 per year for freshmen and sophomores who are residents of Mississippi who do not qualify for a full Pell Grant and have a high school grade point average of 2.50 and an ACT of 15 or above on the national test. Students who have prior college coursework, other than that earned during dual enrollment while in high school, must have a 2.50 grade point average on all prior coursework.

The Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant, or MESG, offers up to $2500 per year for students who are residents of Mississippi, and who graduate from high school with a high school grade point average of 3.50 and an ACT score of 29 or above on the national test. To complete the online application for state aid through the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid, please access the state website at www.riseupms.com.

Help Grant

The Higher Education Legislature Plan for Needy Students, or HELP, covers tuition & required fees at a public institution. Students must complete a specific high school curriculum, graduate high school with a 2.5 gpa, have a minimum ACT score of 20 and meet income limitations.

Scholarships

Service Scholarships

Service scholarships are awarded to students who are involved in athletic and/or service endeavors. For additional information regarding how to apply for these scholarships, please contact the appropriate office (i.e. athletic, band, cheerleader, etc.) at Pearl River Community College.

Foundation/Development Scholarships

These scholarships are made available to students through generous gifts from individual, corporate, and organizational supporters of Pearl River Community Colleges. Once admitted to PRCC, students can apply for Foundation Scholarships through RiverGuide. The priority date for these scholarships is based on enrollment. Students who have applied for Foundation Scholarships and are enrolled for the fall term by July 31st will receive priority consideration for Foundation Scholarships. Awards are made based on students meeting guidelines specified by the scholarship donor, application submission, enrollment date and the availability of funds. Please visit https://prcc.edu/ alumni/development-foundation/ for a full list of Foundation Scholarships available. For more information on how to apply; visit https://prcc.edu/ financial-aid/scholarships/foundation-scholarships/

Academic Scholarships

Based on students’ composite ACT score

Valedictorian/Salutatorian Scholarship

· Tuition, Room, & Board

· Recipients must graduate from a high school in PRCC’s district.

· Student must apply separately for housing.

Presidential Scholarship

· Tuition, Room, & Board

· 29-36 ACT Score

Vice Presidential Scholarship

· Full Tuition

· 25-28 ACT Score

Honors Scholarship

· Half Tuition

· 21-24 ACT Score

Scholastic Excellence Scholarship

· $350 per semester

· Must have ACT score of 18-20.

Full Career/Technical Scholarship

· Full Tuition - Mississippi Only

Half Career/Technical Scholarship

· Half Tuition - Mississippi Only

*Additional information for Academic and CTE scholarships can be found on our website at prcc.edu/financial-aid/ scholarships.

Academics

There are two types of degrees that PRCC offers. If you’re planning to graduate and then transfer to a 4-year institution, you would be seeking an Associate of Art degree.

The second option is an Associate of Applied Science. This degree is offered through our Career-Technical Education (CTE) Programs. Below are the programs that are offered:

PROGRAM LOCATION

Accounting Technology

Advanced EMT/Paramedic

Associate Degree Nursing

Automotive & Controls (Instrumentation) Technology

Automotive Mechanics Technology*

Aviation Maintenance

Biomedical Equipment Repair

Business Management Technology

Business Marketing Management

Coding Technology

Computer Networking Technology

Cyber Security Technology

Dental Assisting Technology*

Dental Hygiene Technology

Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Drafting and Design Technology

Early Childhood Education Technology

Electrical Technology*

Electronics Technology

Film & Video Technology

Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration

Maintenance Technology*

Hydrography

Industrial Electronics Technology

Manufacturing Maintenance

Massage Therapy

Medical Billing & Coding

Medical Laboratory Technology

Medical Radiologic Technology

Occupational Therapy Assistant Technology

Physical Therapist Assistant Technology

Practical Nursing

Precision Manufacturing and Machining Technology*

Respiratory Care Technology

Surgical Technology

Unmanned Aerial Systems Technology

Utility Lineman Technology*

Welding and Cutting Technology*

Forrest County Center

Forrest County Center

Poplarville

Poplarville

Poplarville

Hancock Center

Forrest County Center

Forrest County Center/Poplarville

Forrest County Center/Poplarville

Forrest County Center/Hancock Center

Poplarville

Poplarville

Forrest County Center

Forrest County Center

Forrest County Center

Poplarville

Poplarville

Poplarville

Forrest County Center/Poplarville

Poplarville

Forrest County Center/Poplarville

Hancock Center

Forrest County Center

Forest County Center

Poplarville

Forrest County Center

Forrest County Center

Forrest County Center

Forrest County Center

Forrest County Center/Poplarville

Forrest County Center

Forrest County Center

Forrest County Center

Hancock Center

Poplarville

Forrest County Center/Poplarville/Hancock Center

CTE programs offering only Career Certificate include: Barbering, Commercial and Residential Construction, Construction Equipment Operation, Cosmetology, Court Reporting, and Practical Nursing

*PRCC also offers Technical Certificates (45 hours) and Certificates of Proficiency (30 hours) for the indicated programs

Business Office

The Business Office offers the following services to students:

» PRCC Student ID

» Billing/Refunds

Billing – Tuition and fees are due approximately 90 days after the start of the semester. Balances for the fall semester are due October 31st, spring balances are due March 31st, and summer balances are due July 31st.

We have many options available to help students with their balance, and we are more than happy to provide you with options for paying your bill. Outstanding balances can be set up on a payment plan located in the student portal, “RiverGuide”. This allows students to spread their balance across monthly payments throughout the semester. We are available to answer any questions you may have concerning your statement and assist you in having a successful experience at Pearl River Community College.

Refund Policy – During add/ drop week tuition and fees will be refunded 100%. If you have withdrawn from school during the first four weeks of school, your tuition will be refunded based on the week the withdrawal occurs. You can contact the business office to find out how your refund would be calculated.

Poplarville

The Business Office is located in the Administration Building.

601-403-1204.

Hancock Center: 228-252-7000

Forrest County Campus

The Business Office is located in Building 3.

601-554-5500

Please refer to the PRCC Catalog for any questions not covered in this information booklet.

PRCC computer recommendations

Here at PRCC, we know that many of you want to bring your own computer to campus. Here are some helpful recommendations to ensure that your device is optimized for use on all of PRCC’s campuses.

We have what you need at the Wildcat Den! The Wildcat Den (PRCC’s bookstore) offers several laptop configurations which are known to work well with the educational software and electronic textbooks in use at PRCC. Some forms of financial aid can also be used to purchase computers from the bookstore.

Make sure you have the right web browser & software

We recommend that Firefox or Chrome be installed.

» Firefox is available for free at www.firefox.com

» Chrome is available for free at www.chrome.com

We also highly recommend to have a smartphone for multi-factor authentication.

FREE Microsoft Office Microsoft Office 365 is available to PRCC students. Once you have a schedule, you can register for and install this software package.

» Office 365 can be accessed for free at prcc.edu/about/office-of-informationtechnology/

» This offers a savings of roughly $80/year

» The registration link can be found to the bottom left of the webpage

Computer Specifications

If you do not wish to purchase a computer from the Wildcat Den bookstore, the following list of hardware should be used as a guide to ensure the hardware you plan to use meets the recommended minimums.

» Dual Core Processor

» 8 GB DDR3 1600 MHz RAM

» 802.11 AC Wi-Fi Adapter

» Webcam

» Windows 10 64 Bit

» 128 GB HDD

» Bluetooth

Chromebooks are not supported in most classes at PRCC because of their limitations. It’s highly recommended that students use an updated Windows computer or Mac.

STAY COVERED WITH A WARRANTY

Due to how often a personal computer is used as part of the higher education learning process and because accidents happen, we recommend an upgraded warranty that includes coverage for accidental damage.

RiverGuide

Welcome to Pearl River Community College!

While you attend PRCC you will use a variety of technology resources. Below is some information to help you learn about accessing those resources.

RiverGuide is the Portal used at PRCC. This serves as a single stop shop for students to access everything they need. Once you login to RiverGuide, the Student homepage contains links for Canvas, DegreeWorks, Wildcat Web, and Student Email that are single sign-on so you do not have to login to each service separately. RiverGuide also contains many links with information regarding your Student Account, Financial Aid, eLearning, Grades, and Campus Activities in one convenient location.

»

»

Your account has been automatically setup when you were accepted to PRCC with a default password.  When you receive your account information, it is important that you change your password to one of your choosing.  Passwords can be changed on the RiverGuide homepage (https://prcc.onelogin.com).

Time Management 101

General Guidelines Tips and Strategies

 Know where your time is going (track your time for one week).

 Identify your free spaces of time and assign study blocks to your schedule. Have a spare 30 minutes after class and before work? Designate that time to study or do homework.

 Don’t forget to also schedule in breaks or fun activities.

 Be realistic about how much time you need to complete an assignment (don’t allow yourself only 1 hour to complete an intensive research paper).

 Constantly check in with your habits. If you’re studying but your grades don’t reflect that, you need to rethink your strategies.

Prioritize

 Prioritize your tasks each week so that you are completing the most important & urgent items first.

 Use a planner (paper or digital) that has a month view, weekly view, and a place for to-do lists.

 Set aside time each week for organizing your calendar and creating to-do lists for the week.

 If you have multiple tasks to complete, do your hardest task first and it will be much easier to complete the rest.

 Pomodoro Technique: Get the jump on procrastination by setting a timer for 20 minutes and focusing all of your energy on one subject until the timer stops, then take a 5-minute break. Repeat until you have completed everything or feel comfortable. Just getting started is sometimes the hardest part and this technique helps overcome that challenge. The key to this technique is removing all distractions during those 20 minutes (including your phone!).

 Time Blocking: A great strategy for anyone who has to complete a lot of homework or studying in one day. With this strategy, you dedicate/ block hours of time to complete related tasks. For example, you might dedicate 2 hours to work only on Math.

Advice from a Sophomore: Things I Wish I Knew Starting College

1. Time Management:

 Managing your time is a lot different from high school because there is so much more “free” time out side of class.

 In high school your whole day/ week is planned out for you. In college you have to plan your whole entire day from when your classes are, to eating and studying.

2. What to bring to the dorms:

 I brought a lot of things that I never used or needed. I also forgot things I didn’t even consider a necessity.

3. Socializing:

 Even if you dorm with your friends, there are chances that you still won’t get to see them much.

 Having friends in class is nice and helpful.

Tips:

 Talk to at least one person in every class - this will spark new friendships!

 Learn more about the people in your residence hall. After all, you will be living with these people for the year.

 Attend school events - this opportunity is a great ice breaker.

4. College goes by fast:

 Before you realize it, you’ll be halfway done with the semester.

 Use your time wisely and enjoy this experience while it’s happening.

5. Money management:

 You will spend more money than you think you will.

Money Saving Tips:

 Take advantage of student discounts.

 Track your spending.

 Write down what you buy and how much you spend.

 Set aside savings.

 Create a list of how much you want to spend on everything.

6. It’s okay to change your major:

 Researching a lot of majors is helpful even if you don’t think you’ll be interested in something.

7. Keep up with your financial aid:

 If there are any unexpected changes, the sooner you know the better.

 Be sure you are consistently checking your student email – the Financial Aid will use your student email to send you important communications.

8. Know where you can go for help:

 Go to your professor’s office hours.

 Know where tutoring is available.

NOTES

LEGEND

LEGEND

POPLARVILLE CAMPUS

POPLARVILLE & FORREST COUNTY LOCATIONS