Each fall, students gear up for their freshman year at Salt Lake Community College. Whether returning students or recent high school graduates, many freshmen find it difficult to adapt to the college environment.
Being a freshman may be daunting. College takes effort and is more work than play.
Don’t be a stressed freshman. Start your first year of college on the right foot. Here are six essential items for you to be stress-free at SLCC:
OneCard
Upon enrolling into SLCC you will want to pick up the official student ID. This card will be the key to your campus life. You’ll need your OneCard for the library. Your OneCard may also be used for campus vendors and events, and also gets you discounts both on and off campus. The OneCard works as a Discover® pre-paid debit card. You can purchase items at school with the OneCard and it can be credited with a Financial Aid refund. The OneCard is free to enrolled students but if it is lost there is a replacement fee. You can get your OneCard at the campus ID center.
Rate My Professor
Ratemyprofessor.com may become your favorite website during your college career. This website allows you to take a sneak peak into your professor’s classroom without stepping one foot in it. The website gets you access to see how former students have rated professors. If a professor is difficult, you will find out in the comment section. But don’t think this is a site just to bash faculty, because the website also has a section called “Professors Strike Back.” In this section you will have a select number of professors who have decided to defend themselves.
Textbooks
In recent years the prices for textbooks have skyrocketed. The SLCC bookstore has on display every textbook you will be using at SLCC. The school bookstore sells new and used books and even rents textbooks. Purchasing a brand new book will certainly cost more, a used book will be slightly less, and renting a textbook will be the cheapest. An alternative option for college textbooks is PJ’s College Books. This bookstore will not have every book you need on display but they will have books at a cheaper price. Another option for books is e-textbooks. These books can only be accessed through your computer, iPad, phone, etc. The main downfall of eBooks is that you cannot sell them.
Related: 5 textbook solutions every student should know
Drop/withdraw dates
Dropping classes on time is crucial for college students. SLCC sets deadlines each semester for dropping classes. If students make the drop deadline they will receive a refund or adjustment of tuition. Students who miss the deadline can still withdraw from a class; students who withdraw will not receive a refund, but withdrawals do not affect grade point average. Students who choose not to either drop or withdraw from a class and simply stop attending class will receive a low or failing grade. It is important to drop classes according to the deadlines.
Get involved
Adapting to college is difficult. Everything is different: the classes, the workload, and the social environment. One of the ways to overcome these difficulties is to get involved in student activities. Student Life and Leadership offers leadership opportunities, and they make the social experience at SLCC a pleasant one, including concerts and various events each semester. Student Life and Leadership is a great way to get involved in school activities. Whether it is cheerleading, student government, or women’s soccer, Student Life and Leadership gives students an opportunity to be involved in the SLCC community.
Get a massage
Being a stressed-out freshman is not fun. The ideal way to release stress is to receive a massage. SLCC Health and Wellness Services offers students one free one-hour massage per semester. You even have the luxury of choosing from various types of massages, including a Swedish massage for relaxation, a deep muscle / injury massage and even a pregnancy massage for students who are expecting. You can make your appointment through the Health and Wellness Center.
College is tough and every beginning is a little shaky. These six fundamental tips may help you become a stress-free student. Relax, have fun and enjoy the ride—your future starts now.
