Returning to school after a long break is challenging. From the first-year freshman to the professional student, everyone can use a survival guide to help ease back in.
Salt Lake Community College students have a few suggestions on how to survive the transition.
Set up a schedule — and stick to it
“As long as I schedule time for everything, such as schoolwork, friends, family, I know I will stay on top of my work, and I won’t be prone to procrastinating,” says SLCC sophomore Andrew Price.
Several students at SLCC suggested sticking to a schedule when returning to school. Planners, calendars and smartphone apps are the items that are aiding students with their time management.
Apps such as Google Calendar allow the user to add events on their computer and smartphone and sync it with all connected devices. Users can be reminded of planned activities through notifications. Users are also able to make to do lists and stay on top of events, as long as they remember to add them.
Talk to an advisor
Students beginning, returning, or finishing their academic career at SLCC, will meet with an academic advisor at some point. Academic advisors aid students with career options, class schedules, and educational counseling.
“I usually meet with my advisor every semester to review my goals and make sure I’m taking the classes I need to transfer to the [University of Utah],” says SLCC student Carlos Hernandez.
Occupational goals, academic planning, and lifelong learning are objectives the academic advisors at SLCC strive to motivate in students.
Get the right textbooks — or go digital
Surviving school means getting the required material before class starts. The SLCC bookstore has the books that students need for their classes.
“If you go too late to the bookstore than sometimes what you need is sold out. Then you’ll have to search for it online or wait for a week and hope it comes in,” says Price.
Students at SLCC also recommend purchasing books online at a discount, or renting books at the bookstore to save money. Websites like Chegg.com make finding books easy and is often discounted compared to the school bookstore.
And while E-books aren’t for everyone, they are an environmentally friendly option and always less expensive than a hard copy.
Study the different campuses
With ten different SLCC campus locations, students need to know where to go.
Many students have classes at multiple campuses and aren’t familiar with some locations. The SLCC website has a quick link that shows where each campus is located and how to navigate between the buildings.
Students at SLCC advise reviewing the maps for campuses where students are enrolled and plan a few extra minutes on the first day in case they get lost.
Avoid the parking woes
Finding a parking spot can be difficult — even dangerous — for some students if they don’t plan ahead.
“Parking on campus is rough during the first few weeks of class. I have to plan an extra five minutes at least and get my parking pass early so I get to class on time and I don’t get a ticket,” says SLCC student Anna Vo.
To purchase a permit, students must take their valid vehicle registration to the help desk at SLCC campuses. Students will be issued a sticker that they must place on their front windshield.
Carpooling, bicycling, and taking the buses are recommended over driving alone to campus. Not only do they save money, but they also help the environment.
One common theme from all of these tips can best be summed up by student Anna Vo.
“All students just need to remember to plan ahead. If they can remember to not wait until the last minute, they will have a good semester.”
