As summer marches on, the excitement of returning to or starting college begins. It’s never an easy transition, and trying to ignore the calendar and clock heightens anxiety. What else can one do? My advice is to get a head start on making sure that you are fully prepared. Books and supplies are the first things on my agenda. I try to purchase at least one notebook for each class. For example, I have decided to take Environmental Biology, which includes a lab. I’ve thought about purchasing a binder, one subject notebook, and loose leaf paper, but then figured why not get a two or three subject notebook to keep things a bit more organized and not so heavy to carry in my book bag. On a side note, do not let those amazing looking notebook covers lure you into a purchase. The paper quality and manufacture of them is usually poor, and you will be looking for another one before you even hit the middle of the school year.
Next thing is book purchasing. I’m sure many of us have taken the time to look at the book listing for the fall by now. If not, you can follow the link http://www.ssc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Fall2017_06292017.pdf and take note of book titles and how much they cost. The one thing I know we can all agree on are the prices. Whether it is out of pocket or financial aid, everyone dislikes watching the total appear at the register. One thing that I have tried my best to do is to put away money from paychecks so when this time rolls around, I can take the sku number and find a book renter online. I would suggest to purchase or rent as soon as you can. You will be able to get the cheapest prices and also not be in limbo a week after classes have begun. Many of the places I have used to rent books allow you to write or highlight in them. Being able to pay twenty dollars instead of one hundred and eighty is a life saver. There will be times when you need to purchase from the SSC bookstore, but not having to purchase them all and renting instead will help cut cost down.
The first days are going to be stressful and it might not be what you thought. That is why this first week of class is the most important and needs to be taken pretty seriously for everyone, no matter how you are paying. This week is the only time that one can drop a class and be issued a refund. That info is located here: http://www.ssc.edu/event/last-day-refund-period-1st-8-16-week-fall-2017-college-credit-classes/ . After the date that is listed in the link, one can only do a withdrawal without a refund. This info can be found here: http://www.ssc.edu/event/withdrawal-period-begins-fall-2017-8-week-16-week-classes/ .
If any of this sounds a bit confusing, that is okay. Students are more than welcome to make an appointment with a counselor to help guide in choices. They even help make plans for how students can pursue their college education. I would definitely encourage everyone to stop by and check in on where you are at for requirements in your degree. This link will take you straight to the counseling center page to guide you in the right direction: http://www.ssc.edu/services/student-services/counseling-center/ .
Not ready to accept the fact that all this should be done? I understand. There is still time to have one final vacation before you need to buckle down. Plan a staycation downtown, head to the beaches and take in the sun a few more times, or take that road trip that you’ve been dying to do. As the days are now at single digits until we return, I wish everyone a happy beginning or welcome back. I hope that everything goes well and that SSC offers you everything you’ve been looking for. Just remember that no matter how you feel about returning or starting here at South Suburban College, everything will be okay. YOU BELONG HERE.