Whether you are a new student or returning to FRCC this fall, now is a great time to lay the groundwork for a successful school year. One of the best ways to do so is to take advantage of the many resources and tools available to you. These resources will help you make the most of college, overcome those road blocks when you encounter them, and enjoy the experience.
Here are six FRCC resources worth paying a visit this semester:
Advising
We recommend meeting with academic advisor once a semester to develop your educational plan, pick a field of study, and choose your classes. You can schedule an appointment or drop by for a first-come first-served session. Your advisor can help you with everything from incoming transfer credit evaluation to developing a plan to transfer to a four-year college. He or she also can direct you to other resources at FRCC and in the community.
Financial Aid Office
It can never hurt to talk with the friendly staff at the Financial Aid Office. They can help you navigate the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)—but more importantly, they can help you figure out how to pay for school. Most students qualify for at least some financial aid. The staff will guide you in applying for loans, College Opportunity Fund aid, grants, or a work-study job, and determine whether you are eligible to reduce your tuition. They also can assist you with searching and applying for scholarships.
Academic Support Centers
FRCC’s academic support centers can help you learn to study more effectively, prepare better for tests, write better, and much more. No matter what subject, there’s likely a resource that can supplement your studying. On the Larimer Campus, for example, instructional assistance is available at the Learning Opportunity Center’s help centers, for subjects ranging from history to math to computers to economics. Westminster Campus has an Academic Skills Center with drop-in computer labs, writing assistance labs, and other resources. And the Boulder Counter Campus Student Success Center offers tutoring, academic support labs for all different subjects, and even academic coaching.
Tutoring Center/Special Services
Academic problems have a way of snowballing, so if you have trouble in a class, don’t wait to get individualized tutoring assistance. Talk with your instructor about using the Tutoring Center on your campus—you may need your instructor’s signature on a Tutor Request Form first. Once you are assigned a tutor, the two of you can meet on campus or in the library at a time most convenient for you. Drop-in tutoring is also available for a number of classes (such as biology, Spanish, and accounting).
Student Center
The college experience is about much more than classes and studying, so don’t forget to have a little fun while you’re here. The Student Centers are the hub of campus activities. Depending on the campus, they might house the Office of Student Life, student organizations, social spaces, the fitness center, a café, a coffee bar, the campus store, and more. This is a great place to meet up with classmates, make new friends, and get involved on campus.
Career Services Center
The reason you’re in college is to build a foundation for your career, so get off on the right foot this year by scheduling a free consultation with a career advisor. Whether you are still choosing a major, are ready to search for internships, or need help figuring out your career path, the career services team will help you explore your options. Schedule an appointment—and utilize this service often while you are a student.
Of course, the FRCC website is your gateway to everything you need to be an effective student—and our Being a Student section is a great place to start. The bottom line is that regardless of where you are in your journey or what you need, there are people here to help. If you need it, just ask!
