New RCC students are oriented to succeed

At New Student Orientation Seminars on June 27 and 28, Rappahannock Community College’s Glenns and Warsaw Campuses offered recently-enrolled students and their supporting family members the opportunity to learn about a multitude of valuable services that the college makes available.

Welcome to RCC Summer Orientation

Personal and video presentations and printed handouts offered students guidance on understanding academic terms, navigating the college’s website, and getting full value for RCC credits at four-year institutions. Financial aid guidelines provided answers to money questions, and a useful overview of college policies was made available via the college’s Student Handbook and 2010-12 Catalog. Attendees were given the opportunity to learn how to use the online Blackboard class information system, to have their RCC picture identification cards made, and to tour each campus, while Counseling Center staff members stood ready to help in any way that was needed. In addition, the Student Support Services Office conducted a survey of whether participants found the sessions helpful, and how they could be improved.

Several students mentioned that after talking to a counselor, they were able to eliminate unneeded classes from their schedules, and concentrate on those that would be helpful for successful transfers and their planned future careers. “If it wasn’t for the counselor, I would have been truly lost,” said one. According to another, “It’s all kind of easy to figure out, if you go to Orientation and use a counselor.” Most of them appreciated the college tours, as a means of familiarizing themselves with the academic environment.

For more information about RCC registration, please call the Admissions and Records Office at 804-758-6740 (Glenns) or 804-333-6740 (Warsaw), or click on Admissions at the college website (http://www.rappahannock.edu). For more information about upcoming Orientation sessions, please call the Counseling Centers at Glenns (804-758-6730) or Warsaw (804-333-6730).

The event times are as follows

Prospective students who have not already attended a session are strongly encouraged to do so.

Photo: Clockwise from top left: “Blackboard” coordinator Tim Hoffman leads a how-to session about the online classroom information tool; student ambassador Shannon Turner welcomes new students; student ambassador Je’Marc Morton (far right) conducts a campus tour; and counselor David Keel surveys participants’ opinions.