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Advice from Weiss 09/30/09

The Commuter

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Mark Weiss for The Commuter
Dear Readers,

The purpose of this column is to answer questions students may have about advising and academic concerns, where to turn for help, and how to be successful as a student. Since this is the first week of class, there aren’t, of course, any questions in yet. So I thought I would start with a little advice about getting started at LBCC in what is shaping up to be the largest, busiest term in college history.

First, know where to find help. LBCC has created a new First Stop in the middle of Takena Hall, next to Admissions and the Career Center. Patti Ball, and the other kind and knowledgeable folks at the First Stop, know the college backwards and forwards and if they don’t know the answer to your question they will know who does. You will either get your questions answered there, or you will be directed to the right place to get the help you need.

There are many other places on campus that students can find help. Our library is located right in the center of the college, just off the courtyard. Folks there are helpful and they have several computers for student use.

Just above the library is our Learning Center, where you will find academic help of all kinds. Tutoring for literally every class on campus, a math help desk, a writing help desk and much more, all wait for you in the Learning Center.

Student Life and Leadership has an office just off the courtyard, near the Hot Shot Café. In addition to helping to answer your questions, they provide opportunities in student leadership, campus projects, and much more.

Students with documented disabilities can get help by contacting the Office of Disability Services in RCH-114, (541) 917-4789.

And then, of course, the Career and Counseling Center, at the front of Takena Hall, is here to help you with any difficulty that you are experiencing, plus job placement help, career testing, career information, scholarship searches, career counseling, academic advising for undecided students and computers available for your use.

Another thing students should think of doing in the first week: make sure you know how to use the online Student Information System (SIS). This is where you can add and drop classes, check your financial aid, your transcript and grades, and update your personal information. Any of the folks in the offices I mentioned could help you get logged on, if you aren’t already familiar with the system.

It is very helpful if you create a student email account. If your teachers, or the college, have an important message for you, this is how they will try to reach you. These accounts can be set up so they go straight into an already existing email address. You can get this done by going to https://cf.linnbenton.edu/netmail/login.cfm?pgld=1.

A wise person once said, “Showing up is 80% of success.” I don’t know if the percent is completely right on, but for students, showing up is certainly critical to your success. Show up for class. Show up during your instructor’s office hours to ask questions and get guidance about the classes you are taking. And show up for the help and services you need. There is a lot of help available to you at LBCC, you just need to come through the door of those waiting to give it to you. We want you to be successful here.

Finally, this really is the largest term in the history of our college. Students are bound to feel frustrated with trying to get into classes, and instructors are bound to feel pressured by all the people trying to talk to them about classes. These first couple of weeks will be stressful for us all, so let’s be kind and patient with one another. If we all do our best, and assume that others are truly doing their best as well, we will make our way through these uncharted waters together.

Mark Weiss has been a counselor and adviser at LBCC for 20 years. Please send your questions to mark.weiss@linnbenton.edu

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