Investment into Community Colleges = Returns

Did you know…?

 

State and local governments invested $336.1 million in support of Oregon community colleges in FY 2010-11. For every dollar of this support, taxpayers see a cumulative return of $2.20 over the course of students’ working careers in the form of higher tax receipts and avoided social costs (such as crime, welfare receipt and unemployment).

 

 

 

Source: Oregon Community Colleges Overview Fact Sheet, July 2012

 

Learn more information about Community Colleges and workforce development at  http://www.oregon.gov/ccwd/Pages/index.aspx

Apply now for 2013-2014 Financial Aid

Believe it or not now is the time to look for Financial Aid for next year – 2013-2014

                                                                                     

Start with this link:  http://www.cocc.edu/Financial-Aid/  and look on the right hand side for Financial Aid Dates.  Click on the links to get more information.  You should also start your FAFSA now – you do not need to have all of your 2012 tax information finalized it is perfectly alright to estimate (you will be asked later on for the actual data).

Good Luck in the New Year!

Five Tips for Winter Term Success

Winter term at COCC starts the week of January 7th.  Are you ready?  Here are some tips for success this term:

1)  Plan for winter driving conditions.  Is your vehicle winter ready?  If not, make sure you have a back-up plan for transportation.  Always add extra travel time for winter driving.

2)  Dress for the weather.  You may need to walk to a campus shuttle stop or buildings around campus.  Make sure you wear appropriate shoes for snow/ice and warm clothes.  For extra support, consider purchasing city or urban crampons.  These are designed to slip over the bottom of your shoes to provide extra traction for walking in snow/ice. 

3)  Check your COCC email account regularly, for potential room changes or class cancellations.  COCC also communicates campus closures through the emergency notification system to the preference (email, text, phone) you indicate in your student profile.  Campus closures are also listed on the COCC website and announced on various television and radio stations.

4)  Don't let the winter blues drag you down.  People are less likely to be active when the daylight hours are shorter and temperatures are colder.  However, exercise has been shown to boost brain power, lower stress and elevate mood, all of which help you as a student.  So consider ways of staying active during winter term.

5) Have some fun with this college experience!  All work and no play is no way to live.  Engage on campus.  Find out more about college events from our website at www.cocc.edu and student enews.

Finals Week/ Book Buyback

Fall term finals week is scheduled for December 10th through 14th.  Check course exam schedule to make sure you know your dates and times.  Use a calendar or planner to schedule study times before your finals.  Remember to communicate with co-workers, family and friends about your study needs and exam schedule.

Could you use a little more money?  During finals week the Bookstore buys textbooks back from students to replenish store stock. At that time, the bookstore pays up to 50% of the original purchase price for books needed for the next quarter.   Learn more at the COCC website:  Bookstore Buyback.

Don't get left in the cold - Winter registration is next week

Winter registration for continuing (degree-seeking) students starts next week (November 26th through 30th).  Your  specific date and time is based on the number of earned credits you have at COCC.  Those who are nearing graduation will be closer to the beginning of the week, while those who are finishing up their first term, will be at the end of the week.  To find out your specific date and time, log in to your Bobcat account and check the "Can I Register" page.  Remember advising is required prior to registration each term.  If you haven't met with your advisor, schedule an appointment this week, or your advising hold will stop you from registering for classes. 

Remember - the college is closed Nov. 22nd and 23rd for Thanksgiving.  If your advisor is unavailable this week, contact the CAP center at 541-383-7200 or plan to wait in line at drop-in advising in the CAP center on Monday, November 26th.  Drop-in advising is first-come, first-serve from 9-4:30 in the Bend and Redmond campuses.

College Success and Beyond

I specialize in advising "exploratory," "undecided," and new/transfer students.  A large number of students I meet with are first-time, and in many cases, first-generation college students.  First-generation college students are the first in their family to go to college.  Often they have no frame of reference when it comes to college, having no immediate family members to discuss college do's and don'ts.  They often feel  a combination of excitement, fear, depression, confusion and anxiety all in the same term (maybe in the same day).  The first term (to three terms) can be difficult. 

Its important to remember, college can be similar to traveling in a foreign country.  You are learning a new language (terminology and acronyms), learning your way around and how to survive, meeting new people, and navigating rules/policies.  This, combined with the rigors of studying, deadlines and balancing home life can leave you feeling vulnerable and isolated.

If this is you, consider discussing with an academic advisor.  They may refer you to free college resources, help you decipher complex policies/procedures, and or help you problem-solve and take steps to alleviate some of the pressure. 

Also, consider taking a College Success class (course number HD 100CS).  This is a credited college course, designed to help you succeed in this new environment.  Most students report they are far more confident about their ability to succeed in college after taking the class.  This course also provides an opportunity to increase informal support networks (by making friends with students who are also new or fairly new), learn resources available to you, and identify skills needed to succeed far beyond college.

Hope this helps a little.

How to start college; attend free event with pizza and prizes

Are you thinking about going to college?  Join us on Nov. 14 from 6:30pm to 9pm in the Campus Center on COCC's Bend Campus for College night in Oregon.  At this free event, you will learn about college admissions, the financial aid process, scholarships and other college-related topics.   Free pizza and a chance to win a $500 dollar scholarship. Visit the College Night website for more information.