Many first-time college students often experience anxiety when crossing the threshold to higher education. Lisa Gonzalez, LCC Counselor and College Connection Coordinator, vividly recalls the confusion and frustration of her first college experience.
“Setting foot for the first time on a college campus can be overwhelming. You may not know where to go or who to speak with for help,” Gonzalez explains.
Gonzalez, along with other college counselors and faculty, are joining forces in July to provide first-time collegians with valuable advice and tools for student success via the College Connection, a new student orientation program. Participation is free and open to first-time students entering LCC this fall and to those with less than six college hours.
“The College Connection is an annual orientation program for new students to learn how college works,” says Gonzalez. “Participants will be able to get connected to valuable student services available at LCC, qualify for scholarships, and be among the first to receive valuable academic and career advising to register early for the Fall 2004 semester.”
Three sessions of the College Connection are scheduled, including a session on July 8 from 1 to 6 p.m. at LCC South (5500 South Zapata Highway), and two sessions on July 13 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the LCC main campus near downtown.
Gonzalez says that the College Connection will include a presentation by representatives of the leading online global careers network, Monster.com.
“This will be a valuable opportunity for students to explore career options and learn about time management, first-year college expectations, extracurricular involvement and other important aspects of college,” notes Gonzalez.
After the presentation, participants will be able to participate in a mini-expo, where they will be able to meet with staff of various college departments, including financial aid, student activities, bookstore, continuing education, special populations, library/internet corral, employment assistance center, ROTC, learning center, distance education and counseling/assessment services.
Students will then be treated to tasty refreshments and the opportunity to win exciting door prizes and scholarships.
The final component of the College Connection will allow participants to meet with their faculty advisors and become eligible to register early for the fall semester via the college’s On Line Enrollment system, available online at http://ole.laredo.edu and by telephone at 721-5100.
To participate in the College Connection at LCC, students must complete the easy admission and assessment process.
Applications for admission to LCC are available at the Admissions/Registration Office, located in the one-stop enrollment management center in University Hall, room 125.
To take the assessment exam, call 721-5418 or visit the LCC Assessment Center at University Hall, room 130. The assessment exam is a valuable guide for new students to map out their road to a college education by determining their strengths and weaknesses in reading, English and mathematics. The assessment exam is free of charge to students.
To sign up or for more information about the College Connection, contact the LCC Counseling Center by calling 721-5135.
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