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NEW STUDENT (FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS) AND ANSWERS |
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I hear there’s lots of homework. Will I have time to do it all? |
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I am sure of my major and the school to which I want to transfer.
What courses do I take? |
Will I be able to make it in college?
Why not? Making it in college depends mostly on you, and that’s good news, because you control most of the elements of success. Don’t think you have to be super smart to make it in college (though it’s easier that way, sure). Getting in the habit of studying, not putting things off, stubbornly sticking to learning a concept that’s hard until you’ve mastered it, attending every class, asking for help from teachers or other students before it’s too late to help—all of these things foster success in college. And all of them are controlled by you.
I hear there’s lots of homework. Will I have time to do it all?
Probably, but again, doing well on your homework depends a lot on your non-college responsibilities and how well you manage your time. Don’t be misled by the first couple of weeks. Many professors take it a bit easy on homework early in their classes. Also, if you’re just out of high school, you won’t be in class as much, and often will have time between classes. Don’t allow yourself to think of this as free time. Use it wisely. Invest it in worthwhile things, like reading ahead, getting started on assignments due weeks from now, and reviewing and rewriting class notes by filling in the details left out when you took the notes, or just checking out the amazing variety of information in the Library (the Library isn’t just books any more).
Life should have balance. If you have obligations which require you to spend a lot of time taking care of them, perhaps you should take fewer classes—spread college out some, even if it takes you three years instead of two to earn your degree. After all, you pass this way only once. The goal should be to learn as much as you can, not to get through as quickly as possible. Life is full of choices. If you’ve made choices for yourself that have resulted in burdens such as big car payments, big car insurance payments, credit card debt, a girl/boy friend who requires a lot of time, energy, money, or all three, and other such decisions that are hard to change, then make other choices that will help you succeed with college. Taking fewer classes is one choice.
I never learned how to study. Can I change?
Sure. Most of us were never taught to study. That’s such a shame. Most of us just fell into ways that sort of worked for us, so we stuck with them. Here are three specific suggestions for studying effectively.
week. You probably will be surprised. Most TV rots the mind, diminishes the soul, and fattens the body. Don’t flop down and mindlessly turn on the TV as a way just to fill up time. Use TV for programs that are worthwhile, informative, or genuinely entertaining for you. You’ll also have more time to study.
Most professors at OCC genuinely like students and genuinely like teaching, so you have a head start. If you want to have teachers like and respect you, ask yourself, "What causes teachers to like and respect their students?" Some answers: Attend class and arrive on time. Do assignments thoroughly by the deadlines. Ask questions. Seek help before or after class or during the professor’s office hours. Smile often. Be interested (or at least look interested). We’re talking person-to-person interaction here. If you want to be liked and respected by your teachers, behave in ways that will get the results you want. Here’s a secret—professors are human, too.
Depends on you. OCC is actually a friendly place, but it might not seem that way at first. Often you have to take the first step. A smile and a question go a long way. You will probably find several persons you knew from high school. You might be pleased at this or disappointed. Whichever it is, you’ll probably develop one or two really close friends, some acquaintances, and several people whom you know pretty well. That’s normal in life. If you’re sad about friends drifting away after pledging eternal friendship only a couple of months ago, well, that’s normal, too. Time changes people—you too. At OCC, there will probably be opportunities for you to renew and continue old friendships, as well as opportunities to make new friendships.
You’ll probably find that OCC has cliques and groups of people with fences around them, just like everywhere. But overall, college students tend to be more accepting of differences. Clothes, car, hairstyle, and other stuff will still matter to some, but generally those things won’t be as important as they were in high school. You have more opportunity to be yourself.
A simple question with a complex answer, too complex to answer here. But here are a couple things to think about which will help you to answer that question.
First, It’s o.k. to be unsure what will be your major will be, or not knowing what college you want to transfer to. Don’t be apologetic about being undecided. You’re normal. Eight out of ten college students change their majors once while in college, and of that group, over half change their minds at least one more time. "What are you going to do with your life?" is one of the stupid questions asked freshmen. Stand proud, and answer, "I don’t know yet, and I don’t have to make those big decisions until I’m preparing for my junior year. In the meantime, I’m going to explore a lot of things."
Second, most college programs are very similar in the first couple of years. (Note, though, there are lots of exceptions. Business Administration, Computer Science, and Architecture are three examples of exceptions.)
The choices you make should open doors, not close them. You will want to take courses which will transfer to the most programs, in the largest number of colleges, with a minimum of hassle.
OCC’s Associate of Arts (A.A.) Degree in Liberal Arts does that. Further, it comes with a guarantee good at all New Jersey four-year colleges and universities: that 45 of the 64 credits will transfer and go to meet those four-year schools’ graduation requirements. What about the remaining 19 credits? They’ll probably transfer also, but aren’t included in the guarantee. You’ll use those 19 credits to "customize" the degree to meet your desires and/or additional requirements of the four-year school. If you want to find out more information, stop at the Advising Center in the Administration Building and ask to have a copy of the Curriculum Guide for the AA in Liberal Arts. You might also make an appointment to see an advisor to talk about whether that degree is appropriate for you.
I am sure of my major and the school to which I want to transfer. What courses do I take?
To have good answers to that question, you need two pieces of information.
First, you need the Curriculum Guide for the appropriate OCC degree. That’s easy; your academic advisor (assigned about mid-term of your first year, if you’re a full-time student) or the Advising Center (located in the Administration Building) can help you with that.
Second, you need the list of courses which you would be taking if you were at the four-year college to which you plan to transfer. That information is available in the four-year college’s catalog. You will need to take the responsibility of obtaining that catalog, which can be done usually by writing, sending an e-mail, or calling that college’s admissions office. Also, in OCC’s Counseling Center (located in the Administration Building), you can probably find your four-year college’s catalog on a CD-ROM. When you have the four-year college’s catalog, you and your academic advisor can work together to match its course requirements with OCC’s courses and degrees.
When you get accustomed to the campus, you'll find that it isn't that big, and that each building (except the Fine Arts Building) has a room numbering logic of its own. The campus seems larger than it is because most buildings are built along a curve, so you can't see all buildings when you stand at one end.
GOOD ADVICE: Come to campus a couple of days early, and walk through your daily schedule. That way you won't be so nervous when classes actually begin.
The rooms in which your classes meet are listed on the computer-printed schedule you received when you registered. Following is some help interpreting the building abbreviations on your schedule. If you walk from parking lot #1 across campus, you will pass--
LIBR= Library (the only classrooms are at the basement level)
NURS = Nursing Building (one-story brick building next to Library)
INST = Instructional Building (the only three-story building on campus also known as the Academic Building)
LHAL = Lecture Hall (one-story building)
RUSS = Russell Building (only brick building with a curving, white front)
Administration Building (no classrooms, but offices for Admissions, Records, Counseling, Advising, EOF, Minority Affairs, and Financial Aid)
PLAN = Planetarium (building with white, circular tower at side)
CCTR = Student Center (no classrooms, but lots of student spaces, the Student Life Office, cafeteria, and activities offices)
Bookstore (no classrooms, but two conference rooms)
HPEC = Health, Physical Education Center (also the gym)
FINE = Fine Arts Building (The room numbering in this building is chaotic. Plan extra time to find your classroom. One rumor says there is a starving student from summer school still wandering the building trying to find the right classroom.)
Across the back road are two other important classroom buildings:
ICCT = Computer Science (It's the second building past the road. The first building is for administrative computing.)
HIER = Hiering Science Building (most science classes are in this Building.)
The College also offers courses at sixteen sites throughout the County, so if you don't find your classroom building above, check with the Admissions Office to see if you signed up for an off-campus course by mistake.
There is only one gym, which is in the Health and Physical Education Center. Gym A and B happen when a partition is across the floor, dividing the gym into two parts.
Where is the Financial Aid Office?
In the basement of the Administration Building.
Where is the Admissions and Records Office?
In the Administration Building, main floor. Don't use a basement entrance. Go up the main ramp, through the doors, down the hall to the end, and turn right.
Where is the Cashier’s Office, where I pay my tuition bill?
On the top floor of the Administration Building. Incidentally, if you are paying by check or money order, you can seal it in an envelope and drop it in a box at the security "towers" located at Parking Lots #1 and #2. Be sure you write your social security number on the check or money order.
Where is the office for counseling and academic advising?
In the Administration Building. Enter from the campus mall, go down the hall to the end, and turn left.
Do I have to take the College Placement Test (also known as the Basic Skills Test)?
Yes.
There are three exceptions. (1) Students whose SAT scores are above 500 in math and 500 in English (if above 500 in one but not the other, need take only the test for the low score). (2) Students who are transferring in college-level math and English credits from another college are exempt. (3) If a student took a placement test at another New Jersey college recently, those scores can be transferred here. If those scores have everything except an essay score (from Brookdale Community College, for example), then only the essay part of the test need be taken here.
Why do I need to take the College Placement Test?
Learning to swim by throwing someone into the deep end of the pool isn’t a good idea. The failure rates are high. You can’t swim and learn to swim at the same time.
That’s a good analogy for the developmental classes. You can’t write well and learn to write well at the same time. Similarly, you can’t do mathematical work which depends on knowing algebra if you don’t have a working knowledge of algebra. And you probably can struggle through a college-level reading assignment, but it’s really discouraging when you take three hours to read what you ought to be able to read in a half hour—and what you understand at the end isn’t what it should be. That’s why we insist that students bring their skills in writing, reading, and algebra up to college level before diving heavily into college-level courses. As TV’s Mr. Rogers would say, "We love you just the way you are, and we’re going to take you from where you are and bring you to where you need to be." Or to put it another way, we’re not going to throw non-swimmers into the deep end of the pool. And we’re not going to let them throw themselves in, either.
There aren’t many dumb college students. But there are a lot of badly-prepared college students. Maybe you goofed off in high school, had a great social life but didn’t do much studying. In some cases, maybe you were badly taught, or not taught at all. Maybe you had a tough family life that made it hard concentrate and learn. So just because you earned a low placement score, don’t think you’re dumb.
O.K., I took the test, but my scores really don’t represent my knowledge. What can I do?
You can challenge each portion of the test. Once only. You must challenge the test before classes begin. There is a $5.00 fee for each challenge test. Make an appointment with the Testing Center, 255-0400, ext. 2240, in the basement of the Library.
Please understand that when you register for classes, you must register for the classes indicated by your placement test scores (you can postpone algebra, but why would you want to?). If you are successful in challenging, dropping a basic skills class and replacing it with the appropriate class is an easy process.
First, you shouldn’t miss any classes. Except for registering, attending is the lowest level of commitment you can make to a class. But it’s important; you can’t learn if you’re not there. Research shows consistently that the most successful students rarely miss a class.
OCC’s overall policy on absences says that you can miss 10% of your classes without your grade being penalized. For a Monday, Wednesday, Friday class, that’s three classes per semester. What happens after that is up to the professor. At one extreme, the professor can drop you from the class. At the other extreme, the instructor won’t know or care that you’re not there; all that matters is the grades you earn on your exams. While some professors will help a student help make up the class work missed, others will not. For that reason, it’s a good idea to pair up with a buddy in class, so you can borrow each other’s notes in case either one of you is absent..
Your professors should make their absence policies clear during the first or second class. If that doesn’t happen, be courageous and ask what the absence policy is. You need to know.
Also, if you know in advance that you must miss a class, tell the professor, and ask for the assignment so you will be caught up when you return.
I did hardly any work in high school, and got by just fine. Why can’t I here?
Because college is different than high school.
What math course should I take?
Depends on what your skill level is at the moment, and how much math will be required in the program you are considering. The question is important, and has complex answers, so don’t just take advice from another student.
When you are deciding the first college-level math course you will take, you are actually at a fork in your academic road. One direction leads to fulfilling degree requirements with as little mathematics as possible. The other direction leads toward Calculus, and sometimes beyond. You might be surprised at some majors which, at many four-year colleges, require calculus, for instance, Business Administration and Psychology.
If in doubt, ask a math professor, or talk to Dr. William Rickert, Coordinator of Mathematics. His office is the in the Russell Building, room 113, and his phone is 255-0400, ext. 2179.
I hate math, never could get it, and am scared of it. Can anything be done?
Maybe. You may have what is known as "math anxiety." All of our math professors teach with the knowledge that it is common, and teach in ways to soften the fear of mathematics. You might also talk to Dr. Rickert who is an expert on math anxiety. His office is in the Russell Building, Room 113. His phone is 255-0400, ext. 2179.
If I have to take M 011, do I also have to take M 012?
Yes, because Algebra II skills are required in all the OCC college-level math courses which you could take after M 012. On very rare occasions, a student who excels in M 011 will be permitted (by his M 011 professor) to skip M 012.
If I’m in class every single day, will I pass the course?
Not automatically. You also need to be able to do the work of the class. Attending every day, though, will certainly give you a huge advantage in learning the necessary skills and knowledge.
Why am I doing so badly when I’m working so hard?
There isn’t any easy answer to this hard and emotional question. Sometimes you really aren’t working so hard, you’re just working harder than you did in high school. Sometimes you’re studying long and hard, but not studying smart. And sometimes you may have a learning disability.
If I have—or think I have—a learning disability, is there help for me on campus?
You bet, lots. Go to the Disability Resource Center, located on the middle floor of the Library (enter from the campus side, go up the stairs, turn left before you go through the interior doors to the Library).
If I’m physically disabled, is there help available for me?
Yes, also at the Disability Resource Center. For special parking permits, though, see the College Nurse, whose office is in the Academic Building, Room 107.
Yes, and when you do it can make a big difference.
Before mid-term (check the inside cover of the current catalog for the exact date), you may drop a class and are guaranteed a "W" for a grade. A "W" means only withdrawal, and doesn’t count against your grade-point-average (GPA). However, lots of "W’s" in a short period of time can cause you to get caught in the probation policy, so use withdrawal from class cautiously.
After mid-term, you can also drop a class, but the instructor can assign either a "W" or an "F" for a final grade. If you plan to withdraw after mid-term, check with your professor before you withdraw, so that there isn’t an unpleasant surprise.
Dropping a class need not be a defeat; actually, dropping a class can be a wise decision. If you find that there simply aren’t enough hours in the week to fulfill all your obligations, then dropping a class can be a smart thing to do. Drop the one which is taking the most time, or the one in which you are most behind. Use the time to study for your other classes.
If you’re undecided about withdrawing, talk to your professor, a college counselor, your advisor, or all three.
Drop/Add forms are available in the Admissions Office.
Yes, but the time frame is short. Usually you can’t add a class after it has met twice. Check with the Admissions Office for exceptions and procedure.
I missed the deadline for paying tuition, and I was dropped from all my classes. What do I do now?
Check with the Counseling Office or the Admissions Office (both in the Administration Building). Your classes are gone; they can’t be reinstated. Be prepared for the bad news that you will need to re-register during late registration in the gym.
How can I get into a class that is closed (filled)?
Usually professors will not allow students to enroll in a class if is is filled. But if you want to try, here is the procedure. First, secure permission from the professor. The professor will need to fill out an "overload" form and sign it. You will then need to take that form to the department Dean for his/her signature. If classes have already begun, you will also need to secure the signature from one of the administrators in the Academic Affairs Office (Administration Building, first door on the right after you enter the building from the campus mall). Then you will need to complete a drop/add form (available from the Admissions Office). The final step is to turn in the "overload" form with all signatures along with the drop/add form to the Admissions Office. There the class will be added to your schedule. If additional tuition is needed, is usually must be paid at that time.
Can I get course credit for demonstrating knowledge that I already have?
The general answer is yes, under certain circumstances. However, the complete answer is very complicated. OCC gives course credit in the following ways: (1) advanced placement, (2) CLEP – College Level Placement Exam, (3) acceptance of credits from another college, (4) credit by examination, and (5) challenge examination. As a starting point to learn more, in the 2000-2001 OCC Catalog, read page 15 for #1 and #2, and page 45 for #3, #4, and #5. Those sections will tell you who you should see for further information. (If you were a high school tech-prep student, contact Dr. Nancy Gerry, 255-0400, ext 2270.)
There are two kinds of credit given. The first is credit which says, in effect, "You already have the knowledge; therefore you don’t need to take this course." In this case, the number of credits you need to earn from your degree remains the same; you just don’t need to take the course. The second is credit which says, "You have demonstrated the knowledge, and we will grant credit for the course." In this case, you will receive actual credits for an OCC course, just as if you had taken it. If you pursue either of the above options, be sure you understand which kind of credit is being granted.
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Will my credits transfer to a four-year college or university? |
Will my credits transfer to a four-year college or university?
The general answer is yes. But the question is complicated, since whether or not credits transfer is determined by the four-year school, not by OCC.
There are two ways that OCC credits transfer. First, as equivalent credit. This means that the four-year school will treat an OCC course exactly the same as it would its own course in meeting requirements for a major and/or for graduation. This is the best way. Second, as elective credit. This means that the four-year school won’t count the OCC course as meeting major or graduation requirements, but will count the credits as elective credits, which do count toward the total number needed for graduation. Most programs have room for some elective courses. ("Elective" courses are generally courses that you take because you want to, not because the college wants you to.)
What can I do to make sure that my credits will transfer?
To begin answering this question, let’s look at the easiest student for an academic advisor to work with. That’s the student who knows both the major and the four-year school to which he/she intends to transfer. In that case, the student secures a catalog from the four-year school, and the advisor and student work from that catalog to match its courses with OCC courses.
However, those students are uncommon. Statistics show that eight out of ten college students change their majors once, and of that group, half change their minds again. That’s the normal situation, and nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, if some adult asks you the stupid question, "What are you going to do with your life," a good reply is "I don’t know yet, and I have time to make my choice."
So, for many students, their task is to make choices which open doors, not close them. For the "undecided" (normal) student, here are some choices which may be appropriate.
The sooner you choose your major and the four-year college you want to transfer to, the better you and your academic advisor can plan your OCC class schedule. But don’t be rushed. Take opportunities to explore, to learn, and to learn more. Most programs (but not all) are substantively the same for the first two years, so there is a common core of courses that most students take, no matter what program they are in. Note, though, that there are lots of exceptions to that statement.
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Go to the Security Office, which is located in the basement of the Lecture Hall (take the sidewalk between the Instructional Building and the Lecture Hall, and watch for the sign and stairs). You can obtain your ID card 24 hours a day. You'll need to show the computer-printed copy of your class schedule that you received when you registered for classes, stamped "paid." Be sure you do get an ID card, because several College services, especially in the Library, require it. There is no charge for the ID card. You must obtain a new ID card every fall semester.
Also, go the Security Office. You'll need your car's license number. 24-hour service. There is a $5.00 fee (this fee goes into a special fund which is used to improve and expand student parking).
A copy of my class schedule, which I lost?
Go to the Admissions Office in the Administration Building. You'll need identification, either your driver's license or your student ID card. There is no charge.
Your student ID serves as your Library card.
All OCC students are entitled to the use of computers in the Russell Building computer lab, on the first floor in the center of the building. There are actually three computer labs there. One is primarily for English classes, another primarily for mathematics classes. The third is an open lab, available on a first-come, first served basis. In this lab are 15 Gateway and 15 MacIntosh computers. The Gateways have Internet access and Word software for word processing. If the open lab is filled, usually the lab supervisor or student assistant can find you a computer in one of the other labs.
The labs are open Monday through Thursday 8:30 A.M. to 9:30 P.M., Friday 8:30 to 3:30, and Saturdays 8:30 to noon. On occasion you may need your student ID.
Help with writing assignments?
For help with writing assignments in any class, not just English classes, you can go to "The Writing Room," which is located in the Russell Building, Room 123. The person who will help you is Mrs. Boese (pronounced BOH-zee). Hours are posted on the door.
Go to the Counseling Office, located on the middle floor of the Administration Building. By the time you’re reading this, an administrator will have been assigned to coordinate tutoring on campus. Ask at the Counseling Office. As with any academic problem, don’t wait until it’s a crisis to ask for help. Small problems are easier to solve before they become big ones.
All full-time professors have offices, and five hours a week scheduled to be available to students. Toward the end of the first week of classes, signs should be posted by each professor’s office indicating the office hours. Check with the department secretary, if you can’t find your professor’s office. Here are where the department offices are located:
Business Studies – Academic (Instructional) Building, Room 316
Social Science – Academic Building, Room 303
Engineering – Academic Building, Room 115
Science – Hiering Science Building, Room 136
Humanities – Russell Building, Room 215
Fine Arts – Fine Arts Building, theater lobby
Physical Education – Office just off entrance lobby
Computer Science – Computer Science Building, Room 111
Nursing – Nursing Building, Room 100
Adjunct (part-time) professors generally do not have offices or office hours, but most are happy to make appointments to meet you, usually just before or just after class.
Don’t be afraid to use professors’ office hours for seeking additional help, or just to learn more, one-on-one, about the subject. Most professors are delighted to have students visit during office hours.
My professor’s name, if I forgot it?
Try the department secretary. It’s actually not an unusual question, so be just mildly embarrassed. Try to be able at least to describe the professor.
About mid-semester you’ll receive a letter from you advisor inviting you to make an appointment for advising, usually by putting your name on a sign-up sheet posted on his/her office door. By that time the class schedule for the next semester will be published. If you want a copy, you can obtain one at the Admissions Office (middle floor of the Administration Building).
The deadline for paying tuition?
At either the Admissions Office or the Business Office (both in the Administration Building. When you register for classes during the few days before a semester starts, the tuition will be due on the spot. At other times, the deadline for paying tuition will be later, sometimes a few days later, sometimes several weeks later. Check with the Admissions office or the Cashiers Office if you are in doubt.
Information on the tuition payment installment plan?
At the Cashiers Office (top floor of the Administration Building).
Information on student activities, clubs, and organizations?
At the Student Life Office (in the Student Center, just outside the cafeteria). You’ll be amazed at the number of opportunities. You can also start a brand new organization, if you wish.
Answers to health-related questions, or assistance if I’m sick?
In the College Nurse’s office, Room 107 of the Academic Building. A nurse is on duty whenever classes are in session. During the day usually the nurse on duty is Carol Crawford; the evening nurse is Kay Collis. Outside the office are dozens of free brochures about common health concerns of college students.
Contact the Athletic Director, Mr. John Stauff. His office is in the Health and Fitness Center. See the department secretary. His phone number is 255-0400, ext. 2118.
Help if I locked my keys in my car, or my battery is dead?
Go to the Security Office in the basement of the Lecture Hall or to the security towers in Parking Lots 1 and 2. Or phone. In every building, and on the towers, there is at least one phone that automatically connects to Security whenever lifted off its base.
A note or assignment to a professor?
Most full-time professors’ "mailboxes" are in their department offices. Most adjunct (part-time) professors’ "mailboxes" are in the Academic Building, Room 120. They are arranged alphabetically, by department. Unfortunately, lots of adjunct professors’ mailboxes are located elsewhere. If you can’t locate a professor’s mailbox, check with the department secretary.
Help or information in the when evening classes are in session, and most College offices are closed?
There is an evening secretary (Sandy Caffera) and an evening administrator (Emmett Bivins). Go to the Academic Building, Room 115.
A letter sent to an insurance company verifying that I’m a full-time student?
Go to the Admissions Office (middle floor of the Administration Building). You will need your computer-generated schedule (given to you when you registered) or your student ID.
At the Admissions Office (middle floor of the Administration Building). No longer is there a charge for transcripts. You may also obtain an unofficial transcript( also known as a "student copy," which is an unsealed copy which doesn’t have the official stamp on it). Official transcripts (which have the College’s seal affixed) ordinarily may be mailed only to another college or organization. There is a short form to fill out, available in the Admissions Office.
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Written By Dr. John Weber
Humanities Department