As we wrap up the month of August, it’s that time of year again when we trade the beach towel in for the backpack, and we start thinking about education again. No matter how you spend the summer—or last year—right now more than ever is a great time to think about how you can land your dream career.
But before you envision that corner office with a view, let’s answer some important questions. Literally, take out a sheet of paper and a pen and write the answers to the following:
- What skills are you going to need to succeed?
- Are there any areas of specific training that are required?
- What about education? Do you need a certificate or degree to get your foot in the door?
After you read through your answers, chances are you have a good idea of what your next steps are going to be. If you need a certificate or degree, which one? If it’s just skills you’re after, are there specific classes that can give you those skills? And finally: are there any other specialized kinds of knowledge you’ll need? For example, many employers want their employees to have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. How do you get those? You can start by taking an English or Humanities class where you will have to communicate with your instructor and fellow students in order to get a passing grade.
Now that you know what your goals are for coming back to school, here are five additional tips that will help you to start your semester in style (and not all stressed out!)
Five Tips for Success this Fall Semester
- Mask up! That’s right: masks are required at every TMCC location for Fall 2021. This is following guidance by the Nevada System of Higher Education Chancellor and the Nevada Governor based on the increasing number of COVID-19 infections in Washoe County regardless of vaccination status. Been too busy to get vaccinated? TMCC is hosting a free vaccination clinic at the Dandini Campus for the first week of the semester (August 23-26 from 10 a.m. -2 p.m.) No appointments are necessary.
- Register and pay for classes. Don’t be that person who waits too long and doesn’t follow through and therefore misses an opportunity. We know you put the classes you want in your shopping cart. Do yourself a favor and commit to taking the first step in your journey by paying for them. Need help? There are funds available thanks to the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) that can help offset the cost of your education. If you have questions, contact TMCC’s Financial Aid Office.
- Get connected. If you don’t have reliable internet access, don’t let that stop you from taking a class or pursuing a certificate or degree. Thanks to a recent partnership with Google, TMCC has several Google hotspots available to our students free of charge that can provide up to 12 months of internet connectivity. TMCC’s Information Technology department can also help you stay connected by helping you to access the wireless network on campus as well as a handful of other useful resources for keeping you connected to your classes.
- Get a lay of the land. After you’ve registered for classes and you’ve made sure you are all set to go, make a point to visit the TMCC locations where your classes will be held. This can help you to find your classrooms ahead of time to avoid the first-day stress of getting lost. You should also check out the location of other resources like the Learning Commons, Cafe Verde, the Sports and Fitness Center and the ARCCH (where you can connect with a TMCC counselor, the Career Hub and the Disability Resource Center.) Doing this the week before school starts can really help to ease the stress you’ll already feel on your first day. (An added bonus: you can also dial in your timing, knowing how long the commute to campus will take you, and how long it will take you to walk between classes.)
- Meet some friends. Once the semester starts, book some extra time in one (or all) of your days at TMCC to stop by the Student Government Association’s (SGA) Welcome Week events. You could score a free coffee, donut and/or bagel, meet our amazing SGA and even pet a puppy! Check the TMCC Events Calendar for more information.
In other words: start your semester with a plan, and follow these five easy steps that can support your success as you pursue the career you’ve always wanted.
Need more information? Contact the TMCC Welcome Center and New Student Services at 775-673-7111.