Students advised to prepare as spring registration nears

By Zanab Jaffrey/reporter

Registration for spring 2012 is around the corner, and TCC faculty and advisors have some tips to make registering less stressful.“Always see an advisor to get a game plan in order to succeed in college, in your career field or to discover what you’d be best at,” NE Campus academic advisor Lilian Mabry said.Planning ahead will enable students to register for classes offered only once during the school year and make the right choices in selecting prerequisites for their degree plans.

Students also need to be prepared to register immediately for distance learning Internet courses as they tend to fill quickly.

Mabry suggests new students always see an advisor before registering and take full advantage of the New Student Group Advisement TCC offers to help students get oriented. 

Returning students are encouraged to go by the counseling/advising center to make sure they are on track and meeting requirements for their degree.

TCC freshman Oscar Alvarez said the group advisement was helpful to him.

“I would have had no idea how to register had it not been for that orientation,” he said.

Using the tools available to students will ensure their success through the semester, said David Ximenez, associate vice chancellor of enrollment services.

Taking advantage of learning labs, study groups and tutors will benefit the student in both the short and long run.

“Students need to make sure they are familiar with WebAdvisor and CampusCruiser, TCC’s two main means of communicating with students,” Ximenez said.

Recent changes to WebAdvisor include being dropped from classes if payment is not received by the end of the day they register.

Students are also reminded that even though the financial aid deadline of Oct. 2 has passed, they can still submit an application.

Ximenez said students should get their Free Application for Federal Student Aid turned in as soon as possible and get to the financial aid office if they are turning it in after the deadline.

Academic advisors, counselors and the financial aid office all have their doors open for new and returning students for all their registration inquiries.

Registration opens Nov. 15 for the winter-mester and the full spring term.