TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Monday marks the first day of classes for students at Tallahassee Community College.
While some students were able to visit TCC over the summer, others were unable to do that and had to go through an online orientation.
"We try and knock down some of those barriers to help them find that comfortability of, 'This can be a place where I can find success,'" said Mark Slik, the TCC New Student Orientation and Advising Coordinator. "So even the online course is helping them build relationships and find support here at TCC."
Registering for classes and connecting with advisers can be difficult for students living more than six hours away from the Capital City.
TCC's online orientation consists of lessons which highlight different aspects of life on campus, from campus groups to the career center to financial aid. Faculty members also call students to answer their questions.
"I think it’s all about helping that student find the relationships that they’re looking for and getting them comfortable," said Slik.
TCC says over 4,000 students participated in their orientation process this summer. Some students say online orientation was helpful and prepared them for the college experience.
"I know college is going to be stressful. I need to know the time of when I want to wake up, what I need to eat," said Ridge Abinsay, an incoming freshman at TCC. "It helped me a lot. It help me get classes together with sports management and recreation."
At the end of the semester, TCC will evaluate the orientation services to find areas to improve. But the administration hopes these students are getting the school year started on the right foot.
