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1st Day of College Success Tips

You have applied, met with a counselor to pick your courses, and registered for your classes. Now what?

Here are some tips to start off on the path to success at Columbia College!

Is my class online or in person?

Using the connectColumbia link, which is always located in the upper right-hand corner of the website, look at your Class Schedule to determine the way you will attend class (look at the column location on the class schedule). 

Many instructors use Canvas as an enhancement to their classes, no matter what mode in which they are attended, as a way to keep grades, have students turn in assignments, or send announcements.

  • Online Classes Online-   Log onto Canvas  using your student email and password. There will be no specific time required to meet for class attendance. The instructor may offer some live sessions as optional, or even record them and students watch on their own time. The Canvas icon can always be found on the gocolumbia.edu website in the upper right-hand corner. Once logged in you will need to select the class in the middle of the screen. Once in the class, there is a Start Here module for specific instructions.  
  • Remote Learning (online but at a specific time on Zoom) –  You will receive instructions from your instructor in the Canvas class or via email about how to attend class using Zoom. You must attend Zoom (class) on the first day of class, or you may be dropped from the class. If your class meets on Mondays and Wednesdays at a specific time, then you will attend your first class on Monday at scheduled time. If your class meets Tuesdays and Thursdays then you will attend your first class on Tuesday at scheduled time. If your class is Friday only, then you don’t attend class until Friday.
  • Face to Face  – If your class has an 'in-person' attendance requirement, your schedule will list a classroom location and specific day and time to meet. You will need to follow the on-campus protocol to be on campus, which currently includes distancing and wearing a mask indoors, regardless of vaccination status.

What time does my online class meet if it says ARR?

ARR stands for Arranged.  At face value, it means there is no specific time the class meets. If there are any in-person requirements to meet, such as a specific time for an oral exam or class meeting, it will be arranged between the professor and you (and/or a group), or offered but not required. Information will be in your Canvas course, and it is recommended that you read the course syllabus for the important information, dates and deadlines.

When will my class show up in Canvas?

If you are registered in the class (confirm enrollment on your class schedule in connectColumbia), then your class will appear as a tile in your Canvas Dashboard once the professor publishes the course, anywhere from first day to five days before the semester starts. If you are on a waitlist, the course will not show up until you are officially registered into the course.

What if I need help with Canvas?

You can come to the Career Transfer Center or the Academic Achievement Center (AAC) on campus to get support with accessing and navigating Canvas. Also, we have a great Online Learning Student Resources webpage with good information and tutorials.

Online Learning Service Desk - 209.588.5385
Fall & Spring Hours -  M-F 8am-5pm (Local)
Summer Hours M-Th 7:00am-5:00pm

Where can I park on campus? Do I need a permit?

Columbia is offering free student parking this year in all of our student lots (typically permits are $30/semester or day use at $2/day). See the campus map for student parking areas to determine which lot is closest to the building to which you are going.

How do I buy books?

Bookstore  Our Manzanita Bookstore will have your booklist posted by the dates listed on their website. You can order textbooks right from their website to pick up or have them shipped. You can also use the ISBN # of the textbook to search other sites for the exact book (make sure ISBN #'s match, or you may get a wrong edition).

Our Library also has a lending program. Check out 'Textbooks on Reserve' on the Library website to see if the book/s you need are available to borrow. 

Where can I get a student ID?

The library is where you can get a Student ID card. See details on our ID site.

Can I get to campus using public transit for free?

Yes, both Tuolumne and Calaveras services are still going to the college. A valid Student ID with current sticker is required for a free ride. 

Tuolumne County Transit:   209-532-0404. Currently, students will need to use the General Public Dial-a-Ride option to reach the college. Students can pre-reserve their trip by calling in advance.

Calaveras Connect : 209-754-4450. Currently, students will need to use the On Demand Service request process for rides to Columbia, which need to be made no later than 4pm the day before you wish to ride (Friday for Monday rides). Seating is limited and masks are required to board and ride all buses.

How can I get financial aid?

If you have a 2021-22 FAFSA or the CA Dream Act, be sure to check your student email for the Columbia College Financial Aid document request or award letter emails.  If you need assistance completing requested documents, please use the Chat feature in the bottom right hand corner of the Columbia Financial Aid website.

If you would like to contact Financial Aid, email  cc_finaid@yosemite.edu  (all emails must be sent from your student email account) or leave a phone message for your Financial Aid Technician (your email and phone calls will be returned within 24 to 48 business hours):

  • Last Names A-L call Brooke at (209) 588-5105
  • Last Names M-Z call Christa at (209) 588-5272.

If you are on a Waitlist:  

If you want to enroll in a class but there are no available seats, you can get on the waitlist (waitlist instructions). If you are on a waitlist, you are not registered in the class until and if the instructor approves adding you into the course. The instructor will provide you with an access code or they can sign an 'add slip' (available at Admissions office) if they approve you to join the class. Once approved, you will need to enter the access code into the 'add course' area in connectColumbia or visit the Admissions office with the add slip to register into the course.  After registering, the class will appear in your Canvas dashboard approximately in 4-24 hours from the time you are added. For more information about waitlists and adding courses, see our  Admissions Registration webpage .

I didn’t get into my classes. How can I find more classes?

Please contact the Counseling office at 209-588-5109 to speak with a counselor. They can help figure out what courses will work toward your educational goals and fit your schedule. You can also locate your counselor and make an appointment directly through the Academic Counseling Service in your Starfish Success Network (on your Starfish home page).

How do I get in touch with DSPS or EOPS or another department on campus?

Please find all of our Student Support Services with contact information on our Student Services webpage. You can also log into Starfish and find contact info and appointment scheduling (if available) right from the Services area in your Starfish Success Network (on your Starfish home page).

Additional Tips and Guides
 

 

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