An LSC Handbook for Dummies

<strong>Introduction</strong>
The gymnasium is loud with the cheers of fans as the principal hands you that high school diploma and shakes your hand firmly.  All the while, the thought keeps flashing through your head, “I don’t even know how I survived high school, how am I suppose to survive college?��?  Well do not fret any longer; your manual is here.  In this manual, you will find three different issues that are essential to surviving that first year of college.  The issues that are discussed include going to class, where to find extra help, and how to successfully drop a class.
<strong>Going to class</strong>
I know what you are thinking, “Professors don’t even take attendance.  That’s the whole reason I’m going to college!��? I want to stop you there.  In fact, I happen to know that idea is like a terrible quicksand.  Too terrible in fact, it will have you totally sunk and gasping for air in a matter of a couple of weeks.  In the LSC’s policy, you will find a certain rule about this very issue.  For onground classes, students will be given a FN for a grade if they do not attend classes and ignore turning in assignments for 14 consecutives calendar days.  An assigned FN prohibits a student from withdrawing from a course (Non-attendance).  If that is not enough for you to consider how important class is, let us now turn our attention over to a personal story I went through.  I thought I was ready for college.  After all, I got straight A’s in high school.  On my first day of class, the professor went through the syllabus with his students and mentioned that he does not keep track of attendance.  Soon, I stopped attending lectures.  I thought that if I had all the lecture handouts and read the book that I would be just fine.  However, I was wrong, and I wasn’t fine.  I got a D as a final grade in that class.  If I could redo that first year, I would have been there.  Going to class is an essential part of succeeding in college because without attendance, you will get lost in all the information that you are expected to be learning.
<strong>Finding extra help</strong>
Perhaps you are that person who goes to class regularly and is still falling short of that good grade you deserve.  For those people the answer is to find extra help.  Extra help comes in two forms:<ul> <li> Communicating with the professor of the course.  This is done through emailing, which instructors at LSC have, and visiting the professor during his or her office hours.  Their office hours should be listed in the course syllabus.  If not, ask.  If you have a problem or concern, you need not be shy.  The professor knows exactly what he or she is expecting of you.  Due to this fact, it is safe to conclude that if you are searching for answers to problems you are facing in class, the professor is the one to seek. </li></ul> <ul> <li>Visiting the learning center.  LSC has a magnificent learning center where professional tutors are available.  All tutoring provided by this area is free to LSC students. It covers a variety of subjects including writing, science and math and more.  The learning center is open Monday thru Thursday from 7:00a.m. to 6:00p.m. on Friday 7:00a.m. to 4:00p.m. and also on Saturday from 10:00a.m. to 2:00p.m.(Learning).  This gives you plenty of opportunities to come and get the help you need. </li></ul><strong>Dropping a class</strong>
Sometimes the decision that is in your best interest is to drop a class.  However, some students fail to realize that there is a proper way to go about dropping a class.  My cousin received an FN for a class that she was sure she dropped.  She didn’t attend lecture and stopped turning in assignments, and she thought that would be enough evidence to say she dropped it.  Now she has to pay for the class that she doesn’t even get credit for.  Knowing how to successfully drop a class is another essential skill to succeeding in that first year of college.  The definition of drop a class is to remove a course and related charges from student schedule.  To accomplish this here is what you do:<ul> <li> Decide what exactly you want.  If you know you want to drop a class, you must first find out if you are able.  Students can only drop a class through the 5^th day of the term.  If you passed that date, you must withdraw instead.  This shows up as a W on your transcript (Add/drop).</li></ul> <ul> <li>If you do want to drop the class and are in the time limit to do so, then you must find your way to the admission department at LSC. </li></ul> <ul> <li>Tell them your name and that you wish to drop a class.</li></ul> <ul> <li>After you get the “thumbs up��? from them, you can give yourself a pat on the back because you have just successfully dropped a class.</li></ul><strong>Conclusion</strong>
Maybe you knew that student who was afraid of life after high school.  Maybe you were that student that was shaking the principal’s hand wondering how to survive college when you barely survived high school.  Now, you can rest assured that you are going to be fine.  Going to class, getting extra help, and knowing how to successfully drop a class are some essential survival tips for college life.  Breathe, and start college three steps ahead of schedule!
<strong>Works Cited</strong>
<em>Add/Drop and Withdrawal</em>. Lake Superior College, Apr. 2008. Web. 23 Mar 2010.
<em>Learning Center</em>. Lake Superior College, n.d. Web. 23 Mar 2010.
<em>Non-attendance</em>. Lake Superior College, May 2007. Web. 23 Mar 2010.