“Where can I find mental health or counseling resources on campus?”

A variety of free and confidential mental health services can be obtained. Click here for a downloadable PDF listing with helpful phone numbers, and here’s a link to Shasta’s “Mental and Physical Health” Webpage detailing numerous services.

“What resources are available to me if I’m struggling?”

There are many free resources available to Shasta College students. There are people and programs to help with stress, depression and other mental health challenges. There are tutors and librarians to help you with your studies and research. And there are still more caring experts to help with housing, financial aid, and other needs. You can find them all in one place at “The Hub,” click here.

Yes, there is on campus and online tutoring available. Click here for the “Basic Needs” website page and a great deal of helpful information.

How can I get involved with clubs on campus?

Clubs are a great way of getting involved on campus, and the “formal” ones are run out of student affairs. Check out this link, click here. You also can check with your teachers to see if there are informal groups that gather on certain days.

“Is there tutoring on campus?”

Yes. There is both on-campus and online tutoring. Here’s a link to the Tutoring Page Guidelines, and here’s a link to the online, “Net Tutor” tool which lives in Canvas but also can be accessed through an external link that is shown on the prior link.

Also, the Learning Center on campus, accessible with this link, has a number of tools for learning about subjects, using the library, or getting feedback on your writing and writing assignments.

And the college has even more resources that can be found on their “Academic Resources Webpage,” click here.

“What’s the process for adding classes?”

Adding classes requires you to be an admitted student. If you’re not yet admitted–matriculated is the school’s term–you can start by clicking here.

If you are admitted, then there are “windows” of time during which you can add yourself to classes using online tools, click here for that resource. Keep in mind that your time window may be different from your friends’ or other classmates’. This is because the school looks at things like how many units you have completed and other factors, which may give you a “priority slot.” These slots are often linked to your participation in various assistance programs. Ask a counselor to learn more, and check out these helpful programs. Remember that some classes fill up quickly, and you should ask a counselor if you are not sure when you can enroll.

Also, some classes require you to have completed prior classes or tests to see if you are able to handle the material. If you try to sign up for a class with prerequisites, you may find that you cannot complete that process without talking taking the required class. You should talk to a counselor, who can help you plan the quickest and most efficient path to achieve the goal you want, whether it is a certificate, degree, or transfer package of classes.

What’s the process for dropping classes?

Dropping classes can be done by you, online, or by visiting the admissions office. Note that there are, each semester, different time-benchmarks that will play a role in how dropping a class may affect you. Here’s a Google Page with information on how do drop a class at Shasta College. Read on for some considerations before you make this decision.

The first drop-date, which comes very early in the term, determines whether you get your money back. The second, which comes a bit later, controls whether there will be any record of you taking the class on your transcript, the third, and very last stop without getting a grade, is when you will be issued a “W.” Beyond that, you will be assigned the grade you have earned. If you have just quit–especially if you’ve not reached out for help–will likely mean you get a failing grade in the class.

Keep in mind that different classes have different drop dates. Many classes run a full 16- or 17-weeks from start to finish. Others are “accelerated,” and may run only six- or eight-weeks. These shorter classes will have different drop dates. Yet another thing to know is that some classes start later in the term, and the dates noted above will be different for those.

Often, your class syllabus will tell you these dates, or the instructor will announce them. But you also can … wait for it… talk to a counselor to learn this.

And be aware, too, that falling below a certain number of units may well affect your financial aid. You may take a “hit” by falling below a certain unit-load or complicate your future financial aide. Talk to a counselor before making any big decisions. They are the experts, and they are there to help.

Some good advice is do decide early on what you can handle in terms of class load/number of classes, and not overdo it. Some programs, such as CSU Chico’s nursing program, look at your grades in key science classes. It’s best to do well, even if it means taking a lighter load and a bit longer to complete, or otherwise considering the “mix” of difficult and less-difficult classes each term.

I’ve heard about programs that might help me, but I don’t know what they are or how to find them.

Here are links for a number of programs at Shasta College. Click on the blue text-link to learn more!

• CalWORKs – CalWORKs provides educational and supplemental financial support for students who are parents and receiving CalWORKs cash aid benefits.
• EOPS – EOPS provides educational and supplemental financial support for students challenged by economic, educational, and language, disadvantages.
• CARE – CARE provides educational and supplemental financial support for EOPS students who are single parents and who have at least one child who is receiving cash aid.
• MESA - MESA is a program designed to enhance the educational experience of students pursuing degrees in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).
• PACE – Partners in Access to College Education (PACE) provides educational support for students with disabilities to help them achieve their educational goals.
• SCI*FI – Shasta College Inspiring and Fostering Independence (SCI*FI) provides educational and supplemental financial support for college students who are current or former foster youth.
• STEP-UP – STEP-UP provides academic, logistical, and supplemental financial support for students who have been formerly incarcerated and/or have suffered from alcohol or drug addiction.
• TRIO – TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) provides academic support and resources for eligible transfer students.
• Umoja – Umoja is a community dedicated to enhancing the cultural and educational experiences of African American and other students. Open to all students but specifically designed to increase the retention and success rates, graduation, and transfer rates of African American students.
• Veterans Services – Veterans services is a student support program specifically for the student veteran population which includes students who have served in the United States Armed Services and their dependents. 

“How much time should I dedicate to studying outside of class?”

This varies from class-to-class, but it is a wise question to ask! The “formula” for transfer classes is based on an old unit-of-work concept from the Carnegie Foundation, and it goes like this. For every hour unit of transfer credit, there’s an hour of in-class “seat” time and three hours of homework outside of class. So, a three-unit class would have three hours plus nine hours of homework. This means that a full-time student would have about 12 hours of class time and 36 hours of homework time, about 48 hours in all, not counting travel.

Yikes. But that’s the expectation.

Now, add to this the fact that some classes don’t run on the 16- or 17-week format, but have been accelerated to eight weeks. This doubles everything, and is why it’s wise to be very, very careful how many accelerated classes you take at once. It’s great to get a class done and behind you, but easy to get behind in the go-go pacing. A three unit class would take six hours of interaction with the teacher and classmates, and 18 hours on top of that for homework and such.

Now this is the classic formula, and to tell the truth, there’s a lot of discussion of how this could be or should be changed up to allow students to get credit for things they already know or work faster to get through the curriculum. And different teachers may have more or less intense approaches to their content. What I mean is that some teachers may lay on additional work, and others take a more laid-back approach. I’m sure you’ve seen this. And there are, of course, five-unit courses in many areas that take an even bigger time commitment. As the saying goes…. YMMV, your mileage may vary. 🙂

Question not answered?

Click here to check out Shasta College’s FAQ page for even more information.