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    Student Orientation

    Student orientation is part of ³ÉÈ˶¶Òõ’s Guide to Personal Success (GPS), a collegewide initiative designed to help you transition to the college experience at ³ÉÈ˶¶Òõ.

    GPS helps you make the most of your college experience by:

    • Equipping you with the skills and resources needed to become proficient in the use of the College and its services
    • Engaging you in the learning process to become self-reliant, self-confident, and responsible
    • Integrating you into the academic, social, and community activities

    There are two components to GPS:

    Student Orientation – an overview of College policies, services, programs, and resources. You must complete orientation before you may register for classes. The orientation is presented in a fully online, interactive format. Make sure you finish the orientation in its entirety, including all of the quizzes in the modules. Allow approximately 60 minutes to finish the self-paced orientation, which can be completed from a desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet, or cellphone with internet access. If you do not have personal computer access, you can complete the orientation in the ³ÉÈ˶¶Òõ Career Development Center (Highlands Campus, Building B, Room 111). Appointments are not necessary.

    First Year Experience Seminar (SLS 1106) – a 1-credit-hour college course to address skills for student success. Offered in a variety of models, including fully online, SLS 1106 is required for new, transfer, or returning degree-seeking students with fewer than 15 earned college credit hours. SLS 1106 is typically completed during your first term of study at ³ÉÈ˶¶Òõ.

    How to Complete GPS Student Orientation

    The first step is to submit your ³ÉÈ˶¶Òõ application and pay your application fee. Once your application has been processed (2-5 business days), ³ÉÈ˶¶Òõ will send you an email that contains your login credentials (user name and password) to the College’s student portal, and instructions for accessing the first part of GPS orientation: Waypoint 1. This email will be sent to the personal email address you provided when you created your self-service account to apply for admission to ³ÉÈ˶¶Òõ.

    Once you receive this notice, login to Panther Central and complete Waypoint 1 as soon as possible. This explains how to access the link to Waypoint 1, which can be found on the Student homepage in Panther Central.

    Who Completes GPS Student Orientation?

    • Dual Enrollment (DE) students, including the Highlands Career Institute
    • New students in certificate, vocational, and associate degree programs
    • Transfer students
    • Transient students
    • Returning students who have not completed classes at ³ÉÈ˶¶Òõ within the past 12 months
    • Academy students (Basic Law Enforcement, Corrections, Fire Science, and EMT/Paramedic)

    Who is Not Required to Complete GPS Student Orientation?

    • Students immediately entering a bachelor’s degree program
    • Corporate and community education program participants
    • Adult Education/GED students

    If you are uncertain whether GPS is required for you, contact the GPS Specialist at 863-784-7412.

    If you have challenges logging into your Panther Central portal, call Student Services at 863-784-7405.

    If you experience difficulty completing the GPS online orientation, contact the GPS Specialist at 863-784-7412 or email the ³ÉÈ˶¶Òõ Career Development Center. The center is located in Building B, Room 111, at the Highlands Campus.

    Welcome to ³ÉÈ˶¶Òõ!