Campus Life 101

Whether you're an athlete, an artist, a musician, an actor, a poet, a photographer, a hiker, a sports writer, a breaker, a gamer, or a fashionista, there's a place for your interests, talents, and dreams at NCC.

Whether you like to ski, play soccer, go to museums, stage concerts, make videos, read manga, sing karaoke, mess around with computers, or figure out ways to save the world, you can do it all (and more) here.

100+ clubs, twenty sports teams, a cool art gallery, a great theater program, a 24/7 radio station, parties, concerts, speakers, trips--campus life rocks at NCC.  And you owe it to yourself to be part of it.

Here's how to get started.

1.  Get to know the Student Activities Office (College Center, Rm. 150).  The Student Activities Office is the center of campus life at NCC and the place to go to begin making contacts.  Drop by and pick up a copy of its Directory of Student Clubs and Organizations, a neat publication with descriptions of all active clubs on campus.  If you're interested in a specific club, ask someone in the office when and where it meets and take yourself to a meeting (no invitation required!). Or leave a note in a club mailbox--every club has one in the Activities Office--requesting a call or text about upcoming meetings. And if you have a special interest, ask how you can start your own club.

2.  Get into the Game.  If watching and/or playing sports is your thing, the Phys Ed Complex--aka the Gym--is the place to be.  You can pick up team schedules (no charge for admission to games) and find out about NCC's ever popular Intramurals program, which gives you a chance to play everything from flag football and co-ed volleyball to dodgeball and three-on-three b-ball. You don't have to be a super athlete to take part in Intramural activities--just somebody who likes competing and who doesn't mind working up a sweat. And speaking of sweat, you can lift, swim, work out, shoot hoops, and keep in shape during the Gym's open rec period, times when facilities are open to all students.

3.  Get on "Stage."  Want to be in the NCC choir or a campus theatre production? Head on over to the Music Department (Building H) or the Theatre Department (nearby) and ask about audition dates.  Want to have your own radio show?  Drop by the radio station (Building H) and see what's available. Interested in writing for the campus newspaper? Visit the Vignette office (College Center, Rm. 347) and introduce yourself. NCC is always on the lookout for students willing to display their talents, be it in the literary magazine, the campus art gallery, the annual student fashion show, or someplace else. No shortage of opportunities for those wanting to make their presence known. . .

4.  Get to the Activities Fair. If you want to get a quick "feel" for campus life, stop by the Activities Fair on Tuesday, Sept. 29 at club hour (11:30 a.m.) in front of the College Center. The Activities Fair is a kind of club flea market--tables everywhere you look, each staffed by a different student group. You can browse, chat with club reps, ask questions, and make connections with a group (or two--or more) that seems interesting. Going to the Activities Fair--or even signing up to be contacted about meetings--doesn't obligate you to join something. But it's a good way to get started. There are also good snacks at the Activities Fair, along with some cool giveaways!

Notice how all of these suggestions involve doing something: visiting an office, checking out possibilities, showing up at the Activities Fair, etc. etc.?  The key to getting involved in college is taking those first steps: making that phone call, knocking on someone's door, walking into that club meeting and introducing yourself.  If you're not used to doing these things, there's no better time than now to learn. Just about everybody you meet will be glad to meet you.

Hope you have a blast at NCC!
   

Ready for Nassau?

Hope so--cause in a few weeks, it'll be here, with all of the excitement, energy, and (yeah) chaos that the first few weeks of the semester invariably bring!

Nervous?  Don't be. The experience will be memorable--not perfect probably, but definitely more positive than negative.  

Just In case you're wondering, you don’t have to be a genius to succeed in college, but you do have to take school seriously and make smart decisions. Here's some advice on putting your best foot forward at NCC.

1. Go to New Student Orientation.

If you want to make a good start at Nassau, attending Orientation is a must! You'll learn about the College, tour the campus, meet other students, and go home with some good ideas on succeeding in school and enjoying yourself at the same time.  When your invite to Orientation arrives, show up!

2. Get a campus map.

On a fairly large campus, it helps to have a good map to find your way around. If you don’t want to wait until Orientation to get a campus map, you can pick one up in the Information Center (Tower), the Public Safety Office, or the Office of Student Activities (College Center). There’s also a map on the NCC homepage-- http://www.ncc.edu/nassauVT/default.html

3. Be smart about parking.

Leave at least 45 minutes to park and get to class. Also, pay attention to signs in campus parking fields. While most spaces are available for student use, some parking is restricted. If you're traveling to Nassau by NICE bus, pick up a schedule from Public Safety, the Office of Student Activities (College Center), and the Information Center (Tower) and become familiar with campus bus stops. You can also check the NICE schedule  -  http://www.nicebus.com/Maps-Schedules/Bus-Maps-and-Schedules.aspx

4. Use your Daily Planner.

The Daily Planner, distributed at Orientation, is an essential publication. It contains a college calendar (which you can use to keep track of assignments, exams, due dates, and other college business) as well as important campus telephone numbers. Use your planner to stay on top of things.

5. Get your textbooks early.

At the first or second meeting of each class, you will receive a document called a syllabus. The syllabus will list, among other things, the textbooks you will need for that course. Since many professors make assignments from books early on, it makes sense to buy your texts as soon as you know their titles. All can be found in the campus bookstore.

6. Get off to a fast start in your classes.

The first few weeks of the semester are too valuable to let slip by. Use this time to get a jump on assigned readings as well as papers and projects. Quizzes and tests will be upon you before long; there’s no time to waste.

7. Get to know your professors.

Though college faculty have busy lives, most welcome the opportunity to get to know students in their classes. They are especially interested in students’ responses to material being studied in class. Don’t hesitate to speak with your professors, either after class or during their office hours. Developing positive relationships with professors is an important part of your college experience.

8. Use campus services.

Nassau offers a range of academic and support services, everything from help with writing and math skills to career counseling and financial aid assistance. You may not have to know about every service right away, but you should learn about those you think you will need. 

9. Take part in campus life.

By joining clubs, attending events, and being a part of campus life, you'll meet other students and have a fuller and more enjoyable college experience. A good way to get involved in campus life is to attend the fall 2015 Activities Fair, scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 29 at club hour (11:30 a.m.) in front of the College Center Building.  Don’t miss out on this important part of college. You can get a good education here and still have a good time!

10. Stay connected to NCC.                                                                                

Read the NCC homepage, check your College email, and keep up with NCC news through Facebook(www.Facebook.com); Twitter (http://www.Twitter.com/fye_nassaucc); and this blog (www.whatsupncc.blogspot.com).  Also, keep up on campus events by text (text Nassau to 313131). And if you have questions, don't be shy about asking! People at Nassau—classroom teachers, counselors, librarians, and others—are more than willing to answer questions, offer advice, or help in other ways.  Got questions?  Ask.  Remember: It’s your education.