- Why SFSC?
- Start Here
- Send Me Info
- Panther PATHways
- Advanced Practice Nurse Pathway
- Administrative Professional Pathway
- Art Educator Pathway
- Biologist Pathway
- Business Pathway
- Chemist Pathway
- Cosmetology
- Dental Assistant Pathway
- Dental Hygienist Pathway
- Education Pathway
- EMT Pathway
- Engineer Pathway
- English Pathway
- Firefighter Pathway
- Graphic Arts Pathway
- Health Services Pathway
- History Pathway
- Law Enforcement Pathway
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Pathway
- Math Teacher Pathway
- Mathematician Pathway
- Paramedic Pathway
- Political Scientist Pathway
- Physicist or Astronomer Pathway
- Pre-Professional Pathway
- Radiologic Technologist Pathway
- Registered Nurse Pathway
- Sociology Pathway
- Speech Pathway
- Surgical Services Pathway
- Degrees & Programs
- Apply
- Admissions
- Orientation
- Textbook Affordability
- Rapid Credentialing
- Veterans
- Dual Enrollment
- Honors Program
- General Educational Development Program (GED)
- English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
- Athletics
- Financial Aid and Scholarships
- Advising & Counseling Center
- Testing Center
- Student Housing
 |
Student Orientation |
Student orientation is part of SFSC’s Guide to Personal Success (GPS), a collegewide quality initiative designed to help you successfully transition to the college experience at SFSC.
GPS is designed to help 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 that will enhance your college experience
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 SFSC Career Development Center (Highlands Campus, Building B, Room 111). No advanced appointment is 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 SFSC.
The first step is to submit your SFSC application and pay your application fee. Once your application has been processed (2-5 business days) you will receive an email from SFSC that provides your login credentials (user name and password) to the College’s student portal called Panther Central, along with information for accessing the first part of GPS orientation- Waypoint 1. (This notice will be sent to the personal email address you used when you created your self-service account to apply to the College for admission.) Please log into Panther Central and complete Waypoint 1 as soon as possible after receiving your notice. The instruction document explains how to access the link for Waypoint 1, which is 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 SFSC 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.
Your first step in completing the GPS Orientation is to submit your SFSC application and pay your application fee (if required). Once your application has been processed (usually in 5-10 business days), you will receive an email from SFSC that provides your login credentials (user name and password) to the College’s student portal called Panther Central, along with your SFSC student ID number (GID) and information for accessing the orientation. This notice will be sent to the personal email address you used when you created your self-service account to apply to the College for admission. Please log in to Panther Central and complete the GPS Orientation as soon as possible after receiving your notice. The link is on the student homepage in Panther Central titled GPS Student Orientation.
If you have challenges logging into your Panther Central portal, please call the SFSC Welcome Center (Student Services) at 863-784-7405 for assistance.
If you experience difficulty completing the GPS online orientation, contact the GPS Specialist at 863-784-7412 or email sfsccareercenter@southflorida.edu. The Career Development Center is at the Highlands Campus, Building B, Room 111.
