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Student Orientation |
Student orientation is part of SFSC’s Guide to Personal Success (GPS), a collegewide initiative designed to help you transition to the college experience at SFSC.
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 SFSC 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 SFSC.
How to Complete GPS Student Orientation
The first step is to submit your SFSC application and pay your application fee. Once your application has been processed (2-5 business days), SFSC will send you an email that contains your login credentials (user name and password) to the College’s student portal, Panther Central 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 SFSC.
Once you receive this notice, login to Panther Central and complete Waypoint 1 as soon as possible. This instruction document 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 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.
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 SFSC Career Development Center. The center is located in Building B, Room 111, at the Highlands Campus.
