2018: Your guide to a great fall semester at ECC (You’ll want to save this.)

The beginning of fall semester at Elgin Community College will be here before you know it! Are you as excited as we are?

Here’s what you need to do before classes start on Monday, Aug. 20.:

If you haven’t done so, register for classes today.
Pay tuition in full or enroll in a payment plan by Tuesday, Aug. 7 to keep your spot in class.
If you register after Tuesday, Aug. 7, you must pay your tuition within 24 hours of registering.
Attend Campus Jam—the biggest event of the [final days of] summer—at noon on Friday, Aug. 17 for food, activities, games and fun.
Get familiar with your classroom locations so that you can be on-time your first day of classes—and get a good parking spot.
Visit Student Life to get a new student ID.
Apply for scholarships through the ECC Foundation; you may be awarded money for your hard work.

Start the semester off right and make it your best one yet:

Give yourself extra time to park and find your way across campus during the first week of classes. (Trust us on this.)
Meet new friends and explore causes that are important to you by way of a student club.
Stay organized and on top of your coursework through use of a free student planner provided by Student Life.
Try new things and meet new people at fun Welcome Weeks activities offered by Student Life during the first couple weeks of the semester.
Get to know your classmates and professors.
Visit your academic advisor to make sure your classes will count toward your degree or certificate.
Put yourself in the lead by taking advantage of student resources such as the Tutoring Center, Math Lab or The Write Place to proactively study for the grades you want throughout the semester. Don’t wait until it’s too late!
Explore your interests. Visit Career Development Services for the helpful Career Assessment Package that will help you identify your dream career.
Apply to graduate. File your intent to graduate by Monday, Oct. 1 if you plan to graduate in May 2019.
Apply for an internship through the Strategic Partnerships & Experiential Learning office. You can even earn college credit!
Eat! It’s hard to learn when you’re distracted by hunger. Here are your options for food on campus: order a hot or cold lunch at the ECC cafeteria; dine in at the Spartan Terrace Restaurant (you can also get it to go); stop by the Spartan To Go window to grab pre-made entrées, sides and desserts crafted by Culinary Arts & hospitality students; or visit the Spartan Pantry for a quick snack or groceries for the week, if you need them.
Apply to study abroad. Spend a few weeks—or an entire semester—immersing yourself in a different culture through the Center for International Education. (Expert tip: Studying abroad is far more affordable at ECC than it is at a four-year school.)
Cheer on Spartans athletics during a game or join the team.