With less than a week before the semester begins, the campus hosted their Welcome Day on Tuesday for first-time college students attending Cosumnes River College in the spring.

Welcome Day is an event that invites students on campus to familiarize themselves with all of the student support services offered and feel prepared before the semester starts. 

“Welcome Day is a nice introduction to being on campus and getting them used to what it’s like to move from classroom to classroom,” said Ea Edwards, counselor at CRC. “You get the benefit of hearing this information all at one time before the semester begins. You go into this semester with the tools that you need to be more successful.”

Students were introduced to professors, peer mentors and counselors that are able to help them with their college journey. 

“We want to build a safer space to make them feel comfortable to ask a question,” said Student Support Specialist Choua Vue. “That’s the idea of Welcome Day. Let’s connect with each other and let me help you navigate how college works, let’s try to take care of that before the semester begins on Saturday.”

Students were able to choose what sessions they wanted to attend during the event. Sessions consisted of information about different programs offered at CRC. 

During the welcome session, faculty set up a question and answer student panel. Students in the audience got to hear previously enrolled students share their college experience and got advice on how to survive their first week of college. 

“Make sure you do things early and come early to your classes on the first day,” said Bryan Mai, a peer mentor speaking on the panel. “Especially if you are on the waitlist, make sure you get there early in case you get a permission number.”

Faculty shared all the programs available to students, the meaning of office hours, student support services and several other  helpful tips. 

“I’m definitely looking forward to using the CRC library and the professors office hours availability to help me with understanding my classes,” said 18-year-old graphic design major Lucas Smith. “I don’t want to let myself fall behind when I can easily get help.”

During the question and answer session, Mai suggested students take advantage of professors office hours and all the free resources offered to them. 

New students in the audience asked a variety of questions anonymously via Slido, an online Q&A platform.

“It’s so important to build your network of support,” said Vue. “If they recognize someone from welcome day in one of their classes or around campus, hopefully it makes them feel more comfortable. The student panel and workshops are built to help the students.”