The Fall semester at Mesa College has officially begun, with that comes many dissatisfied students who may find themselves one or more classes shy of what they need to fulfill their transfer requirements. Students have expressed, “how am I supposed to get out when all these incoming freshman have earlier registration dates than I do?”

Well, where there is a will, there is a way! This last semester the State of California set a rule that students must have an educational plan set up with their counselor in order to receive priority. What does this mean? The counseling office here at Mesa offers either an “abbreviated plan” which is creating an educational plan on a walk-in basis regarding the current semester, the other option, which is highly recommend, is the “comprehensive plan” where students create an appointment with a counselor to go over an educational plan for their overall academic goal These plans will consist of an academic map of what classes a student would need to fulfill their goals. Whether it is for the year, for their transfer objectives, or how to receive their Associates degree, the counselors will help students with whatever it is they plan to accomplish. With an educational plan and completed assessment tests students will have a clear idea of what it is they need to do and in turn they will receive earlier registration dates, which means first pick for classes. This however does not guarantee spots, but it gives students a fighting chance.

The State of California has set this in motion in hopes of helping those that are serious about school get further ahead much faster. The moral of the story is to be proactive and reactive. The student center is a great place to get all the information you need for whatever educational path that fits you. Utilize your resources and ask as many questions necessary, you will never get answers if you don’t ask!