With the end of the fall 2013 semester getting closer and closer, it is now time to start planning for the next semester.

The first step that needs to be taken is scheduling an appointment with a counselor to see if you are on schedule to graduate or transfer.

Councelors are here to help you, so use the resources that are available!

Everyone waits until the last minute to see a counselor, so schedule an appointment as soon as possible because it becomes nearly impossible to see one toward the end of the semester.

Community college used to be a two year process, but due to more people going back to school, it has become more of a three year journey.

Therefore, establishing an education plan with your counselor is crucial to getting out of Cerritos College as fast as possible.

Taking classes that go toward your general education and your major should be a priority over the classes that you want to take because they sound fun.

The next step is to know what options are available to you.

There are plenty of programs that are available to you to help with the transfer or graduation process.

“Degree with a Guarantee” is one of those programs that map out what classes that you would need to take to get to the university level.

It also gives you a bump in your grade point average that will give you a better chance of getting into the school of your choice.

Another program is available to first year students is the “First Year Experience.”

This program puts students in groups and has you take certain classes together.

This allows you to be able to have people that you see on a regualr basis and can help you form study groups.

Plus, first year students usuallly don’t know what college is going to be like, so this helps the transition from high school to college feel more natural.

After that, you must put together a schedule before your registration date that can realistically fit your schedule.

You don’t want to barely start picking your classes as soon as your registration time starts.

Also, make a couple schedules just in case you are not able to get into some of the classes that you have on your schedule.

Once you have a schedule, make sure that it compliments what you already have on your plate so you don’t end up overcompensating for time that you don’t have.

If you have prior engagements, such as work or volunteering, your school schedule needs to be flexible enough for what you have to do.

You don’t want to take all of these units and not have time to study or do your homework because you work so many hours a week.

Then again, you don’t want to under fill your schedule because it will only make you go to school for a longer period that you really have to.

The final step is to see what books you need for the classes you register for weeks before the classes even start.

This gives you time to find cheaper prices for these expensive books that you need and you can have them when your classes start.

Having the book before the class start allows you to become familiar with what you will be going over the entire semester.

You don’t want to be two weeks into the start of the semester still waiting for the book that was ordered on the first day of class.

Following all of these steps will help get your next semester started smoothly, and you will be prepared for all of the classes that you need to take.