1. Your Steps to Successful Online Learning at Georgia Perimeter College
Presented by:
Advising, Counseling & Retention Services (ACRS) - Online
Sharriette Finley, Coordinator for Student Success - GPC Advising, Counseling & Retention Services, May 2014

2. A Message From GPC Online Dean of Academic Services
Please visit our website to learn more about our 18 fully online degree programs at Please stay connected to our community and let us know how we can help you make a difference.
Sincerely,
Ingrid N. Thompson-Sellers, Ph.D.
Dear student. Thank you for entrusting us with being a part of your educational goals. At GPC Online you will meet some very talented faculty, a supportive staff and some very interesting classmates that make for a very enhanced learning experience. You are taking the first steps in the right direction – a better way forward.
Georgia Perimeter College Online Academics and Administration - Online, June 2014

3. Welcome to Georgia Perimeter College
You are entering the college as the 50th Freshman class.
It is our pleasure to provide you with guidance and information that will be helpful to you—the successful college and future graduate of Georgia Perimeter College. This presentation will provide you with an overview of:
Student Resources
Strategies for Course Planning
Advising Tools If you have any questions after viewing this presentation, you are welcomed to contact your Online Advising Student Success Team. Enjoy your GPC journey.
ACRS – Online
50th Anniversary Logo provided by Amy Coleman (Online English Department Chairperson) and Collins Foster (GPC Alumni Association) – July 2014

4. Georgia Perimeter College Student Success Resources
Advising, Counseling & Retention Services (ACRS) – Online:
Enrollment & Registration Services (ERS) – Online:
Online Library Services
Contact Center Support Team: (678)
GPC Online Academics
GPC Testing Services
Career Services Financial Aid Learning & Tutoring Centers SMARTHINKING Online Tutoring Service for GPC Online Students Military Outreach Personal Counseling
Sharriette Finley, Coordinator for Student Success - GPC Advising, Counseling & Retention Services, May 2014

5. Student Success Videos
How to Build Your Balanced Schedule Advising, Counseling & Retention Services
How to Keep Your ‘A’ in an Online Course Jeanna Chapman
Making the Grade is the Best Way to Keep Your Financial Aid Sharriette Finley
Online Classes at GPC Stefanie Wright
Sharriette Finley, Coordinator for Student Success - GPC Advising, Counseling & Retention Services, May 2014

6. A Recipe for Student Success
Keep Your Financial Aid Award as You Complete Your Degree
Complete Your Degree within Advised Credit Hours
Register for Classes According to Life, Work, and School Responsibilities
Earn Grades of 'C' and Higher
"Success is the hard work that propels you in the direction of your worthwhile goals."  - Bruce & Stan -
“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” – Robert Collier -
Our goal at GPC is to always guide students in the direction of success. Remember to always focus on success.

7. GPC Academic Calendar
Important dates and timelines can be found on the GPC Academic Calendar. Always check the academic calendar before making any adjustments to your registration.
Registration (drop/add) – Students can drop/add classes on the first two days of the semester.
Payment due dates – Payments or Financial Aid awards should be posted by payment due date.
Classes – Shows the first and last day of classes & midterm/final exam schedule.
No Show dates (first week of classes) – Online students must complete and submit the designated No-Show Quiz during the first week of class, or the class will be dropped.
Withdrawal dates – Students who withdraw after drop/add and before the midpoint will receive a grade of ‘W’ that will not be calculated in the grade point average.
College closing dates – Shows dates that classes will not meet and/or the college is closed.
Georgia Perimeter College Advising, Counseling & Retention Services - Online, June 2014

8. A key to success is keeping your balance with work, life, and school.

9. Student Success Registration Recommendation Chart
Before selecting your classes, please review the suggested guidelines here.
If your weekly work hours are between . . .
You should enroll in . . .
To be successful, each week you will have to read, study, and prepare . . .
0 - 15
12 up to 18 hrs
24 to 54 plus hrs
Up to 12 hrs
24 to 36 hrs
Up to 9 hrs
18 to 27 hrs
Up to 6 hrs
12 to 18 hrs
Over 40
Up to 3 hrs
6 to 9 hrs
To make sure you keep a balanced schedule, we encourage you to follow this registration recommendation chart.
This chart is based on full-semester courses taken during the fall and spring semesters. For summer semesters and other accelerated sessions, we recommend fewer credit hours. For each registered class, be sure to set aside dedicated daily and weekly reading, studying, and preparation time. For academic planning advice, contact an Online Advisor by submitting a New Student Online Academic Planning Form.

10. Class, Study, and Preparation Time
Full Semester Fall/Spring Classes
15 weeks
This is the usual pace of a semester.
Set aside 3 study hours for each credit hour.
Half Semester Fall/Spring Classes
7 weeks
Each week covers 2 weeks of coursework.
Set aside 6 study hours for each credit hour.
Summer Full Semester Classes
Half Semester Summer Classes
3 weeks
Each week covers 5 weeks of coursework.
Set aside 12 study hours for each credit hour.
Half semester courses are divided into two sections, 1st half and 2nd half, every GPC semester.
The higher the credit hours and the faster the pace, the more required study hours.
Earning high grades means setting aside an appropriate amount of study time.
Sharriette Finley, Coordinator for Student Success - GPC Advising, Counseling & Retention Services, May 2014

11. Online Advising Tools Student Information System (SIS) DegreeWorks
Plan for Success
Program Advisement Forms
Program Maps
Georgia Perimeter College Advising, Counseling & Retention Services - Online, June 2014

12. Student Information System (SIS)
Login to SIS to:
Update personal information, Register for classes (Add/Drop) Pay tuition and fees, Check your Financial Aid status, Withdraw from classes, Check final grades, Order transcripts, access your DegreeWorks, and access your GPC Plan for Success.
Georgia Perimeter College Advising, Counseling & Retention Services - Online, June 2014

13. DegreeWorks – Views and Features
DegreeWorks is a web-based tool, accessed through SIS, that enables you to monitor your degree completion progression.
Worksheet Overview – Understand your degree requirements.
GPA Calculator – Calculate grade point average (GPA) for the semester or project a desired GPA.
Look Ahead – See which degree requirements your planned classes fulfill.
What-If – Know which courses you need if you changed your major.
Frequently Asked Questions for Students
Georgia Perimeter College Advising, Counseling & Retention Services - Online, June 2014

14. DegreeWorks – Views and Features
is a web-based tool that enables you and an advisor to monitor your progress toward degree completion.
It provides an way-to-read worksheet of your coursework and required courses for degree or certificate completion.
The worksheet is divided into block requirements to help you and an advisor see how your coursework counts towards degree requirements and courses you need to complete.
DegreeWorks is available to degree seeking students at the college.

15. GPC Plan for Success The GPC Plan for Success is available in SIS.
Your Plan for Success shows your:
Major
Academic Standing
Completed Courses
Specific registration requirements for Learning Support, ESL, or CPC.
Georgia Perimeter College Advising, Counseling & Retention Services - Online, June 2014

16. Program Advisement Forms
Program Advisement Forms for all GPC majors are available at
Follow the program advisement form for your major to guide your course selections.
Follow the program advisement form for your intended major to identify courses that lead to successful degree completion.
Georgia Perimeter College Advising, Counseling & Retention Services - Online, June 2014

17. Program Maps http://www.gpc.edu/programs/programmaps
Program maps provide a recommended sequence of courses for students who can register for 15 or more credit hours each semester and complete their degree in approximately 4 semesters.
Program maps work best for students with fewer life obligations and zero work hours outside of school.
Sharriette Finley, Coordinator for Student Success - GPC Advising, Counseling & Retention Services, May 2014

18. Beginning Your Online Classes
Succeeding as an online student starts with the ability and the willingness to actively participate in the online learning process.
A good computer and a reliable Internet system are essential for actively participating in your online classes.
Be sure to view the iCollege tutorial and check your browser before starting your online classes.
Sharriette Finley, Coordinator for Student Success - GPC Advising, Counseling & Retention Services, May 2014

19. Online Class Structure
Students are able to access their online classes starting the first day of classes.
During the first week of class, it is necessary to complete the No-Show Quiz. Otherwise, you will be dropped from the class.
After submitting the No-Show Quiz, you are ready to participate fully in your online class.
Sharriette Finley, Coordinator for Student Success - GPC Advising, Counseling & Retention Services, May 2014

20. Syllabus, Timeline & Discussion Posts
After completing and submitting your No-Show Quiz:
Read and print your syllabus.
Know the timeline for assignment due dates.
Set aside daily time to participate in your online classes.
Respond to posts in complete sentences with references from your readings.
Be professional and incorporate your critical thinking skills as you respond to posts.
Sharriette Finley, Coordinator for Student Success - GPC Advising, Counseling & Retention Services, May 2014

21. Online learning takes place anywhere and anytime – home, lunchtime, GPC computer lab, etc. Self-discipline is the key to success for online learning. It’s up to you to set your schedule and complete your assignments by the due dates.
Sharriette Finley, Coordinator for Student Success - GPC Advising, Counseling & Retention Services, May 2014

22. Course Selection & Registration
Check your Plan for Success in SIS for Learning Support (LS) and/or English as a Second Language (ESL) registration requirements.
Check DegreeWorks in SIS or the GPC Catalog at for course descriptions and prerequisite requirements.
Georgia Perimeter College Advising, Counseling & Retention Services - Online, June 2014

23. Course Selection & Registration
Refer to the Registration Recommendation Chart to balance work load, life obligations, and course load.
Refer to your DegreeWorks in SIS and the Program Advisement Form for your major to choose courses toward degree completion.
Georgia Perimeter College Advising, Counseling & Retention Services - Online, June 2014

24. GPC Online Next Steps for Online Registration
Submit a New Student Online Academic Planning Form to receive follow-up advising from ACRS-Online.
Login to the Student Information System (SIS) with your GPC username and password to register for classes online.
Registering for Classes Online
Paying for Classes Online
Refer to the GPC Academic Calendar for payment due dates and class start dates.
Georgia Perimeter College Advising, Counseling & Retention Services - Online, June 2014