First-Year Experience

New Student Orientation is designed to help you make the transition into college as smooth as possible. During this session, attendees receive information that will not only assist them in preparing for their first day of class but also equip them with the tools necessary for the journey to graduation.

Attendees meet fellow students; learn valuable information about financial aid, the student portal (e-mail, class schedules, etc.) and various other departments that will assist them in getting the most out of your college experience.

Hudson County is a community that takes pride in the diversity of its student population and the importance and worth of every individual. Participation in New Student Orientation helps us build community and celebrate our differences and commonalities!

What is Orientation?

• Orientation is an ongoing process designed to assist you in making a successful transition to college life. It involves Orientation, Welcome Events and much more!
• Orientation is a time to learn about what college courses are like, what student life is all about, what services are available to assist students, and what unique opportunities exist to help them broaden their experience. Students will learn how to take full advantage of what the college has to offer both inside and outside of the classroom.
• Orientation is a time to experience - what it is like register for courses, take college exams, participate in student activities, and navigate around both campuses.
• Orientation is a time to meet - faculty, staff, administrators, current students, and other students in the class!

Orientation is for New Incoming Students and Parents - whether they have been on campus before or not, there is always something exciting to learn, something to experience, and someone new to meet.

Click here to learn more about New Student Orientation.

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College Student Success is a one credit course designed to assist students in gaining skills to succeed academically, thrive interpersonally, choose and act responsibly, and ultimately investigate and clarify personal career goals. Students are asked to read the text, respond through writing assignments, share feedback through directed discussion, gain knowledge through experiential projects, and choose to incorporate lessons into daily life. The course focus moves outward from personal to societal.

As a result of this course, students will be able to:

• Gain knowledge of and ability to access college and community resources.
• Understand a syllabus, interpret college catalogue, and grasp the scope of prescribed academic policies at Hudson County Community College.
• Gain an understanding of Time Management as it relates to student success.
• Develop note taking, studying, and test taking skills through direct instruction and practice.
• Learn how to refine reading, writing, and communication skills through review of textbook material, discussion of suggestions for improvement, completion of a formal research paper and an oral presentation.
• Become familiar and proficient in registering for classes through Student Academic Planning.

All students seeking to graduate with an Associate’s Degree at Hudson County Community College must complete the requirement of this course. Grading for this course is given as a Pass or Fail. The course is granted one college level credit. Our highly trained advising and counseling staff as well as faculty members, other administrators and adjuncts are the instructors for these courses. Courses are offered at various times of the day, Monday through Saturday and in three different languages.

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Peer Leaders are paraprofessional staff members of the Division of Student and Educational Services. Peer Leaders work within a myriad of areas to ensure the success of Hudson County Community College’s new student orientation programs during the year. Peer Leaders play a vital role in assisting new students and family members, and as such, require flexibility, adaptability, enthusiasm and commitment as they are called upon to respond to changing needs and situations.

Peer leaders are also responsible for 2-4 College Student Success Courses (CSS-100) of first year students during the students’ first academic year. Finally, Peer Leaders also assist several other College offices throughout the school year with events such as: Fall and Spring Open Houses, In-Person Registration, HCCC Foundation events, and various student activities on both the Jersey City and North Hudson campuses.

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The CSS Mentor Program pairs peer mentors with College Student Success (CSS-100) instructors to assist with classroom activities. Selected mentors play a pivotal role in assisting our incoming students successfully complete the course and be better acquainted with all of the great resources that Hudson County Community College has to offer.

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