First Week at Santa Rosa

Santa Rosa Campus

A calmer start to your first week.

Prepare the essentials, know what to check, and ask early when something is unclear.

Before classes begin

Set up the essentials.

Confirm your schedule

Open the Student Registration and Records card in Bear Cub Hub. Confirm that each class shows as registered, then note the campus, building, room, meeting days, start time, and section number.

Open Bear Cub Hub →

Follow up on financial aid

Open the My Financial Aid card and look for messages or outstanding requirements. If you receive financial aid or the Doyle Promise, complete requested paperwork and review disbursement information.

Financial Aid Help →

Find books and materials

Use your section number to check the bookstore, then review the instructor’s syllabus when it becomes available. The Libraries also provide print and digital textbook collections with different loan periods.

SRJC Bookstore →
Find library textbooks →

Plan your weekly schedule

Block the class meetings shown in Bear Cub Hub, then add time for reading, assignments, recorded lectures, work, family, travel, meals, rest, and study. A common planning estimate is two to three hours of study outside class for each enrolled unit; adjust it to the course and your needs.

Prepare a study space

Choose a place that supports focus, comfort, and access to the technology and materials you need. SRJC Libraries offer campus study spaces when studying at home is difficult.

Visit SRJC Libraries →

Find your classrooms

Review the Santa Rosa map, identify parking or transit needs, and leave extra time. Enrolled students can schedule a personalized tour to locate classrooms and support services.

Campus maps →
Campus tours →

The weekend before

Check email, Canvas, and course information.

Read Bear Cub Email

Look for instructor messages, schedule changes, required preparation, and information about how the class will meet.

Email instructions →

Check Canvas

Courses may appear as instructors publish them. If a course is still missing near the first meeting and you received no other instructions, contact the instructor politely.

Open Canvas →

Find instructor contact information

Use the employee directory when you need an instructor’s email address. Include your name, course, section, and a clear question.

Employee directory →

First day and first week

Attend, participate, and turn the syllabus into a plan.

Attend each class

Go to the scheduled classroom or participate through the course’s assigned online space. Online courses may use a first-week activity to document participation, so review announcements and due dates immediately.

Read every syllabus

Record major deadlines, grading information, attendance expectations, communication methods, required materials, office hours, and first-week activities in your calendar or task system.

Use office hours

Office hours are an appropriate place to ask about assignments, requirements, feedback, study approaches, and additional resources. Prepare one or two specific questions.

Office-hour conversation starters →

Ask early

If a room, login, class, document, or instruction is missing or unclear, contact the instructor or bring the question to Welcome & Connect. Small problems are usually easier to solve early.

If you are waitlisted

A waitlist position is not the same as being registered.

Check your current status in Bear Cub Hub, attend or participate as instructed, communicate with the instructor, and follow the current add-authorization process. Procedures and deadlines can change, so use the Bear Cub Hub common questions page and the academic calendar as the authoritative sources.

Connect before and during the term

Use workshops and welcome activities to get oriented.

Welcome Day, Saturday Services, SRJCReady Check-Ins, and peer-led workshops can help you find services, understand student technology, and build a workable plan.

View workshops and events

Need help during week one?

Visit Plover Hall, Room 531.

Call or text 707-527-4410, email firstyearpeercoach@santarosa.edu, or bring your question to the Santa Rosa Welcome & Connect Center.

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