Incoming Blue Ridge students get inside scoop

WEYERS CAVE — Peter Carter appreciates the wealth of information he is getting at the new student orientation at Blue Ridge Community College this week.
It’s an opportunity to learn about study groups, tutors, the school library, campus resources and practical ways to start a college career, with some of the explaining coming from incumbent Blue Ridge students.
“It’s good to get advance information about what to expect instead of stepping into the unknown on Aug. 18,’’ said Carter, an R.E Lee High graduate who was one of about 200 new Blue Ridge students attending Thursday’s orientation. “It’s good to have the information upfront.”
John Downey, Blue Ridge’s vice president for instruction and student affairs, said the community college decided to present its orientation in an informal setting.
Presenters were dressed in casual wear and many of the new students’ parents were present Thursday.
And instead of bringing all the first-year students in for one big session, the orientation is being split up on three separate days, with a different group of students coming to each session.
More than 500 new students will attend over the three orientation days, which wrap up on Saturday.
Downey said students might be hesitant to ask questions of teachers when school starts, but in a setting like Thursday’s “it’s informal, they don’t have to be afraid.”
Susie Shomo, a Blue Ridge geology professor helping with Thursday’s session, said parents seemed especially appreciative of the information their children are getting in advance.
Shomo told a group of about 50 students during a secrets to success program Thursday that much of the responsibility for getting help falls on them.
“You will find a wonderful group of people here willing to help, but it’s up to you to reach out,’’ she said.
And while Blue Ridge has numerous transfer agreements with four-year colleges and universities, Shomo told students it’s best to focus on their current classes.
“It’s better to take one step at a time,’’ she said while detailing a story of a student who wanted to transfer to James Madison University but failed to get the minimum grade point average to do so.
As of Thursday, Blue Ridge’s fulltime equivalent enrollment for the new school year is 1972, an increase of 58 from last year. School Spokeswoman Bridget Baylor said students can register for classes until Aug. 22, and she said more FTE students are anticipated.