Student Engagement

Welcome to MassBay!! Your first week is all about getting comfortable here at MassBay. Get all your questions answered, set-up a new routine, get a student planner, and learn about MassBay Offices, resources and upcoming events!

This week you should focus on:

• Finalize your schedule!
  • You have the first few days of class to make sure you are enrolled in the classes you want, you can add or drop courses to better fit your schedule and learning style. Make sure you talk to an advisor in the Add/Drop Center and check your financial aid award letter before making changes to your schedule.
• Get Organized!
  • Start keeping a schedule and planner now. Whether it’s a paper calendar or you prefer apps, make sure you have a system to keep track of your classes, activities, work schedule and major due dates. Trust us- the sooner you start developing a system that works for you, the better!
• Take a Deep Breath
  • We know it’s overwhelming, and you aren’t the only one feeling that way! Take a chance and introduce yourself to your classmates, check out programs and activities that are available to you and start to think about what resources you could use to be successful.
• Follow MassBay on Social Media to see what’s happening around campus:
  • Facebook: @MassBayCommunityCollege
  • Instagram: MassBayView
  • Twitter: @MassBayCommCol

Get Connected! Now that you have finalized your schedule it’s time to start creating connections and building your place here at MassBay. Start developing connections to your peers, staff and faculty all of whom can support you and your learning.

This week you should focus on:

Familiarize yourself with your Syllabus 

• Understand what your professors expect out of you for your classes, and look over major deadlines. 

Create connections with your faculty members

• Introduce yourself after class, ask questions, and be engaged! Especially in this virtual world, it’s easy to see who is paying attention, and active in class-and who is distracted or falling asleep.
• Faculty often know about resources around campus and can serve as future references.

Create connections with classmates! 

• Introduce yourself to classmates! Send them an email or message in blackboard. Having a classmate to reach out with questions or just to review assignments with can be a huge help. 
• See if others in your classes would be interested in creating study groups— they’re a great way to meet other students and stay motivated. 

Explore our Mentoring Programs: 

• STEM Mentoring Program

Stem Mentoring Program nurtures STEM students' academic success and support students’ pursuit of their academic and career aspirations by facilitating one-on-one mentoring relationships and providing STEM-focused events, programs and opportunities. 

• Info Sessions:  9/15 3:30-4:30pm | 9/16 from 1pm-2pm 

• Peer to Peer Mentor Program

Students are linked with an experienced second-year student who will serve as a mentor. Peer mentors receive training to assist students on a variety of academic and non-academic topics and support their fellow students in acclimating to MassBay. Peer mentors work collaboratively to engage students in activities that increase their peers’ involvement in a positive college experience. 

• To become a Peer Mentor:  Apply Here
• To be paired with a Peer Mentor: Apply Here  

• Multicultural Mentoring Program (MMP) 

MMP’s goal is to prepare students to lead extraordinary lives by establishing a community for students from all cultures and different backgrounds. Students are paired with mentors who are professionals from regional organizations/companies or MassBay’s staff/faculty in a one-to-one mentoring partnership. 

• To apply visit: https://www.massbay.edu/career/mentor 

Attend Events (See the weekly calendar for event details)

• Bingo Night
• BlackBoard Workshops
• WebEx Workshops
• STEM Mentor Info Sessions
• Computer Science Career Panel - Open to All!
• Mindful MassBay

Connect to your Academy
Our Academies are the seven broad areas of study at MassBay.  All of our degree and certificate programs are grouped into these seven Academies to create better connections between students and their peers and professors. Think of your Academy as a community of professors and students who share similar interests and goals.

• Attend your Academy’s Welcome to meet your classmates, faculty and learn more:
  • Business:  Wed. 9/16  |  11am - 12pm
  • Education & Human Services:     Thurs. 9/17  |  10:00-11:00am
  • Legal Studies: Mon. 9/21  |  11am - 12pm

*Check your MassBay email for the invite and WebEx Link

• Visit the Academies’ webpage for more information!

Get Involved! Your experience here at MassBay will often be defined by the people you meet and the interactions you have, so decide who you want to be here and who you want to be with. Involvement in different programs and clubs on campus leads to greater opportunities and experiences that support you and your goals.

This week you should focus on:

• Get involved in Clubs and Organizations:
  • Clubs and organizations provide opportunities and experiences outside of the classroom. Develop new connections and skills and have fun!
  • Check out our Student Government Association (SGA) and the ways you can be involved in making MassBay the campus you want.
• Learn about other opportunities to get involved:
  • From our Leadership Development Program to Mentor Programs and much more. There are plenty of opportunities to be involved!
• Attend the Involvement Fairs
  • Learn about all of the opportunities available to you in one easy place!
• Connect to your Academy
  • Our Academies are the seven broad areas of study at MassBay. All of our degree and certificate programs are grouped into these seven Academies to create better connections between students and their peers and professors. Think of your Academy as a community of professors and students who share similar interests and goals.
  • Find out when your Academy is doing its welcome and stop by to meet your classmates, faculty and learn more!
• Stay Focused on your Academics
  • Utilize tutoring and other academic resources in the AAC
  • Know your due dates and assignments
  • Attend. Every. Class.
    • Attendance is usually factored into your grade
    • Students who show up are more successful
    • Have to miss one? Communicate with your professor ahead of time