ESCANABA — Bay College’s winter 2020 semester will start on Monday, Jan. 13 — one week from today. Officials at Bay shared tips for students to keep in mind as they get ready for classes to begin.

Director of Admissions Jessica LaMarch said it is not too late for people who have not yet signed up for classes at Bay to do so.

“(On) Monday and Tuesday, we’re doing Rapid Enrollment Days,” she said.

Those interested in attending Bay during the winter 2020 semester will be able to apply for admission, register for courses, set up their payment plan, meet with an academic advisor, complete placement assessments and more on these days.

According to LaMarch, Rapid Enrollment Days have been held at Bay for a few years now. She noted the program has been “very popular.”

Vice President of Student Services Travis Blume said, for many people, January is an ideal time to start taking classes at Bay.

“Sometimes with a new year, people want to start a new goal … and college education is oftentimes one of those,” he said.

LaMarch encouraged people curious about the possibility of taking classes at Bay in the near future to attend Rapid Enrollment Days.

“Just believe in (yourself) enough to get started, because we can help (you) after you start,” she said.

If they have not already submitted their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), Bay students must do so soon to be eligible for financial aid.

“At Bay College, we don’t have a FAFSA deadline, necessarily,” LaMarch said.

However, these do need to be completed before the start of the winter 2020 semester.

Assistance with the FAFSA will be offered at Bay’s Rapid Enrollment Days. Bay students can get help at the college’s financial aid office, as well.

“They can come in and complete the FAFSA on site here … and receive personalized attention as questions arise,” LaMarch said.

People who need to prepare FAFSAs for future semesters will be able to take advantage of Bay’s upcoming FAFSA completion nights, which are open to the public. The FAFSA completion nights are scheduled for Jan. 22 and Feb. 20.

There are some other steps Bay students can take to prepare for the winter 2020 semester over the next few days.

“(It’s) a really great time to make sure everything is … ready,” Blume said.

He encouraged students to visit Bay’s bookstore, financial aid office and admissions office at this time if they need to.

Bay College’s Student Success Center is also welcoming students before the new semester starts.

“Students can come in … and sign up for tutoring,” Director of TRiO Jill Wiese-Martin said.

Wiese-Martin said students who think they might need tutoring should stop by soon.

“That will ensure that they have a good schedule and get them off to an early start with the support that will help them to succeed,” she said.

Additionally, students can schedule appointments for career exploration services at the Student Success Center. These services can help students who are unsure of what they want to do with their lives find a career path that is right for them.

“We really want to help students find that path early to save them time and money,” Wiese-Martin said.

She added the appointments can help students identify classes they are signed up for that are not on their career path.

During the first week of the winter 2020 semester, students who have challenges related to technology will have a chance to get assistance from tutors at the Student Success Center.

“They can get support … to help them learn the technology used in the classroom,” Wiese-Martin said.

Help with Microsoft Outlook, Blackboard Learn and WebAssign, among other programs, will be provided.

Bay College will be open this week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Wednesday and Friday. Campus will be closed Thursday for a professional development day.