Orientation

Welcome to new student orientation at SFSC!

“Quick Start” Orientation is part of SFSC’s Guide to Personal Success (GPS), a collegewide quality initiative designed to help you make a successful transition to the college experience at SFSC.

GPS Quick Start Orientation consists of four informational “waypoints” (reference points) to help you navigate your first year at SFSC. These waypoints are presented in online components. You must complete all four waypoints before you may register for classes.

The first step is to submit your SFSC application and pay your application fee. Once your application has been processed (2-5 business days) you will receive an email from SFSC that provides your login credentials (user name and password) to the College’s student portal called Panther Central, along with information for accessing the first part of GPS orientation- Waypoint 1. (This notice will be sent to the personal email address you used when you created your self-service account to apply to the College for admission.) Please log into Panther Central and complete Waypoint 1 as soon as possible after receiving your notice. The instruction document explains how to access the link for Waypoint 1, which is on the student homepage in Panther Central.

If you experience challenges logging into your Panther Central portal, please call the SFSC Welcome Center (Student Services) at 863-784-7405 for assistance.

Waypoint 1

Waypoint 1 is an overview of SFSC programs and policies. It includes information about the College admission process, financial aid options, and College services. Waypoint 1 is mandatory for all new students (both dual enrollment/HCI and college level), students returning to SFSC after an absence of more than 1 year, transfer students, and transient students. It is fully online in video format. Make sure you finish and submit the survey you are directed to at the end of Waypoint 1 to receive credit. Allow approximately 30 minutes to finish Waypoint 1, which can be completed from a desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet, or cellphone with internet access.

If you experience difficulty completing Waypoint 1, please call the GPS Specialist (Career Center) at 863-784-7412 or email sfsccareercenter@southflorida.edu. The Center is at the Highlands Campus, Building B, Room 111. 

Waypoints 2-4

Two to three days after you complete Waypoint 1, you will receive an email invitation to complete the second part of “Quick Start” Orientation: GPS Waypoints 2-4. (This notice will be sent to the personal email address you used when you created your self-service account to apply to the College for admission.)

Waypoints 2 -4 are interactive experiences that you complete online. At this time no on-campus orientations are scheduled. Waypoints 2-4 provide hands-on computer training to use Panther Central (the student records portal) and Brightspace (the College’s learning management system), organized in a series of modules, students learn about College policies and practice the skills essentials for success in College courses.

Waypoints 2-4 are mandatory for all new students (both dual enrollment/HCI and college level), students who are returning to SFSC after an absence of more than 1 year who last completed orientation prior to May 2018, and transfer students. Both degree-seeking and certificate program students complete Waypoints 2-4.

Students who have fully completed Waypoint 1 are automatically registered for the Waypoints 2-4 online courses. Students access the course using Panther Central, and it can be completed from desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet, or cellphone with internet access.

This part of the orientation process is self-paced and typically takes 2-3 hours to complete.

Support resources, documents, and videos are provided.

IMPORTANT NOTE: You must complete all parts of orientation before you may register for courses.

If you have questions about Waypoints 2-4 or have difficulty accessing it, please call the GPS Specialist (Career Center) at 863-784-7412 or email the Career Center. The Center is at the Highlands Campus, Building B, Room 111.

Program Orientations

Students entering any of SFSC’s bachelor’s degree programs (business, nursing, elementary education) are not required to complete Waypoints 2-4 but we strongly encourage them to voluntary do so if they are unfamiliar with Brightspace and/or Panther Central.