Online Education Resources and Support

How to Be a Successful Online Student

TIME MANAGEMENT

Just like in an in-person classroom, you'll have to complete assignments on time and prepare for tests. But without a regular in-person class schedule, you'll need to take the lead on viewing lectures and learning new material. One great way to do this is to set your own regular "class" times throughout the week. Include time to review course materials (read a textbook, watch a lecture) and complete assignments before the due date. Keeping up with class material makes it easier to manage stress. Be proactive with studying and asking for help if you need it.

COMMUNICATION

Reach out to the instructor when you have a question about your class, the online learning management system or technology, the course materials, or even about working in the field. And, if something happens that will impact your studies, contact your instructor and let them know you need help.

BUILD COMMUNITY

You don’t need to have regular in-person contact to build community. Make it a point to connect with other students in your course. Take time to get to know other people taking your online class. Offer to meet others virtually for study sessions or even to view lectures together; and offer help to other students if you can. 

Key Dates

Do you know the last day to drop a class or withdraw? The key dates for each course may be different, so it is important you know what they are. It should be in your course syllabus and can be viewed in myPCC Portal.

Advising

Make sure you have an academic plan that leads to your next step. Need help making a plan? Make an appointment with a Success Coach to make sure you are on the right track!

Tutoring

Tutoring is free to you as an enrolled student! Free, accessible and online tutoring is available. MCC has in-person and virtual tutoring available for enrolled students which is FREE and proven to help students improve their grades. Visit the Tutoring Center page to learn more, make an appointment and get assistance.

Career Services

Whether you need help picking a program or finding the career that is right for you, PCC's Career Services Center is here for you. Explore career options, build your resume, and plan for your future!

Library

Students have access to online library resources including research databases, streaming video, ebooks, research guides, and a 24/7 virtual reference desk that is staffed by human librarians. Visit the PCC library for a combination of online, virtual and in person library services, as well as great study spaces and helpful librarians.

Transfer Services

If you plan to transfer to a 4-year institution after PCC, our Transfer Services team can help you stay on the right track and help you take courses that will transfer seamlessly. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need an accommodation to support you as a learner? The Colorado Community College System (CCCS) and all colleges are committed to ensuring accessibility. You can request  accommodations by meeting virtually or in person to learn about the college accommodations process. You should start this process as soon as you apply or enroll in courses as it may take some time to determine how to best meet your needs. Visit PCC’s Disability Access Services to review the process and make an appointment. 

Students don’t need to apply separately for financial aid for online courses. If you qualify for financial aid at your college and your online course is a part of your degree program, it will qualify for financial aid. Please make sure you have filled out the FAFSA or CASFA and are regularly checking your Financial Aid status by logging into myPCC and regularly checking your PCC student email. You must complete a FAFSA or CASFA for each academic year – don’t leave money on the table!

You will need reliable access to a computer and the internet to access your online courses. While you could possibly do your course on a mobile device, like a phone, it will present challenges and could prevent you from being successful in your course. Consider using headphones if accessing your course in a public setting. This not only allows you to focus on materials/recordings but minimize disruption to others around you.

You will need a plan – will you borrow a computer? You may be able to get a loaner laptop from the PCC Library or the local library, and there are often waitlists and limited supply. What is your plan if there are not any loaner computers? Can you go to the local library? What are the hours, and will that align with your schedule?

Make sure you have applied for financial aid – funds remaining from financial aid can be used to purchase laptops after tuition and fees have been covered.

Internet access assistance may be available in your local area. Wi-Fi access is available at PCC campuses and in PCC parking lots. Other resources, including Xfinity Internet Essentials may be helpful for low-cost internet and laptops.

Your local public library near you may also have resources for laptops or Wi-Fi. You may search for your closest public library in this statewide directory. 

Log into myPCC.

In myPCC, under the Dashboard tab, select the “My Courses (D2L)” icon. Your ‘course shell’ will appear here by the first day of when the class starts. 

D2L is short for Desire to Learn, and it is an online platform that all the community colleges in the Colorado Community College System use for online learning. Check out this Quick Start Guide for D2L. It is important you are comfortable with how to use to D2L to be successful in your online course. If you have questions, please make sure you ask your instructor for assistance.

Need help with your password? Having trouble getting into your online course? Forgot your S#? Having technical problems? Contact our 24/7 technology help desk to get support now:

In most cases (not all) your course materials/textbooks are embedded in your online course at no additional cost. Community Colleges of Colorado are committed to utilizing Open Educational Resources (OER) to reduce costs for students whenever possible. Some courses may require you purchase an access code or you may need a lab kit for science courses. 

Visit the PCC Bookstore to know any required or recommended course materials for classes enrolled in, online or in person.

Please visit the Lab Kit FAQ for information on ordering lab kits.

Yuja is a tool that allows you to record videos for assignments. Ask your instructor if you have questions or if you need help and your instructor is not available, check out this tutorial.

Other Resources

Learn about other resources available to assist you with your mental / physical health, basic needs, child care, financial literacy / education, legal support, access to healthy food, and other supports.

Emergency Mental Health (after hours or not near a college campus) 

Colorado Crisis Services

  • Local 24-Hour crisis center with counselors and trained professionals available to engage in immediate problem solving. Reach by phone, chat, text, or at one of their walk-in crisis centers across the state. 844-493-8255

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

  • National crisis line that provides 24/7, free, and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. Dial 988 to reach someone who can provide support.

Counseling Services

Counseling is an important and often necessary resource to assist in resolving issues that interfere with students' ability to successfully navigate college and life. Services are confidential, voluntary, and covered by student fees (free to you). For more information on counseling and mental health services, contact the Vice President of Student Success Office:

Phone: 719-549-3080
Shirley.Carey@pueblocc.edu

Questions? Need support with an issue or what to do?

Life happens. Did you have a death in the family or an emergency medical situation that is making you have to drop your class? That may be considered an extenuating circumstance. Reach out to the Vice President of Student Success Office or visit our Referral Services page for a list of helpful resources.

When in doubt, please ask questions. We want you to be successful. Don’t know where to go or what to do? Reach out by emailing shirley.carey@pueblocc.edu. Even if you don’t know specifically what help you need, we will do our best to connect you to the right resources.

Feeling harassed or discriminated against in your course?

Title IX and other laws and policies are in place to ensure you can learn in a discriminatory free environment. Issues of harassment and discrimination are taken seriously and should
be reported immediately. We will work with you to resolve the issue, investigate if necessary and are committed to an inclusive learning environment. You can review the student resolution process for grievances on issues of harassment, discrimination or sexual misconduct by viewing the Civil Rights and Sexual Misconduct Resolution Process.

Want to report a concern regarding yourself or another student? Refer a Concern.

Childcare Resources

Are you parenting while you are taking classes? Childcare support can make a huge difference for student-parents facing financial and time constraints. Be sure to complete the FAFSA or CASFA and check with your college on any resources available for parenting students. Student-parents should identify themselves early in the application process to
discover what childcare facilities prospective schools offer.

Pueblo Community College has a Children First office available to students. 

Basic Needs

No one should ever have to go without their basic needs like food or housing being met during their pursuit of higher education. PCC provides several student support resources, such as a food resources, Student Emergency Fund, Counseling services, assistance applying for SNAP and connections to community resources.  

Don’t live physically near a PCC campus? Statewide options exist that may help. Not sure what to 'google' or who to call? Start with Local 2-1-1.

Food Resources

PCC's Food Pantry

Hunger Free Colorado: Hunger Free Hotline

Food Bank of the Rockies

Kids Food Finder

Emergency and General Assistance with Basic Needs 

Metro Caring

Mile High United Way 211 

LEAP (Low Income Energy Assistance Program) 

Financial Education & Information

Credit Union of Colorado

Society for Financial Awareness (SOFA) 

National Endowment for Financial Education

CDHE College Invest Division

Federal Student Aid: An Office of the US Department of Education 

Legal Information 

Colorado Bar Association

Rocky Mountain Legal Center 

Complaints/grievance process

If you have a complaint about teaching, you should first reach out to your instructor. If you are unable to resolve your concerns after communicating with the instructor, you may report your complaint here and someone will be in contact with you. 

If the complaint is beyond teaching, and involves harassment, discrimination or bias by another student or the instructor, please file a grievance specifically at your college. At PCC, you may file a grievance or discuss it with PCC's HR Department - PCCHR@pueblocc.edu 

If you are unclear what to do with your complaint or concern or if it rises to the level of a grievance, please contact studentsuccess@cccs.edu for guidance.