FAQ Sheet for 1st Time Students

I don’t know who my advisor is and what they do!

You’ve been assigned an advisor based on your major and the classes you’re enrolled in this semester. You should know where your advisor’s office is located, as you’ll want to meet with him or her from time to time. S/He will explain the curriculum to you, sign any forms you need (like a course withdrawal form), and answer questions about the College. You can feel free to go to your advisor to chat about what college life is like, what you see yourself doing when you graduate, and how you can best get there. 

How can I change a class?

You can change classes online through MyNEC, or you can see Pathways (4th Level, Simon Center) for help. You can add and drop classes through the first week of the semester, until Sunday at midnight. If you are unsure about what you need to add, please see Pathways or your advisor to ensure you’ve chose the correct class – you don’t want to be in an upper-level class or one that’s not appropriate for your program. Don’t drop a class unless you know what you will be adding – you don’t want to end up with an incomplete schedule!

What’s an LAS course and why do I have to take one?

LAS stands for “Liberals Arts and Sciences”. These are the courses that will give you a well-rounded education and give you the critical thinking skills you’ll need to be successful when you graduate. Along with College Writing I and II, you’ll take a Math course, and one course from each of the seven LAS categories. Each one has a different theme. For instance, LAS 1 courses are “On Being Human”. There’s a selection of courses under that heading, such as “Families Across Cultures” and “Food in World History”, among many others, so you will have choices within that category.  You should take one LAS each semester.

What’s an elective?

Electives are courses that are not required for your major, nor are they LAS courses. You’re taking them to learn more about a subject that interests you, or explore a possible major or minor. Approximately one-third of your 120 credits needed to graduate will be your LAS classes, another one-third will be classes for your major, and the final one-third will be electives and/or classes to fulfill a minor. These percentages vary depending upon your major.

What’s up with the MPT – Mathematics Placement Test?

The Mathematics Placement Test (MPT) is not a formal test and you won’t be graded on it, although you’ll see it’s added to your schedule and the score is noted in your grades. The test is given online through Blackboard, and you should complete it over the summer so we can have your score before classes begin. Based on that score, we’ll know which of our math classes fits your skill level. You will need to complete one math class to graduate, unless more is required for your major.  If you do particularly well in math, you might want to visit the math department in the Science Building to talk about taking the proficiency exam. If you pass this, you could satisfy credit for the math requirement without having to take a class.

I forgot the login to one of my accounts (Blackboard, MyNEC or email ). What do I do?

If you’re having trouble getting into your email account, you should contact the Helpdesk, which is in the basement of the library, or call them at 603.428.2350. If your Blackboard or MyNEC accounts are not working, see Pathways or the Registrar to have your password reset. Call or come in – for security reasons your passwords cannot be reset through email.

I can’t figure out what days and times my classes are!

If you’ve printed out your schedule through MyNEC, you’ll be all set. Occasionally, though, you’ll be working from the schedule book or a schedule given to you from another computer system which will list military time. If your schedule says your class is 1300-1530, that means it’s from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Just take any number larger than 12 and subtract 12 from it. You’ll get the hang of this right away. As for the days your classes are, M is Monday, T is Tuesday, W is Wednesday, R is Thursday and F is Friday. Once in a while you might have a weekend class, which will be listed as S/S or Sat/Sun. That means the class takes place on both Saturday and Sunday of that week. Please be aware that if you see TR, that means your class is on BOTH Tuesday and Thursday.

I don’t know where my classes are!

We use abbreviations for the class locations – you’ll get to know what they mean very quickly. CEI is the big white building near the library, not to be confused with the Simon Center, which is where your mailbox is. Spaulding is the large white building across the street from Gilmore Dining Hall. The Science Building (SB on your schedule) is past the CEI building, past the town hall and the baseball field, on the right. It’s a big brick building. Across the street from that is Larter Hall, a large white house surrounded by a big parking lot. Behind the library and the Simon Center you will see the Field House on the left and the gym to the right. Behind the gym is the ice arena. Some of the smaller buildings are harder to find.You should have received a campus map in your orientation packet. If you can’t find it, stop at Pathways or any department to get a new one, or just ask an instructor, staff member or fellow student for directions.

How do I know what books I need to buy?

A list of the books you need can be found in a number of ways. If you go into your schedule on MyNEC and click on the name of a class, you’ll see a link that says “View Course Books”. This tells you exactly what books are needed for the course, along with any information you would need to order them, and the price. You can go to www.nec.bkstr.com for ordering books online from the on-campus bookstores (located to the right as you walk into the Simon Center) – this requires a credit card to pay for them – and then the bookstore will set them aside until you arrive and show your student ID to pick them up.. You can also just take a copy of your schedule into the bookstore and ask them to get the books you need off the shelves. Gift cards can be purchased online that you can use toward your books and other supplies – that’s a good thing to tell anyone who asks what you need for college!

I had an IEP in high school and want to get accommodations in college – who do I talk to?

You may be eligible for accommodations in college as well. The first thing to do is have your high school or your parent mail or fax your IEP and all supporting information to our Director of Disability Services, Anna Carlson. Her fax number is 603.428.2433. Then, you should make an appointment as soon as possible to sit down and talk to her about it. Call Anna at 603.428.2302 or stop by her office on the second floor of the CEI. She will go over your information to determine what accommodations will be appropriate for you, and she’ll give you a “Needs Assessment Form”.  It’s your responsibility to share copies of this form with your professors, your tutors, and anyone who needs to know if you want to have accommodations.

I’d like to get some tutoring – who can I see?

Go to the Tutoring Center on the second floor of the Danforth Library. There are a number of ways to get extra help in your classes. The professional tutors can see you for a “regular appointment” – the same day, same time, same tutor every week throughout the semester for either a full hour or half an hour; you can stop by or call when you need an appointment (603.428.2276), or you can pick up a copy of the “Drop-In” schedule and be there during an opening for help. There are also peer tutors who can work with you at different times; some of them specialize in certain classes like accounting and mathematics. NEC tutors will help you hone your writing skills so you become the best writer you can be. From the first draft to the final project, they will keep working with you as you develop and grow. The Tutoring Center is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. until 10 p.m., on Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m., and on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.  It is a free service that ALL students are encourage to use.

My computer won’t hook up to the wireless NEC network!

Talk to your Resident Advisor first – they will know what you need to do to log onto the wireless system. If you still can’t figure it out, take your laptop to the Helpdesk in the basement of the Danforth Library. If you have a desktop, call them at 603.428.2350 for assistance.

There’s a hold on my account – what does that mean?

If you have tried to look at your grades or other information in MyNEC and been notified that you cannot because of a hold, go back to the “Student Services & Financial Aid” tab and click on “Student Records”, then “View Holds”. This will tell you what your hold is and what department has placed a hold on your account. Sometimes your health records are incomplete so you need to contact the Wellness Center, and sometimes Student Financial Services needs to see you about a scholarship or a bill, so you should contact them right away. You do not want to ignore holds – they can prevent you from viewing your grades, and you will not be able to change classes or register for classes until they are removed.

I’m having a hard time getting used to college. Who should I talk to?

It’s very normal to feel overwhelmed, confused, homesick and scared when you first come to college. You’re not used to being away from home, you’re living with people you don’t know, and you are in a whole new place with new expectations and new opportunities. Don’t panic. You can start by talking to your RA, your advisor, someone in the Pathways Center, your tutor, or anyone you’ve met that you feel comfortable with. The faculty and staff at NEC all know what you feel like and we’re here to help you get adjusted as quickly as possible so you can join in on the fun that’s a big part of your college experience. If you’re really unhappy and are feeling like you can’t stay at college, you might consider seeing a professional counselor in the Wellness Center in Hill House. Your visit will be completely confidential. You can drop in or you can call them at 603.428.2253.

What’s the Mentoring Program?

Some students join the Mentoring Program, which is located in the Pathways Center. You and your mentor will work closely throughout the semester to hone your time management, organization and study skills, get you through the transition from high school to college, keep in touch with your professors, refer you to other campus services, and teach you how to advocate for yourself. Your mentor will help you map out your academic career, find your personal strengths, and set goals. NOTE: the Mentoring Program is the only program on campus that costs an additional fee. If you would like to learn more, call or come to the Pathways Center, (Level 4, Simon Center).

I don’t know what to major in. Who can help me figure it out?

It’s not uncommon to come to college with no idea about what you’d like to major in, or to decide to change your major once, twice, or more! The Pathways Center can help you explore the different majors, talk about what you can do with a degree in a particular major, and help you match your interests and skills with the curriculum. You can also meet with our Career and Life Planning department to take an interest inventory, which will give you further information on what you’re best at. Don’t worry if you haven’t chosen a major in your first year. You can take some elective classes and explore different areas, and you’ll eventually end up in a class you just love and know that it’s the correct major for you.

Where are the other departments, like Student Financial Services and the Wellness Center?

Student Financial Services, where you pay your tuition bill, is located in the Administration Building, which is on the Main Street of Henniker, across from Sonny’s Main Street Pizza. Go in the front of the building and straight ahead, following the hall to the rear of the building. SFS is on the right, while the Registrar’s Office, where all of your academic records are kept, is on the left. The Wellness Center is in Hill House, which is on the road directly across the street from the Simon Center. The Pathways Center is located on the 4th Level of the Simon Center, while the Tutoring Center is located on the second floor of the Danforth Library. Disability Services is upstairs in the CEI building, the large white building next to the library. The Housing Department and Student Development are on the 3rd level of the Simon Center – up the stairs and down the hall to the left. Student Involvement is also on the 3rd level of the Simon Center – up the stairs and to your right, next to the WNEC radio station.

My roommate and I don’t seem to be a good match. Who do I talk to?

If you’ve never shared a room before, or you and your roommate just do not seem compatible, there’s help. The first thing you should do is sit down with your roommate and talk things out. He or she is likely having the same feelings about being away at college as you are, and just talking to each other may help resolve any tension. Part of the college experience is meeting new people, from other places and even from other cultures. You and your roommate should talk about expectations (that all trash be picked up every day, no dirty clothes on the floor, etc.), and try to work out an arrangement so you can both be happy and comfortable. If you are still having problems, you should seek out the advice of your Resident Advisor. If all else fails you may have the option to change rooms. Talk to your RA, the Area Coordinator, and the Housing Coordinator to find out the process for switching