Orientation

All curricular students are required to complete an orientation (SDV) course during their first 15 hours of enrollment. This course is designed to introduce students to the services offered at VHCC and the skills necessary to achieve their academic goals.

Some students who have completed college level work at another institution may be exempt from orientation requirements. Consult your Division Counselor for more information. 

A listing of orientation offerings can be found in the Class Schedule under the SDV heading.

SDV Descriptions

Orientation to College Success
Introduces students to the skills which are necessary to achieve their academic goals and to the services offered at the college.

Orientation to College Success/Focus on Distance Learning
Introduces students to the skills which are necessary to achieve their academic goals and to the services offered at the college. These sections will provide specific focus to students to orient them to distance classes. Intended for true distance students.

Study Skills
Assists students in planning strategies to overcome nonproductive study habits and in implementing positive study behaviors. Includes management, memory improvement, note taking, and test taking.

Career Education for Teaching Professionals
Introduces the students to information needed to be a successful first year college student. The course will also focus on helping students understand the requirements for entering the teaching profession and what needs to be done during the student's time at VHCC to prepare for transfer to an education program at a four year school.

College Survival Skills for Nursing & Allied Health
Introduces students to the skills which are necessary to achieve their academic goals and to the services offered at the college. Course focus is on nursing and other allied health professions. Students may have the opportunity to complete job shadowing in their chosen field.

Petition for Waiver of SDV 101 Course Requirement

• When transfer courses are evaluated for students entering a curriculum, VHCC will accept first year experience credit courses such as study skills and orientation, if a student has a grade of “S” for Satisfactory, or a “C” or better.
• Students who have been awarded a bachelor’s degree or associate degree may petition for SDV 101 course waiver. The credit hours are not waived and a student must make-up the one credit hour for SDV.
• View Petition for Waiver of SDV 101 Course Requirement Form