Let The Companion be your guide as you navigate your first year as a student at City Tech. Our chapters take you step-by-step through everything you need to know to not only survive but thrive as a college student, including info about our campus, tips from successful students, and exercises and activities that will help you plan your budget, manage your time, and maximize your learning.

Chapter 1 provides information that is useful at any time but ideal to read before your first semester begins: From registering for classes, to finding your way around campus, to understanding the college grading system and figuring out how to pay for college, this chapter will help you know what to expect and hit the ground running. 

Chapter 2 offers practical advice about setting up a productive college routine, beginning with the very first week of classes. 

Chapter 3 takes a deeper dive into effective learning strategies that will help you not only earn high grades, but also retain knowledge and continue learning throughout your lifetime. 

Chapter 4 explores college life beyond the classroom, encouraging you to take advantage of opportunities on campus to connect with fellow students, enjoy shared interests, and develop skills that will help prepare you for a successful career. 

Chapter 5 takes you through the second half of the semester, discussing what to expect from midterms to registration for next semester’s classes to final exams. Finally, The Companion ends with a glossary of college terms that will help you know your bursar from your transcript from your Dean's List.

The Companion can be read straight through, or you can customize this guide by exploring  the Table of Contents and jumping to sections as they become interesting and relevant to you. We hope you’ll enjoy exploring all that City Tech has to offer!