What do I need to do to start my Early College courses?
- READ EVERYTHING ON THIS PAGE AND REVIEW ALL RESOURCES UNDER THE EARLY COLLEGE SECTION OF THIS WEBSITE!
- ExplorEC: Check your ExplorEC account to see which EC courses you are enrolled (registered) in for the current semester. Just because you signed up for a course at an earlier date does not mean that you are registered for that course. Classes fill up; therefore, the school may not have had room for you or you may not meet the requirements for taking the course. Double-check to make sure your course says that you are "registered."
- Welcome Letter: Please be checking the email account that you used to sign up for college courses on ExplorEC for your "Welcome Letter," which will include information regarding how to set up your maine.edu email, Mainestreet, accessing your course in Brightspace, Canvas (Husson) and textbook requirements. Please do the same if you are taking a Community College course. Sometimes these courses will not be loaded into Brightspace until the actual start date of the course. So don't panic! If you have taken an early college course in the past, you may need to reset your password here.
- Chromebooks: Make sure you contact Mr. Wright (new tech director) to sign your Chromebook agreement and pick up your Chromebook prior to the start of your EC course if you have not done so already. Also, check your course syllabus to make sure that a Chomebook will meet the technology requirements for your online course. If not, you do not have access to the type of technology required, you may need to drop the course and select a different course. Once you are able to access your online course, don't be afraid to explore! A must - read your syllabus all the way through. Don't be afraid to email your professor to ask questions.
- Login to Gmail and Brightspace: Students at Washington Academy taking Early College/AP Courses should login to their portals to view their current semester courses. Don't be alarmed if you do not see your course listed on the first day of class. If you do not see your course loaded into Brightspace by the third day of class, please contact guidance or Mrs. Porter for assistance.
- Community College Brightspace courses: click here
- University of Maine System Brightspace courses: click here
- Purchase textbooks: It is recommended that textbooks be purchased by the course start date, if possible. Textbook information can be accessed through the University's/College's bookstore by using the course number or from the course syllabus. Many students rent their textbooks from the university bookstore or through Amazon. This is the cheapest option. The WA school library does not provide textbooks for early college courses. Students are responsible for purchasing their textbooks for these courses. If this proves to be a financial hardship, please contact guidance or Mrs. Porter to see if you may qualify for a textbook scholarship. Do not drag your feet when purchasing textbooks. Most professors expect you to have your textbooks on the first day of class.
- Watch Brightspace Tutorials: To familiarize yourself with the new platform being used by the UMaine System & Community Colleges, it is essential to view the video tutorials prior to the start of your EC course in order to get off to a good start.
- Questions: If you have any questions, please contact guidance or Mrs. Porter for assistance, but we expect YOU to do your part first. . . please watch the video tutorials!
- Important Website - Please Review: Early College Enrollment Checklist for Students
PLEASE NOTE: Online AP courses typically start in September. Please be checking your email regarding the start date for these courses. Textbooks for AP courses are usually provided for students taking these courses. Check with the Guidance Department regarding textbooks for AP courses.
UMaine System Academic Calendar-EARLY COLLEGE
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Community Colleges
- Classes begin:
- When do my online classes begin?
All UMaine System Courses (UMM, UM, USM, UMFK, etc.): August 28
Community Colleges: CMCC, EMCC, NMCC, SMCC, YCCC: August 28
Community Colleges: KVCC: 9/5; WCCC: 9/6
Husson: 8/28
- When do my online classes begin?
Order Textbooks
Textbook options:
Textbooks may be ordered or rented directly from the university or college's bookstore.
Textbooks both new and used may be purchased through Amazon; however, be very careful when ordering e-textbooks or any used materials that require a code. Materials requiring a code, often can only be used once. Also, make sure your are ordering the correct edition of the textbook.
To save money on textbooks, you may be able to purchase a textbook from a student who took the course last year or you may rent your textbook. If possible, it is the responsibility of the student to make sure that books are purchased before the start of the college course. If this proves to be a financial hardship, please contact the Guidance Department or Mrs. Porter to see if you may qualify for a textbook scholarship. Do not drag your feet in purchasing textbooks. Most professors expect you to have your textbooks on the first day of class.
Any books that are rented must be returned by the end of the semester to Amazon by the due date. WA is not responsible for the purchase or return of textbooks nor does the WA school library provide books for online courses.
Textbooks may be ordered or rented directly from the university or college's bookstore.
Textbooks both new and used may be purchased through Amazon; however, be very careful when ordering e-textbooks or any used materials that require a code. Materials requiring a code, often can only be used once. Also, make sure your are ordering the correct edition of the textbook.
To save money on textbooks, you may be able to purchase a textbook from a student who took the course last year or you may rent your textbook. If possible, it is the responsibility of the student to make sure that books are purchased before the start of the college course. If this proves to be a financial hardship, please contact the Guidance Department or Mrs. Porter to see if you may qualify for a textbook scholarship. Do not drag your feet in purchasing textbooks. Most professors expect you to have your textbooks on the first day of class.
Any books that are rented must be returned by the end of the semester to Amazon by the due date. WA is not responsible for the purchase or return of textbooks nor does the WA school library provide books for online courses.