Fall 2026 Week of Workshops

Saddleback students, join us for our Week of Workshops (WOW) from Tuesday, August 11 through Friday, August 14, 2026 and kick off your semester with SUCCESS!

Workshops are scheduled in-person and online throughout the day. All students are welcome!

Workshops are facilitated by Saddleback faculty and staff to help you have the most successful semester possible.

  • All workshops are FREE
  • Learn about our five schools
  • Learn how to manage your student portal
  • Learn about AI and how to use responsibly in college
  • Learn how to be successful in your upcoming classes
  • Connect with your instructors and classmates
  • Undecided? Come to a counseling exploration workshop.
  • Improve your grades! Join a workshop on online study skills, test-taking techniques, note-taking strategies, and the proper way to read a textbook.
  • Taking math this semester? Spend time reviewing your skills for class.
  • Join a Financial Aid workshop to find out which aid and scholarships are available.
  • Still deciding on a major or career? Learn strategies to help you narrow down your search!
  • Learn how to get paid working on or off campus
  • Review your online campus resources: Academic Counseling, FREE tutoring, Student Tele-Health Services, Library workshops and more!
  • Get involved on campus, learn more about campus clubs and organizations.
  • Promise students, continue the conversation and check-in with your Success Coach!

 

Week of Workshops Schedule

Cal-GETC and Common Course Numbering (CCN): What Students Need to Know

Transferring to a UC or CSU? Learn what Cal-GETC and Common Course Numbering (CCN) mean for you. This workshop breaks down the new changes, helps you understand transfer requirements, and shows you how to make smart course choices that keep you moving toward your goal.

EOPS Dept. Paint Your Path to Success

Paint Your Path to Success! EOPS, CARE, CalWORKs, NextUP, and Guardian Scholars: get program updates, complete or schedule a counseling contact, and enjoy a guided sunrise painting session. Fulfill your EOPS Counseling Contact requirement and de-stress!

How to Work On Campus

Do you want to work on campus? Join us to learn about the different opportunities available for students to work on campus. We will cover the various types of student worker roles and strategies to search for and apply to each.

If you have any questions, please contact the Career Resource Center at (949) 582-4575.

What Can Career Resources Center Do for You?

  • Time: 2 - 2:30 p.m.
  • Speaker: Donnie Mineo
  • Location: Gateway (GW) 271

Whether you are a first-time student unsure about your career direction, a returning student looking to discuss your options, searching for employment, or somewhere in between, the Career Resource Center can help you reach your career and educational goals. This workshop will introduce you to the many services offered. Help us to help you achieve your goals one step at a time. This workshop is 30 minutes.

Excel in STEM with MESA

  • Time: 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
  • Speaker: Georgina Martinez
  • Location: LRC 209

MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement) is an academic support program that empowers first-generation college students to achieve success in higher education and STEM fields. Come find out how we can help you!

Survive and Thrive Online

Are you thinking about taking an online class? Are you already registered for one? Are you wondering about how to use Canvas? Learn the secrets of success online and find out if taking an online class is right for you. This workshop will allow you to see an example of an online class (in Canvas) and will give you an opportunity to ask questions about online classes. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about the benefits of taking classes online.

What Can Career Resources Center Do for You?

  • Time: 8:30 - 9 a.m. 
  • Speaker: Donnie Mineo 
  • Location: Gateway (GW) 271

Whether you are a first-time student unsure about your career direction, a returning student looking to discuss your options, searching for employment, or somewhere in between, the Career Resource Center can help you reach your career and educational goals. This workshop will introduce you to the many services offered. Help us to help you achieve your goals one step at a time. This workshop is 30 minutes.

Headed for Success: What You Need to Know for Prof. Major’s Online Class

Description: Join Professor Nicole Major as she provides strategies, her course structure, the basics of Canvas, and other pertinent information for students to feel comfortable taking her online class. She will help her students navigate Canvas and demonstrate all areas of her course for students to be successful from the start. This workshop is a great opportunity for students who are new to the online class environment and/or would like to become familiar with the course before it begins. 5 points extra credit will be offered for attending. This workshop is optional.

Meet & Greet, Student Rights and Grievances Manager

Learn about your Student Rights and Grievances Manager's role on campus to support students during challenging life and campus circumstances as well as to advocate on your behalf during complaints and/or grievances.

What Careers Align with Your Interests with SuperStrong?

Not sure which career is right for you? Your interests can be the key to unlocking your future! At this workshop, you’ll explore what you enjoy most and see how it connects to real careers. In just a few minutes, you’ll complete an interest assessment using your phone or laptop. Your SuperStrong results will point you to career pathways and Saddleback College programs that match your passions. It’s simple and fun!

Excel in STEM with MESA

MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement) is an academic support program that empowers first-generation college students to achieve success in higher education and STEM fields. Come find out how we can help you!

Survive and Thrive Online

Are you thinking about taking an online class? Are you already registered for one? Are you wondering about how to use Canvas? Learn the secrets of success online and find out if taking an online class is right for you. This workshop will allow you to see an example of an online class (in Canvas) and will give you an opportunity to ask questions about online classes. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about the benefits of taking classes online.

Linear Algebra Prep

  • Time: 10 - 11 a.m.
  • Speaker: Dr. Jason Hole, PhD
  • Location: Math & Computer Science (MCS) 203

The elementary equation Ax=b models the upcoming linear algebra course. So why does it take an entire semester to multiply by the inverse of A? Surely, there is another dimension to the notion of an inverse of A. Join to hear hints of how the added dimension in of singular importance.

Meet & Greet Student Rights and Grievances Manager

Learn about your Student Rights and Grievances Manager's role on campus to support students during challenging life and campus circumstances as well as to advocate on your behalf during complaints and/or grievances.

Saddleback College Math Team Practice

  • Time: 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
  • Speakers: Dr. Jason Hole, PhD
  • Location: Math and Computer Science (MCS) 203

Hey! Saddleback College now has a Math Team! The team will regularly meet during the upcoming semester in preparation for AMATYC's Student Math League competition. If you find joy and delight in math then this is your home! Join us for the fall kick-off practice session.

Differential Equations Prep

  • Time: 12 - 1 p.m.
  • Speakers: Dr. Jason Hole, PhD
  • Location: Math and Computer Science (MCS) 203

The existence and uniqueness of solutions to differential equations opens a whole host of answers that have enabled tremendous engineering feats.

Trig Review and Pizza!

Trig is super important in many sciences and at all levels of calculus. Many students approach trig by memorizing lots of seemingly disjointed facts---and then forgetting them. This workshop will review the basic right triangle and unit circle definitions of the six trig functions, with an emphasis on understanding connections between various concepts in order to minimize the amount of memorization needed, making trig a lot less scary and a lot more fun. This workshop is the first of the "Lunch and Learn" workshops that will be offered throughout the semester in the Calculus Instructional Support Lab (CISL). Each Lunch and Learn workshop will cover a particular skill needed for success in first semester calculus, though all students are welcome to attend. Free pizza is offered at these workshops. Note that a few things are specific to this WOW workshop:

  1. While the rest of the Lunch and Learn workshops will be offered in CISL itself (which is located in the LRC building), this workshop is being offered in the new Math/Computer Science building.
  2. Most Lunch and Learn workshops will be in-person only, but you can attend this workshop in-person or via zoom (though the free pizza will not be available to zoom participants. Sorry.)

Let Your Personality Lead You to New Careers

How can you use clues about your personality and preferences to identify career choices? Work with our Career Guidance Specialist to learn more and get a list of careers that may match you!

Excel in STEM with MESA

MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement) is an academic support program that empowers first-generation college students to achieve success in higher education and STEM fields. Come find out how we can help you!

Interior Design Orientation

Discover the world of INTERIOR DESIGN at our INFORMATION SESSION! Whether you're a beginner seeking guidance or an art lover searching for enriching GE classes in Art and Design, this workshop is perfect for you! Join us either in person at the BGS 131 classroom or through Zoom to learn about our program, career prospects, and class details. Tour our classrooms, meet our passionate instructors, and connect with student club leaders who will share invaluable tips for your journey to success. Don't miss out on this inspiring opportunity to explore your passions and embark on an exciting journey of creativity and innovation!

SUCCEED in Professor Medling's Accounting 1A course!

Accounting is the language of business! Learn what it takes to succeed in ONLINE Accounting 1A at Saddleback College. This is a tough course and I want to make sure everyone is prepared and knows what to expect. Lots of great tips will be presented! This workshop will also introduce students to the course Canvas shell, textbook, and Connect (the textbook publisher's homework management system).

Prep for Math 3C: A Review of Parametric Curves

Parametric curves get used a lot in Math 3C. This topic is often covered at the very end of second semester calculus, so students may not have spent a lot of time on it. If you want to beef up on this important topic before the semester starts, this workshop is for you! You can attend in person (recommended) or via zoom. Students in any section of Math 3C (or any others who are interested) are welcome to attend.

SUCCEED in Professor Medling's Accounting 1A course!

Accounting is the language of business! Learn what it takes to succeed in ONLINE Accounting 1A at Saddleback College. This is a tough course and I want to make sure everyone is prepared and knows what to expect. Lots of great tips will be presented! This workshop will also introduce students to the course Canvas shell, textbook, and Connect (the textbook publisher's homework management system). Hope to see you
there!

What Can Career Resources Center Do for You?

Whether you are a first-time student unsure about your career direction, a returning student looking to discuss your options, searching for employment, or somewhere in between, the Career Resource Center can help you reach your career and educational goals. This workshop will introduce you to the many services offered. Help us to help you achieve your goals one step at a time. This workshop is 30 minutes.

Meet & Greet with the Student Rights and Grievances Manager

Learn about your Student Rights and Grievances Manager's role on campus to support students during challenging life and campus circumstances as well as to advocate on student's behalf during complaints and/or grievances.

How to Research Your Future Careers

Join us for an engaging workshop designed to equip you with the essential skills for researching and exploring career opportunities. Whether you haven't worked yet, or looking to make a career change, this session will guide you through the process of uncovering valuable insights about different fields, understanding job market trends, and leveraging resources to make informed decisions. Discover strategies and online tools to
create a personalized career roadmap. Take the first step toward a fulfilling career with confidence!

How to Speak so People Want to Listen

  • Time: 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
  • Speaker: Tiffany Baggs
  • Location: LRC 147

Do you want to speak to others and have them WANT to listen to you? Come to this workshop to brush up your skills on being engaging whether in front of group or small group communication. Communicating well changes your life in every way. See you there!

Excel in STEM with MESA

MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement) is an academic support program that empowers first-generation college students to achieve success in higher education and STEM fields. Come find out how we can help you!

How to Have a Successful Relationship

  • Time: 12:15 - 1:15 p.m.
  • Speaker: Tiffany Baggs
  • Room: LRC 147

Do your relationships need a tune up in the communication department? Are there stressful conversations that you want to navigate better to have peace in your life whether at work, home or in friendships? Come hear tactics to improve your relationship communication!

Finding and Researching Schools that Offer my Major

As you explore your opportunities for transfer and career, learn how to find and effectively research college and university programs and majors!