A white honeycomb with two gold cells and four blue cells. "Beehive Blog"

Highlighted in this week’s Beehive Blog:

SPRING 2027 SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION IS OPEN

The Rochester Community and Technical College Foundation has opened the application for Spring 2027 Scholarships. There are over 100 awards that are available for the spring term and the awards are close to $1,000 on average. There are also scholarships available that aren’t based on a specified program, yet based on student need, community service, extracurricular activities, or county of residence.

The deadline to apply is Saturday, October 31, 2026. Complete the scholarship application.

ACADEMIC SUCCESS CENTER OPEN OVER MEA

The Academic Success Center will be open over MEA, Oct. 15th and 16th, during their normal business hours, 8am -4:30pm. Check out the website to see more details about services available.

RCTC has contracted with tutor.com to provide 24/7 online access to a tutor. You may find this useful when you have a question outside of the Academic Success Center tutoring hours (evenings, holidays, or weekends). You must access the tool through D2L. On the D2L home page, scroll down to Learning Resources, and click on Tutor.Com. Please watch this video for a brief overview of this service: Tutor.Com Instructions

TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR ACADEMIC PLANNING

Take advantage of Graduation Planner and Schedule Builder to stay on track and make informed decisions about your academic journey.

Graduation Planner helps you create a semester-by-semester plan to graduation using your current academic information, including transfer and in-progress courses. Students and advisors can work together in the same platform to build and adjust plans that align with degree requirements.

Schedule Builder helps you create a class schedule that fits your needs by generating multiple schedule options based on your preferences.
Explore these tools through eServices and connect with your advisor if you have questions or need assistance.

SUPPORT SERVICES

TRIO Student Support Services (SSS)

Location: Main campus, SS159

TRIO Student Support Services provides additional support to help students succeed academically, including academic planning, financial aid advising, financial literacy, and transfer assistance. Eligible students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and meet at least one of the following criteria:

First-generation college student (parent/guardian does not have a bachelor’s degree)
Low-income background
Documented disability through RCTC Disability Support Services

Students should also be in good academic standing and able to graduate or transfer within four years. Applications are available online or in SS159. Eligible applicants will be invited to interview and discuss their academic goals and support needs. For more information, visit the TRIO Student Support Services.

ADDITIONAL SERVICES

More services available to RCTC students can be found on the website.

YOUR VOICE MATTERS–HELP SHARE MINNESOTA’S FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS

There’s still time to make your voice heard! The Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE) is seeking feedback from students and families as it explores potential changes to state financial aid programs.

Whether you currently receive financial aid, plan to apply in the future, or simply want to share your perspective, your input can help inform future financial aid policies in Minnesota.

Survey Details:

Who: High school students, college students, and parents/guardians
Time Commitment: 5-10 minutes
Anonymous: No names are collected
Deadline: October 23, 2026

Take the survey.

Thank you for helping ensure Minnesota’s financial aid programs continue to meet the needs of students and families across the state!

STUDY TIPS

Staying focused can be challenging, especially when distractions, stress, or difficult coursework get in the way. Try these strategies to improve concentration and study more effectively:

Take charge of your success by setting priorities and staying focused on your goals.
Study at your best time and place, whether that’s in the morning, evening, library, or another productive environment.
Seek support when needed by communicating with instructors, tutors, or classmates.
Use active learning techniques such as flashcards, study groups, note-taking, and visual aids instead of simply rereading material.
Set clear study goals, minimize distractions, and change subjects periodically to stay engaged.
Take regular breaks to recharge and maintain productivity.

Small changes to your study habits can make a big difference in improving focus, learning, and academic success.