1 Find the course in which you have enrolled. Make a list of the items you will need. Get those items. Go to the Bookstore if you need a textbook. Go to the library and get your library card. Check out tapes if you need them. If you use AOL, use a different browser like Netscape or IE for your distance work.  

2 Attend an Orientation. Take the Technology Self-Test if your instructor requires it in their orientation, the Fitness Test and Orientation Survey.

3 Contact your instructors. Email them or phone them or meet them during office hours. Whatever you do, make your contact before the end of the first week of classes.  

4 Log in to your Blackboard account. Link to Blackboard (Blackboard button) Your username will be one assigned by Richmond. You can look up your user name here:http://vw.my.vccs.edu

Your password is the month, day, and year of your birth. MM+DD+YY  This will be a six-digit number. If your birthday is January 5, 1995, your password will be: 010595.

5 Log on to http://email.vccs.edu, your webmail account, and make sure it is working properly.  Your user name is the same as the one for Blackboard except you will add @email.vccs.edu when logging on. Your password will be the same as the one you use for Blackboard. It is the month and day and year of your birth, MM+DD+YY.