NATCHEZ — When students take their first steps onto the Copiah-Lincoln Community College campus Monday, they’ll be important ones.

Monday is the first day of school for Co-Lin. While students can still register for classes until Tuesday, Monday marks many students’ first steps in their new lives as college students.

And there are many paths they can take.

“From welding to respiratory care,” Dr. Ronnie Nettles, Co-Lin’s president, said.

But this year the college is offering a new path in the form of its diesel mechanics program.

During the program’s inaugural year, 19 students will look at digital technology and truck driving, as well how to work on heavy transport equipment.

“We’ve filled it up,” Co-Lin Natchez Campus Vice President Teresa Busby said. “We’re very excited about that.”

However, even though the class is full Busby said it has a waiting list for interested students.

The campus also received a grant from the Department of Education for $280,000 to renew its Students Obtaining Academic Rewards program, also known as SOAR. With the grant, the program is funded for the next five years.

The program is geared toward helping first generation college students, low income students and students with disabilities succeed. The program provides support in the form of services like academic advisement and coaching, tutoring and career planning.

“There were a lot of people really happy about this,” Nettles said.

One of those people was Busby, who said the funds will be put to good use.

“We were so happy to get our notification last week,” Busby said.

However, for freshmen, just getting used to college life can be tough. Nettles said it can be a little overwhelming at times.

“One thing is just getting adjusted to the new schedule they might have,” Nettles said.

Nettles said committing to going to class every day is very important.

It might still be a little overwhelming, but Busby said students shouldn’t be afraid to come to faculty and staff for help.

“We’re all there to help, so let us help you,” Busby said.

But there’s no reason for life to be all work and no play either. Nettles said it’s also important for students to get involved when they come to campus.

“There’s so many different things they can do,” Nettles said.

It’s why Co-Lin is hosting its annual Club Fair on Aug. 27, giving students a chance to see the different clubs and organizations they can get involved with.

“It’s just a great way for our students to get involved, not only with our campus, but with our community because we do a lot of outreach,” Busby said.

Now, with the big day on the horizon, the only thing left for students to do is get ready to take those first steps.

Busby, for one, can’t wait.

“I’m looking forward to Monday, that’s for sure,” Busby said.