Author Archives: academic counselor

Focus on Your Career Development

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As you continue your studies, plan your schedule for your next semester, prepare to transfer, or get ready to begin a new job, take a moment to focus on your career development.  Are you attending NOVA to pursue a certificate or degree, but unsure about what career options might be available to you? Have you decided on a major, but have difficulty answering the question – “What can I do with a major in _____?

Do you need to fine tune your skills or add to your skill set in preparation for a career change? Learn more about career options by utilizing FOCUS 2, an online interactive self-guided career and education planning system that can help you:

  • Select a program/major based on your interests and aspirations
  • Discover occupations matching your personal preferences and attributes
  • Map out your career plans, present and future
  • Make informed career decisions

FOCUS 2 is free for NOVA students.   Learn more about and access the system at NOVA’s Career Services website.

Consider participating in a free Career Planning with FOCUS 2 webinar being offered on Wednesday, May 31, at 12:00 pm.  Registration is required and closes 15 minutes prior to the start of the session.  Register at https://vccs.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYvdOyvrjspHtf9uyGq2V27xFbSo_C3WMk-.

Summer Registration Continues

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Registration continues for the summer term. NOVA offers courses in a variety of formats both asynchronous and synchronous. Courses following an asynchronous format are offered through NOVA Online, NOVA’s online division, and with few exceptions, do not require any on-site or real-time meetings. Courses following a synchronous format are offered through a NOVA campus and may require on-site meetings and/or meetings online via Zoom in real-time.

Throughout the summer NOVA may offer courses following a 12, 10, 8, or 6 week schedule.  View NOVA’s academic calendar for information about registration and other important dates.  Scroll to the bottom of the calendar for information about sessions offered through NOVA Online.

View a current Schedule of Classes to learn more about course offerings.  Use the Search for A Class feature to search for courses of interest.  Select NOVA Online as the Location option to search for sections of courses offered through NOVA Online.  You will enroll in courses through NOVA’s student information system.

If you are new to NOVA, view the Ready to Become a Nighthawk? post for guidance on getting started.

Managing Your Time

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Below are tips to help you manage your time whether your course has already begun or as you prepare to start a course that will begin later this summer or fall.

  1. Check the academic calendar. Identify and take note of key dates for a session.
  2. Review each course syllabus. Note due dates as well as contact information for the professor and preferred method of contact.
  3. Create a schedule for studying and completing assignments. Refer to the following resource for time management tips: Time Management Strategies for Success workshop available on-demand through StudentLingo. If your course has already begun make note of the amount of time it took you to complete and submit an assignment.  Adjust your schedule as needed to make sure you are creating an accurate schedule.
  4. Access the Canvas and EdTech Resources for Students course to make sure you are aware of and utilizing features of Canvas. Some features include setting notifications for announcements from a professor and adding to-do items to your personal calendar.  If you need some help, consider attending a free NOVA Student Workshop: Getting Started in Canvas.  Workshops are currently offered on Tuesdays at 6PM and Thursdays at 3PM.  Join a workshop through the Canvas and EdTech Resources for Students tile in Canvas.

Getting Started in Your NOVA Online Course

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Getting Started in Your NOVA Online Course

Get off to a winning start in your NOVA Online course. If you are new to NOVA Online, we recommend you view our 25 minute Zoom recording, Getting Started in Your NOVA Online Class Passcode: M22R^iqA.  The recording will review how a NOVA Online course is different from a campus or virtual course.  You will learn how to log into your course and navigate through it. The recording also reviews best practices and NOVA supports and resources. If you have questions or need help navigating NOVA Online, Success Coaches are here to help guide you.

Email: onlinesuccess@nvcc.edu

Telephone: 703.323.3347

This article was written by Adrienne Raynor, NOVA Online Success Coach.

Congratulations Graduates!

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The following are a few items to add to your to do list:

  1. Pause and reflect.  Take time to appreciate all you have accomplished.
  2. Update or create your resume.  As an alumni, you have access to Career Connection, NOVA’s job & internship database for students.  Utilize the resume builder tool if you need help getting started.
  3. Request your transcript.  Order a copy for yourself as well as copies to provide to appropriate parties based on your goals.
  4. Stay connected to NOVA by joining NOVA’s Alumni and Friends Network.
  5. Take care of yourself.  Find helpful resources, including a Virtual Self-Care Kit, on the Office of Mental Health and Wellness website.

Congratulations and best wishes!

Are You Graduating This Summer or Fall?

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As part of the graduation process, you need to apply for graduation.  The deadline to submit the Application for Graduation is June 1 if you are planning to graduate this summer and October 1 if you are planning to graduate this fall.  Learn about the graduation process at https://www.nvcc.edu/graduation/. Also, consider participating in a Graduation Preparation Session webinar being held via Zoom on

  • Thursday, May 11, at 12:00 pm
  • Wednesday, May 17, at 12:00 pm

The webinar will provide information about graduation planning, career, financial aid, and transfer planning.  Key “To Do” items for the next leg of your academic or career journey will be discussed.   Register for the webinar at https://forms.gle/Z3Gs2KdxaN1r77dM9

Time for Reflection

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As the spring semester comes to an end, now is a good time for reflection.  Take a moment to reflect on what went well for you this semester as well as what did not go well.  Take another moment to consider what changes you may want to make as you move forward with working towards achievement of your academic and professional goals.

Below are links to resources you may find helpful.

Schedule Planning Tips for Taking Courses Through NOVA Online

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Here are some questions to ask as you plan your schedule.

  • Do you have realistic expectations about your time and the time required for the course?
  • Have you thought about all of your commitments that will occur during a specific semester?
  • Have you familiarized yourself with course expectations?
  • Have you considered which session length would work best for you?
  • What is your experience with or interest in the courses you are considering?

Helpful Tips for Transient/Visiting Students

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Welcome to NOVA!  We are so excited to have you join the Nighthawk family this summer.  Refer to the Visiting and Transient Student website for guidance on how to get started.  Keep in mind your home institution may require approval in order to transfer NOVA courses. Check with your advisor at your home institution prior to enrolling in a course at NOVA to make sure you have everything in place to receive transfer credit.  If you encounter problems enrolling in courses, other than needing assistance with verification of a prerequisite, review your student record for any holds.  To learn more about holds on your student account visit the holds information website.

Access the Schedule of Classes website to view course offerings.  Be sure to pay careful attention to course formats and requirements.  Sections of courses offered through the NOVA Online Division will begin with the letter “E”.  The NOVA Online Course Information website provides information about sections of courses offered through NOVA Online.  If you are enrolling in a section of a course offered through NOVA Online, review the NOVA Online Orientation website before beginning a course.  Regardless of course format, you should have access to the course tile in  Canvas up to three days prior to the scheduled start date.

After your course is finished and your grade has been posted to your transcript, you will be able to order an official copy of your NOVA transcript. Institutions’ transfer credit processes can vary, check with your institution to verify where your NOVA transcript should be sent and if any additional forms associated with the transfer credit process need to be completed.

Our summer courses fill quickly! We recommend finalizing your summer schedule as soon as possible.  Questions? Virtual Advisors are available to assist you in this process.  Connect with a virtual advisor by visiting the Virtual Advising website.

Next Steps After Applying to NOVA

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Below are steps to take after you have applied to NOVA, addressed holds on your record, and viewed New2NOVA.

  1. Review NOVA Online Orientation website.
  2. Review program and course information –
  3. Communicate with a counselor (NOLCounseling@nvcc.edu) if you have any questions about programs of study or course selection.
  4. Enroll in courses –
  5. Review payment information and pay for courses.
  6. Purchase course materials through the bookstore. For NOVA Online materials select Alexandria campus and NOVA Online for campus option.
  7. Prepare to begin your course(s) by accessing Canvas. You should have access to a course site up to 3 days prior to the course start date, but no later than the course start date.