Timely Topics! Homeschooling Supports: Activities and Resources to Keep You and Your Children Learning and Happy

Are you homeschooling while trying to juggle your academic, personal and career responsibilities? Are you searching for exciting resources to help with this mission? The NOVA Online Success Coaches are here for you! We realize it is challenging to take on this added responsibility of homeschooling and keeping your children entertained while coping with your workload. To help you out, we have put together some fun resources to help you all stay happy, active and educated!
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As follow up, we encourage you to join our Discussion Board in the NOVA Virtual Student Union (VSU) and share your favorites along with your homeschooling success stories! If you are not enrolled in the VSU, join now and participate in our daily activities and discussions: Enroll now

This video clip from a Morning Show highlights homeschooler tips: https://www.today.com/parents/how-homeschool-during-coronavirus-crisis-t176020

Northern Virginia Community College Libraries – LibGuide links for free classes, books, videos, kids’ activities, podcasts and more. Find it HERE.

Audible offers access to free books online, https://stories.audible.com/start-listen

PBS offers wonderful educational options: https://www.pbs.org/parents

Watch live webcams from the Zoos
https://nationalzoo.si.edu/education/educational-activities-you-can-do-home

https://www.georgiaaquarium.org/webcam/beluga-whale-webcam/

Explore a variety of free educational resources: http://amazingeducationalresources.com/

Visit a Museum: ‘Peabody at Home’: https://peabody.yale.edu/at-home

Enjoy a Virtual Tour

—-Williamsburg: https://virtualwilliamsburg.weebly.com/
—-Mt. Vernon: https://virtualtour.mountvernon.org/

Learn a foreign language: Duolingo https://www.duolingo.com/

Exercise together: Do Yoga With Me https://www.doyogawithme.com/

Watch a Broadway Play: https://www.playbill.com/

Family activities: https://nymag.com/strategist/2020/03/things-to-do-with-kids-while-quarantined.html

We invite you to share your favorite homeschooling tips! Connect with other parents and classmates and share your homeschooling tips, resources and success stories on the VSU Success Coach Discussion Board! Enroll now

Preparing for Finals

As you are preparing for final exams in your online courses, the NOVA Online Student Success Coaches have complied a list of resources to help you as you prepare. If you have questions or would benefit from additional strategies, reach out to a NOVA Online Success Coach today by calling 703.323.3347 or onlinesuccess@nvcc.edu. From test taking strategies to time management, they are here to answer your questions and help you access resources that will empower you to navigate the semester and pave your way to a successful academic journey.

Take a moment now and explore the following resources to promote your success:

If you learn best hearing or speaking (auditory learner), you will welcome the workshops offered through Student Lingo. These free workshops are presented online by a facilitator in an engaging format. Each workshop is about 30 minutes use the link above to access the following workshops:

If you prefer to read (visual learner) here are some websites that share testing review tips to help you survive multiple choice and true/false questions on test.

If you prefer to be actively involved and busy as you learn (kinesthetic learner) you may enjoy the following study methods:

  • Quizlet or Study Stack Apps: Take your practice tests and review your flash cards on the go using these apps which will enable you to create flash cards along with practice tests and quizzes.
  • If you prefer, consider the tried and true flash cards made from index cards. This allows kinesthetic learners to flip around the cards, write notes and review at any location, walking, standing or sitting (as with an app). Just flip the cards while you are studying and walk around as you review. Write cues on the cards to help you remember. You can even be creative and develop a game using your flashcards.

If memory/recall is a challenge when studying for your tests, consider exploring the NOVA Online Blogs highlighted below which are focused on strategies to trigger memory:

Stress and anxiety is another common challenge many students experience when testing. To combat your stress, click here to view a short video on stress, facilitated by a former NOVA Online’s PED instructor, Dr. Gamal Aboshadi. It will provide a better understanding of stress and empower you with valuable techniques to promote relaxation as you study and prepare to go to the testing center.

No matter what your learning style, as you plan for success on your next test, be sure to take time to put these resources into action!

Written by Adrienne, NOVA Online Student Success Coach

Bookstore Purchase Process via Financial Aid for Spring 2019

Students who wish to purchase books and supplies at a NOVA Bookstore using excess financial aid must complete the Bookstore Authorization e-Form each year on their NOVAConnect “To Do List.” The bookstore purchase period begins on Saturday, 12/29/18 for online purchases and on Wednesday, 1/2/19 for purchases made on campus, and it closes on Monday, 1/28/19. A second bookstore purchase will be available from 3/2/19 – 3/24/19 for students who still have excess aid that has not disbursed.

Before attempting to use your financial aid at a campus bookstore, be sure to review the checklist below.

Are you enrolled in classes?

Do you have an approved financial aid award large enough to cover tuition, fees and books?

Do you have a valid NOVACard?

Is your account free of holds?

If the answer to any of the above is “no”, please review you NOVAConnect “To Do List” and visit a campus financial aid office or contact the 24 Hour Student Support Center at 1-855-323-3199 if you have any questions.

New Student Orientation – Alexandria Campus

Spring 2019

New Student Orientation for Adult Learners

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Date: Thursday, January 10, 2019

Time: 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm

Location: Alexandria Campus, Bisdorf room AA158

The program includes an orientation to the College, information for academic planning (including career/transfer), an overview of campus resources, and information about student success.

Consider attending this Orientation program if you are a degree-seeking student who is:

  • First-time to college and age 25+;

•             Transferring into NOVA from another college; or

•             Returning to college-level studies after a leave of absence

Questions?  Contact 703-933-5073 or alcounseling@nvcc.edu.

Students who are GPS/First Year Students (first time to college & 17-24 years old) or in the Pathways program (from high school) must attend a different orientation.  Go to www.nvcc.edu/orientation for more details.

If you need accessibility accommodations for this program, please contact disabilityservices@nvcc.edu. 

5000 DAWES AVENUE | ALEXANDRIA | VA | 22311

Government Shut Down may affect your FA Eligibility

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

The financial aid application process is currently underway for the 2019-2020 academic year. However, the ease of applying for aid could be in jeopardy because of the partial government shut down that is underway. When applying for aid, applicants need to submit copies of tax returns. These can be obtained on the IRS’s website. But, online requests are not currently being generated. According to the Department of Education, copies of tax returns and written statements of non-filing are being accepted for verification purposes in lieu of IRS tax return transcripts and verification of non-filing forms. Read more about how the partial shutdown of the IRS could affect your eligibility on the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators website.

Calling all NOVA Gamers!

NOVA has developed a new varsity collegiate esports program to compete against other colleges nationwide!

We have built a new high-end esports arena on the Annandale Campus for the athletes to practice and compete in. The current varsity games include League of Legends and Overwatch. Aside from the varsity program, we will be having intramural esports with League of Legends and Overwatch as well as many other popular games such as Rocket League, Hearthstone, Rainbow Six, and a few others! For more information join our discord at https://discord.gg/JVmJd5M as well as our social media @NVCCEsports. Tryouts for our varsity program are right around the corner on December 19th, so sign up for a time slot fast at http://www.novaathletics.com/sports/esports/2018-19/releases/2019_Esports_Tryouts. For any other information or questions feel free to contact us through discord or email cgaul@nvcc.edu.  

Student Worker Needed

Have you been awarded Federal Work Study Aid? If you are using Financial Aid to pay for your courses and are interested in being a student worker next semester, NOVA Online’s Student Services Department is hiring!

More information can be found at: https://www.nvcc.edu/workstudy/index.html and https://nvcc.studentemployment.ngwebsolutions.com/jobxJobdetailPrint.aspx?JobId=10129&win=True

What is the difference between a Guaranteed Admission and Articulation Agreement?

Guaranteed Admissions Agreements mean as a NOVA student, you are offered Guaranteed Admissions to a variety of four-year colleges and universities when you meet the requirements of the written Agreement between NOVA and that college. These Agreements guarantee admission to a college or university; but most do not guarantee admission to a specific program.

NOVA and the VCCS also have special articulation agreements with several four-year colleges and universities. These articulation agreements define the way courses, programs or entire categories of programs transfer to another institution and may include admission guarantees.

In order to be considered for guaranteed admission, a student must:
• Complete a transfer degree (A.A. or A.S.)
• Meet the minimum G.P.A. requirement
• Obtain a “C” or better in all applicable courses for their degree
• Take a minimum number of credits at NOVA (can be up to 15 credits)
• Some institutions require specific courses
• Complete a letter of intent, if needed

You can view the list of GAAs and AAs via NOVA’s transfer webpage. It is important to read the agreements carefully, so you know what specific requirements you will need to meet. View Guaranteed Admission Agreements webpage and check out the short video.

NOVA has also been working on developing easy to navigate transfer pathways to popular four-year Virginia colleges. It is always recommended that you view the four-year college’s transfer guide as well.

Want more information on transfer planning? Request a recording of the Transfer Planning Webinar!

Written by Kim Burkle, NOVA Online Counselor/Assistant Professor

Get in a Transfer State of Mind

It’s never too early to start planning your transfer to a four-year college. The fall semester is a popular time for transfer fairs; and several are occurring later this month on various NOVA campuses. Attending a fair is great way to “explore” over 60 colleges. View upcoming transfer fair dates at https://www.nvcc.edu/transfer/fairs.html.

Can’t attend one of the transfer fairs at NOVA? Plan a visit to the college(s) you are interested in. Most colleges offer campus tours, appointments with transfer admission representatives, information sessions, and open houses throughout the year. Though, you can find a lot of transfer information on a college’s website, it is not the same as actually visiting the campus to determine if the college is going to be a good fit for you.

If you are planning to transfer to an online college, taking a web tour is a good idea. Check out the academic department webpage for your major, view the curriculum, read the faculty bios, etc. Many online colleges offer virtual information sessions, program-specific virtual events and information, and online admission support.

For more on transfer planning, view the (previously recorded) transfer planning webinar. Request the recording at https://nvcceli.wufoo.com/forms/recording-request-transfer-planning/.

Written by Kim Burkle; NOVA Online Counselor/Assistant Professor