Getting Ready for Next Semester

Posted on April 4, 2018 by academic counselor

Are you in the process of selecting courses and planning your schedule for the summer term or fall semester? Do you have questions about what to take next? If you answered yes to either question, consider joining us this afternoon at 12:15 pm for a Getting Ready for your Next Semester webinar.

This 45 minute webinar for NOVA students will focus on answering key questions students have about preparing for their next semester. Topics covered will include program identification, course selection, college resources, schedule planning, and registration/payment tips. The webinar is free; however, registration is required. Learn more and register at https://nvcceli.wufoo.com/forms/q1v98s7j0o4822k/.

Transfer Planning Events

Posted on February 9, 2018 by kshagan

It’s never too early to start transfer planning! This month, NOVA Online has several events scheduled to assist in the transfer process and provide with you all the information you need to know to plan your transfer to a 4-year college or university!

Transfer Planning Webinar: Wednesday February 14th 12-1pm

This one-hour webinar will discuss the basics of transfer academic planning; transfer resources and tools, including discussion on guaranteed admission agreements and articulation agreements; and transfer application tips. Register Now!

Transfer Q&A: Wednesday February 21st 12-1pm

Have questions about transferring? Stop by this virtual open forum to chat with a NOVA transfer counselor. This one-hour webinar will discuss the basics of transfer planning; information about Guaranteed Admission Agreements, Articulation Agreements, and Transfer Guides; and a web tour of NOVA’s transfer website.
Register Now!

Also check out recordings of past transfer events!

Transfer Planning: Alumni Transfer Panel

This recording highlights a panel of NOVA/NOVA Online alumni students who have transferred to 4-year institutions. Learn more regarding the transfer process and listen to questions answered about their varied experiences. Information will be discussed around transfer topics such as Guaranteed Admission Agreements, understanding transfer requirements, and NOVA’s transfer resources. Request the recording now!

Additional questions about the Transfer process and requirements at NOVA? Contact our NOVA Online Counselors at elicounselors@nvcc.edu .

What is First Day?

Posted on January 12, 2018 by kshagan

Don’t get this confused with the first day of classes! First Day is not the first day of classes, rather it is tuition based model in which the cost of digital course materials (textbooks etc.) will be included in the tuition for certain courses or programs. The benefit of this program is to provide a cost- efficient option for students, ensure students are prepared for their first day of class, and have their course material accessible from where ever there is Internet.

First Day course materials are digital versions of the physical textbook, and can be inclusive of other educational resources such as workbooks, tutorials, videos, and problem sets. Standard features included are highlighting, annotations, search functions, and multimedia links. All the digital materials will be easily accessible through the Blackboard Learning Management System.

Directions on how to access your material can be found at the following link: McGraw-Hill First Day Registration Instructions.

Note: After you are registered the first time, you should be able to access any McGraw Hill resources indicated in your assignments course page in Blackboard.

If you prefer to have a physical copy instead/regardless you can by filling out the Course Content & eText Free Opt-Out Request form. Keep in mind the Opt- out requests must be received by NOVA campus Auxiliary Services or the Campus Bookstore prior to the Census Date. To check if the course you are registering in offers First Day you can read the Notes section of the class you are registering in SIS.

NOVA Holiday Hours

Posted on December 18, 2017 by kshagan

Northern Virginia Community College will close for Winter Break on Thursday, December 21, 2017 at 12pm and remain closed until Wednesday, January 3, 2018 at 8:00 am.

If you have common questions, the following information may be helpful:

Finals Grades: Fall 2017 grades will be accessible through NOVA Connect within 7 days of the end date of your course.

Blackboard Course Availability: Instructors make classes available in blackboard on the first day the course is scheduled to begin, or sometimes a few days in advance. If you are visiting Blackboard to access your Spring 2018 courses, you may not have access until the start date.

Course Start Dates: 1^st 16 week, 1^st 8 week, 1^st 12 week and 1^st 4 week (MTT only) sessions will begin on Wednesday January 10, 2017. View your course specific critical enrollment dates on NOVA Online’s website.

Course Registration: If you have not registered, Spring 2018 registration is still open. Although the College is closed, online registration is open. For registration information, please click here. Additional step by step registration instructions can be viewed by clicking here. If you need assistance with your course selection, NOVA Online Counselors and Virtual Advisors will be available when the college opens on Wednesday, January 3, 2018. Emails will be answered in the order they are received.

Prerequisites satisfied at another College: If you are attempting to enroll in a course at NOVA for which you believe you have successfully completed (a grade of “C“or higher) the required prerequisite(s) at another regionally accredited institution, you will need to submit a copy of your unofficial transcript to a NOVA Online counselor for review. Using your NOVA student email, submit the following information to the Virtual Advisors:

NOVA seven digit student identification number (EMPLID).
The specific course that you are registering for (ex: ENG 111 E55N, #45689).
Unofficial copy of your transcript (Must be able to clearly review your name, the dates attended, and the courses required).

Requests are reviewed and processed in the order in which they are received. You should expect to receive a response about your request within three business days after offices opens.

Online Academic Resources: If you have any downtime during the break, it would be an excellent opportunity to explore the free online workshops offered by Student Lingo. Student Lingo workshops focus on time management, career development, mastering the job interview, resume writing, stress management techniques, writing techniques, study skills, test anxiety and more! They are an excellent resource that will enrich your academic and career growth.

Consider registering for or reviewing the NOVA Online Orientation Webinar. This one hour webinar will focus on getting started in your courses, navigating your Blackboard course site, and identifying tips for success and student support services. The NOVA Online Orientation is highly recommended for students who are new to online learning.

We wish you a safe and restful holiday break!

Destress as you prepare for your next semester

Posted on December 15, 2017 by Dual Enrollment Coordinator

Winding down from one semester, and planning for your next can be a significant adjustment. With the demand of approaching deadlines, it is easy to get overwhelmed in the blink of an eye. As you gathered information from advising week, and prepared for registration, we want to provide you with some resources to help you unwind, and refocus on preparing for your next semester.

Yoga has more benefits than I can list but the ones I want you to take advantage of right now is it’s capacity to reduce anxiety and stress. Taking time to stretch and twist the body, releases chemicals that our bodies naturally produce when stressed. Beyond the physical movements, yoga has a meditative component that ignites your inner strength in a way that will empower you to tackle any obstacle, help you maintain peace when feeling harried, and turn down the volume of the loud voice of self-doubt. Yoga Dog Incorporating yoga into your daily practice has been made easy with the use of technology. Here are some free apps you can download today that can jump-start your yoga practice! There is no greater obstacle to overcome than your own mind, feed it with positivity and it will help you accomplish great things! Namaste.

YogaQuote: Gives you daily inspirational yoga quotes and mantras.

Daily Yoga: Gives you live training with videos and a professionally made yoga program for you to follow without needing to go to a gym. This app even has yoga to help you destress at your desk (great to do right before writing a paper)!

As you move into your next semester, continue to follow NOVA Online for tips on:

Familiarizing yourself with resources to help you with your academic planning.
Focusing on your career planning.
Checking to make sure you are on the right path to achieve your goals.
Gaining skills outside the classroom.
Taking some time for reflection.

Have a question, but not sure who to ask? Start with a Success Coach! They can be reached at elisuccess@nvcc.edu or call 703.323.3347.

Where does the time go?

Posted on November 16, 2017 by Dual Enrollment Coordinator

Do you know where your time goes? It seems that the older you get, the more responsibilities are put on you. Take this brief quiz via Virginia Tech’s website to determine just how much time you have to dedicate to your studies.

If the time left over is not equivalent to at least twice the number of credits you are enrolled in, you do not have enough time allotted for your studies. But, there are things you can do; such as reducing the time spent on some activities/responsibilities, adjusting your work hours, or adjusting the number of credits you take in a semester.

When one can’t reduce their time on activities or responsibilities or work; that leaves the number of credits one should take in a semester. Many students I talk with want to be able to do it all – work full-time, go to college full-time, take care of their family, etc.

Course load is often the only factor that can be manipulated; but students do not want to delay their educational goals. This is certainly admirable; but, if one does not have enough time to complete their course work accurately and on-time, and study effectively for exams; one’s grades will suffer and it can take longer to reach your goals. Take a look at the weekly study time chart to plan out your schedule.

I encourage you to take the quiz to see where your time goes and ask yourself: Do you have enough time in the week to dedicate to your studies?

Are you using the time efficiently?

Do you find you do not have enough time?

What can you reduce or eliminate from your schedule to make more time?

Watch the Time Management: Strategies for Success video by StudentLingo to obtain some great tips on managing your time effectively!

-Written by NOVA Online Counselor, Kim Burkle

NOVA Online Counselors can be reached at 703.323.3347 or NOVA OnlineCounselors@nvcc.edu.

Spring Registration

Posted on November 13, 2017 by Dual Enrollment Coordinator

Open registration for new NOVA students for the spring semester begins today, Monday, November 13!

To review a list of available courses, please click here (Select NOVA Online under Campus/Center). Computer screen

If you need assistance, we are here for you:

Do you need help registering for the course? For step-by-step online registration instructions, please click here. If you need additional assistance, please contact us at 703.323.3347 or NOVA OnlineSuccess@nvcc.edu.

Do you need help with course selection? If you have not been assigned a faculty advisor you can contact a NOVA Online Counselor at elicounselors@nvcc.edu for assistance with course selection. If you would like to schedule a phone call with an academic counselor, please include your contact information. Use your VCCS student email and include your student ID# when emailing.

Are you a visiting/transient student? If you are attempting to enroll in a course at NOVA for which you believe you have successfully completed (a grade of “C“ or higher) the required prerequisite(s) at an accredited college or university, you will need to work with an advisor before being permitted to enroll in courses at NOVA. More information at the Visiting and Transient Student webpage or reach out to a Virtual Advisor at AcademicAdvising@nvcc.edu.

Are you new to NOVA Online? We encourage you to attend a NOVA Online webinar! The NOVA Online Orientation will focus on answering key questions to getting started. For more information and to register for a session, click here.

Do you have questions about Tuition and Payment? For payment due dates, methods, and online payment instructions, please click here. Make sure to have your tuition paid or financial aid in place before the deadline, so you are not dropped from your courses.

If you are looking for additional resources to help you achieve academic success, the NOVA Online Student Services Team is here for you! You can access free online tutoring, webinars, and free online workshops to help you succeed in your NOVA Online courses.

We also encourage you to take the SmarterMeasure assessment to gauge your readiness for online learning.

You can reach us at 703.323.3347 or visit us at http://eli.nvcc.edu/

Wrap up from advising week blog series

Posted on November 10, 2017 by Dual Enrollment Coordinator

That’s a wrap for our Advising Week blog series, but that doesn’t mean it’s over! Still have questions about spring registration? Let us know!

Take some time to reflect on what you have learned this week. Go back and review past posts to dig a little deeper. Missed any of the live sessions? Request a recording.

Here are a few tips to help you move forward:

coffee break Use the Student Success Planner to build your academic plan and compare your plan to program requirements.

Take a moment to facilitate a time study. Summer sessions will run at an accelerated pace, so make sure you are planning your schedule around the shorter session length availability. For fall, you have different options for session length (16, 12, or 8 weeks). Make sure you have enough time to devote to the courses you take on. What has worked in the past? What hasn’t worked? Check out StudentLingo and NOVA Online webinars on time management.

Review your Advisement Report. Access NOVAConnect to run an advisement report to view your progress and outstanding degree requirements.

Take a moment to reflect upon your career planning. If you need more information about career options or would like to learn about a resource to help you build a career plan. Go back and review past blog posts posted by NOVA Online’s Career Counselor to help you Focus on Career Planning, and take advantage of Free Job Search Tools!

Communicate with your advisor about your academic and career goals. Be sure to take a moment to review your plans for both the summer term (registration is occurring now) and the fall semester. Plan to have your academic plan, advisement report, and/or career plan handy when communicating with your advisor.

If you have not declared a program of study or are not pursuing a specific program at NOVA connect with an academic counselor or advisor for assistance.

Ready to enroll? Follow this tutorial to help you add your courses in NOVA Connect.

Reach out to the Student Services offices or Virtual Advisors with any questions you have as you are planning your courses.

This Advising Week Series will focus on academic planning, connecting with your advisor, and preparing for your upcoming terms. Throughout Advising Week the NOVA Online Student Blog will provide you with tools to plan effectively, resources to help guide your decisions, and answers to frequently asked questions throughout the process. Take advantage of Advising Week events on campus or virtually as you plan your schedule and register for courses. Reach out to the Student Services offices or Virtual Advisors with any questions you have as you are planning your courses.

Connect with your Faculty Advisor

Posted on November 7, 2017 by Dual Enrollment Coordinator

Your Faculty Advisor is a valuable asset in your academic journey. They can provide insights and recommendations based on their education and real world experience. Take advantage of their knowledge and expertise in your program of interest!Plan early for your next semester with your Faculty Advisor and have your courses selected and be ready to register on your Priority Registration date. This will give you the best chances at getting the courses you need. Registering early will also be beneficial for students who use NOVA’s TMS payment plan allowing for a lower down payment and more months to break up your remaining tuition balance.

How can my Faculty Advisor help me?

Create an academic program completion plan, which maps out which courses you need to take for your major/program of study.
Select which electives will support your academic goal/career plans.
Connect with NOVA resources you need and make referrals.
Submit the appropriate forms for substitution requests or changing your major.
Reflect on your academic performance, so you can be successful.
Serve as a reference or assist in preparing letters of recommendation for applications (transfer, employment and scholarship).
Review your academic progress to help assure you complete your program based on your goals

How do I address my Faculty Advisor?

Address the Faculty Advisor as “Professor and their last name.” If you know they have earned a Ph.D., or Ed.D. address them as “Doctor and their last name”. (i.e. Professor Jones or Dr. Smith).
Be sure to send your email from your NOVA student email account and include your Student ID number.
As a NOVA Online student, you may not meet your Faculty Advisor in person. Project yourself as a professional and dedicated student by composing a well-organized and thoughtful email. Take advantage of these Ten Quick Steps to Email Your Instructor.

What can I include in my correspondence to my advisor?

Outline topics or questions you would like to discuss. (i.e. transfer plans, career opportunities, extracurricular/club involvement).
Review your program requirements in the catalog and ask any questions you may have about unsatisfied requirements.
Identify courses you may be interested in for the upcoming term and year.

Suggested Questions and Topics to discuss:

What courses do I need to complete my academic program?
What are the prerequisites for the courses I plan to take or where can I find them?
I would like to discuss my academic goals.
What do I need to know about transferring? Are there deadlines and scholarships?
I need a tutor. How do I find one and access other services when I need help?
I need to work. How can I arrange my classes around my work schedule and how will working impact my studies?
I am interested in participating in extracurricular and co-curricular activities. Can we discuss my academic goals and extracurricular and co-curricular activities.
Ask your advisor to share how they chose their major in college.

The last part of the semester is always hectic, reach out to your faculty advisor now!

Attend a Getting Ready for Your Next Semester webinar. Learn more about the webinar and register for an upcoming session here. Undecided or just getting started on your degree plan? Talk to an Academic Counselor to help you get started with your next term classes. NOVA Online Academic Counselors can be reached at NOVA OnlineCounselors@nvcc.edu.

It’s Advising Week

Posted on November 6, 2017 by Dual Enrollment Coordinator

Advising Week is offered every fall and spring at NOVA as a time for students to reflect upon their academic goals and career development in preparation for planning and evaluating their schedule for next semester. Advising week for spring 2018 will be held this week – November 6 – 10. Priority registration for continuing NOVA students begins on Monday, November 6.Get the most out of Advising Week by following the steps below:

Attend the Advising Week Webinar Series: Getting Ready for Your Next Semester webinar designed specifically for you to select your next semester courses, verify your degree plan on your account and revisit your academic and career goals. Learn more about the webinar and register for the session.
Use the Student Success Planner to build your academic plan and compare your plan to program requirements.
Review your Advisement Report. Access NOVAConnect to run an advisement report to view your progress and outstanding degree requirements.
Take a moment to reflect upon your career planning. If you need more information about career options or would like to learn about a resource to help you build a career plan consider attending a webinar or two in the Career Development Webinar Series to Support National Career Development Month. Learn more about the webinars and register for the session.
Communicate with your advisor about your academic and career goals. Be sure to take a moment to review your plans for the spring semester. Plan to have your academic plan, advisement report, and/or career plan handy when communicating with your advisor.

If you have not declared a program of study or are not pursuing a specific program at NOVA connect with an academic counselor or advisor for assistance. Open spring registration for all students begins on Monday, November 13. Priority registration for continuing NOVA students begins on Monday, November 6.

NOVA Online

The NOVA Online Student Blog

Category Archives: Academics