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.

Ready to Become a Nighthawk?

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Registration for the summer term and fall semester are in progress.  First session courses for the summer term begin on May 16.  First session courses for the fall semester begin on August 21.

The first step to becoming a NOVA Nighthawk is to complete the application for admission. By completing the NOVA application, a student record will be created that allows you to move forward with the next steps associated with being a new student. You will access your record by logging into myNOVA and visiting the Student Information System (SIS) icon. The Student Information System is where you will be able to search and register for classes, make a payment, track degree requirements and completion and manage your personal information.

After you have completed the application and established your student record, you should check your Student Center to see if you have any holds and view New2NOVA, an online, interactive orientation program.

5 Tips for Building a Better Schedule

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Follow the tips below to build a better schedule.

Tip #1 – Plan your time accordingly.

As you begin to create your schedule, take a moment to think about all of the commitments you will have during the semester along with everything you wanted to accomplish.  How much time will you have available to focus on college courses?

Tip #2 – Identify how each course helps you achieve your goal.

Think about your academic and career goals.  How does each course you are planning to take help you progress towards achieving your goals?

Tip #3 – Know what will be covered in a course before you enroll.

Check out the course content summary to learn about major topics in a course.  View a partial syllabus for sections of courses offered through NOVA Online.

Tip #4 – Select a course format that works for you.

NOVA offers courses in a variety of formats.  Which format will work best for you for each course you plan to take?

Tip #5 – Be aware of important dates.

NOVA offers courses that vary in session length and have different start and end dates.  Know the important dates for sections of courses you are considering.

It’s Not Too Late to Enroll in Spring Courses

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Registration continues for the spring semester. 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 semester NOVA may offer courses following a 15, 13, 12, 10, 8, 7, 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.

For planning purposes, registration for the summer is open with first session courses beginning on May 16.  View the Getting Started at NOVA Online to learn more about continuing your studies.