Happy Thanksgiving!

We at ELI wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving and hope you have a chance to be with friends and family today and to reflect on the many things you have to be thankful for this year.

Keeping your schedule straight

A few months ago, we shared with you some tips on using the Google Calendar (which is a free part of any Google account, including your student email account) to schedule group work or just to keep your own life straight. Here's another simple online scheduler you might want to try: Doodle. You can use Doodle to keep your own calendar and to schedule group events. It integrates with many other calendars you might use (such as the calendar in Microsoft Outlook or your Google calendar), and you can even add it to your Facebook page.

Anyone out there already using Doodle? If so, what do you think of it?

We have a winner!

Thanks to all of you who entered our scavenger hunt contest. We got lots of correct entries to put into our drawing--and last week, we randomly drew our winner, Elizabeth Eldreth. Congratulations, Elizabeth! We sent Elizabeth a prize pack full of ELI goodies. Keep your eye out for future contests so you can try to win your own prize pack!

Some of you mentioned that you'd like to know the answers to the scavenger hunt questions--which is great, because they are all about things that ELI students should know! The answers can all be found in past entries to the blog, but here's a quick review. For more information on any item, use the subject labels on the bottom right of the blog to find the past entry with all the details, and if you need any help, post a comment and we'll help you find what you need!

1. What are the benefits of having a NOVA ID Card?

• cheaper price for printing on campus
• using vending machines on campus that don't accept cash
• access to parking garages at some campuses
• get college student discounts at local businesses

2. What are two online services to provide writing assistance?

• Smarthinking
• Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)

3. What do you need to participate in one of ELI's free orientation or advising webinars?

• a computer with internet access and speakers or headphones
• sometimes, to register in advance

4. How can you find out what courses you need to graduate?

• Run a degree progress report in NOVAConnect

5. What three items do you need to take an ELI exam at a NOVA testing center?

• photo ID
• Exam Pass
• student ID number

6. How can you get research help from home?

• Get online articles and research sources under "Articles and More" on the library homepage.
• Use the "Ask a Librarian" feature of the library homepage.

7. Where can you find out what textbooks you need before you have access to your course in Blackboard?

• Visit the ELI Course Information page for your course.
• Look up your course on the Alexandria Campus Online Bookstore, which stocks all ELI books.

8. How can the Virginia Education Wizard help you plan for your future?

• help you determine what career might be best for you
• help you identify college majors that best prepare you for your chosen career
• find colleges in Virginia that best meet your educational needs
• help you estimate college costs and find financial aid
• learn about transferring to a four-year college from NOVA

9. How can you learn more about Guaranteed Admissions to four-year colleges?

• Visit the Guaranteed Admissions website.
• Follow up with a NOVA counselor.

10. What is the purpose of ELI course deadlines?

• To make sure you make steady progress in your course and learn the material well.

Disability Services at NOVA

Do you have a disability that affects your schoolwork? Mabye it's a physical disability, or maybe it's a learning disability. Either way, NOVA can provide services to help you do your best in your classes. If you haven't done so yet, you should speak with a disability counselor at one of the NOVA campuses to learn more. Visit NOVA's Disability Services website here to find out who to contact and how the process works. We are here to help!

Cool contest for video-makers!

Do you like to make videos? Have some good tips to share with other students about succeeding in college? Then you might want to enter the McGraw-Hill Student Success Video Contest! They welcome creative, 3-5 minute videos on topics like time management, studying, test-taking, becoming a better student, or anything to help students succeed in college or thereafter. And the best part is that you can win prizes, including $2500 for the first-place winner, $1500 for the second-place winner, and a $100 gas card for 8 other runners-up. So why not try your hand at filmmaking? The deadline in December 31.

Visit McGraw-Hill's Facebook page here to get full information about the contest. If you decide to enter, we'd love to hear about what you've done!

Registration for all students begins today!

Last week, many students had the opportunity to register for spring classes during our priority registration days. Starting today, anyone can register--so now's the time to look seriously at your schedule, check your progress toward your degree or certificate, and get signed up for your next courses! Contact ELI via email, chat, or our phone hotline to get answers to whatever questions you may have!

How Many Credits Should I Take?

Sometimes it can be hard to figure out how many credits you can handle in a given semester, taking into account your other life responsibilities with work, family, leisure time, religious activities, and community work. As you decide which courses to take for spring, you might want to try filling out this form. It is a way to help you think realistically about how much time you have available for your classes, including how much time you need to set aside for each class you take in order to do well in it. Filling the chart out honestly can be a real eye-opener! It can be tempting to take lots of classes at once when you are eager to complete your degree or program, but you also want to be sure to plan appropriately so that you have the time necessary to succeed in those classes. Whether you need to cut back on classes, or cut back on other responsibilities to give yourself more time to study, planning ahead about how you'll manage your time will often be the key to your success. Good luck!