Need help planning for your next semester?

Did you know priority registration for Spring courses begins November 8, 2011?

Consider attending a Getting Ready for Your Next Semester webinar.  
This 45 minute webinar for NOVA students will focus on answering key questions students have about what courses to enroll in for their next semester.  Topics covered will include program identification, college resources, degree progress reports, and course selection.

Using the computer of your choice, you will be able to see the presentation and listen in using your computer speakers.  A microphone is not required as a text chat feature will be utilized during the webinar for participants to ask questions.  The webinar is free; however, registration is required.  Click here to register for a webinar or, contact an ELI Counselor directly by calling (703) 323-2425 or emailing ELICounselors@nvcc.edu.

Advising Week, October 31 – November 4

What are your long-term educational goals? Do you know what your career goals are? Do you have a defined path planned out to achieve those goals?

If you answered, “No” to any of these questions, please note that Advising Week at NOVA starts next week!

We are happy to report that there will be multiple opportunities for advising in preparation for the spring semester. We strongly recommend that you plan ahead and explore these resources early so you will be on track when spring semester begins. Campuses are organizing a variety of activities to support Advising Week. Also, as an ELI student, we have five on-site counselors who can help you virtually from 8:30 am – 5 pm Monday through Friday. ELI Counselors can be contacted via email or phone at ELICounselors@nvcc.edu or (703) 323-2425.

Advising week immediately precedes the start of Priority Registration for the Spring 2012 semester. More information regarding career exploration, choosing a program of study, how to prepare to transfer to a four-year institution, and so much more can be found on the Counseling and Advising page of NOVA’s website.

Good luck on your journey to academic success!

NCDA 46th Annual Poster & Poetry Contest

Need a break from your studies or an opportunity to show your creative side? In honor of National Career Development Month (November) the National Career Development Association (NCDA) is sponsoring the 46th annual poster & poetry contest. This year’s theme is “My Career Dreams”. Why not take a moment to think about what this year’s theme means to you and consider entering the contest.

The following are a few details: 

Eligibility:

Every adult and student enrolled in public, private, and parochial schools in states with participating NCDA state divisions are eligible.

Contest Division Areas Include:

• Senior: Grades 9-12
• Adult Student: 18 and older enrolled in school
• Open Adult: 18 and older not enrolled in school (student teachers, parents, and professionals . . . )

Requirements:

Poems

• Form:  Any acceptable poetic form (e.g. cinquain, free verse, diamante, haiku, limerick, metered, rhyming, blank verse).
• Size:  Each poem should be submitted on a single sheet of paper 8.5” x  11” in 12 point font.

Posters

• Lettering:  Simple bold lettering is preferred.  Captions are to be used to convey the theme, attract attention, and to achieve goals of clarity, vigor, and originality.  All lettering is considered part of the design.
• Size:  Each poster must be created in 8.5” x 11” format, including matte, to be eligible.

Learn more about the contest and print a copy of the Entry Form

See examples of the 2010 winning entries

Mid-Semester Goal Setting

As you approach the halfway point in the semester, what academic goals are you striving for? Are you aiming for a “C” in that difficult subject course and an “A” in your stronger area or are you striving for straight “A”s this semester and no excuses?

· List each one of your courses and the grade you wish to obtain in each given how you’ve been doing in each course so far and what grades you would like to obtain on future assignments. Take into consideration how much time you will need to devote to each subject given the required assignments, how much you already know about the subject and how much you need to learn about course concepts in order to be most productive on your assignments.

· Review your course syllabi and list out tasks that you need to accomplish in each of your classes as you go through each assignment. List out the remaining projects and assignments that you need to complete and the grade requirements for each, along with the grade you wish to receive.

· Outline your study habits for each exam, quiz and assignment that you will need in order to achieve the desired grade that you want. How long will you need to study to receive an “A” or a “B” on the mid-term. What areas will you target to increase your chances of getting a good grade on an upcoming assignment? For example, if you want to get an “A” on your upcoming presentation, what extra steps can you take (such as planning ahead, rehearsing and writing the presentation notes in a legible format) to ensure that you are as well prepared as possible?

· Review your tasks that you have yet to complete. Base your aspirations for your grades on those exams on how well or poorly you did on previous assignments. For example, if you got a “C” on a recent exam and you were striving for an “A”, look carefully at the remaining list of assignments and what grades you will need in order to ensure that you receive the grade in the course that you want to achieve. You may need to do more extensive research for an upcoming paper in order to ensure that you get that “A” that you are trying for. Conversely, if you do well above the grade you were striving for on a project, getting a B+ on that exam may be all you need to achieve the “A” in the course that you wanted.

· Keep a reminder of your goals every day; record your goals and where you are at in achieving them in a journal every day; writing out your goals is a useful way to reinforce what you want to achieve and how close you are to achieving them.

For more information on this topic, visit this link.

Active Reading

Reading is an essential part of a student’s college journey. Many students entering college have no idea how much reading is in store for them. With this being said, how can a person read in an organized manner, take effective notes and determine what is important and not?

At the beginning of the semester, your instructor gives you several items to read; such as a syllabus, overview of assignments, policies, etc. When you log into your course in Blackboard, you see a menu full of items. This is all very important information to read as it helps you get acclimated to the requirements of the course.

When you first get a reading assignment, spend a little time preparing to maximize the time you have to complete it. Set a definite time and place in which you intend to read, just like you would when study for a test. Find a comfortable, quiet location that is free of distractions. Then try “active reading”; which means being fully engaged in reading by focusing your mind and body on the activity. Many first-time students tend to read “passively” - not fully concentrating on the material.

To actively read, begin by skimming the material paying attention to main ideas. This will help you get an idea of what the reading assignment is about, how long it is, and the difficulty level. Read the first and last paragraphs, the main headings of a section, and the first and last sentences of paragraphs. Once you begin reading in-depth, take notes either in the textbook or in a notebook. Write down key ideas and questions you have; this will help you stay focused. Avoid highlighting large sections as this defeats the purpose of pointing out key ideas.

Most importantly, think critically when reading. You will find that your instructors do not want you to just recite names and dates, but to demonstrate an understanding of the material through reasoning and logic in your written assignments. Taking notes and asking questions while reading will help develop this skill.

Techniques for Clearing Your Mind of Stress and Clutter

With all of the busy activities that we engage in every day, it is easy to get burned out very quickly as a result of a clutter-filled mind of thoughts and to do lists. Every now and then, it is important to engage in activities to help release stressful thoughts:

• Go for a nature walk during a time in the day when you are most refreshed and have no long term responsibilities. Use the time to clear your mind and let your thoughts flow in and out of your head. With each thought that causes you anxiety, learn how to gently release it.

• Call a friend and talk out the issues that are causing you concern and find some common ground. This will help you gain perspective on things that are causing you distress and get some positive energy from a good friend.

• Hugging a pet or family member can release calming chemicals in our bodies and relax us from the stress.

• Record your disappointments and goals in a journal. Getting it out on paper is a useful way to release mental clutter.

• Do something you are passionate about. Whether it is singing or performing, drawing or sewing, engaging in an activity that you love can keep you focused on one task rather than letting your mind get lost in scattered thinking.

• Be a risk taker. Try an activity that you have never engaged in such as karaoke or parachuting. It will awaken your heart and mind and promote focus.

• Exercising releases endorphins to help further calm your mind

• Find humor in situations that may be causing you to take life too seriously. By learning to laugh at ourselves, we release feel good chemicals that get suppressed when we worry.

• Create a mood board by cutting out pictures and articles and creating a collage and create a work of art. This is a creative way to release mind-cluttering thoughts while seeing things from an artistic viewpoint that you created.

For more information on this topic, visit this link.

Getting Started in your 8 Week Course

As you are getting started in your online course or courses a lot of questions are probably going through your mind. What will this course be like? Can I do this? Can I complete this course … in just 8 weeks?

ELI’s website has an Orientation section that will help you as you are getting started and also below are some tips to help you stay focused over the next few weeks.

Plan your schedule - During the first week, you will want to look over the syllabus to see all the course requirements. Have your planner with you as you look over the course specific due dates. Make sure to schedule your course work like you would your other responsibilities, set aside the time and use it.

Buy all required text books and course material - If your online course requires text books or course material, buy them early so you don’t fall behind. ELI works with the Alexandria Campus bookstore to make sure you have the correct course material to begin and be successful.

Run browser checks on your computer - Check the course syllabus to see if there are requirements for software, speakers, headphones, microphone that you may need to purchase and/or install. Use this time to make sure your computer is set so you don’t have to worry as deadlines approach.

“Meet” your Instructors & classmates - In some ELI courses, the first assignment is an introduction on the discussion board. Use this opportunity to introduce yourself to the Instructor, but also to your peers. You may make a connection with a classmate that will benefit you as a student. If this is not an assignment, make a point to introduce yourself to your Instructor.

Join the discussion - Sometimes it is difficult and intimidating to jump in and participate in class discussions. Speak up early and establish yourself as an active participant in class. You will start making connections with peers in your class and understand the material.

Get started on assigned work - Avoid procrastination. Get started so you don’t fall behind.

Sign up for the ELI Orientation on Wednesday, October 19 at 7pm. If you can’t attend live, email Katie Aimone, ELI Orientation Specialist for a recording!

Do you have any tips for getting started in an 8 week course? Post a comment and/or connect with ELIfe on  facebook and twitter!

Historical Quotes Quiz

Which famous person in history said that? Test your accuracy on historical quotes and who said them.

Are you ready for your next interview?

During the week of October 17^th ELI will be offering part 3 of the three part job search webinar series.  The 45 minute Interviewing Skills Basics webinar will focus on the basics of conducting an effective job interview.  Topics covered will include preparing for an interview, tips for remaining calm and staying focused during the interview, answering questions, and following-up after the interview.   Register and view the complete schedule of free webinars. 

Stuck in a Rut? Check out these Coping Strategies

It’s that sinking feeling that you know things aren’t moving in the direction you want to go and things have been at a standstill for way too long. Perhaps you feel that you made the wrong career choice, have too many responsibilities on a constant basis and no time to recuperate, your house is up for sale, but not selling due to too much competition. Whatever the reason, we’ve all been there and sometimes, all we need is to remind ourselves to be gentle with ourselves in the same way that we are kind to others.

• Where you can, find ways to extend deadlines. For example, if you have a work or school project that in your mind, you would like to have done in a week, but you have 3 weeks to complete it, give yourself an extra day or two and remember to take time out for yourself.

• Lower your standards and make your goals attainable. If you are not feeling like the Energizer Bunny and you set your intention to write 2 essays in one day, when you have a period of a month to complete them, narrow your goal down to, "I will complete 2 paragraphs of my rough draft today of my first essay."

• Help someone else. Whether it’s volunteer work or being a good listener, helping someone helps us feel reconnected and assured that we are not alone in our struggles. Not to mention, it can take our mind off of the “in a rut” feeling that can make us feel isolated.

• Find your symbol of inspiration. Whether it’s gardening, spending time with your cat or dog or listening to a song that inspires and motivates you (I like to belt out “Cool Change” by Little River Band!), whatever gives you inspiration will help give you the hope to keep going.

• Surround yourself with positive people. People that give you a happy, positive feeling, be it good friends or family can keep you upbeat in down times.

• Develop an inspirational mantra such as “How can I be less affected by this?” or “Today, I will gather knowledge that I didn’t have yesterday about reaching my goals.”

• Review your past successes. Look back at a time when you won an award or were shown appreciation, respect and praise for something that showcased your inner most talents. Imagining yourself in this situation and going back in time will help you recapture the energy that keeps you moving forward toward future successes. Begin with the end in mind and use that energy to stay on course toward that destination.

Always know that being stuck in a rut is a temporary situation and using this time to be extra gentle with yourself is a great way to come to some new epiphanies about what you really want from your life at this time as it relates to personal, academic and professional growth. For more information on this topic, visit this link.

Create your own payment plan

Planning ahead financially can save you time, stress, and money, and leave you with more energy and time to focus on your coursework!

If you are like many students, you may not be able to pay tuition in one lump sum and therefore choose to enroll in NOVA's Deferred Tuition Payment Plan, Nelnet. The Nelnet payment plan allows students to pay their tuition in increments - payments can be deducted from a bank account or charged to a credit card once a month. If you have made the last payment on your Nelnet payment plan, and know you plan to take classes next semester, now is a great time to plan for next semester’s tuition expenses.

To do this, you can work with your bank or credit union to set up a separate account for next semester’s tuition and books. Many banks and credit unions offer special savings accounts for educational purposes with higher interest rates, so you may earn even more money for your tuition as you save! By automatically transferring funds from your main account into this “special” savings account, you can easily save for next semester. Because you are already used to making a payment on the 21st of each month, why not keep it simple – setup the automatic transfer on this same day moving forward.

To calculate an optimal monthly payment, estimate your tuition and book costs for next semester. If you are planning to take 12 credits, for instance, estimate your tuition cost by using the current tuition rate, and then add about $100 per class for books and supplies. Then subtract any amount you expect will be covered by Financial Aid. Divide that amount by the number of months between now and when the payment for your classes is due. The payment deadline for Spring 2012 classes is December 17th and open enrollment for Spring will begin November 14th.

Planning ahead can give you a feeling of greater control over your finances—a priceless feeling in these current times!

Looking to Transfer?

Annandale Campus Transfer Fair Knowledge is Power...the World is Waiting
When		Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Time		10:30am-12:30pm
Where		Gymnasium, Richard Ernst Cultural Center (CE Building)
How		The College Transfer Fair brings colleges and universities from throughout the region, to YOU! Gather information and talk to representatives from over 80 4-year schools! Let NOVA help you find out how you can transfer to the college or university of your dreams! For more info or to check out what schools will be attending the fair, go to www.nvcc.edu/annandale/transferfair/
Other NOVA College Transfer Fairs
Alexandria Campus
When		Thursday, October 13, 2011
Time		10:30am-12:30pm
Where		Bisdorf Building (3rd and 4th Floor – Phase III)
Manassas Campus
When		Monday, September 26, 2011
Time		12:00pm-1:30pm
Where		Howsmon Hall (MH Building), Counseling Center and Cafeteria
Woodbridge Campus
When		Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Time		10:30am-12:30pm
Where		Seefeldt Building, 1st Floor Atrium
Local College Transfer Fairs
Washington Convention Center – National College Fair
When		Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Time		9:00am-1:00pm and 6:00pm-8:00pm
Where		Hall C - 801 Mount Vernon Place, NW Washington, DC 20001 Visit the website for additional information
ALCANZA Fair – Latino Students from VA/MD/DC
When		Friday, October 14, 2011
Time		11:00am-12:30pm
Where		Patriot Center – George Mason University Visit the website for additional information
Fair Oak Mall College Fair
When		Sunday, October 16, 2011
Time		7:30pm-9:30pm
Where		Fair Oaks Mall Visit the website for additional information
College Night
When		Monday, October 17, 2011
Time		7:00pm-9:00pm
Where		Hayfield Secondary School Visit the website for additional information
TC Williams High School College Fair
When		Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Time		7:00pm-9:00pm
Where		TC Williams High School
Questions?  Check out www.nvcc.edu/annandale/transfer/


More Great ELI Courses Start Oct. 19th!

Need to pick up a few extra credits? Did you know that ELI offers over 80 different 8-week courses starting Oct. 19th? Adding an 8-week course to your Fall schedule will allow you to complete your degree sooner and earn more credits in a shorter period of time. Below are just a few interesting courses that you might consider. For more details about the courses listed, visit the Course Description section of ELI’s website.

• ENG 236: Intro to the Short Story
• ADJ 100: Survey of Criminal Justice
• ART 100: Art Appreciation
• BUS 165: Small Business Management
• BUS 241: Business Law I and BUS 242 Business Law II
• CST 100: Principles of Public Speaking
• ECO 201: Principles of Macroeconomics
• GEO 210: Cultural Geography
• GOL 111: Oceanography
• MUS 121: Music Appreciation I
• PLS 242: International Relations II
• SDV 100: College Success Skills
• SOC 200: Principles of Sociology
• TRV 100: Introduction to the Travel Industry

That’s not all! Search through ELI's online course listing for lots more 4th session 8-week course options. This session starts Oct. 19th and ends Dec. 19th. Contact ELI Registration for more information: 703-323-3347.

What is your resume saying about you?

During the week of October 10^th ELI will be offering part 2 of the three part job search webinar series.  The 45 minute Resume and Cover Letter Basics  webinar will focus on creating an effective resume and cover letter.  The purpose of a resume and cover letter, types of resumes, presentation styles, and important information to be included in a resume and cover letter will be addressed.  Register and view the complete schedule of free webinars.  

Disability Support Services for ELI Students

NOVA’s disability support services are not limited to traditional on-campus students; ELI’s on-line students may also request appropriate accommodations for documented disabilities!  Perhaps the best way to start the inquiry or request process would be to contact ELI’s Disability Support Services (DSS) Liaison, David Highsmith.  David is one of ELI’s counselors, and he is available to address general questions you may have about disability support services; he can also walk you through the process for requesting accommodations at NOVA.  You may reach David at dhighsmith@nvcc.edu or 703-323-2404. 

Another great source for information on disability support services at NOVA is the DSS website.  After carefully reviewing pertinent portions of this website, check-out the “Students with Disabilities Intake Packet” link in the “How to Begin” paragraph.  Please note that the intake packet (and supporting documentation) must be processed through one of NOVA’s six campus-based DSS offices – and you’ll find contact information for all six offices directly below the “How to Begin” paragraph.

Internet Public Library = www.ipl.org

I never know how to find quality web pages.  To be honest, I am not sure that it was ever covered in any of my classes.  So you can imagine how excited I was when I found www.ipl.org.    Internet Public Library (IPL) is a website   that allows you to search “librarian approved” internet resources.  Unlike Google or Bing that provides you with every resource under the sun, ipl.org is only scholastic, quality websites that are great for finding information you can trust.

The Political Stage

Living in the D.C. metro region offers some perks, and access to the latest political happenings is one of them. Do you enjoy a good political discussion with friends and family, or do you shun any talk of politics entirely? Whether or not you consider yourself to be a Democrat, a Republican, an Independent, or totally apolitical, you will begin to notice that the political arena is heating up this fall.

Coming soon, Republican candidates will continue their series of debates at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire on October 11th. The entire debate schedule can be viewed here. These debates will hopefully inspire even the most casual observer of politics to become engaged in the national discussion on issues related to the economy, jobs, inflation, healthcare and international policy, among other topics. Americans will certainly be watching in the coming months as Republicans determine who will become the frontrunner and win the nomination as the 2012 election looms ever closer.

If you do end up watching any of the debates, we would love to hear your thoughts and reactions. If you wanted, you could even think about starting a student group at ELI related to politics. The possibilities are endless! Whatever you do, tune into the political events this fall even briefly, so you stay informed.