Welcome to STD 100, Orientation.
This 1-credit course may be one of the most valuable courses you will take.  The material covered is relevant not only to college, but life in general.  Some of you may be thinking, "Why do I have to take this course?  I have already taken college courses OR I already know how to study OR this is a waste of time."   This course will not only introduce you to some useful strategies for being successful, but also to the differences in on-campus and distance learning.    It also acquaints you with the College and its resources and the various technologies that you will find in other ELI courses.   Please look carefully through this Syllabus and then proceed to the online Course Guide.  The Course Guide explains all assignments and how to complete them.

This Syllabus provides you with important information on your course requirements, required books and materials, assignments and examinations, and policies which will govern your enrollment.  Be sure to read this Syllabus carefully and to get started with your course work as soon as possible.

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COURSE SUMMARY:
STD 100 provides an opportunity for you to learn new methods and reinforce trusted old methods of promoting your success in college. Areas covered include time management, memory, reading, note and test taking, creativity and college resources.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: If you successfully complete this course, you will be able to:

COURSE MATERIALS: The textbook must be purchased at any of the campus bookstores, or you may phone (888) 744-7839 to order them by mail.

          Ellis, David B., Becoming A Master Student, 9th ed. New York: Houghton Mifflin Co., 2000.
      Northern Virginia Community College Catalog (on-line as well)
          Northern Virginia Community College Student Handbook (on-line as well)
You can buy the text and catalog at the campus bookstores or order them by mail. Textbook mail order information is enclosed with your Quick-Start Syllabus sent by ELI.   Buying your books by mail takes time, so do it immediately.  The Student Handbook s available from each campus Counseling Center.
Do not purchase the Course Guide in the Bookstore.  Your Course Guide is included on-line.  See Site Map above.

GRADING SCALE: Grading is on a contractual basis where you determine the grade for which you will work.  You will notify me of your grade contract in your first assignment, the Introductory Letter.

For a minimum "C" grade: complete #1-6

For an average "B" grade: complete #1-7

For a superior "A" grade: complete #1-8

1. Introductory Voice Mail Letter, open e-mail account, e-mail message
2. Discovery Wheel/Journal Entries 5, 6, and 7
3. Campus Visit, Library Tutorial, participation in student forum
4. Exam
5. View 7 videos
6. Discovery Wheel/Journal Entry 63/Course Evaluation
7. Video Report Form on 6 of 7 videos
8. Project

Assignments turned in will be graded Satisfactory (S) or Unsatisfactory (U). Uncorrected "U" assignments or missing assignments will result in the final grade being lowered one letter grade for each missing assignment.

For STD 100, you must pass the on-campus final exam in order to pass the course, regardless of how well you do on the other assignments.

ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE: You are expected to make regular and steady progress in completing your course assignments and examinations.  In the Quick-Start Syllabus you received from ELI there were several dates on a label.  Please pay particular attention to those dates, as described below.

Enrollment Date:  This is your official enrollment date, and all other dates are based on it. This is a 16-week course, but your enrollment does not necessarily correspond to campus enrollment dates. You need to buy your course materials and begin working immediately.

Last Refund Date:  This is the last date that you can ask to withdraw from this course and be entitled to a refund of your tuition. Requests for a refund must be made in writing and must be postmarked by the Last Refund Date. Use the ELI Refund and Withdrawal form on the back of your Quick-Start Syllabus (you will receive this from ELI)  to request a refund.

Last Date for Withdrawal: This is the last date that you can request to withdraw from this course without grade penalty. You should use the Refund and Withdrawal Form on the reverse side of the Quick-Start Syllabus sent to you in the mail.

End of Enrollment Date: All assignments and examinations must be completed by this date.

To help you keep track of your progress,  use the Schedule and Student Record Sheet form.   Fill in the ENROLLMENT DATE and the END OF ENROLLMENT DATE (listed on the front page of the Quick-StartSyllabus) and then fill in the DATE DUE column by adding 7 days to your enrollment date for each week of the schedule, (e.g. If your enrollment date is January 15, your first week's assignment is due on January 22, the second week's on January 29, etc.). Keep up with this schedule so you will finish on time. Remember to keep copies of all your work and graded assignments. Your official grade records are kept at ELI.

Once you begin this course, it is your responsibility to withdraw if you do not intend to finish it. If you do not withdraw and do not finish your course assignments, you will receive a grade based upon the work you have submitted. Usually, this grade is an "F."

Students who do not send in the first two assignments by the Last Withdrawal Date listed on the front page of the Quick-Start Syllabus will be administratively withdrawn from the course and given a W grade.

At all the Testing Labs, you will be required to show photo identification to receive your examination. This may be an official driver's license, a DMV ID, or a military ID. You will also be required to provide the appropriate EXAM PASS.

EXAMINATION PROCTORS:  If you live outside of the metropolitan Washington area, you will need a proctor for your examinations. Requests for proctored exams and proctors must be approved by ELI. ELI reserves the right to reject requests for proctors for any reason. To have a proctor approved, write to ELI as soon as possible so your exams will not be delayed. Please use the Proctor Request Form  for your request.

If you are incarcerated, disabled, or have other extenuating circumstances, submit the Proctor Request form to ELI including a suggested proctor.

These programs are broadcast on cable TV (the schedule was mailed with your Quick-Start Syllabus).  If you have a video recorder, you can record the program for later study.  They  are also on reserve for your use in the NVCC campus Learning Resource Centers (LRCs); refer to the ELI Purposes and Procedures site for the addresses and phone numbers of the LRCs. Before you go to view a tape, be sure to call the LRC to make sure of the hours of operation. Please note that there are a limited number of tapes and playback machines in the LRCs so it is not recommended that you try to complete your whole course in this manner.

When NVCC closes because of inclement weather or for other reasons, courses broadcast on Cable TV will be delayed until the next scheduled time.  Missed broadcasts must be made up at campus LRCs

Click here to go on to the Course Guide.