Did you know that your success in an online course can begin before the first day of classes?  Course materials are often available in Blackboard a few days before the start of the term.

Consider taking care of these tasks this week so you can hit the ground running on January 6, 2014!

Week Zero (Before the term starts)

• Print out your “detail schedule” from your account in Student Online Services. Make note of your classes, the name(s) of your instructor(s).  If your courses aren’t in Blackboard yet, review the sample syllabus found as a link in the course schedule until you have access to the current term syllabus for each course.
• Visit the Academic Calendar to make sure you stay organized throughout the term. Here, you will find the first day of the term, finals week dates and important dates such as the last day to add or drop classes.
• It’s not the most entertaining reading, but you should bookmark the complete list of OSU’s Academic Regulations to refer to as you need to throughout the term.
• If you can, buy your textbooks before your classes start. That way you’ll be ready for the first reading assignment, which is likely to be assigned immediately in the materials for the first week of class.
• NEW STUDENTS:  Blackboard is OSU’s Learning Management System (LMS).  Login and become familiar with Blackboard’s dashboard using http://ecampus.oregonstate.edu/services/start/blackboard_login.htm.
• Periodically check Blackboard to find out if any of your classes have been activated prior to the start of the term.  When they become available you have a great opportunity to get familiar with each course and its layout, any materials you have access to prior to the first week, etc.
• Buy a planner or adjust your current time management system to make room for your new academic responsibilities.  Plan time to balance all of your known commitments (work schedule, recurring activities and meetings, time you have for class requirements and study time).

Feeling Ready?  Want to look ahead to next week?  Check out tips for the rest of the term in the Ecampus “Zero to Success in 77 Days (handout)” success document.