Did you know that yesterday (February 5th) was unofficially National Weather Forecasters day?  Appropriately for those of us in Corvallis, they told us that a storm was coming – and it was.

Today OSU’s Corvallis campus is closed due to snow.

What does that mean for you as an Ecampus student?

* If you were planning to call for assistance, you will need to wait until campus reopens.  All offices including Financial Aid, Admissions, the Registrar, Ecampus Student Services and Ecampus proctoring are closed today.

*Similarly, if you have recently sent an e-mail request, please be patient knowing that it will not be acted upon until campus reopens.

* If you live in the area, please note that when campus closes so does the library, computing services, and childcare at Our Little Village.

* Test proctoring on the OSU campus will be unavailable.

* Real-time librarian assistance will be unavailable.  You can still request books and articles, but processing and delivery will be delayed.

Even though campus is closed, courses generally will keep the same deadlines for assignments and discussions that may be due today.

Be sure to check your courses Blackboard site for any announcements and communicate with your professor if weather is affecting your ability to meet requirements.

Keep up to date and know when campus reopens:

• OSU home page (http://oregonstate.edu/) and the OSU Alerts Page (http://oregonstate.edu/main/alerts);
• OSU campus hotline: 541-737-8000;
• OSU Twitter account: https://twitter.com/oregonstateuniv
• OSU Facebook account: https://www.facebook.com/osubeavers

Midterm.

Test.

Exam.

Assessment.

Quiz.

     No matter what your instructor calls it, or how many there are in your classes this term, exams can increase stress and anxiety, as well as challenge the often already tenuous balance of school vs. life.

 

 

So what can you do?

 

Here is some advice from the OSU Learning Corner, a resource created by the Academic Success Center.

When it comes to test preparation, the best place to start is by analyzing your weekly study habits and making any needed changes.  As the test gets closer, you should organize your time, create a study plan, and use a variety of study methods. The rituals and habits you create for the time leading up to and during the test can help you prepare physically and mentally for an exam, in turn reducing your test anxiety.  Once you’re in the test it doesn’t hurt to use some “test-wise” strategies.  Because each professor designs and organizes their exams differently, analyzing your initial results and using that feedback can help you strategically plan your studying for the next exam.

Learn more through resources for test preparation, taking tests, managing anxiety at the Learning Corner!

 

Also, remember that some of your distance courses require you to take proctored exams. Your instructor will indicate this requirement via the course syllabus, a Blackboard announcement or an email. Not all of your courses may require proctored exams.  If any of your exams require proctoring, it is recommended you complete the Exams and Proctoring form 1-2 weeks prior to your exam.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source: “This Is a Book” by Demetri Martin

 

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.

Would you like to increase your academic success?

Ecampus Success Counselors are here to support you!

 

Success counseling is an academic counseling service for  Ecampus students. Success Counselors work in partnership with students to improve academic skills, to identify support resources, and to address obstacles to academic success at OSU.   There is no additional charge to students.

Success counseling is an individualized, strengths-based, and holistic process that allows students to actively reflect on their current circumstances and to evaluate strategies that support and/or undermine their academic success.

Common discussion topics include:

• Time Management
• Procrastination
• Prioritization
• Work-Life Balance
• Stress Management
• Goal-setting
• Motivation
• Identifying and utilizing support resources

 

Success counseling can help students clarify  academic goals and motivation to achieve them.  Whether a senior in the final terms before graduation, or a student just starting out with OSU Ecampus – all levels and majors can benefit from academic success counseling!

Students do not need to be in academic distress or negative academic standing to partner with an academic Success Counselor.  Students can begin success counseling at any point in the term.

It’s easy for current OSU students to request a Success Counseling appointment.