Are you unsure what to expect in your first term? Do you need to brush-up on organization, time management, and goal setting? Do you need help keeping the momentum going throughout the term? Completing orientation is only the first of many pieces to your success at SUNY Empire State College’s Northeast Center (NEC). Now that you have met your mentor and learned about the many resources available to you, you are ready to put together the other pieces that will help you have a successful first term. At three important stages during the term, we will offer workshops and interactive sessions conducted by staff and current students to provide you with additional resources and effective strategies to help you piece together a successful academic experience. We highly recommend this series for new students, but all students are welcome to participate each term. Before You Begin HIGHLY recommended for new students Being a Successful Learner Communicating Effectively with your Mentor and Instructors Setting Term Long Goals Student Panel : The Balancing Act & Other Success Tips

1. Pieces of Success:Pieces of Success:
Before You BeginBefore You Begin

2. • Introductions
• Overview of Pieces of Success Series
• Essential Pieces Before the Term Begins
• Setting Term Long Goals
• Being A Successful Learner
• Communicating Well with Mentors & Instructors
• Q&A Student Panel
• Individualized Questions with NEC staff
AgendaAgenda

3. www.commons.esc.edu/necsuccess

4. S.M.A.R.T.E.R.S.M.A.R.T.E.R.
CardCard
http://bit.ly/SMARTERCard.

5. Define your “ONE THING” goal for this term….
Essential PiecesEssential Pieces
Before the TermBefore the Term
BeginsBegins

6. Long-Term Goals
You Are
Here
On Route To…

7. Term-Long Goals
You Are
Here
On Route To…
What is your goal, what would you like to have
done, accomplished, experienced….by the end of
the term?

8. S.M.A.R.T. Goals
Specific
• ‘My goal is to earn a college degree’
vs.
• ‘My goal is to earn a bachelors degree in business
administration within three years’.
Measurable
• How will you know you reached your goal? What will
be different?
Achievable
• Is this possible?
Relevant
• Does this fit into what you want (personally,
professionally)?
Trackable
• How will you chart your progress?

9. Examples
• Latham participant:
• Saratoga participant:
• Online participant:
Let’s pick one and see how ‘SMART’ it is…

10. Working a goal
through…
• Specific
• Measurable
• Achievable
• Relevant
• Trackable

11. Resources to Keep in Mind…
You Are
Here
On Route To…
Second ‘Pieces’
Workshop
9/25
Third ‘Pieces’
Workshop
10/30

12. Being A Successful Learner
In all Modes of Study
Essential PiecesEssential Pieces
Before the TermBefore the Term
BeginsBegins

13. This is not learning at Empire State College

14. What Does LearningWhat Does Learning
Look Like at the Northeast Center?Look Like at the Northeast Center?

15. GOOD CLEAR COMMUNICATIONGOOD CLEAR COMMUNICATION
IS THE FIRST PIECE TO YOUR SUCCESSIS THE FIRST PIECE TO YOUR SUCCESS

16. MODES OF COMMUNICATION:MODES OF COMMUNICATION:
PHONE & EMAILPHONE & EMAIL
• Know your mentor's usual schedule, and try to call when he or she is normally in the
office or schedule a phone meeting.
• If your mentor is not available when you call, leave a clear message:
• Your name; when you called; why you called; what you want to accomplish/what
action you need to have him or her take; when, where, and how you can be
reached.
• If you are sending e-mail, get to know your mentor’s e-mail habits, in other words the
days of the week or times they tend to check and respond to e-mail.
• If you haven’t heard back from your mentor after a reasonable amount of time, when
you’ve left either a phone message or sent an e-mail, try using another mode of
communication.
• A few business days is the norm for email, phone might be a bit longer if your mentor
is traveling or working from another office.
• If it has been a long time (more than two weeks), call the main center or unit phone
number to see if the mentor is on vacation, out sick or involved in meetings.

17. MODES OF COMMUNICATION:MODES OF COMMUNICATION:
IN PERSONIN PERSON
•Keep the mentor informed about your time limitations: How long can you
stay. How much time will be needed for the conference. Do not make
appointments for times you know you will be exhausted or distracted.
•Arrive on time. When mentors see students one after another, it is difficult
to extend meeting times without impacting someone else’s schedule.
•If you are running late or if you cannot make it, call or email your mentor.
Give as much advance notice as possible. Don't be a no-show!
•Bring with you a clear idea of your goals for the meeting. Try to get a clear
idea of your mentor's goals for the meeting.
•Do not end a meeting without being clear about what you are going to do
next.
•Set a time and goal for the next meeting. Get as much structure in your
assignment as you feel is needed.

18. Independent
Studies
Study
Groups
Online
Classes
Residency
Studies

19. An independent studyindependent study consists of a student and
instructor (either your primary mentor or another
Empire State College faculty member) meetingmeeting
together one-to-one.together one-to-one.
•Understand all of your learning contract (LC)
• An LC specifies the topics to be studied, the activities to
be carried out as part of the study (books to be read,
papers to be written, problems to be solved, etc.) and the
standards and expectations for successful completion and
mastery of the subject.
•MakeMake contactcontact with your instructor about once
every two weeks to maintain progress on the work.
•Make sure you bring up any questions orbring up any questions or
problemsproblems for clarification, so your instructor can
provide guidance and advice about how to proceed.
•The two of you togethertogether will be able to better planplan
and organize the work to be doneand organize the work to be done for the next
interaction.

20. Independent Study - Study TipsIndependent Study - Study Tips
•Set up first appointment/call
•Clarify a schedule of interactions & due dates
•Set deadlines if none or open-ended deadlines are provided
•Get your books
•Understand the assignments
•Get organized - folders, notebook, online documents
•Schedule regular devoted time to work

21. Study
Study
Group
Group
In a study groupstudy group, small groups of students meet
together with an instructor to explore a topic that is
frequently an interdisciplinary or timely subject. The
group provides discussion opportunities and access
to films, guest speakers, and other learning resources
(including other students).
•Study groupsStudy groups typically meet every other weektypically meet every other week
and learning on the non-meeting week is through
students’ individualized learning, through engagement
with other resources, activities, and/or projects.
•Understand all of your learning contract (LC)learning contract (LC)
• The LC for a study group is usually very structured with
assignment due dates and attendance expectations.
•Be sure toBe sure to attend all study group meetingsattend all study group meetings andand
engage in learning outside of class time.engage in learning outside of class time.

22. Study Group - Study TipsStudy Group - Study Tips
•Get all of your class meeting dates into your time management
system.
•Clarify a schedule of interactions & due dates
•Set deadlines if none or open-ended deadlines are provided
•Get your books
•Understand the assignments
•Get organized - folders, notebook, online documents
•Schedule regular devoted time to work

23. Online
Online
Courses
Courses
Online coursesOnline courses are structured and designed for
groups of students. They offer you the opportunity to
interact with other students as well as the course
instructor and in online discussions of the course
material and group projects.
•Online courses are generally small groups (15-20)generally small groups (15-20)
of student and an instructor.
•Online courses allow you to communicatecommunicate with your
instructor and other members of the course at timesat times
that are convenient to youconvenient to you. But, you will have
deadlines to meet.
•All your course interactions happencourse interactions happen within an
onlineonline password protected environment called ANGELANGEL
(now owned by Blackboard so you might see
Blackboard too).
•Do the STUDENT TECH TUTORIALSTUDENT TECH TUTORIAL & come to our
Drop In HoursDrop In Hours during PREVIEW WEEKPREVIEW WEEK or meet one
on one with a Learning Coach.

24. Online Courses - Study TipsOnline Courses - Study Tips
•Do the STUDENT TECH TUTORIAL
•REVIEW the Course OVERVIEW/SYLLABUS to access the course
content, schedule of interactions & due dates
•Set deadlines if none or open-ended deadlines are provided
•Review the entire module BEFORE you do any assignment.
•Get organized - folders, notebook, online documents
•Schedule regular devoted time to work

25. Residency
Residency
Courses
Courses
Residency coursesResidency courses are structured and offer you the
opportunity to interact with other students as well as the
course instructor before, during and after the residency.
The residency is a face-to-face series of meetings that
typically have a plenary sessions focus on the theme
and related topics and small group seminars.
Interactions before and after the residency happen in
online environments, and occasionally might include
other face-to-face/online meetings.
•Residency courses are generally small groupsgenerally small groups
(10-20)(10-20) of student and an instructor.
•Your course will most likely use ANGEL or another
online environment for you to communicatecommunicate with your
instructor and other members of the course at timesat times
that are convenient to youconvenient to you. But, you will have
deadlines to meet.
•All the work for a residency course does not take place
at the residency. You will have work before and after as
well as at the face-to-face meeting(s).

26. Residency Course - Study TipsResidency Course - Study Tips
•Review your learning contract and make sure you can attend all of
the required meetings. Some residencies happen over the course of
several days or single days at different times of the term.
•A laptop is useful if you want to take notes or access class materials
onsite at the residency. Most residency sites have free wireless.
•Some residencies require travel. Be sure to read through all the
information you are sent about residencies and prepare accordingly
for your travels.
•Get organized - folders, notebook, online documents – Be sure you
know how to use the online components of the residency course.
•Schedule regular devoted time to work before, during & after the
residency.

27. Academic Support Resources & ServicesAcademic Support Resources & Services
•Individual AppointmentsIndividual Appointments
• Learning Coaches - work with students in all areas of the writing process and related study skills
strategies including time management, organization, reading efficiency, goal setting, critical thinking, library
research skills, note-taking, and learning skills.
• Peer Coaches - assist other students by focusing on enhancing general study skills, tutoring in specific
content areas, navigating through college resources, and developing study strategies within their Areas of Study.
•WorkshopsWorkshops (online & onsite – Latham & Saratoga)
•Credit and non-credited studies/coursesstudies/courses
•Content Area TutoringContent Area Tutoring - FREE online tutoring provided by the college
through Smarthinking
•Customized Organizational ToolsCustomized Organizational Tools
• Datebook & Terms-at-a-glance
•Other resources available online at
http://necademicsupport.pbworks.comhttp://necademicsupport.pbworks.com
Academic Support Resources & ServicesAcademic Support Resources & Services
•Individual AppointmentsIndividual Appointments
• Learning Coaches - work with students in all areas of the writing process and related study skills
strategies including time management, organization, reading efficiency, goal setting, critical thinking, library
research skills, note-taking, and learning skills.
• Peer Coaches - assist other students by focusing on enhancing general study skills, tutoring in specific
content areas, navigating through college resources, and developing study strategies within their Areas of Study.
•WorkshopsWorkshops (online & onsite – Latham & Saratoga)
•Credit and non-credited studies/coursesstudies/courses
•Content Area TutoringContent Area Tutoring - FREE online tutoring provided by the college
through Smarthinking
•Customized Organizational ToolsCustomized Organizational Tools
• Datebook & Terms-at-a-glance
•Other resources available online at
http://necademicsupport.pbworks.comhttp://necademicsupport.pbworks.com

28. MyESC & Other Key Resources
Essential PiecesEssential Pieces
Before the TermBefore the Term
BeginsBegins

29. Click
SITE MAPSITE MAP
to get a
complete
overview of
what is
available
via My ESC
WWW.ESC.EDU/MYESCWWW.ESC.EDU/MYESC

31. Questions?Questions?
Visit us on the WWW -Visit us on the WWW - http://commons.esc.edu/necsuccesshttp://commons.esc.edu/necsuccess
ContactContact
Northeast Center Office(s) of Academic Support or Student ServicesNortheast Center Office(s) of Academic Support or Student Services
E-mail NECAcademicSupport@esc.edu
or
NEC.StudentServices@esc.edu
Phone 518-783-6203
Mail SUNY Empire State College
Northeast Center
21 British American Blvd.
Latham, NY 12110
Helping You Connect the PiecesHelping You Connect the Pieces
for Academic Successfor Academic Success

32. Student PanelStudent Panel

33. Extra stuff if needed

34. ESSENTIAL RESOURCES
Essential PiecesEssential Pieces
Before the TermBefore the Term
BeginsBegins

35. Buying Textbooks
Avoid sticker shock and avoid breaking your bank or back.

36. MyESC is the place
to be.
Click on “Bookstore” under the quick links section.
First you will need
to read your
learning contract to
find the title and
ISBN# of the books
you will need for
the course.

37. Alternate Ways to GetAlternate Ways to Get
TextbooksTextbooks