SNHU Exp: Success Strategies for Online Learning

Instructor: Vilma Steeves
Course Section: 16980
Term: July 1, 2024 - August 25, 2024
Credit Hours: 3
Grade: A
Location: Online
Course Description: This course focuses on student success strategies for students who are new to higher education or online learning. Skill areas include critical thinking, self-advocacy and support services, and the empowerment of students to utilize their strengths in order to improve the likelihood of academic success.

1-1 Discussion: What Does "Taking Ownership" Mean to You?
65/65 A

This is my first time in college and I'm so intimidated. It is also the first thing I decided to do for myself. I am attending SNHU for a BA in creative writing and English. Writing is one of many outlets I have to express my thoughts and feelings. My long-term goal is to be an author and write a book about what I been through in life. I have been through back-to-back traumas that has caused me to have multiple mental health conditions. I am also a part of the LGBTQIA+ community. I am a charismatic, sweet, a tad dramatic, full of life with a huge sense of humor. I enjoy making light of everything and anything.

I am a firm believer in taking accountability and keeping to a schedule to keep going. I was always the people pleaser and at times naive enough to listen to what others wanted me to do.

Now, I have learned so much on my healing journey that it has shown me I need to speak up for myself. That it is okay to not always be a perfectionist. Most importantly, to be reasonable with my time. I need to even take my own advice that I gave my daughter. Who has reminded me today, "Mommy what is important is that you are trying. It might seem scary now, but I believe in you. It is time for you to believe in yourself."

Aside from my long-term goal of being an author, I'm still figuring out my short-term goals. I am going to take it day by day and not put too much pressure on myself. I am actually creating an alarm clock system that goes off similar to school bells. 8am to start, 12:30pm for lunch and 5pm to end my day.

I even have 2 alarms to make sure I get up to stretch my legs and walk around for 5 minutes. This helps me focus and calm my ADHD and anxiety. Today was a bit of a fluke but tomorrow starts my schedule.

Tlook forward to meeting and getting to know each of you!

Sincerely,

Jasmine (Jay, Jazz)

2-1 Discussion: Identifying Scheduling Interruptions
65/65 A

On a typical normal day some of my usual interruptions include errands (grocery shopping, walking to the post office), cleaning the home, having to attend various medical appointments, and phone calls. I am also a stay-at-home mom which then comes the fun interruptions of my child's needs and wants, play dates, and lots of "look at this". Don't even get me started on internet in this rural location. Honestly, most of these are hard to prevent but they are somewhat easy to work around.

These interruptions have impacted my ability to either successfully get out the door on time, check on my assignments or just simply to stay focused in general in class.

To accommodate my schedule, I keep a large calendar on my wall near the bed so it is the first thing I look at when I wake up. I use different colors for each need and mandatory item. I try to schedule appointments to occur early in the morning. I also utilize an alarm clock to keep me on track with my daughter's routine and my own. For errands and house, I selected certain days to accomplish those tasks with the help of family members. When my daughter is in school is when I balance it all and my classes as much as I can. If I spend 2 hours in class, then I spend an hour doing chores. If I have an appointment in the day, I add extra time at the end of my typical school day. On the days when my daughter is home, I will work on my classes in my room with the door open. She knows to knock or say "excuse me" as to not disturb me. I do however take two, five minute breaks between meal breaks to stretch my legs and check on things around the house.

2-2 Journal: Learning Habits
70/70 A

1. What is your preferred receptive learning style? Choosefrom the following ( you may choose more than one):

Read/write learning style
Visual/graphic learning style
Auditory/verbal learning style
Tactile/kinesthetic learning style

How will understanding your learning style help yousupport your success in side and outside of the classroom?

My preferred receptive learning style is the tactile/kinesthetic learning style. Learning my learning style helps me inside the classroom because now I know to keep myself busy by writing down key concepts and notes or creating diagrams when possible.

Outside of the classroom I can stay active by reading my assignments while on an exercise ball or working out in bed.

2. Identify a problem-solving technique or method you have used in a previous situation and explain how it worked for you. Identify how these methods might look different in diverse cultures or different fields of work.

When dealing with busy kids who have a hard time between choosing two games or movies, I have suggested flipping a coin. Heads is option one and tails is option two.

Whichever lands up-right on the ground is the one we do/pick. This method is culturally acceptable and it works in all fields of work.

My other favorite problem-solving method is doing a pro and con list. This helps figure out the best possible outcome to any given problem. It works in about every aspect as well much like the coin toss. It is also acceptable in diverse cultures.

How do you plan to stay organized or prioritize your SNHU study time?
I plan to utilize a weekly timetable with the help of notifications from my cell phone. To add to it, I plan on also using set alarm clocks. This will further ensure that I stay on track with doing things on time.
List the five habits of successful SNHU students. Refer to the
"5 Habits of Successful SNHU Students" infographic linked in the Module Two Resources section.

Strive to submit all assignments.
Log in early.
Engage often.
Use the rubric.
Reach out for help.

5. Choose two of the five habits of successful SNHU students that you feel would be most helpful in prioritizing your study time while at SNHU and explain why. Refer to the "5 Habits of Successful SNHU Students" infographic linked in the Module Two Resources section.

The first habit that I find most helpful in prioritizing my study time at SHU is to use the rubric. This will help keep my thoughts organized as I follow each question carefully to get the most out of my assignments. My second habit is to stay consistent in striving to submit all assignments promptly. This will allow me more time to not only re-read the material but to also engage more with my fellow classmates.