University of Central Florida
Student Development and Enrollment Services
Office of First Year Experience
SLS 1501 Strategies for Success in College (3 Semester Hours Credit)
Sections B019 and B020 Summer B 2013
Instructor and Peer Mentor Contact Information
Instructor:
E-mail
Office phone
Home phone
Dr. Judy Luckett
Judith.Luckett@ucf.edu
407-823-4835 Department of Child, Family, and Community Sciences
407-679-9644 Please leave (1) a detailed message about WHY you called
(no message, no return call), (2) your phone numbers, and (3) best times to call.
Office
Education Building, Suite 123, Office B (Follow hall to left of elevator.)
Office hours M/W –7:30-8:00, 4:00-5:00
Peer Mentors:
Kim Kolb - Kimberly_Kolb@knights.ucf.edu (8:00 section)
Jessica Kunkel - j.kunkel@knights.ucf.edu (8:00 section)
Textbook (REQUIRED)
Harrington, C. (2013). Student success in college: Doing what works!. Boston, MA: Wadsworth,
Cengage Learning.
Course Description
This course is designed to address the “Development of life-skills necessary for the contemporary student
to appropriately adjust to college requirements that lead to self-mastery and the total concept of lifetime
wellness (2012-2013 UCF Undergraduate Catalog).
Course Objectives
To enable and encourage students to:
Maximize their university experience through development of academic, social, and personal skills
that contribute to college success and lifelong learning.
 Develop confidence and strengthen their purpose for attending college.
 Understand essential information about academic demands and university policies, procedures, and
resources.
 Become part of the academic community.
 Build a supportive community of faculty and peers to assist in their transition to college.
 Develop the skills, knowledge, and competencies to become independent, active learners.
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Class Format
Videos, transparencies, PowerPoint presentations, Internet websites, demonstrations, supplementary
materials, visits to campus sites, and guest speakers may be used alternately or in combination to support
lectures and activities. Class activities will be based upon and will reinforce out-of-class assignments;
these activities include discussion, lecture, a variety of large and small group activities, online modules,
exams/quizzes, and student presentations.
It is essential that scheduled reading, writing, and online assignments be prepared carefully before class.
Assignments completed after the due date will only be accepted for half credit unless unusual, difficult,
compelling, and documented circumstances outside the student’s control have prevented timely
completion. Some textbook topics will NOT be covered in class unless students have questions about
them; nevertheless, students are responsible for, and may be tested on, ALL reading material assigned.
ASK QUESTIONS when you have questions.
An assignment schedule will be provided. Some additional assignments may be made by the instructor
during class meetings or through the E-community listserv. The instructor reserves the right to add,
delete, or modify assignments at any time.
All students enrolled in this course MUST use their free knights email address and post it in their
myucf account as their primary email address. Students must also be able to use the class listserv at
ecommunity.ucf.edu Instructions will be provided. You are responsible for checking your e-mail
DAILY, not just on class days.
Important deadlines, reminders, additional assignments, changed or deleted assignments, helpful campus
information, occasional test/quiz hints, and university announcements will be FREQUENTLY sent by
your instructor to your knights email address through the E-community listserv. E-community will
automatically relay messages to your knights address if that address is the primary email address posted in
your MYUCF account. Contact the Computer Help Desk for computer or email questions/problems
(407-823-5117).
Each student will be assigned to a learning community within the classroom and will be seated
accordingly. Class participation is a vitally important part of the learning process and an important
obligation for each student in every class meeting. You will be called upon in class to ask and answer
questions and to join in structured communication activities within groups and in individual and/or team
presentations. Not participating in class activities can result in a loss of attendance points. Members of
the class will assist in making decisions about classroom routines and procedures, will perform some
classroom management functions, and will sometimes assist the instructor in presentation of selected
textbook material.
Academic Integrity
As reflected in the UCF creed, integrity and scholarship are core values that should guide our conduct and
decision-making as members of the UCF community. Plagiarism, cheating, and prevarication contradict
these values, and so are very serious academic offenses. Many incidents of plagiarism result from
students’ lack of understanding about what constitutes plagiarism; however, you are expected to
familiarize yourself with UCF’s policy on plagiarism. All work you submit must be your own scholarly
and creative efforts. UCF”s Golden Rule defines plagiarism as follows: “…whereby another’s work is
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used or appropriated without any indication of the source, thereby attempting to convey the
impression that such work is the student’s own.”
Penalties for academic dishonesty can include a failing grade in an assignment or in the course, or
suspension or expulsion from the university. Students are expected to familiarize themselves with and
follow the university’s Rules of Conduct (see http://www.osc.sdes.ucf.edu ).
Course Requirements
1. SLS Notebook, an ORGANIZED three-ring binder for ALL materials related to SLS.
Separator tabs will be labeled:
SYLLABUS
CAMPUS EVENTS
CLASS NOTES
GUEST SPEAKER HANDOUTS
ASSIGNMENTS/TESTS
MISC.
*** The course ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE will be the first item seen on opening the notebook.
2. A One-On-One Meeting with Instructor (a brief, private conversation before or after class)
3. Research Skills Unit Includes a Library Databases Orientation; Library assignments and
quizzes; online tutorials on research skills, website evaluation, and plagiarism avoidance;
research on UCF majors; lecture notes on using the library, and the library self-guided tour.
4. Student Presentation Each student will make a presentation to his/her learning
community. The presentation requires a poster and will cover some aspect of college life at UCF.
Instructions, a list of topics, and a sign-up sheet will be provided.
5. DOCUMENTED attendance at two presentations by SARC, Career Services, MASS,
the office of Integrity and Ethical Development, or the Counseling Center. Other events that
qualify will be discussed in class. Event attendance required in other classes cannot substitute.
6. Daily Reading, Writing, and/or online module Assignments
7. DAILY Quizzes
8. COMPREHENSIVE Final Exam
Policies Concerning Exams and Quizzes
***Review materials specifically for exams will NOT be provided. *** A successful college
student regularly approaches reading assignments and class discussions/presentations in a
participatory way by taking notes, summarizing, outlining, discussing course material with study partners,
or otherwise actively processing the material in order to understand the concepts presented. The products
of your own active processing become a vital part of your exam review material. A certain amount of
your own processed material can be used during ALL exams and quizzes. ONE lined card (up to 5”x8”)
of handwritten notes, both sides, can be used for any chapter quiz or multi-chapter exam, including the
final exam. When a guest lecturer visits, dated notes you have taken on notebook paper in class may also
be used on the end-of-visit quiz.
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Quizzes will be given at most, if not all class meeting. Notes taken on reading assignments are sometimes
graded as quizzes;. You are expected to summarize as you take notes, NOT just copy sentences from the
text. You must think about and analyze the material as you summarize (that is the point).
***There will be NO make-up quizzes or exams. *** Missed quizzes will be recorded as "0." In the case
of an appropriately documented, unforeseen emergency that causes an absence later excused by the
instructor, the missed quiz will be excused and will not be used in final quiz grade calculation.
Main Topics for Class Meetings
(Order of topics subject to change)
Week 1
Introductions, Classroom Protocols, ADD/DROP, Using a Syllabus, E-community,
UCF website, MYUCF , Personal Safety, Roommates, Academic Integrity, What is a
research study? What is a professional journal? The Importance of Knowing Your
Strengths and Weaknesses, Poster Presentation and Event Report Guidelines
Week 2
Goal Setting, Campus Resources, Time Management, Campus Events, Health Concerns,
How Critical Critical Thinking and Information Fluency Relate to Research Studies,
What is Probation?
Week 3
Study Strategies: Skills You Need, Textbook Reading Strategies, Note Taking, Course
Selection & Scheduling, Resume Construction, Memory Strategies, POSTER SESSION
#1, Library Orientation
Week 4
Academic Resilience: Seeking Help—A Review of Student Support Services and the
Importance of Positive Thinking, Communication, On-Campus Connections/Involvment,
Building a Support Network, Diversity, Healthy Eating, Stress Management, Resume
Construction,
Week 5
Test Taking, Writing Papers, Doing Presentations, Why Knowledge of UCF Policies and
Regulations is Important to Your Success, Netiquette, Online Courses, Your Grade Audit
and GPA, Faculty Perspectives, POSTER SESSION #2
Week 6
Making Good Decisions, Financing Your College Education, Choosing a Major, Facebook
Cautions, Final Exam
Attendance Policy
Students are expected to attend ALL class meetings. Class discussion, group activities, and presenting to
or being an audience for fellow classmates are vital components of this course, so everyone's attendance is
important. Quizzes will be given frequently, if not daily. Fifty (50) points are earned for class attendance
and in-class activities at EACH class meeting. Attendance points cannot be made up; you must be present
to earn them. Points are deducted for late arrival to class, for lack of participation in class activities,
for not bringing required materials to class, for cell phone use, and for disrupting class or
distracting a speaker. Since attendance and participation count as 15% of your final grade in this
course and quizzes count as 10%, the final course grade is VERY negatively affected by poor
attendance and missed quizzes.
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The infrequent instance of a compelling reason for absence must be discussed with the instructor. Proof of
that compelling reason for absence will be requested. The number of class absences will be reported with
final grades for each student who receives a "C" or less (one absence for each hour of class missed). If
you have to miss a class, it is expected that you will contact a fellow student or the instructor before the
next class by E-community, by telephone, or in person so that you know about any changes and will be
able to return to class with assignments prepared.
Cell Phone/Laptop Computer Policy
Cell phones will be turned off and stored completely out of sight in book bags, purses, briefcases, etc.
Whispering, texting, and twittering are NOT appropriate in college classrooms. Laptop computers, if use
is instructor-approved, must be positioned so that the instructor or guest speaker can see the screen at all
times. Each instance of non-compliance with these policies will result in the loss of half the day’s
attendance points.
Final Grade Calculation
***SLS 1501 is a three-semester-hour CREDIT COURSE earning grades from A to F.*** This means
that your final grade in SLS is worth as much to your Grade Point Average as any three-hour course at
any level. In accordance with the grading system approved by the Provost, plus and minus grades will be
awarded. The percentages needed for each letter grade may be different in other courses because
percentage/letter grade equivalents are always an instructor decision. The percentage/letter grade
equivalents for THIS section of the SLS course are:
A 94-100
A- 90-93
B+ 87-89
C+ 77-79
D+ 67-69
F 0-59
B 83-86
C 73-76
D 63-66
B- 80-82
C- 70-72
D- 60-62
SLS notebook and a one-on-one meeting with instructor ………………………………… 05 %
Poster presentation………………………………………………………………………... 10%
Quizzes.................................................................................................................................. 15 %
Attendance and class participation……………………………………………………….. 15 %
Research skills unit….…...…………………………………………………………….…. 15%
Reading and writing assignments not listed above…………………....………………….. 20 %
Final exam............................................................................................................................. 20 %
NOTE 1: A grade of "Incomplete" will not be given except in cases of unforeseen, extreme,
and compelling hardship. Poor planning on your part, failure to read syllabus instructions,
excessive absence, or failure to submit assignments, for example, do not meet this standard.
When an "I" grade IS given, it has first been discussed and agreed upon in a timely manner, and a
"Contract for an 'Incomplete Grade'" has been signed by you and your SLS instructor.
When an "I" grade is requested as a result of many absences and missed assignments, students must
request assistance from the Academic Services Office to find out if they qualify for a late drop (full
refund) from all classes during or within six (6) months of the close of the semester in which the problems
occurred. Unexpected, compelling circumstances are a requirement for such a request. Documentation is
ALWAYS requested. http://www.academicservices.ucf.edu/appeals
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NOTE 2: In Summer A, B, C, and D Terms, all final exams are on the last day of class in the
regular classroom during the regular class meeting time. Fall Semester and Spring Semester, however,
each have a special “Final Exam Week” during which most classes meet at a different time (sometimes
also a different day) than the regular class meeting to take the final exam. This kind of a schedule is
necessary because each course must have a 3-hour time slot for the final exam. Every fall and spring
semester one- two- and three-hour classes are scheduled back-to-back all day long in UCF
classrooms. There would be a BIG “traffic jam” if you try to give each one of those classes three
consecutive hours in the same classroom.
Students with Special Needs
The Office of Student Disability Services (SDS) can provide a variety of services to support your
academic career at UCF if you are a student with an appropriately diagnosed and documented
disability. The services of SDS are free and confidential. Call 823-2371 or go to Ferrell Commons 132.
If you are registered with SDS and need appropriate course accommodation or instructional
modifications for this course, please make an appointment with Dr. Luckett to discuss your need(s) as
soon as possible, but no later than the class meeting after ADD/DROP. Dr. Luckett can be contacted
before or after any class, by email or by phone (see first page of this syllabus).
Extra Credit Policy
At the writing of this syllabus, no opportunity to counterbalance low grades by doing extra work is
planned except for the completion of certain online research modules provided by the Instructor AFTER
all assigned work has been completed. Please put forth your best effort on all assigned reading and
writing, class activities, tests, quizzes, and daily assignments.
Supplies
 3-ring binder (new or used) for SLS notebook, and tabbed 3-ring separators
3-ring notebook paper Remove ragged edges before submitting assignments on notebook paper.
Crumpled papers and papers that are torn or have ragged edges will suffer a point deduction.)
 Tan Scantron sheets for quizzes and final exam
Lined 3 x 5, 4 x 6, or 5 x 8 cards (for handwritten notes to use during quizzes and exams)
Purchase or have access to a 3-hole punch and a stapler (both of which can be purchased very
inexpensively in miniature form at discount outlets and office supply stores). Submitted
individual assignments with unstapled multiple pages or ragged edges will suffer a grade
penalty. Two separate assignments handed in together should not be be stapled together.
A PLANNER (the calendar distributed during Orientation is fine).
A sweater or sweatshirt kept in your book bag is suggested; classrooms are often very cold.
END OF SEMESTER DEADLINES
 Classes end on Friday, August 2
 On-Campus housing closes Friday, August 2 at 3p.m. Check Housing Agreement. Ask your R.A.
Faculty must turn in grades to the Registrar by Wednesday. August 7.
All grades available to students on MY.UCF by 9am, Friday, August 9.
First day of classes for Fall Semester 2013: Monday, August 19
***In SUMMER Terms, the FINAL EXAM is on the LAST DAY OF CLASS***