Success & Study Skills – Term
ACA 115 (Section
) Syllabus
Meeting days/times:
Instructor:
Office:
Phone:
E-mail:
Student Conference Hours:
Course hours:
Lecture: 2
Lab: 0
Credit: 1
Course prerequisites/corequisites: None
Course description: This course provides an orientation to the campus resources and academic skills
necessary to achieve educational objectives. Emphasis is placed on an exploration of
facilities and services, study skills, library skills, self-assessment, wellness, goal-setting,
and critical thinking. Upon completion, students should be able to manage their
learning experiences to successfully meet educational goals.
Required Materials:
 Textbook: Staley, Constance C. (2012). FOCUS on Community College Success, custom edition. Boston, MA:
Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.

ACA Success Kit Bag
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
1. understand the behavioral expectations and
academic requirements for college students.
2. apply self-assessment strategies to identify
academic and career preferences.
3. understand and apply academic goal-setting
strategies.
4. identify and apply time management
strategies.
5. identify effective classroom listening
strategies.
6. demonstrate effective note taking skills.
7. define and explain strategies for effective
studying.
8. identify and describe test-taking strategies.
9. identify strategies for effectively using college
textbooks.
10. identify and locate various campus resources,
services, and facilities.
11. access and utilize campus library resources.
12. locate and utilize academic tutorial services.
13. access and utilize a campus course
management system.
14. develop a semester-by-semester plan of study
through degree completion.
15. apply critical thinking skills.
16. identify strategies that promote physical and
mental health while in college.
Updated 08/02/13
Course Grade:
60 %
20%
20%
6 Core assessments
Attendance
Assignments, Journal, final project,
homework, and/or quizzes
Assignment Grading Scale:
90%-100%
80%-89%
70%-79%
60%-69%
Below 60
A
B
C
D
F
Final Course Grade: Students are encouraged to focus on mastering identified competencies needed for
future success. To that end, if a student does not achieve a final grade of C or better, he or she will receive an
RT (Retake) for the course. A grade of RT is non-punitive. The student will then need to retake the course.
Keep in mind, repeated unsuccessful attempts of a course may adversely affect a student’s ability to qualify
for most financial aid, as a student is required to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress.
Student Conduct:
Cheating and
Plagiarism:
Students at Nash Community College are expected to conduct themselves as
responsible adults in accordance with generally accepted standards of morality and
decency at all times. The Conduct Code is printed in the NCC catalog and the NCC
Student Calendar. A violation of any of the listed behaviors will warrant immediate
disciplinary action and may result in suspension from the College.
The following information comes directly from the Nash Community College Academic
Dishonesty Policy:
Nash Community College upholds the integrity of the academic process. Academic
dishonesty undermines that integrity. Academic dishonesty includes cheating and
plagiarism. Cheating is an attempt to use unethical or dishonest means to perform work
for a course. These may include, but are not limited to, copying the work of others,
bringing unapproved sources of information during tests or other work (“cheat sheets,”
the use of information stored on electronic devices, the use of others’ work on out of
class assignments, etc.), and any other covert means to complete work without the
approval of the instructor. Cheating encompasses both those giving and receiving aid.
Plagiarism is the undocumented use of information or the work of others presented as
one’s own. Nash Community College recognizes two types of plagiarism - accidental
plagiarism and deliberate plagiarism.
Accidental plagiarism occurs when a student attempts to cite their sources, but does so
improperly or incompletely. Nash Community College treats accidental plagiarism as
poor work, and it will be graded as such.
Deliberate plagiarism occurs when a student copies the work of others or purposefully
uses information from sources with no attempt to document it and presents it as their
own. Nash Community College treats deliberate plagiarism as academic dishonesty.
Academic dishonesty is dealt with as follows:
1. For a first offense within a course, the student will receive a zero for the work in
question. The student will be counseled by the instructor. An Academic Dishonesty
Report form will be forwarded to the Dean of Instruction and maintained on file.
Updated 08/02/13
2. For a second offense within a course, the student will receive an F for the course. An
Academic Dishonesty Report form will be forwarded to the Dean of Instruction and
maintained on file.
3. Repeated offenses may lead to the recommendation of additional actions and
penalties, including suspension or expulsion from the College in accordance with
the Student Dismissal, Suspension, or Expulsion Authority procedure.
Classroom Rules
Of Conduct:
Students will refrain from behavior in the classroom that intentionally or unintentionally
disrupts the learning process. Electronic devices that are not related to the current
assignment should not be visible during class time. Such devices include cell phones,
PDAs, MP3 players/IPODs, or laptops for internet access. You may use your laptop for
note taking and assignments; however, it may not be used for quizzes or tests. If you
have an emergency situation for which having your cell phone accessible is absolutely
necessary, please inform the instructor and set the phone to vibrate. Inappropriate
behavior in the classroom shall result in a directive to leave class.
Attendance, Tardiness,
and Early Exit Policy: Attending class, arriving for class on time, and remaining in class until the end of the
class period are fundamental to academic success. Arriving on time for class and
remaining in class until the end of the class period shows respect for your instructor,
fellow classmates, and/or any guest speakers. Attendance is worth 20% of the total
course grade and will be determined as follows:
1) Each class attended without a tardy is worth 10 points
2) Each class attended with a tardy (arriving late or leaving early) is worth
only 5 points per class
Late Work:
Timely submission of assignments is critical to success both academically and
professionally. To be regarded on time, work must be submitted at the class session it is
due. If you will be unable to attend class, it is still your responsibility to turn in the work
by making other arrangements such as sending it electronically or having it delivered by
another person. If you know in advance that you will miss an assignment day, make
prior arrangements with the instructor.
No Questions Asked
(NQA) Coupon:
Balancing academic and personal priorities can be a challenge. In order to ease some of
that burden, you may use a NQA coupon if you are unable to turn in an assignment on
the day it is due. Each coupon is worth one class extension with no penalty. Coupons will
be accepted for anything except the final project. Note, coupons do NOT replace the
obligation to turn in the assignment. You may use no more than two coupons in a
semester (I keep track!). It is possible to combine your two coupons on one assignment
thus equaling a 2 class period extension. However, you can never use more than two
coupons in a semester. Late assignments without a NQA asked coupon will receive a
grade of zero. As an incentive to keep on track, each unused coupon will be worth 5
bonus points added to the “Assignments, Journal, homework, final project and/or
quizzes” category.
Updated 08/02/13
ACA No Questions Asked Coupon
Assignment EXTENSION option
Used by:_______________________ Date:_____________
Assignment Used For:_____________________________
Good for one class session extension with no penalty
Attach to assignment. Valid for the following class session. Coupons can be combined.
No more than 2 coupons accepted per semester per student.
Not valid on final project. Completion of assignment required.
DOES NOT REPLACE ASSIGNMENT!
Special Needs:
Students with special needs as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) may
contact Jim Hartsell in Student Development, office 2002, 451-8260.
Student Email:
All Nash Community College students have an email account provided by the institution.
You may access your email through the “Student Email” link on the Nash Community
College website.
Your username is your first initial, middle initial, last name and the last three (3) digits of
your college ID. Your password is Ncc followed by your 6 digit birthdate.
Example:
For students who applied to
Name: John Allen Smith
NCC before August 1, 2013, The
Birthdate: February 6, 1981
password for Student Email is ncc
Student ID: 2563244
Username: jasmith244@st.nashcc.edu
plus your 7 digit student ID.
Password: Ncc020681.
Example: ncc2563244
Email address: jasmith244@st.nashcc.edu.
Students are advised to check Student Email frequently to obtain student e-mails.
Students will receive all college and instructor e-mail notices through their Student
Email account only. For Student Email help such as resetting
your password, select the student portal tab from the NCC
website. Directly under the student email icon click on “Login
Help” and follow the instructions for submitting a help ticket.
Moodle/WebAdvisor: All course information and documents are
For students who applied to NCC
located on Moodle. WebAdvisor allows
before August 1, 2013. the password
students to search and register for classes.
for Moodle and WebAdvisor is your date
Log in to Moodle or WebAdvisor by
of birth using 2 digits each for month,
selecting the link from the NCC home page
day, and year (no spaces, no
or student portal. Your initial log in
punctuation). Example: John’s Birthday:
information is as follows: Your username is
February 6, 1981 Password: 020681
your first initial, middle initial, last name
and the last three (3) digits of your college ID. Your password is Ncc followed by your 6
digit birthdate. For help with Moodle, go to the Online Support Center located on the
Updated 08/02/13
Moodle home page. WebAdvisor password resets can be done through WebAdvisor by
selecting the “Student” menu then clicking on the user information link, “What’s my
password?” and follow the instructions. You can also locate your user ID information
from this page as well.
NC-Live:
NC-Live (North Carolina Libraries for Virtual Education) is a partnership of North
Carolina’s libraries that provides access to a vast world of informational and educational
resources. Students may access NC-Live via the internet. Your instructor will provide
the password at the beginning of the semester or you may contact the NCC library staff
at 252-451-8248 for assistance.
Safety Information: Nash Community College is committed to providing a healthy, safe, and secure
environment for all members of the campus community. Faculty, staff, and students
should review the campus Emergency Plan for Nash CC posted in each classroom. The
Emergency Plan may also be accessed on the College website under the About
NCC>Visit NCC>Campus Security Tab. Students are encouraged to e-mail any safety and
security concerns to NashCCSafety@nashcc.edu or contact the Campus Security &
Safety Director at 252-451-8313.
Please come to class prepared to share and to learn. Regular attendance and completed reading and
assignments will increase knowledge and encourage class participation. Being comfortable with the material
and engaging in class discussions will ultimately influence your overall enjoyment of and success in this course.
The tentative course schedule located below serves as a framework for the course; due dates and grading are
subject to change. Attending class will ensure awareness of specific weekly requirements.
Updated 08/02/13
ACA 115 15 WEEK TENTATIVE CALENDAR
Session Date Content
Work Due
Reading Objectives
1
Getting the Right Start
Introduction to Course, Overview of Text & Syllabus
Activity: Welcome to College Game, FOCUS Entrance
Interview
Assign: Scavenger Hunt
Ch. 1
2
Exploration of Campus and Resources
Activity/Assign: Core Assessment 1 Course
Management System (In-Class)
3
DUE: Core Assessment 1 Course Ch. 2
Building Dreams, Setting Goals
Activity: Complete personal/professional goal worksheet; Management System
Online Career Assessment ; Envision Excellence activity;
(Case Study if time permits)
Assign: Core Assessment 2 Goal Setting
4
Managing Your Time , Energy and Money
Activity: Complete calendar
5
Learning Styles & Studying
Activity: Learning Game & VARK Assessment
Assign: Core Assessment 3 Study Skills
6
Activity: Core Assessment 3 Study Skills
7
DUE: Core Assessment 3
Thinking Critically and Creatively (as time permits)
Activity: Guest Financial Aide Speaker; Case Study (Who Study Skills
Stays, Strange Choices, Late Paper, etc.) as time permits
Ch. 5
7,15
8
Learning Online (Library and Tutorial resources)
Activity/Assign: Core Assessment 4 Tutorial /
Learning Services (in-class)
Ch. 6
10,11,12
9
Engaging, Listening, and Note-taking
Activity: Focused Multi-tasking note taking
Assign: Core Assessment 5 Note Taking
DUE: Core Assessment 4
Tutorial / Learning Services
Ch. 7
5,6
10
Reading, Writing and Presenting
Activity: Read Right! Strategies, Philosophical Chairs
DUE: Journal 1 (Reflections 1-5)
Ch. 8
6,7,9
pg-199212
11
DUE: Core Assessment 5
Developing Memory, Taking Tests
Activity: Memory Games, Begin Master Study Plan (ACA Note Taking
Student Workbook page 101)
Ch. 9
7,8
pg-231243
12
Developing Memory, Taking Tests
Activity/Assign: Core Assessment 6 Test-Taking (InClass)
DUE: Core Assessment 2
Goal Setting
Ch.9 pg- 7,8
243-262
13
Building Relationships
Activity: After Math Case Study; Affirmations
Assign: Final Project
DUE: Core Assessment 6
Test Taking Tip Sheet submitted
via Moodle
Ch. 10
15,16
14
Choosing a College Major and Career
Activity: Graduate Game & SWOT analysis
Activity/Assign: First Year Initiative Assessment and
FOCUS Exit Interview
DUE: Journal 2 (Reflections 6-10) Ch. 11
2,3,14
15
Creating Your Future
Activity: Collage, Motivating Students to Dream Big
DUE: Final Project
1-16
DUE: Scavenger Hunt
1, 10,11
Pg-144- 1,10,13
153
DUE: Bring copy of
Ch. 4
syllabus/calendar from all classes
1,2,3,14,15
2,4,16
Ch. 3
2,7
Bring the materials you need to work Ch 3
on Core Assessment 3 in class
2, 7
Ch.12
Updated 08/02/13