Student Orientation

SDV 100 College Success Skills assists students in transition to college. Besides providing twelve core competencies in an effort to contribute to student success, the course encourages contacts with other students and staff. Students learn and adopt methods for success in college and life-long learning. Strategies for the development of academic and life-long success are explored. Students are assisted in their college persistence by learning skills and techniques required for being a successful student.

Course Description:

Assists student in transition to college. Provides overviews of college policies, procedures, and curricular offerings. Encourages contacts with other students and staff. Assists students toward college success through information regarding effective study habits, career and academic planning, and other college resources available to students. May include English and Math placement testing. Strongly recommended for beginning students. Required for graduation.

Catalog Course Descriptions for all SDV courses

Course Objectives:

After completion of this course, students will be able to:

• articulate three potential careers based on their interests, values, and abilities using the VA Education Wizard, https://www.vawizard.org/vccs/Main.action. (Career Exploration)

• select or confirm their preferred program of study based on their career exploration. (Career Planning)

• articulate the step(s) they need to take in order to achieve their career goal(s). (Career Planning)

• activate their student username and password. (College Resources)

• demonstrate competence in using the student information system by: a) accessing the student information system; b) setting user preferences; c) accessing financial statement; d) printing course schedules. (College Resources)

• activate their college email accounts. (Instructional Technology/Services)

• access Blackboard. (Instructional Technology/Services)

• identify where they can access the College Catalog in print and / or electronic format. (College Catalog)

• identify where they can access the Student Handbook in print and / or electronic format. (Student Handbook)

• identify three to five resources / services available in the college library. (Library Resources)

• identify and describe three to five offices / services that are available to them (e.g. tutoring, counseling, disability services, financial aid, etc.). (Student Services)

• identify three to five of their responsibilities as members of the college community. (Academic Integrity / Student Conduct / Classroom Etiquette)

• identify at least two policies that affirm their rights as members of the college community (e.g. Student Grievance / Appeals; Statement of Rights and Responsibilities, etc.). (Student Rights & Responsibilities)

• articulate the College’s criteria for good academic standing. (Academic Standing)

• distinguish between university parallel/transfer and applied programs. (Curricular Offerings)

• select the appropriate curriculum based on their career goal(s). (Curricular Offerings)

• identify all courses required for completion of program and understand both course and program prerequisites. (Course Offerings)

• develop an academic plan. (Academic Plan)

• identify multiple learning styles and articulate their preferred learning style. (Learning Styles)

• identify two note-taking strategies and articulate their preferred method of note-taking. (Classroom Learning Skills)

• identify three to five strategies for test taking.(Classroom Learning Skills)

• identify their optimal time, place, and setting for studying. (Academic Preparation)

• identify three to five memory strategies. (Academic Preparation)

• identify three to five strategies for managing reading. (Academic Preparation)

• articulate three to five aspects of critical thinking such as (a.) identifying faulty logic, (b.) problem-solving, (c.) asking questions / probing. (Critical Thinking Skills)

• identify two to three strategies and tools for managing time and will articulate their preferred method. (Time Management)

• articulate the benefits and risks of the three aspects (e.g. credit, savings, and budgeting) of money management. (Financial Literacy)

• develop a personal budget. (Financial Literacy)

• articulate the steps in developing and implementing personal goals. (Goal Setting)

• articulate three to five ways individuals are diverse and how diversity impacts society. (Diversity)

• identify three to five elements of effective communication (e.g. active listening, verbal and non- verbal messages, etc.). (Communication Skills)

• identify three to five techniques/strategies for managing anxiety / stress. (Stress Management)

• identify three to five challenges to making healthy life decisions and develop three to five strategies on how to manage each challenge. (Decision Making)

• identify symptoms of distress and mental illness and articulate two to three resources that can access for assistance. (Mental Health)

• identify three to five strategies to achieve and / or maintain a healthy (physical) lifestyle. (Physical Health)

Topics Covered in the Course

1. Career Exploration and Development

1.1 Career Exploration

1.2 Career Planning

2. College Resources

2.1 Student Web Portal

2.2 Student Information System

2.3 Instructional/Technology Services

2.4 College Catalog

2.5 Student Handbook

2.6 Library Resources

2.7 Student Resources

3. College Policies

3.1 Academic Integrity / Student Conduct / Classroom Etiquette

3.2 Student Rights & Responsibilities

3.3 Academic Standing

4. Academic Planning

4.1 Curricular Offerings

4.2 Course Offerings

4.3 Academic Plan

5. Academic/Study Skills

5.1 Learning Styles

5.2 Classroom Skills

5.3 Academic Preparation

5.4 Critical Thinking Skills

6. Life Management

6.1 Time Management

6.2 Financial Literacy

6.3 Goal Setting

7. Social/Interpersonal

7.1 Diversity

7.2 Communication Skills

8. Wellness

8.1 Stress Management

8.2 Decision Making

8.3 Mental Health

8.4 Physical Health

Required Text:

-College & Career Success at Tidewater Community College by Marsha Fralick.

ISBN # 978-07575-5185-7

You can also choose to take your student development class SDV 100 "College Sucess Skills" online or as a hybrid course. Every campus offers this course. Go to TCC Online Learning for more information.

Student Resources

Alphabetized Links to TCC Resources

Educational Planner

GPA Calculator

Faculty Resources

Virginia Education Wizard