_Tips+and+Tricks+from+the+Journey

Answers to questions that occur frequently in Northcentral Discussion Forums:
>  The survey appears on the first day of class. Click on your class tab. >  Clicking on your class tab, go to the 'Activities' tab and click the hyperlink for your first activity. On that page an edit box will appear - enter your post and response here. Many mentors will also want you to upload a copy after a coversheet as well. >  Yes, Click on the 'Messages' tab, look up Michelle Chavez and request your student id card from her. >  Use this URL: http://learners.ncu.edu/syllabus/display_full.aspx?syllabus_id=xxxxx, replacing the x's with the number from the Bookstore.Go to the bookstore, and in the center is a drop-down for course. Listed will be the course #, the 5-digit code, the effective date, and the name of the course. The 5-digit code is what you need. Some courses no longer have a primary text so their course numbers are not showing up in the Bookstore list - for those, you'll have to enlist the aid of someone already taking that class. >  Many mentors will return your assignments within a day. For 8-week classes 3 days after the due date is required. >  Mentors have five days from when an assignment is posted to return it. > If they take longer than this a tactful e-mail to them to prompt with a CC to your Academic Adviser is generally useful. > My copy of said document is right here - The major styles (Header1, 2, 3, 4 & 5, References, etc.) have been set for you! > > [Marilyn Dillon suggested this re-write.] >  The code for use of TII will be either in your syllabus, or you will receive it from your mentor if they are requiring its use. You should NOT use TII otherwise. See below. > [|**WriteCheck**] a division of TurnItIn (use this link and get 10% off your next purchase), [|**DocCop**] (which is free, but limited) and [|**Grammarly**] (which is also free). > Always FREE spelling and grammar checker, plagiarism detector, readability stats, and auto grader is at [|**PaperRater.com**] > Typically when you download files from NCU sites it will strip the extension from the file so that your OS will not know which program to use with the file. > To solve, ensure that when you do your 'save as' that the full file name with extension is in the dialog - that way when you double click on it, it will be associated with the correct program to open it. > From the NCU home page, go to the Writing Center, and on the Writing Center homepage click on the blue SMARTTHINKING button. > You get a particular number of hours of assistance free. > NCU has an internal messaging system, but it is not possible to send e-mails into or out of that system. > Your e-mail address would be your last name first initial @my.ncu.edu (e.g., WattsS@my.ncu.edu) > Go to the NCU Learner Portal. Click on 'Message' tab. Click ‘Inbox’ under the word ‘Messages.’ On the next screen you will see ‘Options' on the left side - click that. In the edit box labeled ‘Send Message to Email’ enter the e-mail addresses you want messages forwarded to, separated by semicolons. Now NCU messages will be forwarded to those addresses. > You will NOT be able to reply to those messages from outside of NCU. > There are many answers to this question. >  I've heard good reviews of [|**CourseSmart.com**]. > As I understand it some do. > NCU generally will only allow you to have the same mentor (except your chair) for at most two classes. > Personally, I believe this journey is about me and my learning, not about how a mentor grades, gives feedback, or how quick they are. > There can be some financial aid issues - so, if you are affected you need to put together a plan with your FA specialist and academic adviser. > Usually those kind of chats go here (although I think they should go under 'A Course By any other Name'.) > NCU exceptions are found in para. 7.1 of the Dissertation Handbook and include: >  You will see a lot of posts asking for feedback regarding mentors. Usually you will only see positive reviews - why? Because they have access to the discussion boards too, and who knows if you may get a repeat mentor - oops!! > So, if you REALLY want feedback about the mentor provide your personal e-mail address in the post. > Click on 'Learner Programs' and then the start date of the class you're interested in - there will be a link for 'Go To Course Room' > Every syllabus has a section called Assignment Submissions that has the proper naming convention for assignments. In general you will include your last name, first initial, course code, dash, assignment number. If I was taking EDU7202-8 and turning in assignment four it would be: WattsSEDU7202-8-4 > If you are not seeing other students in your class it does NOT mean that there aren't any. > In fact, YOU may not be appearing to others - you have to turn that feature on. > To turn this on you must go into your profile (My NCU Information on the portal and then 'Profile'). Then check the 'Display my name in the Learning Listing' and 'Display my name in the course areas'. > A batch submission is turning in multiple papers at the same time - this is a no-no at NCU. On the other hand, there is nothing wrong with working on the next paper while a current paper is being graded. It is not considered a batch submission if you submit the next paper after receiving a grade for the previous one (although it usually is beneficial to read the feedback, and apply it if applicable to the next paper). > There have been classes where I've been able to submit three papers in one day (one after the other - after the Mentor has returned them) - there have been some where the Mentor takes three or four days to return a submission. > Zero means that for every combination of four words in your paper there are no articles, papers, etc. that use the corresponding words. I've seen in the past that if the value is above 30-40 the Mentor must turn you in for an academic integrity violation (I'm not exactly sure of the number). The closer to zero the better, but if the subject has been well explored it is unlikely that you will get a zero. I think most of mine come back at a 2-7% > CITI is an ethics training program for research by the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative, and is valid for two years.
 * 1) **Where is the pre-course survey? **
 * 1) **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">How do I do my Discussion Post and Response? **
 * 1) **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Student card? **
 * 1) **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">How do I find a syllabus if I want to look ahead? **
 * 1) **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">How quickly will I get my assignments back? **
 * 1) **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Assignments for 12-week classes? **
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">**Where do I find the Northcentral coversheet and title page?**
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">**I need HELP for an Assignment!**
 * As a graduate student it is expected that you know how to write, search for answers, and generally "figure it out by yourself".
 * There are times when the information in the syllabus is murky, or the instructions are contradictory (I can remember a call for a 5-7 page problem statement in one class [smirk]) where information from your mentor is essential.
 * When asking for help with an assignment - be specific in your question to your mentor and to us on the discussion boards!
 * ALWAYS provide the Course #, the Course Name, and a synopsis of the assignment with your request!
 * Otherwise, for someone to help you:
 * They must ascertain that you have some nebulous problem
 * Then they must determine to take time out of their studies to help you.
 * They must then ask you what the specific problem is
 * Then clarify what they think you're asking, and
 * finally get around to answering your question.
 * How frustrating!
 * You need to provide all of the information for the first three steps in your first post, THEN it is likely that many more of your peers will offer assistance.
 * Also I believe that many of the assignments are intentionally left unclear because it allows for a certain degree of latitude with the answer, based on how "you" view the problem - this is what being a graduate student is all about! Celebrate it!
 * 1) **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 15.6px;">How do I use Turn-It-In? **
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">**Alternatives to TurnItIn**
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">**Grammar checker?**
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">**I can't open files that I've downloaded from NCU**
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">**How do I use SmartThinking?**
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">**NCU e-mail address?**
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">**Can I forward my NCU email to personal e-mail?**
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">**Where can I buy books?**
 * Go to the NCU bookstore and pay full price.
 * Go to the usual suspects - Amazon, Half.com, Chegg.com, etc.
 * Enter a post and search posts in the [|**"Buy/Sell Books" discussion forum**]
 * (just make sure that you delete your post when you no longer need to buy/sell).
 * No - THIS discussion forum is NOT where these posts should go, just because you're new ;-).
 * Go to a site that checks for the price of books (and shipping) on many sites and gives you a compilation. I prefer [|**booksprice.com**], it includes rentals as well. But there are plenty of other comparable sites.
 * 1) **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 15.6px;">What if I want electronic versions of books? **
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">**Can I request a mentor?**
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">**Can classes overlap? Absolutely!**
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">**Do other learner's use the course chats? Not that I've seen.**
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">**Exceptions to APA?**
 * Reference List - single spaced within a reference, double spaced between
 * Footnotes - single spaced within, double space between (if you use at all - discouraged)
 * Tables and Figures - inserted at appropriate point in manuscript, not in the Appendix
 * Abstracts - up to 350 words rather than 120.
 * Introduction - Milestone documents start with a Introduction heading with level 1 formatting, which is not allowed in APA.
 * 1) **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 15.6px;">Posts regarding mentors **
 * 1) **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Completed Classes - Can I See Activities? **
 * 1) **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Proper File Name Format? **
 * 1) **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Not seeing others in the course listings **
 * 1) **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Turning in assignments early? **
 * 1) **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Acceptable numbers from TII? **
 * 1) **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">What is CITI and how long is it valid? **

Tips I usually give new students at Northcentral University
>>> To find these exceptions they are in para. 7.1 of the Dissertation Handbook. >>> You can waste an incredible amount of time trying to relocate an article otherwise. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">[Adapted from Dr. Cathy Crocker (aka Doc Croc), a previous student and person that I admire a lot! (she would say Chocolate helps a lot too!)]
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Make the APA manual your new best friend and ALWAYS adhere to it (Even when your mentor says you shouldn't - There are only FIVE NCU exceptions! - and I've had mentors say that I should ignore those!)
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Set a schedule for when you will be focusing on course work, communicate it to your family and friends, and stick to it - no interruptions!
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Do your best to stay on top of, if not ahead of, the suggested due dates. Don't wait to start the next activity while one is being graded. You can always make a few changes once you get feedback and submit it almost immediately.
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Check out the various citation generating programs - NCU pushes [|**RefWorks**], some like Noodletools, or Mendeley.
 * 4) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Figure out an organizational system that works best for you. Start NOW organizing your references/articles and writing annotated bibliographies.
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Do NOT use the citations generated by the databases - they are frequently incorrect!
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Communicate with your advisor, mentor, and other learners.
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Remember that there are 2 sides to everything, particularly on the forums - good and bad!
 * 4) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Celebrate the little things - don't wait until something major!
 * 5) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">This is a challenging program, so, try to enjoy the process!

Organization tips for Journal Articles by doctoral students
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Regarding organization, I believe in overkill. When I find an article that is of interest/pertinent I: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">A lot of work, but it does make writing papers very easy! I'm also hoping it will be a great help with comps and the dissertation!
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Download it and save it as a PDF
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Put a coversheet on it with all of the pertinent retrieval information (I have Adobe Professional).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Check whether the journal is peer-reviewed or not
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Read it
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Create an annotated bibliography with emphasis on:
 * Purpose
 * Major theories used
 * Sampling method, numbers, and analyses used
 * Research methodology and design
 * Conclusions/findings
 * Limitations and threats to internal validity
 * Calls for more research
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Append the annotated bibliography behind the coversheet
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">At the end of the month I print them all out (2 pages per page, front and back)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Have them spiral bound with laminated front and back covers (with a list of all articles as a table of contents) [Doc Croc suggests a large 3-ring binder for better organizing.]
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Go through the articles again using colored stars to identify sections that match the major themes of my literature review
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Highlight good quotes

Files I developed to answer questions that come up a lot in discussion forums:
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">There are so many threads that want to know how to format page numbers that I decided to put together a pictorial tutorial. If anyone has suggestions for improvement - they are welcome! <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Many threads also want to know how to set up table of contents (TOC) in the milestone papers (or others). I've created this pictorial tutorial. If anyone has suggestions for improvement - they are welcome to share them!
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">How do I set up page numbers? **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">How do I create a table of contents? **

From Dona Harris regarding Netiquette
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">NCU is a multicultural fully diverse university. When posting to the discussion forums be considerate and respectful of other learners, graduates, mentors, and staff. Support a professional welcoming environment for academic freedom in communication, debate, and exchange of information. NCU policy regarding discussions is posted as a heading to the forums. Please take a moment to read this policy statement. Many individuals participate in forum discussions by asking questions and providing valuable information or assistance. In addition, other discussions focus on areas of interest or concern for academic debate. To become a respected welcome member of the discussion forums demonstrate the following etiquette: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Remember: the discussion forum is a valuable resource in the NCU community. Participate in academic debate, seek information, provide assistance, and support a welcoming, enriching experience by encouraging the free exchange of ideas and learning opportunities for everyone.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Be courteous and respectful of others at all times. Even passionate positions can be debated professionally by challenging the idea, not attacking the individual.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Think before you post – what is your objective, your audience? Is your post aimed at a broader audience or better suited to a personal individual communication.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Before posting – see if another thread already exists on a similar topic that may answer your question or provide a suitable place to ask.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Post in the appropriate sub-forum. The NCU sub-forum is a general discussion forum. New Kid on the Block contains Questions & Answers as well as helpful tips, suggestions, “how to’s”, and refreshers from experienced learners, graduates, mentors, and staff.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Write well. Watch your grammar. Keep your writing clear and easy to understand.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Be brief – get to the point! But be sure to include enough detail to explain your question or idea so that others can respond appropriately without asking clarifying questions to understand what you are seeking in response.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Stay on topic – if you decide to expand or change the subject, create another discussion thread not a distraction. Don’t monopolize the discussion.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">When quoting another post only include the relevant part and be sure to credit the source.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Deleting posts – you can delete any post that you have [added] by using the red X [to] the right of the post. In [threads] that you initiate you can [and should] delete posts of any participant if those posts disrupt or are inappropriate. NCU expects forum participants to self-monitor discussions.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Avoid flame wars by not responding to offensive individuals. Instead, use the Ombuds Concerns link on the student portal to report inappropriate forum behaviors and abuses.

Advantages of NCU by Patrick Flink

 * //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">"Here at NCU things are little different, but for the better. With the typical online course you have to participate in discussion boards or do group work with other students which makes things frustrating. Here, although you have the weekly deadlines, I always get the syllabus a couple of weeks before the class starts and just start writing the papers. That way I am a couple of weeks ahead. Once you receive a grade for one assignment submit the next. It is actually a fairly simple process, and very individualized. If you like independent work you will love it here." //
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">"I don't know about other programs but for mine I tend to write a lot of large papers. I think this is because it is making up for things that typical online classrooms do, and plus, [mine] is a PhD program. If you get the syllabus early start your work immediately. There is nothing better than knowing you are a couple of weeks ahead. This works great if you either want to finish the course early or if you want to relax for a week or two". //
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">//"I have one more piece of advice--personalize your work. For example I am in the PhD ESOL program and although all of my papers that I have to write have specific topics, I have been able to write them in a way that is interesting to me and that allows me to explore some of what I am doing now and some of what I want to do in the future. I always ask my mentors about a topic and they always say yes. It is a great way to both meet the course requirements and make the work interesting and enjoyable. I have been lucky and made every attempt to create my work as personalized to my situation as possible. For example I want to continue to work with Mexican immigrant English language learners--so I have tailored most of my work around that population//"

Suggestion by Marilyn Dillon on saving time
//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Another excellent idea is to create the files for each assignment ahead of time. For example, at the beginning of each class, I actually create a blank word file for each assignment (saved appropriately as DillonM.BTM8707-1, DillonM.BTM8707-2, etc.). The file already contains the assignment cover sheet adjusted for the assignment name, headers adjusted for the assignment name, and proper formatting for page numbers and a reference page. I then go back and enter a "brief" description of the assignment on the first page with bullet points of anything required in the syllabus. // <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">//This enables me to simply open up the document and start writing without having to re-invent the wheel for each document. Saves tons of time down the road.// -- Marilyn Dillon

Abbreviations and Milestones

 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">The Topic Paper (**TP**) is generally done in EDU7002 Educational Research Methodology, or Research I, and is usually 10-15 pages.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">The Draft Concept Paper (**CP**) is generally written in EDU7707 Planning Dissertation Research in Education or Research IV and should be in the neighborhood of 25 pages, plus annotated bibliography.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">**COMPS** (Doctoral Comprehensive Examination) follows all of the classes in your program, is a ten-week class that consists in answering four questions that are very complex, multi-faceted, and will challenge just about anyone. Each question requires full answers, is between 10 and 15 pages (no more, no less), and is submitted as a single assignment of all four questions. If you pass comps then you are **ABD** (all but dissertation) and you can begin your dissertation classes. You will not get the questions early - you get them on the first day of class from your Mentor, and COMPS IS an __EXAM__, so you are expected to do the whole thing on your own.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">The dissertation classes follow and do not line up with any specific milestones - but you have to pass each hurdle along the way, and get approval from your Chair, then your Committee, and then the Graduate School (**GS**). If any of these buck you, you have to rewrite based on their concerns and resubmit.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">The Concept Paper (**CP**) is submitted and is approved first, and has a template to follow.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">The Dissertation Proposal (**DP**) comes next. The dissertation proposal will be a future tense version of what will ultimately be the first three chapters of your dissertation manuscript.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Following approval of your DP, you will need to get **IRB** (Institutional Review Board) approval of your research design, data storage method, and informed consent (even if they deem your research exempt from further oversight).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Following IRB approval you can then collect your data.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Following the collection and analysis of your data, you will write chapters four and five of your dissertation, rewrite chapters one through three in past tense, and submit your dissertation manuscript (**DM**) for approval.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Once the DM is approved, you will schedule your dissertation defense (PhD) or presentation (Professional) - and supposing that you pass that, you will become the doctor that you dream of being.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Things I Have Learned from Stephanie Lewis
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">I have learned many things from this discussion board that have saved me repeatedly over the last few years. Many of those items have 'fallen off' the board due to age, so I'm throwing them out for newer members.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Use a backup system. Doesn't matter what kind. You are going to lose something vital. The variable is whether or not you'll weep.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Get a second monitor. Really. I bought mine last Thanksgiving online for less than $100. It's priceless for research. Do not tell your children if they are in high school and have to write research papers (especially if you're their English teacher). They will want your screen.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Save information on this board that you think will help you down the road. Text is cheap. I have a 'Help' folder to which I save things (I put stuff in there 2-3 years ago that is saving my sanity now). It won't stay on this board forever. Get it now.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Things I Learned as I Went - by Lance Davis
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Online learning is something to get used to. It's not a "natural" kinda thing. You learn as you go, what works best for you. Somethings that I have learned on this journey are: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Well, those are some of the things I learned with the help of good mentors and other students who have been there before me. You'll find out too. Hope this helps!
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Try to keep up with, if not ahead of, the due dates. Sometimes you may get a little behind...don't panic, just work to get back on the schedule.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Get an APA writing manual, either one from APA or another comprehensive manual.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Keep track of all your references by creating a spreadsheet or some other means to identify the subject and citing sources of the material.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">With each class you have a final assignment. When you begin the course look first at this assignment. Try to get an idea of what your topic and focus will be, plan an outline of where you want the paper to go, then work on it a little each week (while still completing regularly scheduled assignments) This assignment will be quite large so with a little work each week, it will not be so daunting at the end and be too overwhelming.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Commit to some time each day to do as much as possible to further yourself in your classwork. It's the "little hour" here and there that you steal, that can make a big difference (you'd be surprised what you can do in 20 - 30 minutes if you have things planned out!). Some days you may not get to do anything. If you have been pretty regular about getting things done in a timely manner on a daily basis, then that's not a problem.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Remember to take time for yourself! The greatest thing about online education is that it provides time for your other commitments in life such as work, family, and other activities. Don't get so wrapped up that you forget or neglect the important things. This journey is for you to grow personally and professionally, not to isolate you from your world.