Welcome to SNHU & You! This is a four-part series designed to help you become familiar with the resources, tools, and support available throughout your SNHU experience.
Explore how to navigate your course, access Academic Support, connect with library resources, and make the most of the opportunities available to you as an SNHU student.
This week, we will explore the key components of your course and how to navigate them effectively. We will review course modules, Books & Reading resources, discussion posts, emailing your instructor, the syllabus, including course objectives, guidelines, and rubrics. You will learn how these resources support your learning and clarify course expectations.
What is a Syllabus?
A syllabus is a roadmap for students to understand what the course will cover and how to succeed in it.
What are Guidelines and Rubric?
Guidelines explain what you need to submit, and the Rubric explains how your work will be graded.
Use this image below to learn the different elements of a Rubric:
- Criteria: the specific elements your work will be judged on
- Performance levels: how well you need to meet each criterion
- Point or scores: the number of points each section is worth
For more information on the concepts from today's workshop, check out these links:
ARC Guide: Discussion Board Tips (with video)
ARC Guide: Emailing Your Instructor with Examples
ARC Guide: Brightspace Overview (with video)
This week, we will explore the Academic Support resources available to you. We will review the ARC (Academic Resource Center), 24/7 tutoring, workshops, Written Feedback, Academic Coaching, and the Shapiro Library, and how these resources can support your academic success.
What is Academic Support?
Academic Support at SNHU refers to the services and resources available to help students succeed academically. The Academic Support Center has a menu of services and resources for you to choose from. Here is a direct link to the ASC platform to find and schedule services, learn more about them below.
These services include:
ARC (Academic Resource Center): The ARC is a library of over 200 pages of SNHU-specific academic resources — including videos, interactive tools, and PDF guides across many subjects. You can search for help with rubrics, citations, formatting, writing, research, and so much more.
24/7 Drop-In Tutoring: Tutoring is accessible whenever you need it — even late at night. Tutors are available across many subjects, and sessions include audio, video, and an interactive whiteboard to help you work through problems in real time.
Written Feedback: This service is available to provide students with support for their written assignments. Written feedback is not a last-minute resource, plan on twelve hours or longer from submission to receive feedback.
Workshops: A workshop is a learning session hosted by SNHU Learning Support Specialists in a virtual classroom. Students can attend workshops to receive extra help or learn more about specific topics and skills, such as writing and research, math, and many other subjects. If you can’t attend a workshop due to scheduling conflicts, please sign up anyway. You will be able to view the recording at your convenience.
Office Hours: Office Hours are weekly drop-in sessions hosted by SNHU Learning Support Specialists in a virtual classroom. Students can ask specific content questions, learn directly from an SNHU subject-matter expert, and receive ongoing academic support.
Academic Coaching: SNHU Academic Coaches help students become more confident, organized, and self-directed learners. The coach-for-life model ensures students have a consistent partner supporting them from their first term through graduation. Coaches partner with students to strengthen areas such as:
- Overcoming barriers to success
- Comprehension and Critical-Thinking
- Goal setting and accountability
- Motivation, productivity, and confidence
- Navigating learning differences
For more information on the concepts from today's workshop, check out these links:
ARC Guide: How to Book ASC Sessions & Retrieve Recordings
ARC Guide: Workshop Schedule
ARC Guide: How To Access the Academic Support Center
ARC Guide: What is the service "Written Feedback"?
ARC Guide: 24/7 Drop-In Tutoring
ARC Guide: What group session is right for me?
ARC Guide: What is Academic Coaching?
This week, we will explore instructor feedback and milestones. We will review asking questions, understanding rubric feedback, tracking your progress, and using Turnitin Feedback Studio to improve your assignments and support your academic success.
Why is Instructor Feedback Important?
- Instructor feedback is essential to your success in the class.
- Instructors grade based on the rubric and assignment guidelines.
- Reading instructor feedback is important for understanding how your work aligns with expectations.
- Feedback highlights areas where you can improve.
- Don't take feedback personally — it’s meant to help you grow and become a better student.
What is Turnitin Feedback Studio?
Features:
- Similarity Report
- Inline Comments
- Overall Comment
Why It Matters
- Helps you revise and improve
- Gives clear insight into what your instructor expects
- Prepares you for future assignments and your final project or milestone
For more information on the concepts from today's workshop, check out these links:
ARC Guide: How to Access Your Grades and Feedback in Brightspace (with Video)
ARC Guide: Turnitin Guide for Students
This week, we will explore staying organized, understanding what AI is, using an academic tone, and practicing proper online etiquette. We will also review general do’s and don’ts to help you stay organized, communicate effectively, and succeed in your academic journey.
Why Organize Your Assignments?
Organizing your assignments helps you keep track of deadlines, manage your time, and avoid missing or forgetting assignments. It also makes it easier to prioritize your work and reduce stress.
In simple terms: Staying organized helps you know what needs to be done, when it is due, and how to stay on track.
Before using AI as a student, make sure you're aware of SNHU's Student Use Guidelines. You can view the AI Guidelines Infographic as a companion to information shared in this workshop. You can also view it below. Reminder, verify all AI use with your instructor's course policies.
For more information on the concepts from today's workshop, check out these links:
ARC Guide: Organizing your Assignments (with Video)
ARC Guide: A Student Guide to AI (with Video)
Need More Help?
Want additional support? Sign up for our group sessions. Take a look at the full workshop schedule. For help signing up and accessing the Academic Support Center, see the How to Book ASC Sessions Page.