{"id":253697,"date":"2024-07-04T16:15:07","date_gmt":"2024-07-04T16:15:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/onlineacademiccommunity.uvic.ca\/uviclearn\/?p=253697"},"modified":"2025-08-20T19:20:19","modified_gmt":"2025-08-20T19:20:19","slug":"start-the-semester-strong","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/onlineacademiccommunity.uvic.ca\/uviclearn\/getting-started\/start-the-semester-strong\/","title":{"rendered":"Start the semester strong"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#F0F0F0″ width=”100%” max_width=”100%” min_height=”176px” height=”100px” custom_margin=”0px||-37px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”7px|5px|189px|5px|false|false” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ locked=”off” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n

Start the semester strong and succeed all term long!<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

It’s a great idea to set yourself up for an excellent term from the beginning. Read on to discover four<\/span> key<\/span> tips to help you start the semester strong!<\/span><\/p>\n

Book an appointment<\/strong> <\/a>with an academic skills advisor at the Academic Skills Centre.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” custom_padding=”||4px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”180px” height=”189px” custom_margin=”|auto|1px|106px||” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.23.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_heading _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”|700|||||||” title_font_size=”27px” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n

Read <\/span>your <\/span>course syllabus<\/span><\/span> at the start of the semester<\/span><\/h3>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” min_height=”217px” custom_margin=”2px|||||” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”191px” height=”189px” custom_margin=”|auto|1px|106px||” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.23.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_heading _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”|700|||||||” title_font_size=”27px” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n

Communicate with your instructor<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n

Course instructors<\/span> may offer <\/span>time before\/after class for questions or<\/span> provide weekly<\/span> \u201coffice hours,\u201d<\/span> a time <\/span>they\u2019re<\/span> available<\/span> for stu<\/span>dent drop-ins<\/span>. <\/span>Plan to regularly check in to clarify content or ask questions. <\/span>Before you ask a question, double-check that the answer <\/span>isn\u2019t<\/span> already included in your course syllabus. <\/span>Early in the semester, confirm the instructor\u2019s guidelines for extensions. If you’re new to university life here are some strategies on\u00a0<\/span><\/span>How to talk to your instructor and provide <\/span>fee<\/span>db<\/span>a<\/span>c<\/span>k.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” min_height=”217px” custom_margin=”2px|||||” custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”191px” height=”189px” custom_margin=”|auto|1px|106px||” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.23.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_heading _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”|700|||||||” title_font_size=”27px” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n

Participate in class<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n

It can be scary asking a question <\/span>or commenting<\/span> during a grou<\/span>p discussion. Build confidence<\/span> early in the term<\/span> by <\/span>read<\/span>ing<\/span> the textbook\/articl<\/span>es and taking<\/span> notes<\/span> in advance. <\/span>Be prepared to try; <\/span>it\u2019s<\/span> OK to feel nervous. Observe protocols used by other students: Do students raise their hands? Do they ask questions <\/span>frequently<\/span>? <\/span>When other classmates speak up,<\/span> perhaps add<\/span> a comment to what they have said or share a new insight. Offer an example or highlight information <\/span>you\u2019ve<\/span> read. If your class involves using Brightspace this article provides tips on\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Par<\/span>t<\/span>i<\/span>ci<\/span>pat<\/span>ing in class discussions online.<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” min_height=”296px” custom_margin=”2px||12px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||||” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”191px” height=”189px” custom_margin=”|auto|1px|106px||” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.23.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_heading _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”|700|||||||” title_font_size=”27px” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n

Prepare for group work<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]Instructors <\/span>frequently<\/span> assign group projects. Before you and your group members begin the task, introduce yourselves and talk about the skills you bring. Celebrate each member\u2019s unique background and experience and consider how you complement each other. Expect differences of opinion and<\/span> prepare for <\/span>possible conflict<\/span>. <\/span>When starting, read over the task and ensure everyone understands the goal and purpose. Assign roles and responsibilities that build on each member\u2019s strength<\/span>s. Develop a plan with specific duties, names of members responsible, and due dates. Discuss the group\u2019s processes for communicating if more time is needed.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” locked=”off” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” global_module=”254169″ theme_builder_area=”post_content” custom_padding=”31px|||||”][et_pb_row module_id=”book” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#F5AA1C” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.23.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_cta title=”To learn more about this topic and to get help” button_url=”https:\/\/uvic.mywconline.com\/” button_text=”Book an appointment” _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#FFFFFF” background_color=”#002754″ custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#005493″ button_bg_color=”#FFFFFF” width=”100%” max_width=”100%” link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n

Book a free<\/strong> in-person or online appointment with an academic skills advisor at the Academic Skills Centre!<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_cta][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

How do you start the semester strong? Read on to discover four key tips that will help you start the semester on the right foot!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20114,"featured_media":253715,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[82,123],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-253697","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-getting-started","category-setting-goals"],"yoast_head":"\nStart the semester strong - UVicLearn<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"How do you start the semester strong? 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Instructors<\/span> include a<\/span> course syllabus (or \u201ccourse outline\u201d<\/span>) <\/span>to highlight key information that you will need throughout the semester: assignment instructions, course readings, course materials (textbooks and supplies), and <\/span>grading information. <\/span>Set a goal to carefully read each course syllabus in the first week of classes. <\/span>While <\/span>you\u2019re<\/span> reading, track all your assignment dates and put them into your calendar <\/span>immediately<\/span>. <\/span>Taking this important first step creates a helpful preview of the fun ahead!<\/span><\/span> Read this article for more tips on <\/span>How to read a <\/span>cou<\/span>rse <\/span>syl<\/span>l<\/span>a<\/span>bus or outline.<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n