First Year Experience at Ulster

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All About FYE 101 the new student's passport to ulster success

This fall, SUNY Ulster is offering its first round of First Year Experience (FYE 101) classes. The course is designed to give new students the tools and resources they need to help transition from high school or the workforce to college life. It also introduces students to a number of career-building and community opportunities Ulster offers. The course, which will be offered on campus and online by several different Ulster professors, will try to give new students a well-rounded understanding of college as they prepare to Go Far. Since everyone first entering Ulster with less than 30 credits will be taking this class, here’s some more information about what new students will be learning about.

Ulster Navigation

The first few months at a new campus can seem completely overwhelming, especially if you’re new to taking college classes. FYE will try to ease this problem for new students. Aspects of FYE will cover not only the support and informational services available on campus, but also how to use different items of Ulster tech that can be difficult to adjust to, such as Blackboard and the portal. Common college terms and requirements will be covered, such as the pros and cons of online, blended, and on campus classes, transfer and career planning options, and elective choices. The course also covers the social aspects of college, like clubs, activities, and other campus opportunities for work and play.

Communication Skills 

Clear communication is vital to college success, since it impacts every aspect of college (and graduate) life. From the emails students write to professors to word choice in an important essay, the way students communicate their thoughts becomes a deciding factor in the grades they receive, the financial awards they are offered, and their job prospects after college. FYE will help students consider factors that can improve their message content and delivery, as well as those that should be avoided.

Career and Finance Planning

Most first-time college students don’t know what they want to do career-wise, let alone know how to fund it. As a community college, Ulster is built around helping students discover what career paths might interest them. FYE will introduce not only the online and on campus resources for planning, but begins the process in class, by helping students identify career paths they might be interested in and the steps they would need to take to achieve them, including financial planning!

Study Strategies

From the Ulster placement tests to the last final exam before graduation, students find that tests are an all too frequent part of academic life. FYE will explain a number of options for study success, including methods for note-taking, studying, and test-taking, as well as how to select the method that best fits the individual student. Students will also learn how to manage the stress and anxiety that tends to come with these aspects of college life.

 

Meet SUNY Ulster’s Fashion Majors: Class of 2017

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Fashion design sign

This May, the first group of SUNY Ulster students with a Fashion Design major will be graduating! To celebrate them and their accomplishments, here’s a snapshot of each of these talented students.

Safiyyah Alston

How Interest in Fashion Began: “When I was 4 or 5, my mom and grandma started teaching me how to make doll clothes and mini-quilts. I loved dressing my dolls up!”

Recommendations for Fashion Students: “Stay focused, but don’t lose the excitement and joy you get out of fashion.”

Favorite Part of SUNY Ulster: “The environment! There are so many different people with tons of different ideas and opinions that are so nice to be around and learn from.”

Favorite Classes: “I learned the most new information from my textiles class. I never knew how much went into the fibers and general descriptions. It was amazing and will stay with me.”

Ulster’s Influence on Career Decisions: “I didn’t think I was interested in menswear whatsoever until I had an independent study with Kristin Flynn, and she had me designing men’s clothing.”

 

Shauna Caines

Recommendations for Fashion Students: “You can go far in fashion. Many people believe that being a fashion designer on the runways in Paris is the only job that there is, and if you don’t make it that big, then there are no other jobs in fashion. Just do what you love and don’t be afraid to take risks. Be different!”

Inspirations: “Growing up, I would always watch Japanese designers that designed their clothing based on culture. I’ve always loved how they would bleach their clothing and make a unique version of something that would have been plain.”

Reasons for Choosing SUNY Ulster: “SUNY Ulster was close to home. I am able to go to school and continue my daily lifestyle as well.”

Favorite Part of SUNY Ulster: “Meeting students with the same desire and being able to build relationships with them, and hearing the success stories of my teachers as well.”

Favorite Fashion Classes: CAD, Costume History, and Sewing

 

Erica Carlson

How Interest in Fashion Began: “I fell in love with fashion design when I noticed how clothing changed what a person felt like. Clothing shows so much of a person’s personality if used right.”

Inspirations: Graphic designers Wish, James Jean, and Ario Anindito, as well as video games like Horizon Zero Dawn and Alice Madness

Feelings On the Fashion Program: “I have loved the program from day one. There are always new, exciting things to learn and experience in the world of fashion.”

Favorite Fashion Classes: Costume History, Drawing Design, and Studio Design

Ulster’s Influence on Career Decisions: “I knew that I wanted to go into fashion since the summer before seventh grade. Ulster has just reinforced my resolve about going into the fashion industry.”

 

Jeffrey Gomez

How Interest in Fashion Began: “While in high school and my early years of college, theater was a big part of my life. I always enjoyed being backstage more. In college, you could find me in the costume shop during rehearsal.”

Recommendations for Fashion Students: “Do your research; there are so many career options.”

Steps After Ulster: Attending FIT for their Technical Design program

Favorite Fashion Classes: Pattern Making and CAD

Ulster’s Influence on Career Decisions: “At first I thought about being a costume designer, then CAD designer, then surface/textile designer. Finally, I have decided to pursue technical design.”

 

Sarah Jayne

How Interest in Fashion Began: “I was interested in the fashion industry from a young age. Recently, I became interested in fashion and body positivity. Plus-size clothing, formalwear, and streetwear have always piqued my interest.”

Recommendations for Fashion Students: “Fashion design isn’t all about wearing stylish outfits. It takes willingness, dedication, patience, and passion. Sometimes fashion design is really stressful, but it’s so worth it.”

Steps After Ulster: Attending Marist’s Fashion Program

Favorite Fashion Classes: Illustration and Draping

Ulster’s Influence on Career Decisions: “The fashion program at Ulster has really opened my eyes to how much really goes into fashion design. People underestimate the time designing takes.”

 

Libbey Klosterman

Dream Job: “I would love to be a fashion buyer and be able to travel the world.”

Signature Style: “My signatures style is influenced by the 1990s. I want to look like I walked out of the Fresh Prince of Belair!”

Current Piece: A traditional Filipino dress

Favorite Part of SUNY Ulster: “My favorite part of attending SUNY Ulster is the environment and my fashion design professors.”

Ulster’s Influence on Career Decisions: “The fashion program experience overall has helped me grow as a person and given me confidence to broaden my career decisions.”

 

Theresa Naske

Recommendations for Fashion Students: “Be prepared to work hard. Fashion is not only glamorous gowns- it is everyday clothing, and even the simplest designs require artistry, math, proportion, and good communication.”

Favorite Part of SUNY Ulster: “Instructors! They are helpful, compassionate, and knowledgeable.”

Feelings On the Fashion Program: “It’s demanding, comprehensive, and wonderful!”

Favorite Fashion Classes: Computer-Aided Design and Draping/Pattern-Making

Ulster’s Influence on Career Decisions: “Getting to know industry professionals through review days and internships has shown me that a career in fashion is possible.”

 

Nicole Pearson

How Interest in Fashion Began: “I have always liked making clothes. I bought myself a sewing machine when I was 12 and went from there.”

Recommendations for Fashion Students: “Don’t underestimate yourself, don’t procrastinate, and never give up when something goes wrong.”

Favorite Part of SUNY Ulster: “The friendships that I’ve made with my classmates in the fashion program and seeing how much we’ve progressed over the past two years.”

Feelings On the Fashion Program: “It’s excellent. The teachers all have years of experience in the industry and push our creativity every day.”

Favorite Fashion Classes: CAD, Design Studio, Patternmaking, Draping

 

Mirabai Trent

Dream Job:  Learning traditional weaving and embroidery practices from around the world to create and import items for her own business

Recommendations for Fashion Students: “Fashion is a lot more complex than what most would think. There’s so many different worlds inside the world of fashion that work to create everything we wear.”

Steps After Ulster: Volunteering in other countries

Reasons for Choosing SUNY Ulster: “They have an early college program, so I could work to get my degree in fashion while also getting a high school equivalency.”

Favorite Part of SUNY Ulster: Visiting the Design Library with fashion CAD class

 

Amari Turman-Roosa

Dream Job: Working as a company or celebrity stylist

Inspirations: Gucci, Betsey Johnson, Alice + Olivia

Feelings On the Fashion Program: “I love it. We’re like a small family!”

Favorite Fashion Classes: Draping and Pattern Making

Ulster’s Influence on Career Decisions: “The experience really made fashion grow more on me and reassured me that this is what I want to do.”

 

Dougie Tyler

Inspirations: “Music. Music has had such a huge influence and impact on everything I design. Some of my greatest designs came from simply listening to a song.”

Dream Job: Designing costumes for Cher or Madonna

Style: “I absolutely refuse to design boring clothes. Even if I design a simple pencil skirt, the fabric will always be bold and look like it’s one of a kind. I want the women I dress to feel like they can conquer the world in my designs.”

Favorite Part of SUNY Ulster: “The professors in the fashion department. They genuinely care about me and push me to strive for the absolute best in my life.”

Feelings on the Fashion Program: “I think it’s an amazing opportunity for anyone to get real, knowledgeable experience in fashion and have an advantage over students who go directly to schools like F.I.T.  I now feel confident going to larger universities.”

 

 

College Finals Week: No-Fail Ways to Banish Stress

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Woman looking anxious with the word stress above her head

With the school year coming to an end and the promise of long, sunny days on the horizon, it’s common for a lot of us college students to get ahead of ourselves and slack off a little towards the end of the semester. The dark and dreary cloud that is “College Finals Week” is enough to vanquish even the most dedicated student. Stress is inevitable, and there might even be tears (especially if you’re opening your textbook for the first time this semester). However, there is no need to fret. Here are six ways you can combat stress during the next two weeks, to ensure a less anxiety-ridden week of cramming for exams, and get the A+ that you so desperately need.

Stress Tip #1: Go To the Study Session/Office Hours

It may not seem important (especially since you could just spend that extra time studying on your own), but study sessions are important because they’re run by your professor and you can count on the teacher to go over the material on the test, as opposed to sitting in the library, staring at your notes and wondering which topics are important. Office hours are even more important because they allow you to have one-on-one time with your professor to go over the most puzzling topics or review a subject over and over without holding back a group session or study group. Be sure to ask what the format of your exam will be. You’d be surprised how much less stress you’ll have when you know exactly what will be on the exam!

Stress Tip #2: Make a Study Plan/Time Block

For the love of all that is holy, make a plan of attack for college finals…and stick to it. It’s so easy to put off tasks until the next day (because how much longer will Gilmore Girls be on Netflix, really) but if you block out your time for the next week, and assign certain tasks to certain blocks, and stick to them, you’d be surprised at how much you get done. For instance, every day I allow myself one hour to review the material and do homework for each class I’m taking. Following that, I’ll then dedicate an extra hour a day to the class that I have an impending test in. You should take note that when you start a task, you should do ONLY that task for the time you’ve allotted yourself. This is a surefire way to focus and get it done.

Stress Tip #3: Go to Bed!

Getting enough sleep is honestly the most important thing when it comes to doing well on your finals. Sleep is vital to survival and it helps the nervous system function properly. Studies reveal that when animals and people fail to get enough sleep concentration, coordination, memory, and mood suffer. You should aim to get at least 7-9 hours of sleep a night. When you get enough sleep, not only do you need less coffee, but you also will do better on your exams. Studies have also shown that getting a full eight hours of sleep after learning a new task, such as a finger-tapping exercise or after studying a long list of words can boost recall the next day. Even a one-hour nap can improve performance on certain tasks, so if an all-nighter is mandatory, try to fit in a nap.

Stress Tip #4: Turn Off Social Media

All Millennials know that social media websites and apps like Facebook (appropriately titled Face Crack by my mom) and Twitter, will suck your soul and your free time away from you. Not only that, but if you get distracted checking a notification during the time that you’re supposed to be studying, the whole afternoon is lost. You might start off the day reviewing your Calculus I notes, but by the end of the hour, you’re watching the Top 20 Cutest Cats Falling off Tables. How you migrated from Instagram to Youtube without a direct link….no one knows. Do yourself a favor and turn off your phone (or at least the notifications to all distracting apps) and if you have access to “Parental Controls” (all MacBook users do), then get your study buddy (or parent) to set some limits for you. Also, cancel your Netflix subscription for the month. Use that money to buy a stress ball.

Stress Tip #5: Eat Nutritious Food (a.k.a. Not refined shugah)

Healthy Food = Healthy Brain. Make sure to eat plenty of foods that are high in nutrients and low in processed crap. Food is considered medicine in a lot of cultures! So, yes, you can really eat your way to health, but you have to stay away from “death in a plastic wrapper”. You know the deal. That means lots of greens, raw fruits and veggies, healthy fats (like nuts and seeds), whole grains, and lean meats. There will be more info on this topic in another blog post, so stay tuned!

Stress Tip #6: Take a Break!

Sometimes, all you need is to just close your books, go outside, and take a break. College finals stress is one of those tricky things, where you feel like you’ll only get rid of it once you complete the task that is stressing you out in the first place. However, that isn’t always the case. If stress is the thing that is keeping you from finishing the stressful task, it always helps to stop what you’re doing and take a break. This can be anything from taking a nap, to going outside and tossing a football around (or, if you can’t throw – lying in the sun.) All of these things will shift your focus out of that internal hole for doom that you put yourself into, and give you some perspective. Often times, I do this when I get the infamous “Writer’s Block.” It’s inevitable, and won’t go away until you close your computer and distract yourself with a different activity. Often times, once you’ve immersed yourself in something else, inspiration strikes!

Registration is Open for COIL Summer Institute – Join Us!

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SUNY Ulster President, Alan Roberts with visiting students from Fatec Americana in Mexico.

Join an International Community of Learners to Explore Innovative Global Business Models at SUNY Ulster’s COIL Summer Institute!

Collaborate Online: June 5 – July 3
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Learn Face to Face: July 3 – July 14

What is COIL Summer Institute?

SUNY Ulster is offering students and community members the unique opportunity to study both online and on campus in their COIL International Summer Institute – a blended course on innovative global business models. The course entitled, Special Topics in Entrepreneurship – BUS 280 – will run online from June 5th to July 3rd and then on the Stone Ridge Campus from July 3rd to July 14th.

It can be taken for credit or noncredit, and is a blended course in which SUNY Ulster students study together with students from

  • Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
  • Fatec Americana
  • Universidad La Salle Noroeste ULSA

to explore the entrepreneurial mindset, skills, and techniques required for the development of new and disruptive business models for a global economy.

Study the growing clean energy, sustainability, and high tech industries of the Hudson Valley as well as those from The Netherlands, Mexico and Brazil. Learn about the importance of social entrepreneurship to all businesses in the 21st century.

Work Online: June 5 – July 3

Explore the intercultural competency, business terminology, and background discussions of the entrepreneurial mindset and disruptive business models of thriving and developing businesses such as Uber, Airbnb or MercyVirtual (a telemedicine firm). Learn about the cultural impact of these businesses and the technology that drives these businesses without borders.

Learn Face-to-Face: July 3 – 14

Students from the International colleges will be traveling to SUNY Ulster to join in face-to-face learning:

  • Visit and shadow local Hudson Valley entrepreneurs to learn their stories, understand their entrepreneurial mindsets and business models.
  • Participate in classes and group work focused on international marketing and cross cultural mindset.
  • Take trips to local maker spaces, tech meet-ups and more.
  • Collaborate in cross-cultural teams in a Biz Model Challenge to develop new business ideas/models.
  • Hear speakers from local businesses:
    • Integral Building & Design – Bringing new products, solar, and passive house designs to fruition for efficiency, health and safety
    • Sustainable Hudson Valley – Holistic approach to sustainability from a community standpoint
    • Evolve Media & HV Tech Meet Up – Community of tech professionals breaking down barriers for synergistic connections
    • Hudson River Maritime Museum – Creating community-based business lines unusual for a museum for growth to 5 million dollar organization
    • Fala Technologies – Tool & die company developing innovative partnerships for a manufacturing community that share clients
    • Applestone Meat

Costs:

For Local Students

The cost for this 3 credit course, Special Topics in Entrepreneurship is $794.50 for local students. It includes all tuition, fees, food during the class, a welcome lunch, a farewell dinner celebration, and a SUNY Ulster t-shirt.

For International Students: $2,850

Lodging is single occupancy, food, activities around the Hudson Valley, transportation including to and from the airport.

For more information:

Mindy Kole
Assistant Professor of Business
Director, Darlene L. Pfeiffer Center for Entrepreneurial Studies
kolem@sunyulster.edu

Patrice Macauley
Program Coordinator, Continuing & Professional Education
macauleyp@sunyulster.edu

To Register:

Contact Student Accounts at (845) 687-5099.

What’s After Ulster? How to Find a Transfer College

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Group of students in cafeteria leaning over a laptop

It’s nearing springtime again, and, for some of you, that means graduation. But then what? If you’re in a program that requires a bachelor’s or higher for employment, it means finding another college. How do you find that college? How do you know if it’s the right one? Even if you have a dream college you know you want to go to, how do you find back-up options? Hopefully, this post will be helpful in getting you started.

Find Out What’s Available

The best way to start is by doing a Google search of colleges good for your desired major. You probably already have a decent idea of what size and location you would like, so just those three parameters can narrow your options down considerably. Once you have a list, talk to people who know the schools about their experiences. They can be friends, family, and advisors or professors from both Ulster and the schools you’re looking at. Ask people you might not think to ask, like the school’s alumni, employers in your chosen field, and people who transferred out of the school (that’s a big one, find out why they did). Remember not to depend on one particular person’s testimony too much when making decisions though, since in the end the choice is about you and your needs.

The Big Questions

There’s many important things to keep in mind when finding a school and applying, and many are the same as what you already discovered at Ulster: How much will it cost? How much financial aid will you get? Are there scholarships? If you’re a commuter, how much does a parking permit cost? How will your classes from Ulster transfer into the other school’s program? Are the professors good? What are the classes like? How difficult is it to get in? How much will it cost just to apply? By the time you get through them all, you will probably want to throw the whole idea of transferring out the window, but you don’t have to! Colleges will be more than happy to answer all of your questions and assist you with the process. Often they have brochures and tours that will help answer most, if not all, of these questions. If some branches of the college’s admissions department are less helpful than others, don’t be afraid to push for information. It’s your money and your time that will be on the line; you deserve answers.

Does the School Really Fit?

You’ve done your research. You know how good the school is for your major, you’ve talked to a few people who know the school, maybe you’ve even gone and talked to some admissions people. Now here comes a really important part: finding out if the school suits YOU. It doesn’t matter if you’re taking all online classes, going as a commuter, or living on campus, you need to know more about the school itself. Visit! Sometimes, a school will just feel right (or very not). Colleges offer guided tours around campus, both one-on-one and in a group. Many schools offer a shadow program, where you can follow a student around for a day and attend classes with them. This is obviously the ideal situation, as it will give you a real idea of what classes, students, and professors are like at your school. A school can sound great on paper and in pictures, but when you’re actually there, you might find that the “great professors” might be very boring and stuffy, the “83,000 square foot library” could have an exceptionally small amount of books, and the “welcoming commuter lounge” could be a barren corner of the basement that frequently gets used for testing. Know before you commit!

Crunch Time! The College Application

Once you’ve found a few schools you know you’ll be happy attending, it’s time to start applying! Fun fact: did you know there’s an easy, free application that you use as an Ulster graduate when applying to any of the SUNY schools? If a SUNY school is on your list to apply to, that will prove an excellent savings. Don’t forget to apply to several; even if it seems expensive in the moment. Not only could you not be accepted to your favorite one, in addition, after accepting an offer from one, you could still find out that it’s the wrong choice during the enrollment stage. Leave options for yourself.

Remember the Value of Your Decision

Lastly, my personal tip as a transfer student may seem a bit obvious, but I’ll tell it anyway. Try your best to find and go for a place you truly want to attend. In the end, it’s years of your life that you can’t get back. And college should be so much more than just getting that piece of paper at graduation; during your junior year, senior year, and beyond, it’s the opportunities through internships, travel, networking with professors and students, and just plain old friendships that make college great. These things can change the course of your life. Do your best to make a decision that counts.

You’re Not Alone!

No matter what stage of the transferring process you’re in, don’t forget that we have a SUNY Ulster Transfer Office devoted to helping you succeed! Contact Kate Smith at smithk@sunyulster.edu for more information, and stop by her office in Vanderlyn 128C to get help with any transfer problems or concerns you may be having.

 

Fun Facts About Summer Sessions

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Student drawing tree outside

Even though it’s still chilly outside, it’s already time to start thinking about the summer! That’s right, registration is now open for Summer Sessions here at SUNY Ulster, so here’s some interesting facts about these mini-semesters that can help you decide if they might be a good fit for you.

It’s Not Like Summer School in 10th Grade

Let’s dispel this common misconception right away, because you might be thinking, “Summer classes? But I passed all my courses!” The truth is, taking summer classes in college often has very little to do with how well you did in past semesters. Granted, it’s a great way to catch up if you didn’t do well in a past class and want to improve your grade, but most people taking summer courses do it for other reasons. In fact, many students (myself included) have had difficulties with scheduling at one point or another and will need a few extra credits to graduate on time. A summer class or two can make all the difference when it comes to your graduation date, whether that means graduating on time or a semester or two early, and thus affects getting into a 4-year school or joining the workforce. Of course, there are many other great reasons to take summer classes too, such as…

You Can Get a Head Start on College

If you’ve just finished high school and can’t wait to start your college career, summer sessions can be a fantastic way to begin. You have a variety of prerequisites to choose from, and you can try online or in class to see what styles work well for you. By starting early, you’ll have an advantage over all the other freshmen who show up that fall and have yet to adjust to new types of classes, the heavier workload, and meeting new friends and professors.

There’s Lots of Class Options

Not only do you have a number of core classes to choose from, there’s also prerequisites and major courses for many fields being offered. This summer, there’s over 80 different options for classes and times available, so there’s a decent chance you will find something you need at a time that works for you. Not only that, there’s an almost equal number of online and on-campus classes, one of the few times this happens. Take advantage of it!

Not An Ulster Student? No Problem!

Many colleges (particularly other SUNY schools) recommend taking summer classes at a community college to accumulate credits at a good price for when you return to your own school in the fall. So if you’re back in the area for summer, or even halfway across the country with access to the internet, you can take advantage of Ulster’s Summer Sessions. Just be in contact with your school to make sure all requirements will be fulfilled first!

Weather (Shouldn’t) Be An Issue

If you prefer in-class courses but often have travel difficulties, summer classes can be a relaxing change. Just like the rest of the year, there are classes in Stone Ridge and at the KCSU, but you really shouldn’t have to worry about driving in snowstorms or waiting for the bus in sub-zero weather to get to them. Additionally, many students say they enjoy the energy in summer classes, since the weather is brighter and classes tend to be smaller, and classmates and professors tend to spend more time together and get to know each other better.

It Keeps You in the Studying Mindset

Okay, this could be either good or bad, but if you’re like most people, that break from homework in the summer makes it all the harder to go back to school in the fall. Summer sessions minimize that and keep you in the class-attending, homework-accomplishing mood we all have to be in to finally graduate. Summer sessions can be difficult, due to the condensed time frame they often work in, as they typically run for 8 weeks instead of 15. This can be a benefit, however, since it keeps you in the mindset needed to get work done and can help you get through a dull course or prerequisite quickly, so that next fall you can start taking more fun classes!

Look at the full list of classes offered this summer, with their session dates and online/in-class options, here. If you find a good fit, register today!

 

Men’s Basketball Team Excels in the 2016-17 Season

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Basketball player making shot

The SUNY Ulster Men’s Basketball team has had a number of success stories this year! The team has a record of 10-11 wins, the most wins they have had in over a decade. They rank nationally at #9 in three-pointers made per game, and two leading scorers on the team, freshmen Shawn Jansen and Tyreik Johnson, are averaging 16 points per game. The team beat 4-time NJCAA champions Sullivan recently, 88-83. Attend their final upcoming home games; they play on February 8th vs. United States Military Academy Prep School at 7pm, the 11th vs. Paul Smith’s College at 1pm, and the 14th vs. Johnson at 7pm.

Here’s a few pictures of our all-star players in action.  Go Senators!

   

5 Tips for Succeeding in Online Classes

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Students using computers in the Hasbrouck lab

In college, few things bring out more polarized emotions than online classes. Whether you love them or hate them, there comes a point in nearly everyone’s college career when it makes sense to take at least one, be it to catch up on necessary classes over break or to streamline a class schedule. A number of people consider them very easy; others find them impossible. In the end, the same rules apply to them as to any other college course; it’s mostly dependent on the professor, the class, and the student. However, no matter your particular situation, you can succeed!

#1: Plan Ahead

More often than not, the reason students fail an online class is the same as why they fail their regular classes: they didn’t set aside enough time for the work. With an online class, you have to find out when things are due and prepare for them in a timely manner. Find out at the beginning of the semester what days big projects will be due, and write the dates down in a planner. Then look at your own schedule and find a time each week when you can work at smaller projects that occur regularly. And there will be smaller projects! Since there is no in-class lecture, professors have to find other ways to make sure students learn the material, and this is often done through weekly quizzes or forum posts. These will probably be due on a specific day each week, and you will not want to miss them.

#2: Understand the Course Website

Personally, I’ve been through three different online learning platforms. They’ve all functioned differently. They all look different. Worst of all, none of them have ever worked properly, and I’ve lost countless essays, posts, and quizzes into the digital abyss. But guess what? Learning both the platform and your specific course’s site is half the battle. Test all tabs and links to make sure you can access them; sometimes it can be a problem with your computer, and sometimes it’s an uploading error, but the important thing is to find out if something is unavailable as soon as possible, so the situation can be corrected and your work can be submitted on time. Of course, plan to upload a bit before the due date (or hour, let’s be realistic here) so there will be time to resolve technical problems. Additionally, make sure you know where your professor keeps links for assignments and lectures so you won’t miss important information.

#3: Purchase (And Use) All Required Outside Materials

Basically, if your online class recommends a textbook, get the textbook. Professors usually use a combination of their own lessons and textbook material, and the emphasis is almost always on the information in the textbook when it comes to quizzes and forums. It pays off to use your textbook in the end. The same also applies to outside resources such as software and study guides, since it’s quite likely they will be utilized at some point during the course.

#4: Keep an Orderly Study Space

Just like for all other classes, it’s important to have a stable, quiet space to work and study in. For online classes, this is twice as important, since you are both learning the information and working on assignments in this area. You’ll be spending a lot of time in your work space, so make sure it’s as neat and comfortable for you as possible. Keep your textbook and planner here in a prominent place so they won’t get lost or forgotten.

#5: Check All Work

Online courses are often writing-heavy, since there are usually forum posts and papers that take the place of classroom discussion. Since you have the opportunity, make sure you check your writing for grammatical errors and message clarity. A quick proofread can make all the difference to your professor and earn you a much better grade. Checking also applies to uploading; make sure your essay or post shows up on the site after you’ve uploaded it. The only thing worse than uploading poor work is finding out you didn’t upload anything at all!

Like with any college class, a bit of self-reliance and proactivity does a great deal to help you get A’s. If you treat your online class with the same importance as on-campus classes, you will do just fine. And enjoy it! After all, who doesn’t like earning college credit while curled up in pajamas at home?

Fun Electives Offered This Spring

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People observing the night sky

Are you looking for an intriguing and fun elective to fill up your schedule or fulfill a requirement? Though it sometimes takes a bit of searching to find, Ulster offers a number of unique and innovative courses to bring some excitement into your semester. Here’s just a few you can sign up for this spring!

History of Rock Music – MUS 175

Personally, I’ve seen enough students with band-related apparel to safely say that many of you love rock music. Why not learn more about it in this informative class that covers every aspect of the genre? You get to learn about the history of rock music from its pre-50s roots to today, including its social causes and effects, style trends, and the backgrounds of many performers and songwriters who worked within it. Every other aspect of the business is covered too, as the course description says other topics are “language geared towards the non-musician musical features of rock: instrumentation, melodic/harmonic/rhythmic details, performance styles, lyrics, visual aspects (personal appearances, album covers, etc.), and production/recording techniques.” Of course, you get to listen to a great deal of music, both in and out of the classroom. What could beat receiving college credit for listening to music you already love? Professor Gregory Dinger, who teaches the class, says “The students are assigned a lot of listening outside of class, and we do some playful things in class like “create” appropriate song titles or group names.  Some of the written assignments include “Your Favorite and a Least Favorite Song,” reactions to a reading on the “Negative Reactions to early Rock & Roll,” and interviewing someone (of the right age) as to who they preferred in the 1960s:  The Beatles or The Rolling Stones.”

Feature Journalism – COM 201

If you like writing, this is the course for you. Although it’s a 200-level Communications course, this class can be taken by anyone who has taken ENG 102. Students get to learn about many aspects of the journalism industry, including the development and research, writing, and editing processes used to create feature stories for newspapers and magazines. Best of all, students in the class staff the campus newspaper and contribute articles for credit. Anyone interested in writing or journalism can benefit from this experience and exposure! Professor Robert Pucci, who teaches this class, offers, “The feature journalism class gives the student an opportunity to experience the working environment of a freelance article writer. Students research markets, target publications, write query letters and complete three magazine articles geared to their interests. In the past feature articles written for the class have appeared in local publications.”

Solar System Astronomy – AST 102

Who doesn’t love looking at the stars? The astronomy course here at Ulster offers not only the opportunity to attend a night sky observation (with a telescope and professional input!), but also the chance to learn more about the fascinating world outside our planet of moons, asteroids, meteors, and comets. Professor Steven Schimmrich, who teaches the class, says, “Students learn to use a freeware program called Stellarium which allows you to view the night sky from any location on Earth at any date or time which allows them to predict when and where to observe planets and other celestial objects. Students are introduced to the latest data being returned from NASA missions to various planets, moons, asteroids, and comets in our solar system.” The history of the solar system up through the current search for extraterrestrial life and new planets is also covered. This course is designed for all majors, and actually fulfills a Natural Science elective you might need for graduation.

Register Today!

If you can fit one in, it’s always good to have a class to take purely for the joy of learning! Read more about the courses and find out what requirements they fulfill by clicking on the names above. Be sure to register for these and your other classes before they fill up!