Academic Support

Checklist

NOT SURE WHERE TO START?

Start by making an appointment with an academic advisor! They can help you and/or refer you to the right resources.

NEW STUDENT SUCCESS GUIDE

Our New Student Success Guide [PDF] has a section dedicated to academic success, including a sheet for you to work through your goals.

The academic support services at Dalhousie can help you realize your full potential. From before you even arrive on campus, to the day you graduate, you can count on our services and resources to help guide you through.

Steps to stay on top of your academic goals

Take time to reflect on why you're in university and what goals you hope to achieve

Setting goals

You may want to improve your GPA or work on your writing skills. Answer the questions below to help make your goals AND plan out how you can achieve them.

What is your goal?
When would you like to achieve this goal by?
What has to happen for the goal to be achieved?
Who can help you achieve your goal?
What roadblocks or obstacles could you run into and what will you do to overcome them?
How will you reward yourself when you achieve your goal?

Take an elective that challenges you to learn more about yourself

Find the location of each of your classes BEFORE classes start

: Visit dal.ca/campusmaps for an interactive map of Studley, Carleton, Sexton and the Agricultural Dalhousie campuses.

: Download the DalSAFE app for access to an interactive map of all Dalhousie campuses on your mobile device.

Familiarize yourself with and start using Brightspace

Brightspace is Dalhousie's Learning Management System and where all of your course information will be housed each semester.

Read the full syllabus for each of your classes on the first day to plan out your semester

Important information you'll find in your syllabus:

Contact information for your professor
Your professor's office hours
Class information (time, location)
Important dates
Course objectives and learning outcomes
Evaluation criteria

Required textbooks and reading information
Information about academic integrity
Student accommodation information
About the culture of respect at Dalhousie
And more

Contact Advising and Access Services if you require an academic accommodation

Advising and Access Services is Dalhousie's centre of expertise for student accessibility and accommodation. Our advising team works with students who request accommodation as a result of:

a disability,
religious obligation, or
any barrier related to any other characteristic protected under Human Rights legislation (NS,NB, PEI, NFLD)

Services include:

ABLE @ Dal - orientation for new to Dal students (first year and transfer students)
Information and education on accessibility and accommodation
Determining and facilitating classroom and exam accommodations
Determining and facilitating non-academic accommodations
Note-taking program
Advice on, and access to, technology supports
Assistance in accessing financial aid
Textbook scanning and/or publisher requests for PDFs
Referrals to on and off-campus resources and services

Pay attention to important dates for paying your tuition and adding/dropping courses

: Important academic dates, including tuition deadlines, add/drop dates, university closures and more can be found at dal.ca/dates

Learn what academic standing and academic integrity are

Academic standing:

determines whether you can continue your studies at Dalhousie
affects whether or not you can graduate
reflects your Grade Point Average (GPA) – posted on your academic record
is first assessed after you attempt 24 credit hours

Learn more about academic standing and the different types of academic standing (good standing, probation, and dismissal).

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a complex of concepts that includes ideas of ownership, scholarship and acceptable behaviour. Learning the conventions and practices of academic disciplines takes time. Learn more about academic integrity and complete the online module.

Use the online assignment calculator to manage the time you have to complete your research paper

: Don't leave your research until the last minute.
Use the Assignment Calculator to get control of your time and organize your tasks. Simply enter the start date and due date of your assignment.

Example:

Start or join a study group of students in your class(es)

Study groups are a great way to review material, ask questions, and prepare for assignments and tests.

Once you have a group of students, there are a variety of workspaces around campus including Learning Commoncs and bookable Study Rooms.

Get feedback on your papers at the Writing Centre before you submit them

The Writing Centre is a great resource to help you improve your writing skills and teach you how to write independently. A few things that they can help with include:

Research papers and course assignments
Sourcing and citing research material (documenting sources)
Grammar, punctuation, and mechanics of writing
In-class presentations
Business writing
Applications/letters of intent for admission and scholarships
Collaborative/joint writing practices
Interdisciplinary writing
Technical writing: Science and Engineering
English as Another Language (ESL/EAL) support (English Language Learning)

Attend a study skills workshop on topics like effective reading strategies, short answer & essay exams, strategies for multiple choice, presentation & speaking skills, managing your time, working in a group, and concentration & memorization

Studying for Success offers a number of workshops to help students improve their academic performance.

Benefits of workshops

Content of workshops is directly relevant to students' performance in their academic lives
Workshops are offered at no additional cost to students
Workshops are offered in small groups
Individualized coaching is offered as a follow-up to or instead of workshops, at no additional cost

Meet with an academic advisor to create an educational plan, discuss your courses, major, minor, and career options

Academic Advising provides program advising, academic planning - which may include accommodations - and personal coaching, to help you reach your educational, career and life goals.

Academic Advisors can help you:

clarify your education and career goals
explore programs
choose courses that relate to your goals and interests
address concerns about your studies
develop strategies for academic success from first-year to graduation
identify skill-building opportunities
problem-solve if you are struggling in school
explore academic options when faced with personal/family emergency
determine appropriate accommodations support when required
determine where to go for additional information

Attend the Academic Program Fair (especially if you're thinking about continuing to professional or graduate studies)

2016/17 date TBA!

Get one-on-one tutoring to understand specific course content and prepare for tests and exams

Dal offers one-on-one tutoring, or personal coaching, to students. Coaches:

Coaches:

explore methods to capture the most pertinent details from lectures and textbooks
help you define your preferred learning style and offer complementing study techniques
guide your development and application of an effective study strategy
provide useful tips on the best way to prepare for exams
refer you to appropriate academic support services as needed

Learn more and book an appointment

Get help accessing journal articles and doing research at the Dal Libraries - they'll also help you with your references and citations

: Visit one of the Dal Libraries Reference and Research Services desks for research advice and assistance, and help with your citations and references.

Discuss opportunities to become involved in initiatives, research projects, clubs, and student societies with professors in your department

Your professors' office hours aren't just for asking about your class and assignments. Stop by and ask about their research or if they know of any opportunities to get involved in your department/school/faculty.

Download the DSU Mobile App & browse through to see if your program has a student society!

Read about academic success on the Dal Student Life blog: Your guide to buying textbooks, how advisors can help you succeed, advice for talking to your professors and more on the Dal Student Life blog.

Dalhousie University