Academic Success Courses

ACAD 1103 - College Learning Strategies for Math, 1 cr.

This 1 credit course can help you approach your math requirements with greater confidence and skill. This course looks for new ways to refresh your math learning. In it, you will study many topics which can renew and enhance your approach to learning math and help you organize that approach. 

In ACAD 1103 you will:

• explore strategies related to homework;
• develop a philosophy for engaging in class;
• increase awareness of the effective characteristics related to success;
• expand the use of methods for test success;
• and adopt a personal learning philosophy.

You can take this course at the same time as your math course or take it the semester before you plan to take math. There are early and late 8-week options that are either in-person or asynchronous, as well as a full semester option that meets one time a week to support you through your full semester math course. Replace your fear-based approach to math with a confidence-based approach. 

ACAD 1111 - University Inquiry, 2 cr.

Nervous about writing research papers? Start here, with ACAD 1111.

Ever feel worried about having to write research papers? Behind good research writing is information literacy. What is information literacy? Knowledge about the kind and quality of information available to you, how to locate and evaluate that information, and how to use that information in your papers.

ACAD 1111 is designed to help you develop that knowledge. As a bonus, this course also covers the fundamentals of university expectations for research writing, and knowing those expectations can set you free from anxiety about writing research papers or from bumbling your way into mistakes, such as plagiarism.

But this is not a writing class.

It is a class that teaches you how to ask (and answer) the questions that lead to good research writing: Where is the information? Is it valuable? How can I tell? What can I do with that information? How should I report that information in my assignments?

ACAD 1101 - College Learning Strategies, 1 cr.

College Learning Strategies is designed to address strategies that are relevant to doing well in college. The eight weeks course is offered both in the Fall and Spring semesters and is available during early or late eight weeks sessions. The course offers the student a variety of methods to take better notes in class, understand learning styles, read textbooks with a purpose, use time effectively, develop memory skills, and expand test-taking abilities. These strategies can help students improve their learning and confidence in college classes.

ACAD 1104 - First Year Transition, 2 cr.

What is ACAD 1104?

Let's start with what it's not. ACAD 1104 is not an "orientation" course. You will engage in some activities that do educate you about university life and the resources on this campus, but that is only a small part of this course. The primary focus is you and your ability to reach your academic and professional goals in the best possible time-frame.

Why should you take this course?

Because your entire life is about to change! Whether you're coming straight from high school or you've been out of a school a few years, everything about how you experience education will be dramatically different at the university level, and this course is designed specifically to help you make that transition successfully.

What can you expect this course to cover?

Let's make a list! In this class, you'll learn

• about university resources and operations (so that you know what is happening to you and how to get help when you need it);
• how adult learners participate in a classroom and interact with instructors;
• how to handle the coursework-load when every instructor expects you to pour three hours of study per week into every credit hour you take;
• about the sheer cost of education at this level and financial resources and self-management strategies to help you keep that cost under control;
• academic (study and preparation) strategies that take advantage of how your brain actually learns, helping you learn class content more effectively;
• ways to take charge of your own education, including academic and career planning;
• self-care strategies to help you reach your goal,
• and more.

Need more motivation?

You'll join other first year students making the transition--a great way to build positive, supporting relationships, and you'll have weekly contact with your ISU  faculty member who is devoted to student success. You can start your college career with an entire cheering squad on your side!

ACAD 2220 - Peer Instruction Seminar, 2 cr.

Peer Instruction Seminar assists peer instructors who will plan the syllabus and collaborate with their faculty/staff teaching partners in co-instructing one section of First Year Transition or ACAD 1104. Students will explore their responsibilities as role models, student advisors/consultants, teachers, learners, and students. Peer Instructors take the lead role in the implementation of service-learning within their assigned ACAD 1104 section.

Peer instructors work with lead instructors in First Year Transition. They help out new students, teaching them what they need to become more successful students. (Can be repeated for up to 4 credits)