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Advising and Counselling: We're here when you need us

Help Is On The Way

Although the convenience of independent learning may appear to require less effort-no regular classes to attend and no scheduled completion dates for assignments-it requires more discipline and self-motivation. As a distance student, you will learn to budget your time, stay motivated, and complete your academic requirements.

Counsellors can help you:

  • clarify your educational and career goals
  • decide on a program of study
  • develop study and time management skills
  • identify and overcome barriers to your learning

Advisors can help you:

  • develop program plans
  • select courses
  • interpret transfer credit assessments
  • interpret AU policies and procedures
  • complete Student Finance study plans

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Program Planning: What Courses Should I Take?

If you have just enrolled in a program and have not taken or completed any courses, the following suggestions may help get you started:

  • Consider all of the requirements within your specific degree or certificate program.
  • Review the program plans
  • Every program contains a number of core courses and required electives. Select courses that are designated as core or required electives first.
  • Begin by taking a 200-level (junior level) course that fits the requirements and includes topics you are interested in. These junior-level courses will provide you with the information base you may need to successfully complete the senior-level courses.
  • If ENGL 255 - Introductory Composition and/or PHIL 252 - Critical Thinking are core course requirements for your program, we recommend that you take these courses early in your program. These courses will strengthen your essay-writing and critical-thinking skills and will contribute to your success in other courses.
  • If you think your academic writing and critical-thinking skills may not be strong enough for these university-level courses, consult with the course coordinators. The coordinators may suggest that you take the preparatory ENGL 155 - Developing Writing Skills and PHIL 152 - Basic Critical Thinking first.
  • Many courses will require you to complete written assignments and essays. An AU tutor will assess your essay-writing skills at your request. If your writing skills need improving, you may want to start with a "prep" course in essay writing.
  • When selecting courses for a particular program, keep in mind the general program requirements as well as the requirements for your program major.
  • If you are unsure of where to begin, and can't pinpoint a specific area of interest, discuss your course selection choices with an AU advisor.

If you are a nonprogram student taking AU courses for transfer to another institution, we strongly suggest that you confirm your course selections with the institution that will be granting your academic degree or credential.

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CourseLoad: What Can I Reasonably Handle?

Successful study habits are often the result of working independently within a supportive framework of family, career, and community commitments. Achieving a balance among these commitments and others is the challenge that many distance learning students face.

Before deciding on the number of courses you should take, consider these questions. Do you work full-time or part-time? If you work full-time, we recommend that you start with only one course. To ensure you don't overburden yourself, AU normally limits each student's course load to a maximum of six. If you work part-time, you may be able to handle a heavier course load. How demanding is your job? Could your job responsibilities, or the possibility of having to work overtime, interfere with your course work? Do you have family and child care responsibilities? How will your family commitments affect your course work? What other commitments or interests are you currently pursuing (for example, sports, clubs, volunteer work, or community activities) that may vie for your time? If you are applying for a student loan in Canada, you must consider the student loan course load requirements.

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Getting Started: On Your Mark, Get Set, ...

The method of learning may be called "individualized study" but you're far from "alone". AU provides many resources and services (for example, tutors, Call Centre facilitators, counselling and advising, Library, and computing Help Desk services) to support your learning.

These suggestions may help you start your course on the right foot.

Contact your tutor within the first few weeks of your course. Don't feel you have to make giant strides in your course work to justify making contact. Your tutor can advise you throughout the course, show you how to begin, and give you tips on approaching the material. Asking for help becomes easier after you make the initial contact.

Select the study strategies that will work best for you. Reorganize your activities to allow for 10 to 20 hours per week for each three-credit course. Organize a study space. For example, you could convert a spare bedroom to a study room or find that special nook in the public library.

Make an effort to develop a support system that may include your family, friends, or even your pet. Individualized study requires discipline that can occasionally wane. Keep focused and envision your goal often.

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Educational Counselling: Hurdles, Not Obstacles

Distance learning requires a self-directed, self-disciplined, and independent approach to learning.

AU counsellors can help you by recommending materials and providing individual assistance. A good place to start is our annotated bibliography of selected study-skills books that are available at the AU Library and for reference at AU's Locations.

An excellent first step is to downlaod the Improve Your Study Skills, series which is available, from Counselling Services. The package contains the seven study skills modules listed below and the Study Skills Self-Assessment to help you determine if you need assistance, and if so, in what areas.

  • Module 1 Getting Started
  • Module 2 Time Management
  • Module 3 Reading to Remember
  • Module 4 Note Taking
  • Module 5 Writing
  • Module 6 Surviving the Slumps
  • Module 7 Exams

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Career Counselling: Career Decision Steps

The admonition, "Know thyself," should be the basis for making sound career decisions. The average person will make several major career changes in his or her lifetime. Learning how to make the right decision is critical. When choosing a career path, first make a thorough assessment of your interests, skills, abilities, and values. This information will help you gather and prioritize information, set goals, and identify barriers. Through this process of self-examination, a career direction should begin to take shape. We have several excellent resources to help you through this difficult process. Just call us.

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Access to Students with Disabilities

Access to Students with Disabilities (ASD) provides information, referrals, and individualized support services to AU students who have disabilities. If you have a physical, sensory (visual or hearing), learning, psychological, or a temporary disabling condition or illness, you will receive equal opportunity at AU.

This service continues to evolve. If you would like to contribute to the development of this service, contact our office.

Athabasca University
Access to Students with Disabilities
800.788.9041 (ext. 3424) Canada/US
780.497.3424 Other
asd@athabascau.ca

Who is eligible for the services provided by ASD?

ASD will assist registered or prospective students who may have permanent, chronic, or temporary disabling conditions or impairments. Applicants complete a Verification of Accommodations Form, which includes a self-assessment of needs. The form requires a signature from a health professional, educational counsellor, or health service provider. ASD staff will contact you to discuss what accommodations will help you succeed in your studies.

It may not be possible to provide all the services necessary from within AU. Fees may be charged for some services, and other services may be coordinated through external sources. However, AU and the ASD will make every effort to accommodate students who request assistance.

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FAQs

What course should I start with?

If you are registered in a degree program, any courses listed as "core" or "required" would be appropriate. Consider taking a junior-level course first, particularly ENGL 255 - Introductory Composition and/or PHIL 252 - Critical Thinking (or the ENGL 155 - Developing Writing Skills and PHIL 152 - Basic Critical Thinking preparatory three-credit courses).

How many courses should I, or can I, take at one time?

To ensure students don't overburden themselves, AU normally limits students to a maximum of six courses. Students considering more than three courses at one time should consult with an advisor or counsellor before registering. For your first registration, consider taking only one course to better learn how to manage your distance education experience. This is even more important if you are also working. Students with student loans must also consider the minimum course requirements of their loan programs. Typically, this requires three courses per four-month funding period in order to maintain your full-time status.

How many hours per week will I need to spend on a course in order to complete it on time?

You should anticipate spending 10 to 20 hours per week on each course. Some courses may require more or less time, depending on course content. Students with student loans must also consider the minimum course requirements of their loan programs. Refer to previous FAQ.

Must I follow a set study schedule during the six months that I have to complete the course?

Although the schedule that is usually provided in an individualized-study Student or Course Manual is strongly recommended, you are not required to follow it. Students taking grouped-study courses are required to follow the course schedule. However, keep in mind that there are applicable guidelines for how long a tutor has to return assignments when you submit them. Consult the service standards for more information.

Will the identification of a disability have negative implications for a student?

No. Access for Students with Disabilities ensures that students with disabilities receive equal access and opportunity at AU whenever possible. General information regarding the presence of a disability and the types of accommodation required is shared with Student Services and other designated staff to ensure that these students receive the appropriate accommodations. Otherwise, details about any student's disability remain strictly confidential.

Students are encouraged to disclose such information to their tutors, professors, and other instructional staff, if they feel comfortable doing so. This information can help our academic staff gain an awareness of individual abilities and help the student in other ways.

Can counselling help me?

Our counsellors can help you to clarify your educational and career goals and overcome barriers to your learning. They can support you in your studies by helping you to learn to cope with change, recognize problems, and identify solutions. Counsellors can also recommend print or electronic resources and suggest appropriate referrals.

Are counselling services confidential?

Generally, information is disclosed only with the student's written consent. However, counsellors are required to disclose confidential information when it is subpoenaed; when there is reasonable suspicion of abuse of children or vulnerable persons; or when a student presents a serious danger to himself or others.

Who is eligible to use AU's counselling services?

Counselling services are available, free of charge, to all full- and part-time AU students and alumni.

It has been years since I have studied anything. How can I go about improving my study skills?

Studying is a learned skill that improves with use. You probably have some good study skills that you simply haven't used in a while. Refer to AU Learner Support on the Counselling Services website.

I am not sure if I am ready for university level study or if distance education and Athabasca University are for me. How can I find out?

The "Am I Ready" self-assessment questionnaire provides a means of identifying your readiness for university education and specifically distance education. By answering questions about your goals, academic preparation, support systems, and commitment, you can ascertain if you are ready. Counsellors are available to provide further assistance.

I'm unclear about my career plans. Where do I start?

A good place to start is "Mapping Your Future: Your Career and Athabasca University". Here you will work through basic career planning and explore AU's programs most relevant to your goals. If you have difficulties with the career decision-making process, contact a counsellor for assistance.

Does AU provide a job-placement service?

No. Most AU students work full- or part-time while studying. However, some of the links on our Career and Life Planning Web site provide information on successful job search strategies, résumé writing, and labour market statistics. You may also contact Counselling Services for assistance or to discuss your personal initiatives.

I'm almost three months into my course and I haven't completed anything beyond my first assignment. What can I do?

Distance learning requires a high degree of self-directedness and self-discipline, and it is not unusual for students to experience some form of academic difficulty over the course of their studies. If you're trying to cope with a problem that is interfering with your academic progress, contact AU's Counselling Services. We may be able to help you resolve your problem.

My tutor and I seem to be having trouble communicating. I am unable to explain exactly what is giving me problems in the course. Is it okay to talk to a counsellor about this sort of thing?

Whatever difficulties you may be having with a course, you are encouraged to ask a counsellor for help, particularly in clarifying factors that may be interfering with communication.

I've just successfully completed my second AU course, and now feel that I might have what it takes to complete a program! Who should I talk to?

Counsellors can help you decide on a program of study based on your interests and your short- and long-term goals. Before you speak with a counsellor, you may want to familiarize yourself with some of the programs outlined in the Athabasca University Calendar.

If you already know which program you want, contact one of our academic advisors to develop your program plan. Please refer to AU's program planners.

I've been preoccupied lately. As a result, I can't seem to focus on my studies. Can counselling help?

We encourage you to discuss any problems that are affecting your academic success. Chances are, you will benefit from our counsellors' experience, skills, and resources.

My tutor suggested that I speak with a counsellor. Is this normal?

Tutors and other AU staff often recognize difficulties that may be interfering with a student's progress. AU's Counselling Services can help you deal with problems such as study skills, time management, career indecision, or personal factors that may be affecting your academic progress.

If you're unsure about why you're being referred to a counsellor, ask the staff member to provide reasons for the referral, and to give specific examples, if it is appropriate.

Ultimately, it will be your decision whether or not to follow up on the recommendation.

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Contacts And Online Resources

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Web Services, Advancement
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