One advantage of the pandemic is that students have a longer winter break...more time to work on their writing skills! In this episode, Ms. Theresa Street (Norfolk State University's new Writing Center Director) share tips and tools on fun ways to improve writing, including approaches that are not just about more writing. Tune in and join the #WordOfTheDay challenge (starting December 1)!

It's finals prep time, again. At Norfolk State University, the condensed fall 2020 semester ends in the next few weeks. In this episode, returning guest Dr. Rhonda Fitzgerald, a professor in the Mathematics Department, shares tips on how to #FocusToFinish strong. Whether you have final exams or final projects, her takes on study cycles, how to choose whether or not to take the pass / fail grade option and more are valuable.

In summer of 2020, Norfolk State University welcomed a new Provost: Dr. DoVeanna Fulton. Dr. Fulton is a business trained academic and leader who is passionate about the pursuit of academic excellence and providing student experiences that help them develop knowledge and skills and learn about themselves. Tune in to meet one of the newest additions to our Spartan family!

We are putting a new spin on our focus on success tips by launching a new type of segment called "Take Two." Each "Take Two" episode will feature podcast co-hosts focusing solely on one tip mentioned in a previous episode. Each feature will be relatively short and also share new information and links to online resources. With our second “Take Two” episode, we discussed the Pomodoro Study Method. This approach is a great technique for studying smarter instead of harder, which was the focus on Season Two, Episode Six. The Pomodoro Method (which may have other names and can be modified) encourages students to study in small increments in order to better retain the information and prepare for taking timed exams. Tune in to learn about a new technique for success (especially before finals).

Yes, this "Bored in the Dorm" episode was inspired by the "Bored in the House" Tik Tok sensation. Because, one way to thrive in these unique times and circumstances is to have some fun, even when you are focused on your academic success! Because of the pandemic, many students are stuck in their dorms alone to ensure the safety of people around them. Due to the lack of physical interaction that is usually a highlight of a college campus experience, some students are experiencing “cabin fever" or a lack of focus on academics or too much procrastination.  This episode features peer leaders who know a lot about what students on campus deal with and how they can overcome those challenges: resident assistants. Listen in to meet Zoe, Chris, Passion and Shaneen and their tips, tools and takes on preventing and minimizing boredom in the dorms.

NOTE: All of their advice and insights apply if you are bored in the house or apartment, too!

Starting with this episode, we are putting a new spin on our focus on success tips by launching a new type of segment called "Take Two." Each "Take Two" episode will feature podcast co-hosts focusing solely on one tip mentioned in a previous episode. Each feature will be relatively short and also share new information and links to online resources. In our first "Take Two" episode, Dr. Mebane and Ms. White talked about study groups, a tip mentioned in the five week check in episode with Dr. Khadijah Miller. Study groups are a great way for students to interact with each other, develop collaboration skills and, most importantly, pass the class together. Tune in to learn more about pros and cons (yes, there can be challenges) and the importance of how they are organized.

College students preparing to be professional artists, scholars, business leaders, policymakers, researcher, etc. look for role models who can mentor them as they prepare to work within their particular fields. This episode features Dr. Jason Demeter, an Assistant Professor in the Department of English and Foreign Languages at Norfolk State University. Dr. Demeter was recommended to be a guest by NSU student (at the time), Mikayah Henderson. Ms. Henderson really appreciated Dr. Demeter's Shakespeare class and how he supported her and other students. Using his own experience as a graduate student and passion for helping students as a framework, Dr. Demeter shares his perspective on mentoring and academic success, including tips for finding the right mentor to fit your interest.

With all that’s going on in the world, we wanted to highlight the importance of voting and making a change. Our special guest is Dr. Khadijah Miller, a professor of interdisciplinary studies and a senior faculty fellow for the Honors College. This episode identifies why you should vote  and the impact it has on the world.

Last week (in episode 18), we checked in with students to see how they are doing five weeks into the fall 2020 semester, and we received a lot of feedback. For this episode, as we the fifth week ends, we checked in with a faculty member's perspective on how to keep up the great work or improve your learning experience (and grades) for the remainder of the semester. Our special guest for this episode is Dr. Khadijah Miller, a professor of in the department of History & Interdisciplinary Studies, a senior faculty fellow for the Honors College and a former department chair. Dr. Miller shares her take on the tips and tools for this time of the academic year.

NOTE: Special thanks to Dr. Miller for being our guest on the six month anniversary of the podcast!

It's week five of the fall 2020 academic semester here at Norfolk State University. In previous semester, the Student Success center would host a fifth week grade celebration in the Nursing and General Education building to draw attention to students' progress. With physical distancing being the new normal, events and programs are different. So, we decided to complement their focus with one of our own. For this week’s episode, we reached out to students on social media to check in or see how they are doing. The first three students to respond to us were Za’Chary Jackson, Jamie McCullar and Jennifer Wiggins. This week's episode features them and our tips and tools related to their experience. To be part of this episode, send us your videos and check ins all week. You can DM us on social media, use nextup.studentsuccess at gmail.com or use the Contact Us page on the website. We will post a video compilation to the podcast's YouTube site on Sunday, September 27, 2020. We look forward to hearing from you.