YSU 1500S 08: Strong Start Success Seminar < Youngstown State University

YSU 1500S - Youngstown State University Success Seminar

Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 08, CRN 42796,
Credit hours: 2

Course Meeting Times

Instructor

Shannon Lutz

Public Instructor Information

Instructor Title: Shannon Lutz
Instructor Professional Qualifications: M.A., English, Youngstown State University, 2016; B.A., English, Kent State University, 2014
Instructor Office Location: Resch Academic Success Center, Jones Hall, Office 1034E
Instructor Office Phone: 330.941.3197

Private Instructor Information

Course Description

1500S. Youngstown State University Success Seminar. This course helps students establish a solid foundation for success at YSU. Students learn the conventions that govern the academic community including what is expected of them and what they are responsible for, skills needed to successfully manage their academic workload, habits of mind that promote resilience, and how to understand and use degree planning tools. Students are also given opportunities to participate in a range of co-curricular activities to enrich their experience, encourage their curiosity, and promote their active engagement in all YSU has to offer. 2 s.h.

Academic Coaching

Academic coaching is an integral part of the YSU 1500S experience and is designed to support your academic, personal, and professional transition to college. Because this is an agile hybrid course, your learning takes place through both our weekly class meetings and required one-on-one academic coaching sessions. Beginning in Week 2, you will meet individually with your Program Advisor each week at the Resch Academic Success Center located on the first floor of Jones Hall, Room 1034. These coaching sessions are a required component of the course, providing personalized support to help you develop effective learning strategies, overcome challenges, connect with campus resources, and stay on track toward your academic goals.

Course Readings

Group	Title	Author	ISBN
Required	No required textbook or readings.

There is no required textbook for this course. All reading and learning materials will be provided through open‑source sources, including articles, videos, and other media. These resources are included within the Blackboard course modules.

The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.

Additional Course Materials

Course Learning Outcomes/Objectives/Goals

How to Succeed in This Course

Attendance Expectations

Late Work Submission Policy

Additional Course Expectations

Artificial Intelligence Policy Statement

Assignments/Assessments

Grading and Grading Scale

University Policies

Schedule of Topics and Assignments

Week of	Proposed Topic	Due/To Prepare for Class
8/24	Module 1 – Course Introduction: Introductions, decoding the syllabus, meet Peer Leader, & schedule academic coaching	Class meets both days this week. Schedule your academic coaching appointment through Bookings by Monday, August 30 by 11:59 p.m. See your instructor if you need help with scheduling. .
8/31	Module 2 – Building a Support System for Success: Campus resources and Student Counseling Center speaker .	1:1 weekly academic coaching begins at the Resch Academic Success Center.
9/7	Module 3 - Managing My Workload: Time management & College Student Inventory (CSI) .
9/14	Module 4 - Study Smarter, Not Harder: Note taking & test preparation .
9/21	Module 5 - Finding Your Y: Finding your purpose, developing a growth mindset, and overcoming challenges	TILT badge – Steps 1 & 2 due before next week’s class session. , College Student Inventory (CSI) due Sunday, September 20 by 11:59 p.m. .
9/28	Module 6 - Career Pathways: TILT Badge In-Person Activity Session	Class meets this week in McKay Auditorium in the Beeghly College of Education. Attendance is required to complete the remainder of the TILT Badge. . Complete CSI Followup Meeting by Friday, October 2. .
10/5	Module 6 - Career Pathways: Completion of TILT badge/Pathway U	Prepare one career question on an index card to bring to class next week. . Academic advisement begins for Spring 2027. You will be advised during one of your regularly scheduled coaching meetings. .
10/12	Module 6 - Career Pathways: College Career Speakers	TILT badge will be finished in class – Steps 3 & 4 due Sunday, October 11 by 11:59 p.m. . Pathway U assessments due Sunday, October 11 by 11:59 p.m. Bring results to class this week. .
10/19	Module 7 – Getting Ready for Advisement: Understanding academic advising, degree requirements, and registration .	Pathway U worksheets due Sunday, October 18 by 11:59 p.m.
10/26	Module 8 - Financial Literacy & Money Management: Penguin Service Center workshop .	Class meets this week in McKay auditorium.
11/2	Module 9- Academic Policies and Degree Requirements: Understanding academic policies .	Second semester plan due Sunday, November 1 by 11:59 p.m
11/9	Module 10 – Study Smarter for Final Exams: Understanding the final exam schedule and preparing for final exams .
11/16	Module 11 - Wellness 101: Managing sleep and practicing self-care/Mid-Year Student Assessment .
11/23	Module 12 – Finishing Strong: Maintaining motivation, managing priorities, and ending the semester successfully	All extra credit opportunities due Sunday, November 22 by 11:59 p.m. . No academic coaching appoitments this week. .
11/30	Module 13 - Mapping Your Next Move: Preparing for next semester and reflecting on your first semester/YSU 1500S Survey .	Mid-semester assessment due Sunday, November 29 by 11:59
12/7	Finals Week - No final exam. Complete the last assignment.	Campus Engagement Reflection due Sunday, December 6 by 11:59 p.m.

The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.

YSU 1500S 08: Strong Start Success Seminar