YSU 1500S 09: Strong Start Success Seminar

YSU 1500S - Youngstown State University Success Seminar

Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 09, CRN 42797,

Credit hours: 2

Course Meeting Times

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Instructor

Tara Sydney

Email: tdsydney@ysu.edu

Public Instructor Information

Instructor Title: Tara D. Sydney, M.S.Ed.

Certified Learning Center Professional – Level 2

Instructor Professional Qualifications:

M.S.Ed., Counseling/Student Affairs Leadership & Practice, Youngstown State University, 2010

B.S.A.S., Family & Consumer Studies, Youngstown State University, 2005

Instructor Office Location: YSU Main Campus - Resch Academic Success Center, Jones Hall, Room 1034

Instructor Office Phone: 330.941.3538

Private Instructor Information

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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.

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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 through the Resch Academic Success Center located on the first floor of Jones Hall, Room 1034. Coaching will take place virtually through WebEx.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

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Course Learning Outcomes/Objectives/Goals

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How to Succeed in This Course

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Attendance Expectations

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Late Work Submission Policy

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Additional Course Expectations

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Artificial Intelligence Policy Statement

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Assignments/Assessments

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Grading and Grading Scale

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University Policies

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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 Schedule your academic coaching appointment through Bookings by Monday, August 30 by 11:59 p.m. Contact your instructor if you need help with scheduling.
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8/31 Module 2 - Navigating Online Learning: Understanding Blackboard, mangaging coursework, & communicating witth instructors Weekly Module Activities due Sunday, August 30 by 11:59 p.m.
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1:1 weekly academic coaching begins.
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9/7 Module 3 – Building a Support System for Success: Campus resources & seeking support
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Weekly Module Activities due Sunday, September 6 by 11:59 p.m.
9/14 Module 4 - Managing My Workload: Time management & College Student Inventory (CSI)
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Weekly Module Activities due Sunday, September 14 by 11:59 p.m.
9/21 Module 5 - Study Smarter, Not Harder: Memory & study strategies College Student Inventory (CSI) due Sunday, September 20 by 11:59 p.m.
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Weekly Module Activities due Sunday, September 20 by 11:59 p.m.
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9/28 Module 6: Mastering Notes & Exams: Note taking and test prep strategies Weekly Module Activities due Sunday, September 27 by 11:59 p.m.
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Complete CSI Followup Meeting by Friday, October 2.
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10/5 Module 7 - Finding Your Y: Finding your purpose, developing a growth mindset, and overcoming challenges Weekly Module Activities due Sunday, October 4 by 11:59 p.m.
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Academic advisement begins for Spring 2027. You will be advised during one of your regularly scheduled coaching meetings.
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10/12 Module 8 - Career Pathways: Exploring majors & PathwayU assessment
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Weekly Module Activities due Sunday, October 11 by 11:59 p.m.
10/19 Module 9- Academic Policies: Understanding academic policies and academic standing
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Pathway U assessments and worksheets due Sunday, October 18 by 11:59 p.m.
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Weekly Module Activities due Sunday, October 18 by 11:59 p.m.
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10/26 Module 10 – Getting Ready for Advisement: Understanding academic advising, degree requirements, and registration
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Weekly Module Activities due Sunday, October 25 by 11:59 p.m.
11/2 Module 11 - Financial Literacy & Money Management: Penguin Service Center workshop
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Second semester plan due Sunday, November 1 by 11:59 p.m
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Weekly Module Activities due Sunday, November 1 by 11:59 p.m.
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11/9 Module 12 – Study Smarter for Final Exams: Understanding the final exam schedule and preparing for final exams
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Weekly Module Activities due Sunday, November 8 by 11:59 p.m.
11/16 Module 13 - Wellness 101: Managing sleep and practicing self-care/Mid-Year Student Assessment
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Weekly Module Activities due Sunday, November 15 by 11:59 p.m.
11/23 Module 14 – Finishing Strong: Maintaining motivation, managing priorities, and ending the semester successfully Weekly Module Activities due Sunday, November 22 by 11:59 p.m.
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All extra credit opportunities due Sunday, November 22 by 11:59 p.m.
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No academic coaching appoitments this week.
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11/30 Module 15 - Mapping Your Next Move: Preparing for next semester and reflecting on your first semester Mid-semester assessment due Monday, November 30 by 11:59 p.m.
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Weekly Module Activities due Monday, November 30 by 11:59 p.m.
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12/7 Finals Week - No final exam. Complete the last assignment. Building Your YSU Connection Reflection due Sunday, December 6 by 11:59 p.m.
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Weekly Module Activities 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. 

Additional Important Dates

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