Skills for Success
Skills for Dual Enrollment Success
Enrolling in your first college course is a milestone in your education. You will be learning alongside college students of various ages from professors who are experts in their field. Dual Enrollment is a flexible way to complete your high school career and get a jump start on college, but it does take time and dedication. The following standards will help you succeed as you study online:
Dual Enrollment students abide by the Cedarville University Academic Integrity Policy. Read this policy before beginning your coursework. We expect honesty and integrity from all Cedarville students, including those studying online. Keeping a clean record provides a foundation for succeeding in your studies.
You are encouraged to review The Cedarville Experience - Undergraduate Edition published by Student Life and Christian Ministries. The undergraduate student handbook includes many of the guidelines and principles that will shape your time at Cedarville. The handbook is based on a set of core values and the Cedarville Covenant, which shape each student's experience at Cedarville University.
Dual Enrollment students take ownership of their learning. You are a member of a learning community that uses technology to connect with professors and other students. Your professors have invested time and energy in designing effective courses and will be working with you as you complete the courses. But they can’t learn for you. Learning takes focus, dedication, and sacrifice. Take ownership of your studies and you’ll be prepared to succeed.
Dual Enrollment students communicate for themselves. High school students may be accustomed to allowing their parents to communicate on their behalf with guidance counselors and teachers. College students take on that responsibility for themselves, and universities are required to follow federal privacy guidelines as outlined in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
Dual Enrollment professors and advisors welcome questions from students. Students can often find answers to questions on their own in their course syllabus, class announcements, or FAQs. When you cannot find an answer on your own, you should email your professor or advisor. University personnel try to respond to questions within 24–48 business hours.
Dual Enrollment students communicate effectively and cordially according to the Cedarville University Online Etiquette Expectations Policy. Technology enables us to communicate with people no matter how far away we are, but effective communication takes effort. Read this policy before beginning your coursework, so you do your part to communicate well.
Dual Enrollment students set aside structured, intentional time to work on course activities. The amount of time will vary depending on the course and level, but many courses will require at least 10 hours of study each week. Make sure you investigate the time commitment for each course and plan your schedule accordingly.
Dual Enrollment students plan ahead. In college, you are responsible to make sure that you set goals and meet all deadlines, so it can be helpful to develop a system for keeping track of assignments and due dates. Canvas includes helpful features including a calendar and To Do list, and some students like to use a planner or phone app. Online students need to allow time for technology glitches and keep in mind that all assignments are due in Eastern Standard Time.
Dual Enrollment students are proactive. Cedarville professors want you to enjoy your courses and succeed, but it is your responsibility to seek help when you need it. If you have a question about your course and cannot find the answer in the syllabus or Canvas, please email your professor promptly. If you prefer to talk rather than email, ask your professor if you can call during office hours. In this orientation, you will also learn about other helpful and free resources, including The Cove, The Writing Center, and the Centennial Library.
Dual Enrollment students become familiar with their syllabus. Professors put a lot of time and effort into creating a syllabus so that students have an at-a-glance resource for their course. Your syllabus is a guide that will explain course goals, expectations, types of assignments, and how assignments count toward your final grade. Your syllabus is so important, that the first few days of class will be dedicated to a syllabus preview. When you have a question about a course, check your syllabus first!
Dual Enrollment students earn grades that remain on their permanent college transcript. First-time dual-enrolled students are sometimes surprised to find that grades are assigned differently in college than in high school. Not all courses have the same grading scale, and not all assignments count toward your final course grade. Be sure that you review your course syllabus to understand the professor’s expectations and course grading scale.
Dual Enrollment students know where to find information. As you work through this orientation, please bookmark pages that you think may be important to you in the future.