Student Development: College Success Skills

Student Development 100 (SDV 100), NOVA's 1-credit success course helps you start strong in your first semester of college.

SDV 100 provides you with skills in time management, note taking and test preparation, academic planning, career decision making, financial literacy and critical thinking. You will also learn about NOVA policies, procedures and resources. Research shows that student success courses help students earn higher GPAs and increase their likelihood of continuing their education to the end.

Students in healthcare, teacher education, information technology, business and horticulture programs may substitute the SDV 101 for their specific programs in place of SDV 100.

First time to college students, ages 17 - 24, must enroll in either SDV 100 or SDV 101 within their first 15 credits.

First-year students who do not successfully complete the course in their first semester will receive a hold requiring them to meet with an advisor in order to enroll in further courses.

SDV 100 College Success Skills

1. SDV 100 Catalog Description
2. SDV 100 Course Content Summary

SDV 101 Orientation (to a specific discipline)

1. SDV 101 Catalog Description
2. SDV 101 Course Content Summary

SDV ABLE Exam

Students who enter NOVA with advanced study skills and knowledge of college processes may be able to take the SDV ABLE exam. The exam is available through any campus testing center or NOVA Online. First time to college students, ages 17-24, are ineligible to take the exam in their first year. If your program requires SDV 101, please check with the department to determine if the SDV ABLE exam will fulfill the requirement. Students who have earned a grade in SDV are ineligible to take the exam.