ASU 101 Week 1: Comprehensive Notes and Key Concepts
ASU 101 — Week 1 Notes (Comprehensive Overview)
Purpose and structure of ASU 101
- Course acts as a homeroom/advisory to ease the transition into college life and the ASU environment.
- Covers material typically in a student handbook: rules, resources, and support systems.
- Emphasizes academic integrity and practical use of university resources (tutoring, peers, support specialists, software licenses).
Academic integrity and technology use
- If a student is caught plagiarizing or using AI to write an entire essay, the course content you covered in ASU 101 can be used to assess whether you should be held accountable; in some cases this course content informs the enforcement context.
Attendance, workload, and grading context
- Attendance is mandatory; the course is one credit.
- Absence policy: two absences allowed in the semester; the third absence leads to a full letter grade drop; the fourth absence can result in failure.
- Late submissions have automatic deductions via Canvas rules, but extensions can be discussed with the instructor if there are extenuating circumstances (family emergency, illness, etc.).
- If you’re balancing heavy nursing coursework or other exams, communicate early to explore extensions or accommodations.
Instructor and communication norms
- Instructor is a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) student serving as TA; not the course creator.
- Email is preferred; Canvas inbox is functional for messages; use the ASU app or Canvas inbox to contact.
- Expect potential responses within ~two days; late-night emails may or may not receive a reply immediately.
Weekly structure and major modules
- Week 1 focuses on overview, resources, time management, academic integrity, and the main project outline (Health Innovation Exhibition).
- Week 4 introduces the Health Innovation Exhibition project; students will work with the HEAL Lab to identify healthcare problems and develop tech-based solutions.
- Week 7 features advising from the university’s advising team to plan the next semester and ensure continued admission status (e.g., direct admission for nursing).
- Week 11 and final weeks include wrap-ups, advising checks, and submission of major assignments.
Health Innovation Exhibition (HEI) project
- Purpose: address a healthcare issue with a technology-based solution; present a three-minute pitch in-class (final “Sharp Take Pitch”).
- In-class presentation to judges from the HEAL Lab; top finalists advance to an in-person event.
- Past example: a toilet sensor that detects UTIs and dehydration to prevent delirium in the elderly; data-driven approach to early issue detection.
- Group size: small class may form one group, but multiple groups are possible depending on class dynamics.
- In-class logistics: final pitch video recording is submitted (either in-class or remotely).
- Final competition: top 16 ASU 101 finalists across sections compete in person at Hill Lab (location north of the current campus area).
- Prize: – to move the project forward, depending on judges’ decisions.
- Timeline note: if selected as a top 16 finalist, you must be available in person on November 21 (date noted as a milestone before Thanksgiving).
- Project deliverables include a problem statement, a proposed solution, and a documented plan; assessment includes in-class practice pitches and a formal final submission.
Advising and course planning
- Advising sessions integrated in Week 7 to ensure students’ next-semester schedules align with nursing requirements.
- Advising helps prevent loss of direct admission or conflicts with nursing prerequisites and timelines.
- Advising is intended to help with course enrollment and to answer questions about program progression.
Student success resources and supports
- First Year Success Center and Edson peer coaches provide mentorship and resources; peer coaches are junior/senior students who can offer guidance.
- Edson peer coaches may reach out via email or text to set up meetings; engagement is encouraged early in the semester.
- Student Success Center includes in-person and online resources in a central location (UCENT area floor plan described below).
- Tutoring and Writing centers are co-located with the Student Success Center; you can visit for help with coursework and writing.
Campus resources and location pointers (downtown campus focus)
- Mercado Center (on-campus hub) hosts nursing classes and simulations; walking distance from dorms; familiarity with the neighborhood helps during clinical rotations.
- Health Services (immunizations and vaccines): discounted student health services through ASU Student Health; important vaccines and titers for nursing students.
- Post Office and Dean of Students services; understanding where to go for administrative needs.
- SDFC (Sun Devil Fitness Center): access to gym and fitness resources; open during summer hours as a reference point for campus facilities.
- The UCENT building houses: Student Success Center, Tutoring Center, Writing Center, and various academic supports.
- Library: located in UCENT basement via main elevators; features free study rooms, online booking, and quiet study spaces for exams or focused work.
- Advising offices and study abroad offices: study abroad options are available through nursing study abroad and Edson; if pursuing international experiences, coordinate with nursing prerequisites and clinical timelines.
Safety and wellbeing resources
- Livesafe app: ASU-tailored safety app offering push notifications for campus safety incidents and incidents near you; includes location-aware alerts.
- Blue light panic buttons around campus: emergency communication with campus police; use when in danger or to call for help.
- ASU non-emergency police number and 911: 911 can connect you to ASU Police; non-emergency line for routine safety concerns.
- Pitchfork Pantry (ASU food pantry): assistance for food insecurity; available at Tempe campus and Downtown/Poly campuses; options to pick up or have items delivered; volunteering opportunities for service hours.
Digital tools and software access
- Digital Backpack: ASU provides free downloads for essential software (including Microsoft Office, Photoshop, etc.) for students; instructions and access through ASU portal.
- Campus safety apps and digital resources: integrated with student services and safety tools.
Time management and study skills section
- Pomodoro technique: 20–35 minutes of study, followed by a 10-minute break; aim to prevent burnout and maintain focus.
- Procrastination strategies: create three designated work periods before a due date (e.g., Day 1, Day 2, final polishing); this helps manage large assignments and reduces last-minute stress.
- Prioritize while maintaining flexibility: balance academics with personal life (friends, family) to improve overall college experience and reduce burnout.
- Sharing practical tools: Google Calendar, Better Canvas (Chrome extension) that auto-generates assignment spreadsheets from Canvas; helpful for automatic schedule management.
Wellness and self-assessment activity
- In-class wellness activity uses a color-coded circle to reflect how often you engage in various wellness areas: physical, financial, social, mental/emotional, ethics, and meaning/purpose.
- You answer a series of statements (some examples shown in the transcript) and color in the corresponding segments based on frequency (e.g., 50%, 75%, etc.).
- Purpose: identify weak areas and reflect on priorities to improve overall mental health and academic performance.
- Example prompts (not exhaustive due to transcript gaps):
- Exercise at least three times per week.
- Take responsibility for physical health.
- Annual medical checks as prescribed.
- Financial responsibility and living within needs.
- Enjoy learning new skills.
- Positive thoughts and overall satisfaction with major.
- Sense of control, ability to adapt.
- Emotional stability, social interactions, boundaries.
- Meaning, serenity, beliefs, prayer/meditation, ethics.
- Reflective discussion prompted by the activity: identify which area is lacking and consider steps to improve a priority area.
Assignment overview and how to approach it
- Campus resource assignment: short in-class activity with simple questions.
- Sample prompts: What service does the resource offer? How will it help you? How would you utilize it or set up an appointment?
- Emphasis on concise responses (one sentence per item is acceptable).
- Start with well-known resources (GPA calculator, study abroad, digital backpack) and explain practical usage.
- Some resources highlighted for this assignment:
- GPA Calculator: assists in computing term and cumulative GPA; not official; used for planning; inputs include course credits and grades; not a substitute for official transcripts.
- Study Abroad Office: nursing-specific study abroad options; coordinated through Edson to avoid delaying clinical progress; requires coordination with prerequisites and timeline constraints.
- Digital Backpack: free software downloads for students; includes Microsoft Office; helps reduce student cost.
- Livesafe and safety resources: emergency preparedness and safety awareness.
- Blue light safety and non-emergency police numbers.
- Pitchfork Pantry: food assistance program; location details and volunteering options.
Practical campus tour and lab navigation cues
- UCENT building: central hub for student support services; includes tutoring and writing centers; access for quiet study and test environments.
- Mercado Center: location for nursing-related simulations; additional context for clinical rotations.
- Library basement access and the unique “vault” history; floors and elevator guidance for reaching library spaces.
- SDFC (Sun Devil Fitness Center) context as a campus resource for health and wellbeing.
- Campus maps and wayfinding: study spaces, advising, and safety resources arranged in a walkable layout around UCENT and nearby facilities.
Personal introductions and student goals (sample student dialogue)
- Elijah: excited to be a psychiatric nurse practitioner.
- Eli: interested in becoming a nurse anesthetist.
- Annie: excited about clubs and campus events; goal related to nursing.
Key reminders about the nursing program pathway
- Nursing admissions involve an application process, TEAS exam, and prerequisite coursework alignment.
- TEAS exam covers basic reading, math, science (biology, chemistry, anatomy/physiology) and scientific reasoning; admission decisions combine GPA and TEAS score.
- Start TEAS preparation early; ATI resources and external study aids (Quizlet, etc.) may be used; ensure prerequisites are satisfied before attempting admission considerations.
Notable logistics and reminders to stay engaged
- The STEM sessions are valuable for exam preparation and course alignment; instructors recommend attending.
- Most content in ASU 101 aligns with the student handbook; you’ll be guided through required resources and policies.
- The video and in-class activities are designed to help students prepare for the nursing program and to navigate university resources more effectively.
Quick recap: what to do next
- Review the syllabus and Canvas for due dates (6-day window after class session is a typical timeline).
- Attend the next STEM session; review the HEAL Lab project details; begin formulating problem statements and initial ideas.
- Reach out to the Edson peer coach or the first-year success staff if you need scheduling or resource guidance.
- Ensure you’re connected with Livesafe, library resources, and the campus safety tools for personal safety and wellbeing.
Final note on the exam-ready mindset
- The course emphasizes practical integration of university supports and a proactive approach to time management, academic integrity, and project-based learning.
- Be prepared to discuss how you would use specific campus resources for academic or personal wellbeing needs, and to articulate a plan for managing workload using the Pomodoro technique and structured study blocks.
If you want, I can convert this into a one-page cheat sheet or split it into flashcards for quick review before the exam.