Top 10 Resources for NC State Online and Distance Education Students

By Ravyn Kinsgberry
CALS Student Services Specialist

You’ve decided to dive into learning outside of the traditional classroom by enrolling in NC State Online. Distance education is a way to combine getting a quality education with flexibility so you can conveniently reach your academic goals. If you are just beginning an online program, or you’ve found yourself transitioning to online as a result of COVID-19 impacting the spring 2020 semester, check out some of the great resources NC State offers to make sure you succeed as a distance education student.

Here are some helpful resources to get started:

Virtual Orientation

All online coursework will be accessed through Moodle, our primary learning management system. To make navigating this site easier NC State Online offers a Virtual Orientation. In this orientation, you will learn how to access and use WolfWare, the learning portal, as well as other tips to guide your online journey in the WolfPack community. This is not mandatory, but it is suggested to help you familiarize yourself with the NC State Online platform.

Funding

For degree seeking or teacher licensure students there is money available to help you finance your education. Visit the online page to find out what you are eligible for. As a graduate student you may find opportunities for fellowships and assistantships here.

Technology Requirements and Help Desk

A major component of being a distance education student is the proper technology to access your online coursework. NC State offers detailed specifications to compare your current computer software’s compatibility, or to purchase a new computer. Take a look and see if you are up to date based on the university requirements and recommended needs. Still have questions? You may email the Help Desk at help@ncsu.edu or visit their page to submit a request.

Advising

For online students, it can be a challenging process to independently select the best courses for your degree, or get advice on maintaining progress towards completion. When you are admitted your program assigns you a specific academic advisor, which you can locate and find contact information for in MyPack Portal. If you are having issues with scheduling, questions about transferring credits, majors, or anything related you may also reach out to a virtual advisor and have all of your questions answered without setting up an appointment.

Library Services

As an NC State Online student, you have access to all books, articles and other educational resources that our traditional students can use. Tripsaver is a delivery system used to get these materials right to your doorstep. Try this service today at no extra charge and have the convenience of numerous libraries from your home!

University Tutorial Center

No need to worry about falling behind or poor performance in your courses because the tutorial center offers numerous services and resources including tutors and study skills to help you succeed. You can even make an appointment with an online writing center specialist to edit and revise your papers. These services are for undergraduate and graduate students so take advantage of a better grade today!

Zoom Web Conferencing

Many of your courses will meet synchronously using Zoom. You can also use this platform to set up meetings outside of web instruction to collaborate with your peers, and easily connect for group assignments.

DELTA Remote Testing

Although most of the distance education experience is online, there may be times where you will need to take proctored exams. DELTA offers a remote testing option for anyone who lives more than 50 miles outside of campus to keep the convenience factor true for our students.

Career Services

If you are thinking about the future and what you may be able to do with your degree, visit the Career Services webpage to find out how they can help. We offer the ePack portal for job/intern seekers, as well as resume and interview help!

Frequently Asked Questions

If you still have any questions or concerns about distance learning at NC State you can log into the portal for Frequently Asked Questions. If you can’t find the answers you are looking for try the Ask a Question feature and someone on the team will email you with a response!

I hope you’ll stay connected with all things NC State Online by visiting us on social! Follow our Facebook and Twitter for news, campus updates, events and athletics, and more!

This post was originally published in College of Agriculture and Life Sciences News.