Tips for Success

New student? Do these four 🍀 things!

✅Step 1: Bookmark this Community site

This community site is where you'll find all the updates about upcoming events and community initiatives. If you have a question, this should be the first place you look for an answer. Make sure to bookmark it so that you have easy access!

✅Step 2: Join + Setup Slack

If you haven't already, join Slack! On Slack you'll have access to a network of other students from around the world. You will connect with your mentor, chat with other students in your session, ask for help from your peers and more. Most activities and events will take place in Slack.

Once in Slack, be sure to setup your Slack profile by adding your photo, your Nanodegree program and where you're from! This will help us get to know you better.

Once you are settled in the Slack workspace, check out your nanodegree, school and session channels. In your nanodegree channel (i.e. #peer-help-abnd), you can connect with other students in the same program. In your school channel (#school-dev-discussion) you'll find students from any Nanodegree in your school. Finally, be sure to check your session channel (#abnd-session-32) which includes your mentor and others in your study group.

If you have other questions about Slack, visit our Slack How-To page.

✅Step 3: Find a Study Buddy

A study buddy is someone that you can work alongside while you go through your course. You can decide on when and how you want to study together, meet up online or in-person and support one another to complete your Nanodegree program. To find a study buddy, head on over to the #findastuddybuddy Slack channel and share what time zone your in and your study habits. If you see someone that would be a good fit, send them a direct message!

✅Step 4: Put a Study Plan in Place

Now that you've signed up for your Nanodegree program it's important to think about when you will work on your course material. Do you have time on the weeknights? Weekends? Is it better to study in the morning? Nights? It's important to set aside time each week to work on your course so that you'll hit your deadlines and finish your course!

Ride the wave of knowledge! Illustration by Hiller Goodspeed

Six Tips from an Alum: How to Succeed in your Program 🏅

Words of advice from Doug B., graduate of Mobile Web, Front End Developer, Android Developer and React.

Current Machine Learning student.

Have a “finish way ahead of schedule” mindset
Stay a part of the community until the end
Look for opportunities to help others
DON’T PANIC - feeling like you’re ready to pack it in is a sure sign you’re almost done
Be honest with yourself. Be prepared to break things, make mistakes, expand your thinking, and scrap ideas.
Have fun! Learn lots! This is a step on an enjoyable, life-long journey.

Illustration by Hiller Goodspeed

First Week of Class Checklist 📝

Finish your Survey
Schedule your Study Reminders
Join the Slack Workspace
Bookmark the Community Page
Attend a Live Onboarding Session every Tuesday at 10 AM
Introduce yourself in the #introductions channel in Slack
Schedule your 1-1 session with your mentor
Get to know the channels in Slack
Go to your classroom and start your course material!

High fives on your journey to lifelong learning from the Community team!

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