Explore Sun Devil support with ASU+

As part of Sun Devil Nation, you have access to a wealth of student support tools and resources with ASU+. We know everyone’s journey has its own unique twists and turns, so our support services are personalized and unique to you.

We asked students in our community to share some of their best ASU Online experiences and advice, read on to learn more.

Mitzi Cruz

Dayton, New Jersey
Bachelor of Science in nursing

What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to those considering studying with ASU Online?

DO IT! You will have an amazing learning experience and will be given support throughout the process, including academic and success coaching. Also, the library will become the best friend you never knew you wanted.

Have you used any services like academic advising or student success coaching at ASU? Can you share your experience?

I am eternally grateful for the dedication, conversations and support that my coaches gave me throughout my educational career at ASU. Amy Gordon, my success coach, helped me when I needed to make many tough decisions. I went through career changes, losing my home, my partner and my beloved dog when I first started at ASU, and Amy helped me sort out difficult choices and was there for me. My success coach was THE MOST proud of me graduating and gave me genuine appreciation each time I passed my classes. I never had faculty or a school give that much care and dedication to my success before Amy and ASU.

Do you have any tips for on-ground students who are now experiencing distance learning for the first time?

Use distance learning to enhance your time management. Remember, much of your grade is based on effort and true understanding of material versus whether or not you provide the right answers to questions. Distance learning will test your integrity, attention to detail and resourcefulness. The professors can determine if the work came genuinely from you. In addition, I encourage students to utilize responsible and effective communication skills with teachers and fellow students. It is important to let your teachers and group know if there is something you need or if you are having trouble with assignments.

ASU+ and the success center

The ASU+ suite of personalized support services includes success coaches, student well-being programs, time management courses, personal care programs and more. The success center is where you’ll meet your success coach — part personal advisor, part cheerleader. They help you adjust to learning online and offer support for every step of your educational journey as an ASU Online student.

Derek Matchette

Columbia, South Carolina
Bachelor of Science in biological sciences, graduated spring 2020

What’s the best advice you’d give to those considering studying with ASU Online?

The standards of ASU Online will measure up to the standards of any in-person education. There is a stigma, but this is the future. Graduates from ASU Online are on the cutting edge of education. It is not a workaround. You have to be willing to be self-motivated. If you have something you want to do academically, then go for it. It is doable, and there will be people along the way who will help you and who believe in you. I have spent the last four years putting myself in positions that terrified me. There were moments when I was truly shaking in my boots. But that is the way forward. Every great success story is written through those moments, so go write your own.

Have you used any services like academic advising or student success coaching at ASU? Can you share your experience?

I have used the academic advising services many times. Emily Vedder is the School of Life Sciences advisor I dealt with. I came to her for many problems and I’m glad to say I was able to meet her during my brief time on campus in the summer of 2019. She always responded and was always friendly and helpful.

Do you have any tips for on-ground students who are now experiencing distance learning for the first time?

I think the best thing to do is make a checklist for each week. Assignments usually follow a predictable pattern, and getting into a routine is the best way to make yourself productive, even when sitting mere inches away from a Nintendo Switch or your playful cat. And celebrate checking things off that list. Finishing your Monday morning checklist is just as important as checking off a session A or B checklist.

Online tutoring services

With ASU+ you have access to free, live online tutoring as well as online tutoring resources. If you need assistance with a specific subject, course concepts, writing or academic skills, support is right at your fingertips. You can work in real-time with peer tutors ― ASU students who have successfully completed the courses they tutor and are trained to help you succeed.

Charlene Gilbert

Valencia, California
Bachelor of Science in sociology, minor in family and human development, graduated fall 2019

What’s the best advice you’d give to those considering studying with ASU Online?

JUST DO IT! I have done online education with a few different schools. Hands down ASU has the most accommodating, understanding professors, the best platform and the most flexible class structure. Its semester structure doesn't leave you feeling overwhelmed, or that it’s too much to handle. ASU spaces out its classes in a really unique way that makes taking on even more than a full class load manageable.

Have you used any services like academic advising or student success coaching at ASU? Can you share your experience?

YES! YES! YES! Wesley Jackson is literally the best human being on this planet. He was my academic advisor for my entire journey at ASU. He helped me so much to stay on track, always there to answer all my questions, and never made me feel like I was bothering him. He scheduled countless calls with me to answer all my advising questions! I will always miss him and his guidance. I also used lots of success coaching throughout my years. They are all there to help. They helped me to juggle staying on track academically through pregnancy, the birth of my son and struggling with postpartum. They were there for all of it to see me to the finish line. You will never have a better advising or coaching experience with any other school. I promise you that.

Do you have any tips for on-ground students who are now experiencing distance learning for the first time?

BREATHE. It is a transitioning learning time for all. Even the littles now. Stay organized. Staying organized and on task was probably the hardest thing to retrain myself to do. Being at home can cause us to become lax or procrastinate. Print out your syllabus, treat it like an in-person class, create a schedule for yourself. I usually always penciled in my assignments a day early. Block out the same time each day for your schoolwork.

Career services

Strengthen your job searches, build your resume and enhance your interview skills with ASU+ career services. Experience virtual career advising, virtual career fairs and workshops, virtual practice interviews with InterviewStream and much more to support you on your professional path at ASU and beyond.

Jesus Rubio

Kennesaw, Georgia
Bachelor of Science in public service and public policy (nonprofit leadership and management), graduated spring 2020

What’s the best advice you’d give to those considering studying with ASU Online?

The best advice I would give to those considering studying with ASU Online is to not be afraid to reach out. There is an ever-growing number of ASU Online alumni and a community of advisors, success coaches and current students willing to answer any questions to help you on your application journey or about their experiences. The study workload is the same as a traditional school experience, so time management is crucial, but the resources are there for your success.

Have you used any services like academic advising or student success coaching at ASU? Can you share your experience?

Both the success coach and academic advisors were crucial to my success as an ASU Online student. My success coach, Renee, checked up on me and my progress weekly and sometimes multiple times a week to make sure I was mentally healthy and had the right strategies to deal with my course workload. I had difficulties with schoolwork while also working multiple part-time jobs. However, my success coach helped guide me through the stress and helped me keep my focus on the goals. I owe a great deal of my success at ASU Online to my success coach and also the great advisors at my college (Watts) for also helping me choose my degree and connecting me with the proper resources.

Do you have any tips for on-ground students who are now experiencing distance learning for the first time?

When I first began as an ASU Online student, I had transferred from a traditional on-ground university and I had never taken any courses online. My experience was a bit difficult at first; however, through the help of my success coach I was able to schedule weekly and sometimes daily phone calls to check up on me and my academic struggles. My success coach and the ASU Online community helped me remain motivated and to continue to feel like a part of the ASU family even when you are not physically on campus. So, my tip would be to reach out to others and be a part of the online community.

ASU+ empowers you to succeed

Whether you’re new to online learning or a pro, ASU+ will be with you every step of the way from finding the right career path to balancing responsibilities and graduating as a Sun Devil. With more than 200 highly ranked degrees, doctorate programs and graduate certificates, ASU offers the support you need to thrive.

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