The beginning of every new term, semester, or trimester once again begins another cycle of preparation for the next several weeks of your courses. Southern New Hampshire University's undergraduate online degree programs run year-round in six terms consisting of eight-week modules each. Here is a summary of the stages of preparing for each term.

1. Registration

Depending on your major and how far along you are in your degree program, you may or may not need to worry about taking particular courses in specific subject areas. Being a transfer student to SNHU, I only had five specific courses which I had to take for my major and concentration of Computer Informational Technology. While I am only taking elective courses for the rest of my degree program, I have a list of potential courses I am interested in which significantly exceeds the number of classes I need to graduate.

It does not take very long for registration for future terms to be open during the term you are currently in. If you do not get a jump on enrolling in your desired or necessary classes, those courses will get filled up.

2. Buying Textbooks

The process of purchasing the required materials for your courses can be rather daunting. Many courses have electronic books and access codes as part of the required course material. Access codes are next to impossible to purchase from another website, and they can easily cost over $100 each. For those who prefer to use physical textbooks instead of using electronic textbooks, have to drop more money to have a physical textbook. In many instances, electronic books are included with access codes, so sometimes you have no choice but to acquire an electronic book.

3. Reading The Syllabi

Around the eighth week of any given term, you should be able to access the courses you enrolled in for the next term. This gives you the opportunity to get familiarized on what topics will be covered and what the final project will require.

4. Downloading and Printing Assignment Guidelines and Rubrics

The guidelines and rubrics for your class assignments are the keys to doing well on these assignments. Having set expectations and requirements makes it easier to understand what you need to address in your papers and projects. The biggest challenge is making sure you organize the guidelines for each class and know which module each assignment is due.

5. Preparing for the Discussion Boards

One constant element in every SNHU course is the obligation to participate in the discussion boards by Thursday in the first week of each term, otherwise, you are automatically dropped out of the course. Discussion boards consist of introductions, knowledge in the course, and future career plans. Some courses will have mandatory discussions each week of the term, while others do not.