Starting your educational journey can feel both exciting and overwhelming. Whether you're returning to school after years in the workforce or taking college courses for the first time, you probably have questions: How will I manage my coursework alongside my other responsibilities? What if I need help with an assignment at midnight? How do I navigate an online learning environment?
Take a deep breath – we've got you covered. At Thomas Edison State University, we've spent decades perfecting our support system for adult learners like you. We understand the unique challenges you face – balancing work commitments, family responsibilities and now, academic pursuits. That's why we've developed this comprehensive guide to the resources, tools and support systems we offer that will help you thrive.
This guide walks you through every resource and tool available to you as a new TESU student. Think of it as your roadmap to success – a comprehensive overview of the people, services, and systems ready to support you at each step of your journey. From dedicated academic advisors who understand adult learning to 24/7 tutoring services that work around your schedule, everything is designed to work for you and your specific needs.
Every resource described in these pages exists because another adult learner needed it and succeeded with it. It's your turn to benefit from this carefully crafted support system. Let's explore these resources to help you achieve your educational goals while maintaining balance in your busy life.
Starting a new educational journey can be tricky, and that's exactly why we've assembled a dedicated team of academic professionals to guide you every step of the way. Think of this team as your personal support crew, committed to helping you navigate your degree program with confidence.
From day one, you'll have a dedicated academic advisor who understands both your unique situation and the challenges of being an adult learner. Schedule an advising appointment to receive one-on-one assistance. These advisors aren't just course schedulers, they're experienced professionals who know how to:
Your advisor is your go-to resource for academic planning, ready to help you tackle questions like:
Quick Support When You Need It: For those moments when you need immediate answers, our Advising Expressline provides rapid support with no appointment necessary. The Expressline is perfect for quick questions about registration deadlines, course prerequisites or general education requirements. Available Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. EST, you can reach an advisor at one of the numbers below:
Navigating university systems and administrative processes can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when you're juggling multiple responsibilities. That's where our dedicated Student Success Team (SST) comes in – they're your frontline support for day-to-day questions and technical assistance.
The SST provides personalized administrative support designed specifically for busy adult learners who need quick, efficient solutions. Think of them as your troubleshooting experts for the practical aspects of student life. Whether you're having trouble logging in or need guidance on navigating university platforms, they're ready to help.
Student Success counselors can assist with:
When more specialized help is needed, the SST serves as your connection point to subject-matter experts across the University. They'll help identify which department can best address your concern and facilitate communication, saving you time and frustration.
Reach out to the Student Success Team at:
Pro Tip: Save this contact information in your phone and email contacts for quick access when you need assistance. Many students report that a quick call to the SST resolved issues that could have otherwise caused significant stress or delays.
At TESU, we've reimagined the traditional professor role with our mentor system. Your course mentors are more than just instructors – they're experienced professionals who understand adult learning and real-world application of course material.
Through the Private Student-Mentor Forum, you'll have direct access to your mentors throughout your courses. This unique feature allows you to:
Building Your Support Network: We encourage you to connect with both your advisor and mentors early in your TESU journey. Schedule an initial advising appointment upon enrollment at TESU and introduce yourself to your course mentors as soon as your classes begin. These early connections establish a foundation of support that will serve you throughout your academic journey.
Remember: There's no such thing as a "silly question" when it comes to your education. Your academic navigation team is here because they genuinely want to help you succeed. They've guided countless adult learners through the same challenges you might be facing, and they're ready to help you, too.
We recognize that every student's learning journey is unique, and some students require specific accommodations to fully access their education. All students have equal opportunities for academic success through TESU’s comprehensive accessibility services.
The Office of Student Accessibility Services works to remove barriers and create an inclusive learning environment for all students. If you have a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or face specific circumstances affecting your coursework, you may qualify for reasonable academic accommodations.
The accommodation process is straightforward:
Available resources include:
For any questions about academic accommodations, contact the Office of Student Accessibility Services at ADA@tesu.edu.
Important: We encourage you to begin the accommodation process as early as possible to ensure seamless support from the start of your courses. Even if you're unsure whether you qualify, the Office of Student Accessibility Services can help you explore options and determine the best path forward.
As an adult learner, we know your study time might be at 5 a.m. before work or 11 p.m. after the kids are asleep. That's why we've built a comprehensive support system that's available whenever and wherever you need it. Our 24/7 support network, including 24/7 phone and chat services for general issues and support, ensures you're never alone in your educational journey, no matter what time you're hitting the books.
Life doesn't stop while you're pursuing your degree. Sometimes you need someone to talk to about managing stress, work-life balance or personal challenges. Our Counseling and Wellness Services provide confidential, professional support at any hour of the day or night.
Accessing Support:
Services Include:
Pro Tip: Save the support number in your phone now – it's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.
Sometimes the best advice comes from someone who's walked in your shoes. Our Peer Support Network connects you with fellow adult learners who understand firsthand the challenges you're facing.
Your Peer Support Team Includes:
We've transformed your smartphone into a powerful learning tool with the TESU mobile app. This portable campus gives you the flexibility to engage with your courses and connect with support resources wherever life takes you.
Key Features:
Make the Most of Mobile Learning:
Success Story: "As a traveling sales representative, the mobile app became my lifeline to my education. I could read course materials during flight delays and participate in discussions while waiting for appointments. It transformed what could have been wasted time into productive study time." – Sarah M., Business Administration student
Remember: Your success is our priority, and these support services are included in your tuition. Don't hesitate to use them – they're here because we know adult learners thrive with the right support at the right time.
Online learning offers incredible flexibility for adult students, but it can feel unfamiliar if you're new to digital education. We've developed a comprehensive suite of tools and resources specifically designed to make online learning intuitive, engaging, and effective – even for those who consider themselves "tech-cautious."
Nervous about online learning? We get it. That's why we offer a risk-free way to explore our online environment before your courses begin.
Our Test Drive feature lets you:
Accessing the Test Drive course:
Many successful students report that spending 30-60 minutes exploring the Test Drive significantly reduced their anxiety about online learning and helped them hit the ground running when their actual courses began.
The myEdison Experience portal serves as your comprehensive digital campus – the central hub for all your academic activities and resources. This thoughtfully designed portal provides single sign-on access to everything you need, eliminating the frustration of multiple logins and scattered resources.
Through myEdison, you can access:
Important Timeline: Your courses will appear in myCourses 24 hours before the term starts. Mark your calendar to log in early, familiarize yourself with the course layout and prepare your questions before the official start date.
What makes our courses special: TESU online courses are designed to be vibrant and engaging, not static repositories of information. Through our Moodle learning management system, you'll experience:
Online learning doesn't mean learning alone. Edison Live! transforms your computer into an interactive classroom environment, connecting you with mentors and fellow students in real time.
This web conferencing platform within your course dashboard enables:
Learning often requires seeing concepts in action. Edison Create serves as your comprehensive video resource library, offering visual guidance on:
The platform organizes content by topic, making it easy to find exactly what you need when you need it. Whether you're a visual learner or simply need clarification on a specific process, Edison Create provides on-demand video support.
Everyone needs extra support sometimes. Our partnership with Brainfuse provides free, professional tutoring services accessible directly through your courses.
Available services include:
Why it matters: Research shows that students who utilize tutoring services even once during their academic career have significantly higher completion rates. This resource ensures you never need to struggle through difficult material alone.=
We understand that textbook costs can be a significant burden. That's why we've developed hundreds of Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) courses across multiple disciplines.
These innovative courses use Open Educational Resources (OER) to provide:
The average savings per ZTC course: $100-150 in textbook costs.
For courses requiring exams, our Online Proctor Service through ProctorU makes assessment convenient and secure. This service allows you to:
Important first step: During the first week of your course, create your ProctorU account and familiarize yourself with the system requirements. This proactive approach prevents last-minute stress around exam time.
Our partnership with the New Jersey State Library provides you with comprehensive research capabilities from anywhere with internet access.
Your free library card gives you:
How to get started: Apply for your free library card as a TESU student on the New Jersey State Library website. This small step unlocks a world of academic resources that will enhance your learning throughout your degree program.
Proper citation and original work are fundamental to academic success. Copyleaks serves as both a learning tool and integrity safeguard, helping you:
Integrated directly into the assignment submission process, this tool provides immediate feedback on originality and proper citation, helping you develop essential academic writing skills.
Remember: These tools were designed with your success in mind. Don't hesitate to explore each resource early in your TESU journey – familiarity with these systems will make your learning experience smoother and more rewarding. If you encounter any challenges, your academic advisor and our technical support team are ready to help you navigate these powerful learning resources.
Every university has its own vocabulary, and unfamiliar terms can create unnecessary confusion for new students. At TESU, we've created a comprehensive glossary to help you quickly understand our unique terminology, from academic concepts to administrative processes. Bookmarking this resource early in your journey can transform potentially confusing conversations into clear, productive discussions about your education.
The TESU Glossary helps you:
Access the complete TESU Glossary here and check back regularly as new programs and services are frequently introduced.
Strong writing skills are fundamental to success in both your academic journey and professional career. At TESU, we recognize that many adult learners may feel anxious about their writing abilities, especially if it's been years since they've written an academic paper. Our comprehensive writing support system is designed to build your confidence and capabilities, regardless of your starting point.
Every TESU degree program includes structured writing courses that progressively develop your skills:
These sequential courses ensure you can develop the writing proficiency needed for upper-level coursework and professional communication, with each subsequent course building upon skills learned in the previous one.
Beyond formal courses, we offer specialized resources to enhance your writing right away:
Pro Tip: Many successful students report that spending just 10-15 minutes with the Writing Assistance Checklist before submitting assignments resulted in significantly higher grades and more constructive feedback from mentors.
Remember: Effective writing comes from clear thinking. Our writing support resources are designed not just to improve your papers, but to help you organize and articulate your thoughts more effectively – a skill that transfers to every aspect of your professional and personal life.
At TESU, we understand that most adult learners are pursuing education with specific career goals in mind. Whether you're seeking advancement in your current field, planning a complete career change or returning to the workforce, our Office of Career Development provides personalized support designed around the unique needs of working adults.
The Office of Career Development offers comprehensive services that evolve with you through every stage of your professional journey:
Through College Central Network, TESU provides a dedicated platform where you can:
Think of it as a professional network specifically designed for your academic community, one that recognizes the unique value and perspective you bring as an adult learner.
Remember, these resources exist because countless adult learners before you have walked this path successfully, and now it's your turn. Don't wait until you're struggling to access these valuable tools and services. Take these important first steps today: schedule an initial meeting with your academic advisor, explore the Test Drive course to get comfortable with our online platform, bookmark the TESU Glossary for quick reference and connect with the Office of Career Development to align your education with your professional goals. Most importantly, remember that at TESU, you're never alone in your educational journey. A complete support network stands ready to help you transform your academic ambitions into reality. Your success story begins now – what will you accomplish first?