LA&PS Fundamentals of Learning Course

Fundamentals of Learning is intended for students in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies who have experienced academic challenges and are committed to learning essential skills for university success. AP/FND 1000 (3.0) is a pass fail/course that counts as an elective toward your degree program.

We invite students who meet the following criteria to apply for the course:

LA&PS students who have received a “Required to Withdraw” decision and who wish to continue in their degree program in the Fall/Winter academic year
LA&PS students with an “Academic Warning Continued” decision
Students admitted to LA&PS with a warning

Quick Links

How do I apply?

Step 1:
Refer to the York Courses website to see course timetables and search for FND 1000, then check the Undergraduate Enrollment and Registration Guide to determine if the course is right for you.

Step 2:
Submit an online application form. You should apply as soon as possible. We will be considering applications for the Fall term up to mid-August.

Apply Now

*If prompted, log into Microsoft Office 365 using your YORKID@yorku.ca instead of YORKID@my.yorku.ca and your PPY password.

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Step 3:
Prepare for success! If accepted into the FND 1000 course, you can expect to learn key skills that will advance your academic goals.

Is Fundamentals of Learning for you?

The course is designed students for students with a low grade point average (GPA) whose past performance does not adequately reflect their academic ability.

This course is most appropriate for you if you are prepared to commit to developing stronger learning skills and self-regulation strategies. It may not be appropriate if your past performance is the result of unfortunate personal crisis or illness.

If your academic difficulties arose in the context of a personal crisis or illness, please refer to the Academic Petitions.

Please reflect on your current situation and determine if you are truly committed to participating fully, applying key skills and practicing new behaviours.

Course Details

The Fundamentals of Learning course is designed to teach you key academic skills and self-regulation strategies to manage your time, energy and focus. You will be coached by your instructors to master these skills and strategies, and to apply them in your other courses to help you raise your GPA.

The Fundamentals of Learning course (FND 1000 3.0) is grounded in current theory and practice related to student success, human development, and perseverance to achieve goals.Three main topic areas are presented in the course:

Techniques for re-framing past experience and for re-focusing with a stronger sense of motivation, purpose and goal-setting;
The acquisition and practice of key academic skills (e.g. improved note-taking, active reading, study and test-taking, asking good questions as a pathway to critical thinking, and improved process for participating in discussions, preparing oral presentations and writing academic papers); and
The acquisition and practice of strategies for personal development that will position you for success in employment and in life (e.g. time management, maintaining focus and motivation, learning from and with others through teamwork, problem-solving and resilience, managing change and developing confidence and autonomy).

Fundamentals of Learning (FND 1000 3.00) has a structure similar to that of your other university courses, with lectures, tutorials, readings and assignments.

There is a Fall term session and a Winter term session. For each of the 12 weeks of the term you select, there will be a lecture and a tutorial. During the lectures, specific topics relating to strengthening academics and self-regulation are explored; during tutorials, instructors support you to practice key academic skills and techniques of self-regulation and to implement them in your other academic courses.

If you are a student with a “Required to Withdraw” decision and are accepted into this course, you will continue in your degree program during the Fall/Winter academic year. Students with “Required to Withdraw” decisions are allowed to take up to 18 credits, while simultaneously taking the Fundamentals of Learning course for a total of 21 credits. The tuition fee of the course is the same as that for other 3.00 credit courses and the cost is eligible for coverage under OSAP.

Reminder to students on OSAP: To remain eligible for OSAP, you need to take 18 academic credits in a given FW session (ie., 9 credits in each term).

After you’ve been admitted to FND 1000, please consult the York Course enrolment website to enroll in a weekly tutorial. Please choose your tutorial before enrolling in your other courses because participation in this course is a condition of your being allowed to continue to take courses in your program of study.

Regular weekly readings and assignments in the Fundamentals of Learning (FND 1000 3.00) course are hosted on the course eClass site which will be made available at the start of the academic term. You will be required to listen to all lectures, participate in tutorials and make full use of the materials provided in FND 1000. Your firm commitment to implementing the academic skills and techniques of self-regulation is essential if you hope to benefit from the course and position yourself for academic success and personal growth.

The Fundamentals of Learning course allows you to continue your studies during the academic year without interruption in order to enable you to improve your academic skills and approaches to university learning. Your acceptance into Fundamentals of Learning comes with the expectation that you will attend all your classes--including the FND 1000 lecture and tutorial-- and participate fully in the course activities.

Note: Withdrawal from Fundamentals of Learning may only be arranged under certain circumstances and through the Office of the Dean, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies via email at fnd1000@yorku.ca. Non-attendance does not constitute withdrawal from the course.

Grading in FND 1000 3.00 (pass/fail)

Fundamentals of Learning is a 3.00 course (pass/fail) that requires your regular active participation and serious commitment to practicing the concepts and strategies.

Resources

Academic Advising Services

Connect with our expert advisors to figure out the courses and grades you need to meet your degree requirements. We strongly encourage all new students to get an appointment when enrolling.

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Learning Skills Services

Get the guidance you need to achieve your academic goals with workshops and services that address learning skills such as time management, writing effectively, ways to study and preparing for exams.

Manage my Academic Record

Check your academic record to help you navigate your path to success and stay on track.

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Student Numeracy and Assistance Centre at Keele

SNACK provides support to students in LA&PS courses that involve math, stats and Excel. Connect with a Peer Tutor to get the assistance you need.

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Writing Department

Become a confident, articulate and independent thinker and writer through our professional writing courses. You’ll explore the various forms of literature that inform and shape our culture – while also strengthening your own writing practice with the essential support and feedback every writer needs.

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Support & Resources

LA&PS offers an extensive network of personal and academic resources for students, including peer mentorship, mental health and wellness, and IT support.

Have questions?

If you have any questions or concerns about Fundamentals of Learning, please contact our Student Relations team at fnd1000@yorku.ca.