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Communicating Your Way to Success

As a college student, it is crucial to understand the importance of communication. Here at SUNY Schenectady, a number of platforms play an integral role in the student experience. Understanding these technologies and the roles they play in your academic journey will lead you to success.

SUNY Schenectady Email Account

Plan to routinely log in to your SUNY Schenectady email at least twice a day – once in the AM and once in the PM. You will receive emails from your professors (with important information on assignments, class cancellations, and due dates), staff from student services (Academic Advising, Student Success Center, Financial Aid, etc.), and the college regarding campus events such as school celebrations & closings.

How to log in to your SUNY Schenectady email:

  1. You will first log into your student portal. Go to the SUNY Schenectady homepage.
  2. Click on the yellow “My SCCC” button in the upper-right hand corner of the screen.
  3. Log in with your student credentials.
  4. In the blue menu on left side of the page, click on “Email.” This will take you to Outlook, your email client.
  5. Enter your full email address which is your username@live.sunysccc.edu
  6. Students may add the email application to their phone. In order to download the app, go to the Apple or Google store on your phone and search for “Microsoft Outlook.” Once the app has downloaded, follow the same instructions as logging in with a desktop computer.

D2L Brightspace

D2L Brightspace is an online learning management system that houses your courses and provides access to online course materials, announcements, assignments, due dates, grades, and other information related to your courses. Most professors post announcements and assignments through D2L Brightspace, so it is important to log in at least twice a day.

How to log in to D2L Brightspace:

  1. Log into your student portal as instructed above.
  2. In the blue menu on the left side of the page, click on “D2L – Brightspace.”
    Your courses are listed at the top of the page in the “My Courses” box. Click each course to explore the various available topics.
  3. Students also have the option of adding the D2L-Brightspace application to their phone. In order to download the app, go to the Apple or Google store on your phone and search for “Brightspace Pulse.” Find SUNY Schenectady and then log in with your student credentials.

Starfish

Starfish is designed to support student success by pairing students with resources as soon as the student or instructor indicates that assistance is needed. Your teachers may ask the Student Success Coaches to check in with you, or you can reach out online by digitally “raising your hand”. A hand raise will connect you with campus resources such as tutoring, academic advising, success coaches and more; you have the opportunity to specify what type of assistance would be most helpful. For example, if you are overwhelmed with managing your homework and class schedule, you can digitally “raise your hand” to be contacted by a Success Coach.

How to log in to Starfish:

  1. Log into your student portal as instructed above.
  2. In the blue menu on the left side of the page, click on “Starfish.”