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Tips for Academic Success

Home 9 Academic Success 9 Tips for Academic Success

Use these tips and techniques to improve your academic performance and optimize your learning experience.

 

ATTEND CLASSES REGULARLY

Remember that no one makes you attend class, but you miss valuable information if you skip a class session.

 

GET TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUCTORS

TAs and instructors are here to help you and want to see you succeed. Find out your instructors’ office hours and plan to visit at least once when the semester begins. Introduce yourself and establish direct contact so you’ll feel more comfortable going to your instructors with questions or problems.

 

GET TO KNOW YOUR ACADEMIC ADVISORS

To find academic advisors by department or program, you can find information on your academic advisor here.

 

ACADEMIC ADVISORS CAN:

  • Direct you to specific resources on campus.
  • Help you explore different majors and career paths.
  • Assist you in choosing courses each semester.

 

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE FREE TUTORING CENTER

  • Ask your instructor or department chair about available tutoring programs.
  • You can also walk into the Tutoring Center, hours are posted for each course/subject.
  • You can find more information on the Tutoring Center here.

 

LOCATE RESOURCES FOR WRITING HELP

Students have access to the Writing Center, located in the Athletic Offices. For more information please click here.

 

CONSIDER CHOOSING A STUDY PARTNER FOR EACH OF YOUR CLASSES

Ask a classmate to act as a study partner to compare notes and discuss concepts.

  • Agree that if one of you must miss a class, the other will take notes and share them.
  • Consider meeting regularly with your study partner to review concepts and quiz each other on materials.

 

SCHEDULE ADEQUATE STUDY TIME FOR EACH OF YOUR CLASSES

Plan to spend a minimum of 2 hours studying outside of class for each hour you spend in class. For example, if you attend 12 hours of class each week, plan for at least 24 hours outside class to study.

 

TAKE NOTES, AND USE THEM WISELY

In addition to taking detailed notes in class, always recopy your notes; that is, copy them completely over again, as soon after class as possible.

It’s one of the most important strategies to help you fully comprehend the information provided in each class lecture, fix the information firmly in your memory, and discover the concepts you don’t fully understand.

 

USE COURSE HANDOUTS PROVIDED BY YOUR INSTRUCTORS

Course handout materials, including lecture outlines, objectives and practice exams, are designed to help you organize and learn the material being presented in class. Make use of them as much as possible.

Instructors usually provide assigned readings in the course syllabus or other handouts. Spend 10 to 15 minutes before class and skim the assigned pages. This will familiarize you with the basic concepts and terminology for that lecture and prepare you to take more organized notes.

 

HOW TO OVERCOME TEST ANXIETY IN COLLEGE: INFORMATION AND TIPS FOR A STRESS-FREE EXAM EXPERIENCE (click here)