5 Ways to for Students to Set Themselves Up for Success
As students start falling into their day-to-day college routines, here are 5 simple steps your student can take now to help set themselves up for success at the end of the semester!
Read each syllabus. The syllabus is the roadmap your professor provides to set expectations for the course. It generally lists dates for exams and papers, grading policies, potential extra credit, course requirements, links to reading materials, extra tutorials, and so much more.
Go the extra mile to get to know your professors. Take time to ask thoughtful questions, both in class and outside of class. Send a professor a message after a particularly engaging lecture and drop by office hours. Students with a personal connection to a professor experience countless advantages over those who don't!
Get organized … now, while it’s easy. Whether you work with an online or physical planner, go through each class and add all the major due dates to your calendar. In the contacts section, add your professors’ contact information and office hours/location, so you can find them easily when needed. Go through your portal for each class and make sure you understand where to find all of your assignments, and how you will be required to submit them. Not sure where to find your assignments? That’s a great question to ask your professor (see #2 above).
Make sure you take advantage of all your school has to offer to support your academics AND your quality of life. Find out where the writing center and math labs are located, and how to sign up for an appointment. Do you need to make an account? Check out different dining options, so you will always know where you can grab a quick bite or even just try something new. Visit the campus gym and see what equipment and classes they offer.
Find your study spot…or spots! Maybe you studied on your bed in high school, but with roommates and a social dorm, that might not be ideal anymore. Look in the library for the quiet carrels as well as more social locations. See if there are buildings on campus where students can reserve rooms with whiteboards and AV equipment for group study sessions. Check out the local coffee shops too - it’s good to have a few “go-to” places. Some may be helpful for a quick pop-in to read between classes, and some may be more suited for when you’re buckling down to study for a big exam.