Helpful Resources to Help You Succeed

Instructors: Share this guide with your students

Helpful Resources to Help You Succeed*

From A Guide to Student Success: Part 7

Sometimes it may feel that being a student is a solitary endeavor, but it should not be. A wealth of resources are available to you. Here are a few:

• Teaching Assistants. They know so much about the inner workings of the department, faculty, university, and your specific class. They are an amazing resource! If your class is not face-to-face, TAs will often have virtual office hours. Be sure to schedule a short appointment to introduce yourself, and if you have questions, come prepared. Helpful tip: Write down all your questions ahead of time so that you can use your time efficiently.
• Librarians. Each department has a dedicated librarian. Get to know those wonderful people! They can help you in so many ways. If you’re not able to meet with them on campus, you can email them and ask for a quick phone call to introduce yourself. Or you can ask for an online video session to say hello and ask for any resources that you may need. Again, be prepared for the meeting.
• Writing Center. The people who work at your school’s writing center are focused on helping students. Many writing centers are set up to help students by subject area, and then there are more “generalists” (people who can help in any discipline). Commonly, it is recommended that students go to subject-specific tutors, if possible. Be sure to bring your assignment with you. Writing center tutors do not know every assignment for every class, but they are great with helping you understand the writing component. Keep in mind that if you do not live on campus, most writing centers have evening hours, and most universities offer online sessions.
• Other Students. So many students are struggling with school-work-family balance, so creating a support and study group can be extremely beneficial. If you can’t find one, ask your TA or professor. Research suggests that the more connections you have, the better you will do in school.

Next - Part 8: Making the Most Out of Your Professor’s Office Hours 

*Sources: