How to Help Yourself Academically!

• Attend every class and arrive on time;
• Sit up front;
• Be prepared for class by doing the homework and actively engaging with the material;
• Keep up with the required reading or, better yet, read ahead, so you're familiar with the concepts and subjects before they're discussed in class;
• Write up a summary of each chapter after reading and brainstorm in writing potential test questions from the chapter;
• Participate in class: take good notes; ask questions to clarify and push discussion further; make comments when you think of things to add to discussion;
• Select the best possible writing materials for notetaking: sharp pen or pencil, eraser, your favorite line or unlined paper;
• Write up or rewrite lecture notes immediately after class or as soon after class as you can;
• Reread your class notes before the next class to make sure you don't have any outstanding questions you need to bring up;
• Reread your syllabus regularly to make sure you are on track;
• Save syllabus, handouts, and notes all together, in a logical order, in one notebook;
• Make a contact or two in the class so you can phone or email classmates for notes and assignments if you must miss a class;
• Go to instructor's/professor's/TA's office hours as often as you can and be prepared with questions to ask;
• Use residence hall tutoring;
• Attend any special study sessions organized by the professor, TA or department;
• Use any and all other support services available (SASC workshops and study sessions, residence hall programs, tutoring);
• Form your own study group from students in the class.