As classes move ahead this week, it’s good to know about all the academic support services available at Oregon State. Not only can they help your grades, they can help you get more out of your classes. When it comes to learning, more is better!
For starters, connect with your professors and instructors. Ask questions and participate in class. And be sure to visit them during office hours, which should be posted on Blackboard, as well as listed on your course syllabus.
Come prepared with some questions. Naturally, you can ask about a specific item or grade issue, but use this time to focus on learning more about the subject. Be polite and respectful, and most of all, be curious! Look at it this way: professors are lifelong learners. Their job is to gain knowledge, then share what they know. So talk to them. Most professors encourage one-on-one interaction with interested students.
Here’s a list of the primary academic support resources at Oregon State. Use them! In addition to the services they offer, they can refer you to other campus resources.
- The Academic Success Center in Waldo Hall offers academic coaching, supplemental instruction, study tablesand referrals.
- The Writing Center can help with all aspects of the writing process — from brainstorming and organization to questions about grammar and usage. The Writing Center has two locations — Waldo Hall and the new Student Success Center across from Gill Coliseum and Reser Stadium — plus an Online Writing Lab.
- The Collaborative Learning Center (CLC) in the Valley Libraryoffers multiple services from peer tutors and graduate teaching assistants from the College of Science and the Academic Success Center. The Writing Desk is available by appointment Sunday through Thursday.
- The Educational Opportunities Program (EOP) provides academic support specifically to help non-traditional students navigate the opportunities, requirements and challenges they face. EOP offers for-credit classes in math, reading and writing skills. Other services require an application to the program.
The time to know about these resources is before you need them. So check them out this week and learn how they can help you. It’s your education; take charge of it!
Have a good week!
