Winning the Semester

Q: What advice do you have for students on setting and achieving their academic goals for the semester?

LL: Start with your long-term goal. What career do you envision for yourself? Then, work backward. To achieve that career, what steps do you need to take? It doesn’t happen overnight. Set smaller goals and celebrate when you achieve them. Treat yourself a little bit when you reach each step. If you find yourself getting stressed or overwhelmed, ask for help to get back on track.

Q: What are some practical tips for managing time effectively during a busy semester?

LL: Consider using a planner and physically writing down all your due dates from your syllabi in it at the beginning of the term. After writing down all the due dates, especially for exams, set a reminder in your phone a couple of days prior to the due date reminding you of the assignment. Also, LAUNCH offers some incredible workshops on time management.

It is easy to get “too involved” at the beginning of the semester. Try out one or two things and see how it goes. If it starts interfering with your study time, then you can cut down on the extras. Make sure to put some time in for yourself as well. You need time to decompress!

Q: How can active participation in class contribute to a successful semester?

LL: Professors remember students who participate in class! If you need additional help, the professor will recall your engagement and be more likely to go above and beyond to assist you. Read the material prior to class so you can ask thoughtful questions. Being engaged helps students retain more of the material.

Q: What study techniques do you recommend for students to excel academically throughout the semester?

LL: The most important thing is to not be afraid to ask for help. Meet with your professor during office hours and make friends in class so you can have study buddies.

Q: How can students balance their academic responsibilities with extracurricular activities and social life?

LL: Students need to have the mentality that they are students FIRST. It is easy to get caught up in joining clubs, working, going out with friends, etc. By utilizing proper time management techniques, you can see where your extra time can be used to study or complete assignments. Some students schedule their day from the time they wake up to when they go to bed. Find what works for you, but never lose sight of why you are in college in the first place.

Q: How can students effectively use campus resources, such as tutoring centers or academic advisors, to support their success?

LL: Many students are embarrassed to use tutoring, but there is nothing embarrassing about it! Students pay for this service in their fees, so it costs them nothing extra. At the first sign of not understanding a concept, students should seek out tutoring or advice from their advisor or college to get the help they need. Do not wait until it is too late and an exam is failed!

For example, advisors and colleges may have additional knowledge of outside resources or may be able to help students get involved with study groups. Many students think their academic advisor is only there to help them pick their classes. Not true! Advisors have a wealth of information and love meeting with students to help.

Q: How important is it for students to build relationships with professors and peers, and what are some effective ways to do so?

LL: Building relationships with professors is very important! At some point, most students will need letters of recommendation, whether for graduate school or for a job. They WILL need those recommendations! And it's not just professors—form relationships with the folks in your college as well. When you have a need, you’ll have a real person to go to!

Getting to know peers is also beneficial. Students should make it a point to get to know fellow classmates—in and out of their major. One never knows; the person you befriend may just have contacts for jobs and may be able to help get you hired! Peers are more than just classmates; it’s like an early form of networking!

Q: How can students make the most of their academic experiences to prepare for future careers or further education?

LL: Join at least one organization related to your major and one for fun to build those relationships for your future self. Attend events offered by Career Services. Use Career Services to help you prepare a professional resume, learn interview techniques, and explore job opportunities from corporations and organizations that want to hire our graduates. Ask your advisor if they know of any events relevant to your future career preparation. If graduate school is in your future, get involved early on in research! Start building your resume with intentional volunteer opportunities in your area of interest. Again, your college and advisors can help you with this—just ask!