Managing the academic challenges of any college or university with the demands of living away from home can be difficult for any student. The faculty of Beloit College are the primary resource of academic assistance (particularly the First Year Initiatives professor/advisor). Building a relationship with the faculty is your first, best step in being a successful student at Beloit College. The LSSC, working in conjunction with the faculty, also assists you in being successful with the challenges of college. There are several ways that we offer assistance.
Assistance from the LSSC:
One-on-One Assistance
Workshops on Study Skills and Strategies
Peer Tutoring
Graduate School Entrance Examination Preparation
Services for Students with Disabilities
Things To Think About:
Making The Transition From High School To College
Are YOU Ready for College?
Utilizing our services can make your adjustment to Beloit College less stressful and more successful.
ONE-ON-ONE ASSISTANCE
The Learning Support Services Center has two full-time professional staff members with time to meet with you individually to address your specific concerns. During individual sessions, the Director or the Assistant Director, can get to know you, your preferences, your strengths, your weaknesses, and create a plan or strategy that will work for you. We can address a variety of concerns such as managing your time, reading faster with improved comprehension, handling test anxiety, taking improved notes or increasing motivation to study. We don't promise magical transformations, but we will do our best to assist you in improving your performance.
We prefer for you to make appointments ahead of time, but we will also meet with you when you stop by if we are not already scheduled with another student or meeting. If you are not sure that we can help, meet with us anyway. We would like to make sure that you get the appropriate assistance and we will do our best to make sure that you get it. If together we decide another faculty or staff member would be better suited to address your concern, we will help you in contacting that person. Our services are confidential so you can get the assistance you need without worrying about who will know about it. If you decide to attend Beloit College, we hope to get to know you well!
WORKSHOPS ON STUDY SKILLS AND STRATEGIES
The LSSC provides a variety of workshops or group sessions. They are held throughout the year and cover a range of relevant topics. At times, topics are presented for particular groups such as First Year Initiatives (FYI) classes, athletes, fraternities, residence hall floors, and clubs or organizations. All students are welcome to attend the sessions.
Some of the topics include:
| Managing Time | Stress Management |
| Improving Study Skills and Strategies | Note-taking (in class or from a textbook) |
| Communicating with Faculty | Motivation/Goal Setting |
| Exam Preparation | Presentation Skills |
| De-procrastination |
For specific times and locations of the workshops being offered this semester, click to Workshops.
If you decide to attend Beloit College, you can see how attending some of these workshops may enhance your chances for academic success. We hope to see you there!
FREE PEER TUTORING PROGRAM
At times students may benefit from having additional assistance in a specific course. The LSSC hires and trains students who have been recommended by professors to provide tutoring assistance. Typically this tutoring is provided one-on-one, though occasionally it is done in small groups. Arrangements for group tutoring, study sessions, and exam preparation are also coordinated through the LSSC.
The process is simple: if you want a tutor, come to the LSSC and complete a short request form. Then in a week or so, a LSSC staff member will email you the name and contact information of your tutor (we will also give your contact information to your tutor). You can then meet regularly with your tutor (up to 3 hours per week) to improve your knowledge of the subject. The tutor may also work with you on your general study skills and strategies, if time permits.
The service is available for most courses during most semesters, but unfortunately is not guaranteed. However, professors are willing to assist students and many times also have Teaching Assistants (TAs: upper-class students who are knowledgeable in the subject) to work with you. As you can see, there are many avenues for reaching your academic goals at Beloit College.
BE A TUTOR!
We have work opportunities available for students in our center. If you are particularly knowledgeable in a subject/course, want to help other students improve their performance, and already have established good study habits, we would consider hiring you to be a tutor. If you want to be a tutor, simply come to the LSSC and complete a tutor application, have a professor of the course/subject recommend you, and attend a tutor training session. For tutors, we pay $6.70/hour (2005-2006). The hours are flexible and the position can be combined with other work-study positions. Plus, you don't have to be on work-study to be hired (though some conditions may apply).
GRADUATE SCHOOL ENTRANCE EXAMINATION PREPARATION
Many of the students who choose to study at Beloit College eventually choose to go on to a graduate or professional school. Most graduate and professional schools require an examination to be admitted (similar to the SAT or ACT to be admitted to an undergraduate college). The LSSC provides resources and strategies to help students be prepared for such examinations. In some cases, we assist you in finding the other resources or places that provide preparation for such examinations. We endeavor to have Beloit College students do as well as possible on such examinations so they can fulfill their dreams and desires. If you are interested in a graduate or professional school, make sure that you speak with your advisor, stop by Field and Career Services Office (usually your Junior year) and see us, to find out more about exam preparation.
SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
All of the programs and resources described as available through the LSSC are provided to all students. If you are student with a documented disability, additional services may be available (Disability Services).
MAKING THE TRANSITION FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO COLLEGE
A college student must have an array of skills to help meet the many academic, social, and emotional demands of campus life. Do you have the self-knowledge, self-discipline and self-confidence to meet the challenges of college? To assess your readiness for college (or that of someone close to you), check each skill that you believe you have.
WILL YOU BE ABLE TO:
- analyze course demands and plan your study time accordingly?
- take accurate and clear course notes in your own words?
- read actively so that you remember what you read?
- study on your own for at least 15-20 hours per week?
- express yourself clearly on paper and orally?
- take an essay exam successfully?
- think critically about a topic and express your opinions in writing?
IF SO, YOU'RE READY FOR THE ACADEMIC DEMANDS OF COLLEGE.
WILL YOU BE ABLE TO:
- get yourself out of bed, and to class on time?
- balance study time with socializing and time alone?
- stay calm and focused during an exam?
- talk to your professors about your needs?
- ask for the appropriate classroom accommodations if you are a student with a disability? (Disability Services)
- stay motivated when you are frustrated or have failed?
- find ways to relax when you're stressed?
IF SO, YOU'RE READY TO MANAGE YOURSELF IN COLLEGE.
WILL YOU BE ABLE TO:
- ask questions when you don't know or understand something?
- introduce yourself to someone and initiate a conversation?
- disagree with someone and negotiate a compromise?
- say no when you don't want to do something (e.g., alcohol, drugs, sex)?
- get close to someone without becoming too dependent or "losing" yourself?
IF SO, you're READY FOR THE INTERPERSONAL DEMANDS OF COLLEGE.
WILL YOU BE ABLE TO:
- identify your own reasons for attending college?
- list activities that you like and skills that you can utilize?
- recognize what is important to you in life?
IF SO, you're READY TO SET GOALS IN COLLEGE AND CHOOSE A MAJOR.
WILL YOU BE ABLE TO:
- recognize when you have a problem?
- ask for assistance?
- make mistakes without losing confidence in yourself?
- make appointments with different faculty and administrators to receive the assistance you need?
- identify resources where you can get assistance? (Other Services At Beloit College)
IF SO, you're READY TO TACKLE THE PROBLEMS OF COLLEGE.
If you identify areas where your skills are not as highly developed, consider using the services of the LSSC. The LSSC can help you develop the academic skills (i.e. time management, study skills, note-taking) to help you manage the transition to college.
Adapted from the websites of the University of Maryland at College Park Counseling Center, Academic Support Unit, and the Learning Assistance Service.
ARE YOU READY FOR COLLEGE?
Oftentimes students will be given information on "What to bring for your residence hall room" (Residence Life), but sometimes the information lacks the details of what to have to be organized and ready for the academic challenges. Please take a look at this list and make sure that you either acquire the necessary supplies before coming to Beloit College or acquire them soon after moving in (before classes begin).
| Calendar/organizer/planner * | Notebooks |
| File Folders | Pens/Pencils |
| Highlighters | Stapler/staples/staple remover |
| Tape and tape dispenser | Paper Clips |
| Ruler | Scissors |
| Sticky Notes | Rubber bands |
| Envelopes (buy stamps at the mail center) | Glue/paste |
| Dictionary | Thesaurus |
|
If you have a computer: Paper for printer Toner Cartridge |
*Beloit College Academic Planner is recommended
To Get Organized:
It takes a lot of organizational skills to keep track of all of the information and paperwork necessary to apply to and enroll in a college or university. The LSSC recommends that for each College you are considering, have a folder for each of these areas and make copies of everything that you have sent in with notations on when you sent it and to whom you sent it:
| Application/Transcripts/SAT or ACT score | Housing |
| Financial Aid | Health Services |
| Employment forms, work-study, job history (resumé) | Registration, advising information |
| Disability documentation | Orientation/FYI information |
| Other Questions* |
*(e.g. How do I get involved in a particular club/organization? How do I get vegetarian meals? Who do I talk to about being on the soccer team?).
If your information is in some order, then you won't need to panic when you find out that someone claims to not have the information that you sent him or her. You can simply look it up, explain to whom you sent it and when, and if necessary, copy and resend the information. Learning how to be organized is a necessary skill for learning how to be a good student. Start now!