Academic SuccessWebster 101

Which of the following statements are true for you? I never miss class unless I am sick. I am sometimes late for class because I

oversleep or lose track of time. I often ask questions in class. If I miss class, I don’t worry about it. I just make

sure I read the book to get the information. I avoid eye contact with the instructor to ensure

I don’t get called on to answer a question. If no one asks questions or participates in

discussion, I think the class will be over quicker.

Classroom Savvy Attendance Preparation Participation

Read or review ahead

Be on time Come prepared Ask questions Answer questions Sit near the front

Classroom Savvy Keep in mind:

Webster has small class sizes. Your instructor will know if you’re absent.

Many instructors factor attendance and punctuality into your class grade.

Do more than just show up. If you actively participate in discussions and ask questions, your instructor will look upon you favorably, and you’ll get more out of the class.

Critical Thinking Skills Ask good, probing

questions Answer those

questions, reason them out

Believe the results of your reasoning

DON’T: In the ear and out the pen without pausing in between; sometimes good study habits may only mean you’re a good stenographer

DO: Think about the main points of the things you’re learning in class; create your own definitions; ask for examples

Professors Get to know your professors! They’re

people too. Don’t be afraid to ask your professors for

help. They want you to be successful. Speak up in class—ask questions, pose

ideas, and be interested. Your professors are passionate about the subjects they are teaching.

Which of the following statements are true for you? I can’t read my own handwriting. I try to write down everything the professor

says during lecture. I take notes, but never look at them again. I never really know what I should be writing

down. I prefer to just listen to the professor rather

than trying to listen and write at the same time.

My notes are useless for studying.

Organizing Notes These are some methods to help you take

organized notes: Topic headings and subheadings Examples Tables, charts, graphs, diagrams, time lines, and

labeled figures Names and dates Formulas, equations, step-by-step problem solving Boxes and bubbles Visual cues

Organizing Notes Cornell Note-Taking Method

Leave 2 ½ inch margin on left side of paper Write cues, prompts, or questions related to notes you

took Instant study guide

Leave 4 inch margin at bottom of each page

After class or completion of reading assignment, review each page and summarize it briefly Quick reference

Which of the following statements are true for you? I never get anything out of reading textbooks;

they’re sooooo boring! I read my class reading assignments regularly and

before the next class. I have so much reading to do; all I have time for is

quickly skimming through the pages. I read for hours at a time but don’t remember

anything. I just look for words in bold and read the

sentences they’re in. That covers the important stuff.

Reading When, Where, and How to Read Helpful Highlighting

Think before you mark Take Advantage of the Features Use Review Questions Use Headings and Subheadings

Which of the following statements are true for you? I have no specific strategies for studying; I

just wing it. I save all of my studying until the day or

two before the exam—that’s the only way I’ll remember it.

I find studying with others helpful. I begin studying many days before an

exam and feel well prepared by test time. I study by doing lots of memorizing.

A Test for You Write the words to the Star Spangled

BannerOR Write the lyrics to your favorite song

Test Results Now check your work. Did you get the

lyrics mostly right? So, when did you study for this test? You couldn’t have known it was coming, so how was it you did so well?

Test Results continued Of course, you already knew the answer.

But how did you come to know it? At what point did you spend time studying the lyrics to the national anthem or your favorite song? If your answer is never, think how cool that is! You learned something significant and important, without ever having to study. Wouldn’t you like to do that with everything you have to learn?

Learn to Study and Have It Not Feel Like Studying It’s likely you learned those lyrics from

constant exposure. You can apply the same principle to learning materials from class. All it requires is a little time and your willingness to do it.

Learn to Study and Have It Not Feel Like Studying On 1st day of a new unit, read through

the notes you’ve taken Don’t memorize, don’t study, just

thoroughly read Next day of class, do same thing,

starting on 1st page of notes Continue after each class

Learn to Study and Have It Not Feel Like Studying Here are additional tips for effective studying:

Keep up with material Develop sense of control and reduce stress level

(which means not waiting until the night before the test)

Establish a source of motivation (i.e. your study environment, a reward upon completion, etc.)

Provide foundation for learning the info that is presented later

Practice active studying (techniques like highlighting, flash cards, tables, charts, graphs, etc.)

Form a study group

How to Get an A (or almost an A) Go to class regularly and on time Do all assigned homework Take notes Be in tune with your professor Take advantage of tutoring Organize Have a positive attitude

Webster’s Academic Resource Center Spend some time on the Academic

Resource Center’s website so you can familiarize yourself with their services: http://www.webster.edu/academic-resource-center/

Webster’s Academic Resource Center’s Services The Writing Center: Qualified writing coaches will work with

you at any stage of the writing process, from ideas to final drafts.

The Peer Tutoring Program: Staff and student tutors can clarify concepts and reinforce skills learned in class.

The Testing Center: Faculty may send and students may take make-up tests to be proctored at the ARC. The Testing Center also provides information about and administers examinations including DANTES/DSST, CLEP, CBASE, Webster foreign language placement (Spanish, French, German), and Webster course-waiver exams for MBA students (accounting and economics).

The Transitions Program: Students can take advantage of individualized academic support through regular meetings with a mentor and a variety of additional resources intended to help each student perform to the best of his or her ability.

Webster’s Academic Resource Center’s Services continued Disability Accommodations: Students with documented

physical and learning disabilities must register with the ARC assistant director/ADA coordinator in order to arrange for academic accommodations at Webster.

Academic Counseling: With a counselor's assistance, students will be guided through a process in which they will identify academic challenges, set goals, and discuss strategies to achieve success. We offer individual sessions for students who need to develop better organizational and learning strategies as well as ongoing counseling and mentoring services. We also have handouts available with a variety of study and learning tips.

Assistive Technology: Students and faculty can schedule sessions to learn more about assistive technologies such as Dragon Naturally Speaking, JAWS, Kurzweil 3000, Alternative-Format Textbooks, and more.

Webster’s Academic Advising Beyond the major and general education requirements, all

elective coursework at Webster is chosen by the student to meet individual educational goals; therefore, academic advising plays a major role in the student's academic career at Webster and provides degree-seeking students with individualized academic program planning.

On acceptance to the University, undergraduate students normally schedule an appointment with the Academic Advising Center to discuss their academic plans and to register for first semester classes.

Based on this initial advising session, the office assigns the student to an academic advisor. This individual is usually a faculty member or professional staff advisor within the student's intended area of study. Students who have not yet chosen a field of study are advised within the Academic Advising Center. 

Webster’s Academic Advising Throughout their academic careers at Webster, students

work with their academic advisors to plan their choice of University courses. The advisor helps the student choose coursework to meet individual educational and career goals, informs students about academic policies and procedures, and helps solve a variety of academic problems.

If you are a student that has been placed on Academic Probation, you are expected to meet with an academic counselor in the Academic Resource Center. More information can be found at http://www.webster.edu/academic-resource-center/academic_counseling/academic_probation.html

Ultimately, however, it is the responsibility of each student to keep apprised of current graduation requirements for his or her particular degree program. Students may request a change of advisor through the Academic Advising Center.

Spring 2016 Registration Freshmen can register for Spring 2016

classes on November 4. Prior to registration, you should plan out

your classes and meet with your academic advisor.