JULIA N. VISOR ACADEMIC CENTERFALL 2010

“Adjusting to ISU”

Welcome to ISU!

Congratulations on your decision to attend Illinois State University!

Our goal today is to educate you how you can ease your academic transition to ISU.

To do that, we will talk about what that transition might look like, as well as FREE services provided by the Julia N. Visor Center that will help you adjust to academic work at ISU.

Introductions

But first, let’s get to know one another. Find a partner, introduce yourselves, and

answer the following questions: Why did you transfer to ISU? Where did you transfer from? Are you living on or off campus? If you have a major, what is it? What’s your favorite thing about ISU so far? In terms of classes, is there anything that makes you

nervous?

Introductions

Could I have a few volunteers describe what was discussed between partners?

Do we see any commonalities among the answers?

Experiencing ISU

We recognize that transfer students have already experienced college academics at other institutions.

As a college student at either a community college or another four-year institution, it is likely that you had to study hard to receive the good grades that helped you gain admission to ISU.

Therefore, you may already have a lot of knowledge about how to do college work.

However, you may find that ISU is different than your previous institution.

Getting to know your Professors

Although ISU takes pride in its small campus feel, it is possible that you may be in a class that has more students than were in your previous classes.

Due to this, your professor may not get the chance to get to know you unless you make sure that interaction takes place.

In order to help facilitate a working relationship between students and professors, the Visor Center offers a “How to Talk to Your Professor” workshop!

This can help you make the connection to your professor that you may have enjoyed at your previous institution.

Additional Visor Center Workshops

As a college student at your former institution, you may have already identified study strategies that work well for you.

You may also have learned how best to management your time and stress.

However, if you find that you would like to learn new strategies or reinforce your current methods, you may wish to attend one of the following workshops: Study Tools and Test-Taking Math Study Skills Stress Management Time Management Choosing a Healthy Lifestyle Learning Styles

Visor Center Workshops

To sign up for any of the aforementioned free workshops or others we offer, visit our website at www.ucollege.ilstu.edu/tutoring/workshops.

All workshops take place in VRO 108.

Visor Center Course Content Tutoring

In addition to our many workshops, we also offer FREE course content tutoring in the following courses:

Accounting: 131, 132, 230, 231

Biology: 101, 181, 182, 196, 197

Chemistry: 102, 110, 140, 141

Economics: 138Geology: 102History: 111

Kinesiology and Recreation: 181, 182

Math: 113, 119, 120, 121, 144, 145, 146, 147

Management and Quantitative Reasoning: 100

Physics: 102, 105Politics and

Government: 101, 106, 140

Psychology: 110Spanish:111, 112, 115,

116, 213

Why should I sign up for tutoring?

96% of students who utilize our tutoring services pass the class!

You will have the opportunity to meet other students in a welcoming group environment.

While you may think it makes sense to sign up for tutoring after you realize you need help, it would actually be in your best interest to sign up early in the semester, as space is limited.

To reserve your place in a tutoring group, call (309) 438-7100, or stop by Vrooman 012 to sign up.

Writing Assistance

In addition to tutoring, we also offer writing assistance in any course!

This can be especially helpful to you as a writing tutor can help you brainstorm ways to compose your papers, assist you in proofreading, and help you improve your writing style and flow.

Writing assistance is one-on-one and of course, FREE!

To schedule a writing assistance appointment, stop by the Visor Center in VRO 012.

You’re a Redbird Now!

Although you have transferred from another college or university, you’re a Redbird now and we’re happy to have you at ISU!

In order to get the most out of your ISU experience, we encourage you to get involved.

Studying is very important, but co-curricular activities can help make ISU feel like home.

To join one of our 300 Registered Student Organizations, visit the Student Involvement Center in the Bone Student Center, near Pizza Hut.

What if I have some difficulty with my transition?

The Visor Center is here to help make your academic transition as smooth as possible, but if you feel as though you may be experiencing additional issues that are making your ISU experience difficult, please consider visiting Student Counseling Services.

Student Counseling Services provides free individual and group counseling, in addition to a variety of workshops.

What if I have difficulty with my transition?

To learn more about Student Counseling Services, visit www.scs.ilstu.edu, call SCS at (309)4383655, or visit the Student Services Building Room 320.

Questions?

Thank you!

Thank you for attending our workshop today.

Here is a list of our upcoming workshops:

We hope to see you in the Visor Center!