Success in college requires a new set of learning skills that may be different from those used in the past. You’ll need to be more independent, focused, and efficient with your time. We’re here to help!
Keep scrolling to learn more on how to:
- Prepare your mind and space to learn
- Make your learning meaningful
- Master the content
- Make the most of your time
- Overcome test anxiety
Preparing your Mind & Space to Learn
We’ve all heard the quote by Benjamin Franklin “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” Explore the following strategies and tools to assist you in preparing for success:
- Mindset Matters - Developing a Growth Mindset
- A Set-up for Success - My Learning Environment
Quick links to tools to help you get started:
Make your Learning Meaningful
Strive for higher levels of learning and create your learning routines. Explore the following strategies and tools to assist you in meaningful learning:
- Higher Levels of Learning
- A Learning Routine for Success
- My Study Cycle
Quick links to tools to help you get started:
You are not alone. Connect with resources to support meaningful learning strategies:
- Join staff from Student Success to discover your strengths, learn about strategies, tools and resources, and reflect on your personal toolkit for success. Check out the schedule and session topics.
Master the Content
As you strive for higher levels of learning, it is important to have a toolbox of strategies to reply on. Your approach to learning will vary by course and change as you progress in your major.
Expand your learning toolbox with the following resources on academic success strategies:
- Concept Maps
- Active Reading Strategies
- Note Taking Strategies
- Study & Review Strategies
- Explore how your academic habits may impact test taking
You are not alone. Connect with resources to support your content mastery:
- Success Toolkit Series
- Learning Resource Center
- Writing Center
- Talk to your Academic Advisor about college/major specific academic support services.
Make the Most of your Time
Effectively utilizing your time is a lifelong skill. Learning to prioritize assignments, studying and other commitments is a personal journey. Explore the following tips and strategies to help you make the most of your time:
- Finding a Routine & Tools
- Time Management Tools
- Managing Procrastination
Quick link to tools to help you get started:
You are not alone. Connect with resources to support making the most of your time:
- Join staff from Student Success to discover your strengths, learn about strategies, tools and resources, and reflect on your personal toolkit for success. Check out the schedule and session topics.
Overcome Test Anxiety
Test anxiety is a type of performance anxiety which causes feelings of tension and apprehension in response to evaluative tasks, including oral and written tests and exams, presentations, and class participation. Test anxiety can prevent you from being able to perform to your full academic potential.
The good news is that test anxiety is treatable! It is important that you are aware of its signs, symptoms, and causes, as well as strategies and resources for reducing test anxiety, so that you can recognize the need for, and seek out, support during your college career.
Click here for tips and resources on overcoming test anxiety.
Questions
What should I do if I’m struggling in a course?
Your instructors and TAs are there to help. Contact them directly for assistance with a course. If they have open office hours, stop by and explain what’s going on.
Where can I get tutoring?
Many courses at UMass offer academic support beyond the classroom, called Supplemental Instruction. The Learning Resource Center (LRC) has a team of tutors, supplemental instruction leaders, and ExSEL (group tutoring) student leaders, who are trained to assist you with facing academic challenges.
I need to improve my writing. Where do I go for help?
The Writing Center is the best place to go for writing help. Tutors will help you in all stages of the writing process and help you strengthen your skills.
How do I get help in a math or statistics class?
The Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers tutoring for many of their courses.
I’m supposed to pick a research topic and write a paper. How do I get started?
You can work with a reference librarian or specialist in a subject area to help guide your research. They will also help you utilize the UMass libraries resources. Schedule a research consultation to learn more.
