Be a Strong Student!

There are behaviors and actions that strong students develop and practice and we are here to help you! The trick? All Red Hawks can be strong students – it’s small, simple acts that, in total, lead to success.

During each week of the semester, your professors should be showing you a slide with tips and tricks on how to elevate yourself. Here is a sneak preview of what you will learn all semester long.

• Week 1: Attend Class Like You Mean It
  • Arrive early, don’t be late!
  • Be present
    • Take out your earbuds or remove your headphones
    • Put your phone on silent
    • Close out tabs that are unrelated to your class on your laptop
  • Ask questions and offer comments when your instructor invites you to answer
  • Take notes
• Week 2: Do the Work (On Time)
  • Late work could cause you to lose points or fall behind!
  • Homework matters for your final grades, success on papers, tests and projects and your ability to participate
  • Have an unexpected emergency?!
    • Contact your instructor via email to let them know!
    • Seek additional help through the various resources on campus including the Center for Academic Success and Tutoring or the Dean of Students office.
• Week 3: Plan Your Time (Better)
  • Use a calendar or planner
  • Map out your weeks, months and semester! Check out this great video on one students preference of how they stay organized!
  • Be realistic about how long things take (including commuting to campus!)
    • Time management is the #1 student challenge, seek help if you need!
• Week 4: Seek Academic Help
  • Talk to your professors and look at their feedback
    • Ask follow-up questions
    • Review Canvas
  • Attend office hours if available!
  • See a tutor or get help from the Center for Writing Excellence
  • Use the library
  • Connect with the Disability Resource Center (DRC) for accommodations if needed
  • Talk to Red Hawk Central for any issues with your student account, financial aid or registration!
• Week 5: Take Care of Your Health
  • Prioritize sleep and fresh air!
  • Drink plenty of water and eat before class or bring a snack!
  • Utilize the Student Health Center if needed.
    • Clinicians provide a full range of services including STI testing and more!
  • Take advantage of all of our mental health services:
    • Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
      • Let’s Talk
      • 1:1 Group therapy
      • TAO Connect (guided therapy for stress, anxiety and depression)
    • Uwill free online therapy
  • Visit Health Promotion at the Drop-in Center and join a group, get free safer sex supplies and stop by a workshop or get a craft kit!
  • Go to the Student Rec Center for a workout, swim, open play, intramural sports or an outdoor adventure trip!
  • Connect with friends, family and pets
    • Follow Pebbles, our very own therapy dog, to see when and where she will be out and about next!
• Week 6: Deal with Absences Effectively
  • Avoid absences! But, if you are going to be absent:
    • Let your professors know in advance and complete what is due that day anyway!
    • Don’t ask the professor “Did I miss anything?” – instead get notes from a reliable peer
  • For extended illness (2+ weeks) contact the Dean of Students office for accommodations
• Week 7: Know Your Strengths & Weaknesses
  • Do your work where you are effective – maybe that’s the library, your kitchen table or a study room – find somewhere that works for you!
  • Reserve your best time for studying
    • Night owl? Don’t “wait until morning”
    • Early bird? Get it done before dinner!
  • Do you learn best in a group? Set up study sessions with your friends!
  • Work well under pressure? That’s fine, but make sure you get it done and set the time for it regardless.
  • Don’t like your major? See your advisor.
• Week 8: Make Your Own Community
  • College is MORE than just going to class! And you know what they say – “if you never left the parking lot at an amusement park, you wouldn’t get on any rides” – use this logic at college too. If you don’t take advantage of the amazing opportunities outside of the classroom, you will not benefit or have these life changing experiences.
  • Find your people and get involved:
    • Join a club – we have over 100 to chose from!
    • Go Greek – fraternities & sororities are a great way to make friends.
    • Check out Engage for the latest campus events, and go!
    • Read the Red Hawk News!
    • Make plans with classmates or roommates to hang out together!
    • Attend a group meeting from various offices such as the Women’s Center, Center for Faith and Spirituality, Multicultural Center or LGBTQ+ Center just to name a few.
  • It takes time, don’t give up!
• Week 9: Attend Class Like You Mean It
  • You’re more than half way through the semester – don’t give up now!
• Week 10: Do the Work (On Time)
  • Missed a few assignments? Make them up anyway. Turning it in late is better than not turning it in at all.
  • Talk to your professors and advisors!
• Week 11: Plan Your Time (Better)
  • Maybe your original plan wasn’t working for you – try something new on how to best use your time and talk to someone about it if you need!
• Week 12: Seek Academic Help
  • Don’t forget about tutoring! You’ve got this!
  • Your professors want to see you succeed.
• Week 13: Take Care of Your Health
  • The change of seasons tend to bring on the sniffles – don’t forget about the Student Health Center!
  • Take a deep breath – you are ALMOST there!
• Week 14: Celebrate Your Success
  • The end of the semester deserves a celebration!
  • Take some time to reflect on how you did and what you can bring with you into next semester and how you can do better in other ways.
    • What helped you learn?
    • What went well?
    • What didn’t go well?
    • What are you grateful for?
    • What skills did you develop?
  • Enjoy the break! (or your Winter Session) and we will see you soon!