Photo of the Red Hawk statue.
News Students Can Use

Be a Strong Student!

All Red Hawks can be strong students! Get tips and tricks to help you through. You’ve got this!

Posted in: Academic, Announcements, Featured News

photo of Rocky & Deacon flexing

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.

Join the Pledge to Be a Strong Student
  • 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?!
  • 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
  • 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:
    • 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!