Finding Academic Help in College

By Lorena Roberts on October 25, 2017

It’s about that time of the year — midterm grades are being handed back and it’s really starting to set in that there’s not much left of the semester. It’s tough to make this realization if your grades aren’t where you want them to be. It’s even tougher to figure out a plan of how you’re going to change and really get yourself together for act II.

The first thing you should know is that it’s okay to struggle in college. In fact, the majority of people in the United States aren’t college educated (only 33 percent say they are). You’re doing something that’s really going to set you apart from other people and it’s okay to admit that it’s freaking hard sometimes.

Everyone needs to ask for help. Especially in college. It’s not meant for you to do it on your own. Half of the learning opportunities come from having to figure out who you are and what’s important to you. So if you spend too many nights drinking too much during your freshman year, the hope is that you’ve grown up a little bit by the time you graduate so you’re ready to be a real adult and pay your own bills.

If you’re feeling like a sinking ship (which, trust me, many people are) it’s important for you to know what your options are. There are so many people and offices on campus that are meant to help you. Don’t let them go unnoticed. These people literally sit in an office and wait for you to come to them with your problems. Here are some suggestions.

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1. The counseling center

Mental health ain’t no joke. The one resource that every single student on your campus should know about is that of the campus counseling center. Professionals are there to make sure you know you have somewhere to go when you’re feeling like you just can’t do it anymore. Academia is competitive. Every grade you make can mess with opportunities later down the road. If you’re needing support or someone to talk to, seek them out. They’re there to help you.

2. Academic coaching

These are like guidance counselors and tutors wrapped into one. If you think you need someone to sit down with you and map out when to study and how to spend your time studying, make an appointment with these wonderful folks. Usually, they’ve had some good practice with supporting undergraduates. They can really help you make use of your time while advocating for your social life and relaxation.

The few times I’ve sent people to academic coaching, their experience was unparalleled. They were able to map out their entire week, including when they have free time to when they hit the gym — everything. The areas that were blank were either for studying or for relaxation. But by planning when they were going to do each thing, they saw real improvements in their grades.

For example, instead of “studying” from 8-9 p.m., they were now “studying chemistry” from 8 to 8:30 and math from 8:30 to 9. Their academic coach even helped them think about how often they should be taking breaks when studying and when the best times of the day to study would be.

3. Academic tutoring

If you find yourself struggling in one or two of your classes, seek out academic tutoring. This is probably offered for FREE on your campus. Tap into these resources. These tutors have taken the class before and they know just how to help you succeed. Show up prepared and ready to work. They’ll absolutely help you get through the semester (and they’ll probably have some good tips!).

4. Advisors

If you’re struggling with your schedule — maybe your classes are too advanced — or you need a better grip on what your four-year plan is, see an academic advisor. While they’re good for many things, mainly, they know the catalog inside and out. These are the best people to go to if you have questions about how the heck to get out of undergrad in four years.

5. Professors

If you’re struggling so badly with a class that you don’t know if you can even pass, sit down with the professor. All professors will appreciate your honesty and ability to admit that you’ve either made mistakes or you’re in too advanced of a course. They can help you map out a plan for the class specifically so you know what you have to do to at least pass.

6. Career advisors

Sometimes you can get wrapped up in a major that’s really close to your heart and then before you know it, you’re graduating and you don’t know what your next move is. If you’re worried about where you’re going to go next, it’s time to find the office for career advising. These people specialize in taking the skills and knowledge you have and turning it into a career. If you’re at all worried about what life looks like after undergrad, it’s time to find a specialist who can soothe your soul.

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