Student Success Resources

Using resources effectively can help you succeed. There are people and tech, strategies and shortcuts, and tips for immediate and long-term improvement. The trick is to get started and get support.

Top Picks!

Here is an overview of Campus Resources.

Office Hours are for YOU

Preparing for Finals: A Guide & Checklist

 

Accountability

• Habitica–gamify your goals
• Beeminder–goal accountability
• Freedom–website blocker–7 day free trial, then $8.99 per month (less if you get a longer subscription)

Time Management

• Time management tips for school and outside of school

• Prioritizing specific activities with academics
• Doing things with Zero Motivation
• Fighting Procrastination

• Resources for Organizing Time: 

• Use the Assignment Calculator
• Time Analysis Worksheet
• Weekly Study Schedule Template
• How to use Google Calendar
• To Do List Template

Note Taking

• Improve Your Note Taking
• Pomodoro Timer
• Notetaking Systems
• Effective Note-Taking in Class (from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

Reading

• Reading Comprehension - Reading Critically
• Ramp Up Your Reading
• How to get the most from reading

Test Taking

• Techniques for Enhancing Your Memory
• Improving Your Memory

• Studying Vs. Learning
• How to Study effectively with flash cards
• Using Spaced Repetition to Study

Writing

• How to choose ideas and improve drafts
• Paragraph format, sentence structures, and word choice
• Grammar
• What is a citation and why do we cite
• Basics to an annotated bibliography
• IWU’s Assignment Calculator
• Citations for visual images and Media

Communicating with others

• Sending a great email
• Feeling confident in your ideas

 

Tutoring at IWU

Tutoring is for ALL students. At IWU, many tutors are available to support all aspects of learning.

Subject Peer Tutors

Whether you’re seeking to improve your test scores, or simply to gain a deeper understanding of course material, a peer tutor can help. Many departments offer subject-specific tutoring one-on-one or in recurring small group settings. To find a tutor, check your course syllabus or connect with your professor. We have a list of tutors by academic department here.

The Writing Center

Located on the first floor of The Ames Library, The Writing Center helps students with all the stages of the writing process, from those first rough ideas through prewriting, collecting supporting material, drafting, and final editing and proofreading. Writing Center tutors are available to help you to improve your writing for courses in all subjects, as well as for co-curricular and pro-professional projects. 

To schedule an appointment with a Writing Center tutor, click here.

 

World Languages

The Language Resource Center is located on the third floor the Center for the Liberal Arts. The LRC provides faculty and students with computer and audio-visual support for learning additional languages, as well as peer-to-peer tutoring sessions in  ASL, Chinese, French, Japanese and Spanish . The LRC is a language community space that supports language pedagogy training and experiential learning opportunities for the appreciation of world languages and cultures.