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The Office of Academic Skills
The Office of Academic Skills, along with the Quantitative Skills Center, the Writing Center, and Disability Services, form a collaborative partnership that helps students develop the knowledge, skills, values, and commitments necessary for academic success.
Office of Academic Skills
The Office of Academic Skills, located on the second floor of Miller Library, provides tutoring services and seminars for students who would like to learn and/or further develop learning strategies and academic skills. These strategies and skills include discipline-specific study tools, organization for time management, test-taking tips, and cultivating reading skills for comprehension and retention. Subject specific peer tutors are also available.
Below, you may request a peer tutoring appointment, access our seminar schedule, and review our online resources.
Make an Appointment with a Tutor
Request Disability Accommodations
How to Study (great website on study tips. Also, a place to talk to other college students!)
Tips for Effective Studying in College
Concentration Everyone focuses best in different environments, it's about how we interpret distractions that disrupt our studying.
Related Crash Course Videos
10 Steps for Better Test Taking
Related Crash Course Videos
Setting short term and long term goals is an important part of success. When we set goals, it has a positive impact on our performance because it directs our attention and efforts towards activities aimed at achieving our goals, and steers it away from irrelevant activities.
Why You Should Set Goals - Learn more about how goals can help you be successful and why they are important. Also read about how to write a ‘SMART' goal.
SMART Goals Worksheet - Goals need to be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely. Use the first link to learn what that means, and the second to build your own SMART goals.
Goal List - This is a different format to set your goals, and break down the tasks you need to complete to meet them.
Related Crash Course Videos
Spending Your Time Wisely -Time or the lack of time is a major problem for many college students. The week won't expand to 200 hours, so it's up to you to make your activities fit the time you have, and learn to plan ahead
Weekly Calendar - Use this template to create your schedule and routine.
Anticipating and Planning for a Course - Learn how to prepare for long term planning to make a successful semester.
Assignment Calculator - Use this assignment calculator to determine when to start a project or paper. Planning ahead is hard, and knowing when to start is even harder. Use this at the beginning of the semester on each of your projects and mark your start date the same as you would a due date in your planner or on your syllabus.
Project Planning Worksheet (blank)
Project Planning Worksheet (example)
When To- Do Lists Aren't Your Thing - To Do lists work for many people, but sometimes it's too structured and doesn't allow for the flexibility needed. Read this article and learn about using Mind Mapping rather than a To Do list.
How to Determine Priorities - Determining and managing priorities is a HUGE part of time management. But figuring out what your priorities should be is also a huge challenge. Determine what is Urgent/Important, and how to tell the difference.
Related Crash Course Videos
- Create a Plan for Success (Time Management Systems)
OAS Crash Courses View our online video resources to learn some important academic skills and strategies.
Improving Listening and Note Taking Skills
Active Listening and Note Taking
Evaluate Your Note Taking System
Getting and Staying Organized (Crash Course video)
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