what’s the deal with… academic success: the do’s and don’ts of freshman year
TRANSCRIPT
What’s the Deal With…
Academic Success: The Do’s and Don’ts
of Freshman Year
What’s the Deal with: Student Success at GW
A Joint Presentation by the Division of Student Affairs and
GW Libraries
Transitioning to GW How is college different from High School?
Independence Accountability No Parents Advocating for Yourself Taking Care of Yourself
Do: Take responsibility for your successDon’t: Wait for others to tell you what you should or shouldn’t be doing
Student Schedules What other commitments might you have?
Classes and Studying/Homework Health and Wellness (Grocery shopping, going to
the gym, doctor’s appointments) Student Organizations Sports Jobs Community Service Social Commitments Sleep!
Do: Keep a calendar! Don’t: Keep your calendar in your head…..
Life as a GW Student
Academic Resources: Faculty Role of Faculty What are office hours and why do they
matter? How do you ask a faculty member for help?
What are some advantages to developing a professional relationship with faculty?
Do: Go to office hours to build a relationship with facultyDon’t: Wait until the end of the semester to visit your professor’s office
Academic Resources: Emailing a Professor
What NOT to Do What to do
Hey Tracy,
So like I came to class for the first time yesterday and I have a TON of ?s about what you were even saying.
Would it be cool if I came and chatted with you, we could get some coffee or hang out?
Maybe if we hung out I would actually do well in your class.
K thanks.
Dear Professor Arwari,
How are you? I hope you’re having a good day!
I had some more questions about what we covered in class yesterday (the past subjunctive) and would like to make an appointment during your office hours.
What would be a convenient time to come by?
Thanks for your help and I’ll see you soon.
Sincerely,
John Smith
Academic Resources: Talking with your professors How should you approach your professors? What should you talk about? Let’s see how it’s done…
Do: Show your faculty that you’re passionate about their classDon’t: Come to office hours unprepared
Academic Resources: GW Libraries Big Picture
Open late: 24 hours most days More than 300 databases and
40,000 electronic journals Access to nearly 11 million
things via the Consortium Interlibrary loan The caveat is time
Don’t get overwhelmed. Get Help! There are no stupid questions
at the library Getting help: IM, Research
Appointments, Research guides
Specialist Librarians
University Level Research is Different We’re more than just
JSTOR Librarians are
embedded into every UW1020, think of them as your personal librarian
Specialized resources at every level
Do: Ask for HelpDon’t: Wait until the last minute
Other Academic Resources Faculty Guides & Faculty-in-Residence
9 Faculty Guides & 9 Faculty-in-Residence Create programming that brings intellectual
discourse into the residence halls Goals of the program:
Make faculty more approachable Show students how to engage with faculty Demonstrate the value of extracurricular learning
Do: Interact with faculty outside the classroomDon’t: Be afraid of your faculty, they’re people too
Other Academic Resources Academic Advisors
How is your academic advisor different from your high school guidance counselor?
Four year relationship When (and why) should you contact your
academic advisor?
Do: Use your academic advisor as a guide to academics at GWDon’t: Ignore your advisor if they reach out to you, they’re here to help!
University Support Programs The Writing Center The GW Libraries The Tutoring Initiative The Language Center Disability Support Services Residence Advisors Colonial Health Center
Do: Seek out the resources available on campusDon’t: Be afraid to use them, they could open up new doors to success at GW
How to help yourself (and others!) What happens when you get off-track? Look out for one another CARE Network
Who submits a CARE form? Who is in the CARE Network? What happens next? Visit: http://students.gwu.edu/care
Do: Take care of yourself and othersDon’t: Be afraid to ask for help for yourself or others
Summer “Homework” Setting yourself up for success in the Fall
Set up your own sleep schedule (remember to get sleep)
Learn how to make travel reservations without the help of your parents
Start to think about how you’ll manage a budget Talk to your parents about how you’ll get medical
care in DC if you need it Talk to your support network at home about how
you’ll handle big emotional changes
Do: Get excited about coming to GWDon’t: Wait until you move in to prepare yourself for life at GW
Do you have questions? We have answers! For more information, feel free to contact
[email protected] Good luck for a fantastic and successful year
ahead!
WELCOME TO GW, CLASS OF 2019!