10 Tips for Students Janet Thiel, OSF, PhD Assistant Vice-President for Academic Affairs Neumann University

9/24/20092 Go to class.  The #1 advice from upperclass students to freshmen is “Go to class!”  There is no substitute for being there – both mentally and physically.  Consider each class as an opportunity to learn something new.

9/24/20093 Get to know the professors  Get to know the professors and let them get to know you. Clarify course content. Go over exams. Get tutoring. Build relationships for letters of recommendation.

9/24/20094 Get to know other students in your class. Get phone numbers and addresses for at least 2 students in each of your classes. Form a study group and meet regularly. Discuss material and quiz each other. Use the site and BlackBoard Vista site for your classes to communicate easily.

9/24/20095 Use Time Management Techniques. Plan ahead: Use a schedule, calendar and a daily “to-do” list. Break down large tasks into small parts. Use your “prime time” for study. Balance your time for study, recreation, sleep, etc. Plan enough study time. Remember that a full time student means a 40 hour study/class week!

9/24/20096 Study Effectively  Know where and when you study effectively—home, dorm room, study lounge, library, empty classroom, etc. Remove distractions. Be consistent. Schedule study time!

9/24/20097 Know your style  Know your learning style – visual, auditory, or tactile.  Use your strengths to study effectively.  Find your style online at

9/24/20098 Prepare for Class  Do the assigned reading before class. Review each syllabus weekly. Use a system for reading your textbooks. Turn a passive practice into an active one.  Do assignments on time!

9/24/20099 Note to Self: Take Good Notes  Use good note-taking techniques. Organize your notes for study – “cues on the left to test yourself on your notes, personal notes on the right as reminders, visual emphasis for important points, and a summary to condense material. Study notes within 24 hours, before the next class, at the end of the week and several times before exams.

9/24/ Get Ready for Exams  Prepare for exams as you would a marathon. Review material repeatedly: the more you review, the more you remember. Use previous exams as a study guide. Use flash cards. Make summary sheets to review material from your text and notes (i.e., outlines, charts, webs, etc.) Use mnemonic devices for memorizing. Review your previous exams with your professor. Analyze what you did wrong and make a new plan of study for the next exam, based on what you learned. Allow enough time to study for exams. Begin at least one week ahead for a major exam.

9/24/ Balance Your Life  Balance your academic life with campus involvement. Engage in special experiences to complement your academic life: internships, leadership experiences, service opportunities, study abroad, clubs, etc.  Learn to ask for help. Use campus resources: Wellness Center, Health Center, Disability Support Services, Academic Resource Center (ARC), Career Development Office, Library Services, etc.

9/24/ Get an Academic Coach  To help you make the grades you want, come to the John C. Ford Academic Resource Center (ARC)! We offer individual academic tutoring, workshops, and a computer learning lab to help you with all the skills you need to be an Active student.  Work with your Advisor to keep you on the pathway to graduation! Make a degree completion plan and review it with your advisor each semester. The Advising Center will be glad to give you the guidance needed to navigate Neumann’s road to a degree!  Both the Advising Center and the Arc are located on the ground floor. Just follow the signs!