The sophomore year often brings new challenges associated with more advanced coursework and increasing responsibility both within and outside the classroom. Use resources on campus to meet the challenges and to accelerate your studies!
Be a Mentor
If you already are skilled in an area, consider becoming a mentor. Not only will you serve your fellow students, but you will improve your own chances of success in college and beyond. After all, there’s no better way to learn a subject than to teach it. For opportunities, see http://cornerstone.wustl.edu/acadMentor.htm.
Study at the Cornerstone Technology Lab
Students may study alone or in groups, taking advantage of a reading room, classrooms and a seminar room; the computer area; or the pillow area. Students who would like to use their own laptops can use them in this fully wireless facility. See http://cornerstone.wustl.edu/techResources.htm.
Use Your Time Well
From the beginning, remember to organize your time and to work effectively. Visit Cornerstone online for tips on time management at http://cornerstone.wustl.edu/timeManagement.htm.
Discover Your Learning Style, and Use It to Your Advantage
Students who know and take advantage of their personal strengths succeed the most. To discover your “learning style” and how to use it to accelerate your studies, use the Learning Styles tool at http://cornerstone.wustl.edu/learningTest.htm.
Know Your Personality Style and Interests, and Use Them to Your Advantage
Get an objective view of your personality style and interests and use them to improve your study skills. Do so with the Myer Briggs Type Indicator and Strong Interest Inventory tools, available through the Career Center. To use these tools, visit http://careers.wustl.edu/ugr_students/explore.html or call the Career Center at 314-935-5930.
Refine Your Advanced Reading Skills
As Emerson said, “Books are the best of things if well used; if abused, among the worst.” Continue to refine your advanced reading skills through the tips available at http://cornerstone.wustl.edu/reading.htm.
Improve Your Note Taking Skills
Your studying will be only as good as your notes. Improve your note taking with tips from http://cornerstone.wustl.edu/noteTaking.htm.
Enhance Your Test Preparation Skills
Don’t let your testing skills keep you from demonstrating your knowledge and ability. Improve your test preparation skills with the tips at http://cornerstone.wustl.edu/testPreparation.htm.
Develop Your Writing Skills
Both The Writing Center and The Writing Help Desk are available to all undergraduate students, working on any kind of writing, at any stage of their writing process. Cornerstone’s help desk, on the first floor of Gregg Hall, offers walk-in help. See http://cornerstone.wustl.edu/writing.htm.
To help set progress deadlines for yourself, you can make an appointment in advance at The Writing Center, information at http://artsci.wustl.edu/~writing.
Advance Your Library Research Skills
For “quick reference” questions; research assistance from subject area librarians; on-line guides to citation; and video tutorials on topics like finding books, getting articles, and recognizing the difference between popular and scholarly articles, visit http://library.wustl.edu/services/undergrad.html.
Look into Services through TRIO
TRIO programs target students who are first in their families to go to college, low-income by federal guidelines or have a learning or physical disability. Professional TRIO staff offer student services, including academic advising; individualized academic coaching; workshops to strengthen skills in writing, chemistry, biology and mathematics; assistance in preparing for graduate school admission examinations; and study groups led by a trained academic peer mentor. For more information, call 314-935-8802.
Receive Appropriate Assistance for Disabilities
Some students come to college with a history of having received accommodations for a disability while others may not be diagnosed until after high school. Regardless, the University makes every effort to ensure that all students can take full advantage of the courses, programs, activities, and opportunities that our University offers. See http://cornerstone.wustl.edu/disabilityResources/index.htm.
“It’s important to look beyond your classes and schoolwork to find out what your true passions are, especially as a freshman, you should take advantage of opportunities to join extracurricular groups. You can use these experiences to choose a major, to choose classes, and to guide your career choices.”
