What Academic Supports Are Available on Campus?

While some subjects may click easily, there are bound to be times when you need a little extra support. This is totally normal, and you don’t need to do it alone! Here are a few examples of the types of resources you can seek out.

Peer tutoring

Most colleges and universities offer FREE peer tutoring, especially in the core subjects that everyone must take (math, science, writing, etc.).

• Try searching your school’s website for terms like “peer tutoring,” “tutoring center,” “academic resource center,” “educational resource center,” or “learning resource center” to find it.

• Eventually (though probably not as a first-semester freshman), you can volunteer as a peer tutor, too!

Office hours

Professors are typically required to set aside designated time for students to visit them and seek support, either about specific assignments or the course in general.

• The professor’s office hours will usually be listed on the course syllabus.

• Sometimes office hours are drop-in, but often meetings can be arranged via email, or just by speaking to the professor before or after class.

• Put their office hours on your calendar. You can plan to tackle your homework for each professor’s class around the times when they are available, perhaps even in a location close to their office. That way, if you need help with a specific assignment you can ask the professor directly.

Teaching assistants

Most professors will also have a teaching assistant (TA) or graduate assistant (GA) supporting each of their classes.

• This is a higher-level student or graduate student who excels in the subject area of the class.

• These TAs will usually have their own office hours as well, and may be more readily available than the professor.

Classmates

Your classmates can also be a great resource!

• It’s very common for students ask each other to form study groups, share notes, or work on assignments together. You don’t have to do it alone!

• Ask your classmates for their contact info. School email address, phone number, social media — it doesn’t matter, as long as you have a way to reach them.

• Leaning on a peer can also be less stressful and more convenient than talking to a professor, and they may even be able to explain the material in a more relatable way.

LD resources

If you have a diagnosed learning disorder or other neurodevelopmental difference, additional supports and formal accommodations may also be available to you.

• Your school likely has a disability or accessibility services center that can assist you with your learning needs.

• Try searching your school’s website for terms like “disability,” “accessibility,” or “accommodations.” It may also help to ask your academic advisor!

• If you have undergone the neuropsychological evaluation process recently, the report from that evaluation will typically spell out recommended accommodations that will help you handle the material and reach your potential in college.

• Even students in graduate school often continue to utilize accommodations for support.