How to Maximize this Resource

Posted on December 14, 2011 by bmorrill@uoregon.edu

Some of you visiting this blog may be avid blog readers, since there are blogs out there on just about every topic known to human kind. But, I (Becca) would venture to say that there is a much larger number of readers who are much less familiar with the idea of a blog. So, I’ve decided to highlight some helpful parts of this blog that you can utilize to get your academics back on track or take them to a new level of awesome.

The “Campus Resources” tab at the top of the page leads you to a list of helpful campus resources, short descriptions of what each office can help you with, and a link to their webpage with contact information. Sometimes the first step in the right direction is knowing who to ask for help…and then actually doing it!

Click on a “Category” on the right side of the page to be taken to all of the posts that deal with that particular topic. There are all kinds of topics to choose from ranging from more detailed information about offices on campus that can help in your academic journey under “Campus Partners” to stories from U of O students who have struggled academically and overcome obstacles to get back on track to success under “In Your Words”. Here is one of my favorite campus partner posts and one of my favorite posts from a student:

Spotlight on the Teaching and Learning Center: Part 1

and

Jessica’s Story – Academic Disqualification & Reinstatement

Get to know some of the advisors in the Office of Academic Advising by reading the “About Us” section or by choosing the “Meet Your Advisor” category. If we all could share one thing with students it would be that we exist to help you be successful – SO COME SEE US! We got into academic advising to work with students and talk through all kinds of issues whether it be celebrating with you over a great accomplishment or walking you through how to have a tough conversation with your parents about your academics. To schedule an appointment all you have to do is call 541.346.3211 and our front desk workers will get you taken care of.

I guess what I’m trying to say is welcome to the blog and I hope you stick around and check out some of the posts! I’m glad you made it this far and I hope you will find some good information to help you on your path to success. Don’t hesitate to come see us for more information or even just to find out where to begin. Enjoy your break and we’ll see you in the winter!

Get Savvy with the Teaching and Learning Center!

Posted on October 31, 2011 by bmorrill@uoregon.edu

Some of our favorite people on campus are hosting their annual Get Savvy Workshops this week and I think this is another great way to continue in the right direction this fall! The Teaching and Learning Center would like you to know:

Every fall, students can participate in Get Savvy, a series of workshops and other activities designed to help you gain skills for academic success. The workshops are free and open to all students — prizes, too! Test-Wise U, Presentation Skills, Money Matters, Smart Scheduling and more… full descriptions can be found on our website: http://tlc.uoregon.edu/learningservices/getsavvy.html

Workshops on the hour in the EMU Alsea Room:

Wed, Nov 2, 11am-8pm
Thur, Nov 3, 11am-5pm

I hope that you will make time to learn some great success strategies this week!

What Can You Do to Succeed This Fall?

Posted on September 25, 2011 by bmorrill@uoregon.edu

It is that time of the year again! With the University of Oregon’s Fall Quarter getting underway tomorrow I asked the other advisors in the Office of Academic Advising for their best tip for students to get off on the right foot this fall, and this is what they had to say:

Tami Hill

Dr. Tami Hill says be an active participant in your education, and she would know since she is also a professor!

Shasta McLester

Shasta had such a good idea we have included a Fall Schedule at a Glance here for you to download and use this term!

Megan Coble

If you don’t know when or where your professors’ office hours are you can find that information on their course syllabus or you can ask them in class!

Jenni VanWyk

If you don’t understand a concept or an idea, make sure to ask for more information. If you do understand, ask questions that will take your analysis to the next level.

Arturo Zavala

By visiting an academic advisor for help choosing your courses, you can be confident that the courses will make progress towards your degree completion and be in line with your skills and abilities.

Andrew Wahlstrom

You should think about school like a full-time job, spending at least 40 hours a week reading, attending classes, studying and working on homework. If you feel like you need to learn some strategies for success in any of these areas, visit the Teaching and Learning Center on campus!

Spotlight on the Teaching & Learning Center – Part 5

Posted on June 4, 2010 by bmorrill@uoregon.edu

Hello again! Today we return one last time to the Teaching & Learning Center to talk with Anthony Rimel, University of Oregon senior and TLC Writing Tutor in the Writing Lab. Anthony talks about what he does in the Writing Lab and how students can benefit from his services. The Writing Lab is open Week 2 through Wednesday of Finals Week from 9:00am to 4:00pm, Monday through Friday, and is located in 72 PLC (Prince Lucien Campbell Hall). For more information on the Writing Lab and the Math Lab visit the TLC’s Website.

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Transcript for Spotlight on the Teaching and Learning Center Part 5

Spotlight on the Teaching & Learning Center – Part 4

Posted on May 17, 2010 by bmorrill@uoregon.edu

Good afternoon! Today we return again to the Teaching & Learning Center to talk with Elly Vandegrift, Instructor at the TLC. In this portion of the Spotlight, Elly explains what she does at the Teaching & Learning Center and the students that she usually works with. Elly also talks about more of the resources available at the TLC for all students.

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Transcript for Spotlight on the Teaching and Learning Center Part 4

Spotlight on the Teaching & Learning Center – Part 3

Posted on April 29, 2010 by bmorrill@uoregon.edu

Good morning! Today we return again to the Teaching & Learning Center to talk for one last time with Amy Nuetzman, Assistant Director and Instructor. Amy gives us more details about the Teaching & Learning Center and the services they offer. She will talk about courses the TLC offers, how to find them, test preparation classes and all about their drop in services. We hope you’ll visit soon!

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Transcript for Spotlight on the Teaching and Learning Center Part 3

Spotlight on the Teaching & Learning Center – Part 2

Posted on April 20, 2010 by bmorrill@uoregon.edu

Today we return to the University Teaching & Learning Center to talk with Amy Nuetzman, Assistant Director and Instructor. Amy discusses common reasons students visit the TLC, and how you can best prepare for your next visit!

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Transcript for Spotlight on the Teaching and Learning Center Part 2

Spotlight on the Teaching & Learning Center – Part 1

Posted on April 14, 2010 by bmorrill@uoregon.edu

Today we’re featuring the first in a new series of podcasts about the UO’s Teaching and Learning Center (TLC). A few weeks ago, Becca and I visited the TLC and spoke with some of the folks there about the many services they offer students. We learned a lot and are excited to share some of the conversations with you!

Click on the video below to hear from Amy Nuetzman, Assistant Director and Instructor. Check back in the coming weeks for parts 2-5 in this series!

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Transcript for Spotlight on the Teaching and Learning Center Part 1

Making the most of your study time

Posted on January 7, 2010 by bmorrill@uoregon.edu

Last week I went to a friend’s house for dinner. We were in the middle of a conversation when she got a text message and proceeded to text a response. Which is fine, but I stopped talking and waited for her to finish. She glanced up mid-text.

“Go ahead. I’m listening.” type type type

“No you’re not. You’re texting.”

type type type “What?”

All of us (me included) attempt our own versions of multitasking. We talk and type, walk and text, toggle between different websites, and entertain interruptions from friends, phones, television, and email. According to researchers, we’re not nearly as good at it as we think.

It’s the start of winter term here at UO, and I’ve been meeting with students whose fall term grades placed them on academic probation. I ask each of them open-ended questions in an attempt to unravel what happened fall term. A response that keeps coming up again and again is:

I studied too much in my res hall room.

Translation: I sat at my desk for a long time, but not much studying happened.

Res halls are full of distractions – it’s no wonder that some students find it hard to study there. To learn and retain information, you need to be able to focus, and that means working in a place free from distractions. I talked one student who said, “I can’t even study in the lobby of the library. Too many people walk through. All it takes is one person stopping by to chat and I don’t get anything done.” Now she seeks out quiet cubicles on the upper floor.

As you get settled into winter term, take some time to evaluate your own study habits. Where is there room for improvement? For more tips on making the most of your study time, check out the following:

Psudo-work Does Not Equal Work : An eye-opening post from blogger Study Hacks that demonstrates what the best students already know – quality is just as important as quantity when it comes to studying.

Index Study System: A simple studying method that “forces you to think about (the material), rather than just look over it.”

Study Skills Resources: Tips from the experts at our very own Teaching and Learning Center! Drop by to seem them at 68 PLC and ask about workshops, classes, and private appointments designed to help you study smarter.

Students in Transition to Success (SITTS)

Posted on November 18, 2009 by bmorrill@uoregon.edu

Today we’re featuring a program specifically for students in academic jeopardy – Students in Transition to Success, or SITTS. Here to tell you about it is advisor Lyllye Parker in the Office of Multicultural Academic Success (OMAS).

Who can participate in SITTS?

This program was originally developed to help students of color who are in academic jeopardy. We invite all students of color who are on academic warning, probation 1 and probation2 to participate. However, it is my dream that the program assist all U of O students, and so I welcome ANY student interested in the SITTS program to call 541-346-3479 and make an appointment with one of our advisors.

How does the program work?

SITTS offers the students holistic advising. It is also a program that provides accountability. The students go through an intake process, and an assessment is made of the student’s needs. Then an advisor sits down with the student to draw up a plan. It is important to empower the student to think critically, and be in charge of his/her own education.

The advisor’s responsibility is to guide, be a sounding board, recommend resources, and be a resource. The student signs a SITTS Contract with the advisor, which terminates when the student is back on solid ground. However, in my experience, most SITTS students continue to work with the advisor as needed.

Ms. Parker in her warm & welcoming office

What makes this program inspiring for you as an advisor?

There have been several success stories regarding SITTS students. I will share a story that pre-dates the program, but was the inspiration to create it.

At the end of spring term freshman year this particular student was academically disqualified. As a member of the Scholastic Review Committee I advocated for the student to get one last chance to prove that a 2.0 term was possible. We signed a Contract agreeing to work together until the cumulative GPA was back to a 2.0.

We met on a weekly basis. Most of our meetings were used to discuss time management, homework, and campus climate. However, the most valuable component of our meetings was the trusting relationship we were able to develop. The student had external issues that affected her ability to focus solely on academics, and as a result of the relationship we built, she shared these issues and I was able to recommend resources that provided the support system necessary to deal with those issues .

It didn’t take long for this student to get on the right track, even though more than 20 hours of “B” was required to get back to a 2.0 cumulative GPA. From the first term after we signed the Contract until the last term before graduation, the student received no less than a grade of A-in all of her classes. When graduation day arrived, the cumulative GPA was above a 3.0, and an acceptance letter to graduate school was in the student’s hands.

Any final thoughts?

Once again let me state that any student interested in the SITTS Program should call 346-3479 and make an appointment with one of our advisors.

Grade First Aid

Your Guide to a Healthy GPA!

Category Archives: Campus partners