FE101OLA First Year Experience

Academic Support

The Learning Center

Welcome back! In this PowerPoint you’ll learn about some of the ways that Manor College helps students to succeed.

Not only are Manor’s instructors committed to providing us with a great education, there are resources here that can really help someone like me who, after only a few weeks of college, didn’t think she was going to make it.

The best decision I made since coming to Manor was to go and check out the Learning Center.

What is the Learning Center?• The Learning Center is

one of many academic support resources available at Manor College to help you succeed in school.

• The Learning Center is located on the ground floor level of the Academic Building.

• All Manor College students are welcome at the Learning Center.

Some of the help you can get at the Learning Center includes: Free tutoring in most courses offered at Manor

College. Assistance in developing study and general academic

skills. Assistance in developing research skills for research

and/or term papers. Tutoring in basic skills (reading, writing, mathematics). You can use the Learning Center computers for word

processing, spreadsheet, and graphics applications. The Center also has resources for specific classes such

as Chemistry and can connect you with web-based resources that are connected to your textbooks.

You can access videotape resources that can help you develop study skills.

There are even specialized dictionaries, reference materials and supplementary textbooks.

One of the hardest adjustments for most incoming college freshmen is the workload involved in their academic studies. Because college assignments and work are harder than in high school, students can get overwhelmed like Marla and decide to give up.

But succeeding in college isn’t always how smart you are. It sometimes comes down to how smart you are at managing your time and workload.

Time management is a system for staying on top of your work. It lets you be in control and avoid stress.

Here are some guidelines and study tips to help you create a study schedule to manage school, work and fun.

Guidelines for Managing Your Time

• Use a planner or calendar to actually write down your class schedule, dedicated study time, work, weekly and long-term assignments and tests, and social time.

• Schedule at least 2-3 hours of study time for each hour you’re in class. If you have 5 classes, like Marla, that’s 15 hours a week in class, so you’ll need an additional 30-45 hours for study.

• Add in your work hours, but school is your first priority, so limit the number of hours you work each week to a reasonable number.

• You can’t study effectively if you’re not well-rested, so plan on 8 hours each night.

• Don’t worry! There are 168 hours in every week.

Schedule study time before and after each class, so you have time to preview and review material.

Study in a well-lighted and comfortable place and be sure that your study periods are at least 1 hour long. No distractions allowed!

When I have a reading assignment, I try to take notes to help me understand. I look up words I don’t understand in a dictionary and write down the meanings in my notes.

Get to class on time, every time! Bring your notes, your textbook, a notebook, something to write with and all due work to class with you.

Take notes in class even if the teacher has given out lecture materials.

Work on the most difficult tasks, such as term papers or studying for tests, when you’re the most rested and alert. When scheduling these tasks schedule them over several days so they won’t be unmanageable.

Form a study group with other students in your classes to go over notes and help each other study for tests.

Never be afraid or embarrassed to ask questions. Your instructor will appreciate your interest and the answers you get will help you better understand the material.

Don’t procrastinate! Don’t put off difficult tasks until the last minute.

Take short breaks during study and work periods to get refreshed and remember to always include time in your schedule for eating, sleeping, exercise and fun!

With the Learning Center’s help, I was able to put together a study schedule that included:-----15 hours a week in class-----30 hours a week study time-----15 hours a week working at the drug store-----56 hours a week for sleep

116 hours -----that left a lot of time to be with my friends and let me add in more study hours when I needed them for a test or major project or assignment.

The Learning Center also provided me with a math tutor. My test grades really improved once I started getting the help I needed.

I now understand that my schoolwork is a priority.

Learning Center Hours

Monday 10:00am-5:00pmTuesday 10:00am-5:00pmWednesday 10:00am-5:00pmThursday 10:00am-5:00pmFriday ClosedSaturday Closed for Placement Testing

Other hours by appointment: Contact Professor Michael J. Landis, Learning Center Director at 215-885-2360, ext. 267 or via e-mail at mlandis@manor.edu

Not all of our first semester experiences were about difficulty with our courses. Things went pretty well for me after I adjusted to college life.

For me too. Now that you have information on how to use some of Manor’s learning and advising resources, it’s time to find out how to plan for the rest of your college experience.