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Student Success Center

#studytips #tutoring #counseling 

#tips&tricks #ssc #belonghere

The Joy Ring Student Success Center

The Student Success Center, or SSC as it is commonly referred to, is a place for students to study, receive tutoring, and work on group projects. The SSC exists to be a resource for students. Tutors are here to help students with study skills, test preparation, homework, and anything else related to their academic success. 
The Student Success Center staff is committed to providing the necessary support and resources to our students in order to help students succeed and achieve their goals. 
The mission of the Joy Ring Student Success Center is to meet student needs and to remove barriers to success. We do this through sound academic advising, tutoring, and mentoring. We are retention focused in all we do, including a robust student communication and outreach program. 
The study spaces, tutoring services, computers, microwave, and vending machines in the Student Success Center are available to all Williams Baptist University students. 
We will survey the student body twice each semester to identify potential barriers to success and make improvements to the student experience.
tutoring schedule

how to schedule an
appointment with a tutor:

  • drop by during their posted hours
  • contact a tutor to set up an appointment, their contact information is posted in the Student Success Center
schedule a tutoring appointment

Study Tips

  • Attend class
  • Prepare for each class by reading and completing assignments
  • Take good notes
  • Review, edit, and reorganize your notes
  • Schedule weekly study times 
  • Figure out what study environment is best for you
  • Study when your mind is most receptive to learning 
  • Use previous exams to study, if possible 
  • If needed, visit the Student Success Center for help studying or tutoring 
  • Self test prior to quizzes or exams
    • Ask a friend to quiz you
    • Create a study guide
    • Use Quizlet
  • Physical health matters when preparing for a test
    • Eat before a test
    • Get a good night of sleep
    • Drink water
    • Get ready for the day – how you present yourself can increase your confidence

Student Success Center

Staff

Gabby Dixon
Director of the Student Success Center
gdixon@williamsbu.edu

Tonya Bolton
Director of Advising & Athletic Eligibility
tbolton@williamsbu.edu

Listening Skills

Good listening skills are critical to being successful in your career. 
The following points distinguish a good listener from a poor listener.

Good Listener

  • Looks for information that can be used even if the subject is not interesting 
  • Concentrate on the content of the speaker’s message
  • Hears the speaker’s content before deciding to quit paying attention
  • Listens for ideas
  • Adjusts their note-taking strategy to the speaker’s method
  • Makes a conscious effort to pay attention
  • Does not distract others
  • Welcomes difficult or complex content

Poor Listener

  • Does not let words or phrases that are loaded with emotion or 
  • Judges the subject as uninteresting and writes off the whole subject as a waste
  • Criticizes the speaker’s method of delivery
  • Fails to hear the entire message
  • Listens only for facts
  • Fakes paying attention
  • Creates distraction
  • Avoids difficult presentations and never tries to develop the skills necessary to understand and learn

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How to Email Your Professors

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE READ THE SYLLABUS BEFORE REACHING OUT

  • Be specific with your subject line
    • Include the class title
    • Include the reason for emailing 
    • If urgent, include the date
      • Ex. Gen Psych 1101A – Assignment Concern 11/2
  • Greet your professor with respect
    • Ex. Dear Dr. Smith or Hello Ms. Jones
  • Respectfully and concisely state your request (not a demand)
  • Include your reason for your request. If it is hard to explain concisely, ask for a meeting with your professor. 
  • If your syllabus addresses your concern but you need further clarification, state that you have read the syllabus.
  • Set your signature up on your email so that your professor knows your name and ID number.
    • This also makes your email look more professional. 
      • You do this under settings on Gmail
  • If possible, allow your instructor TWO business days to respond. If they do not respond to your reminder, then catch them in person to discuss the matter.

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General Tips & Tricks

Classroom Expectations | Each professor will have specific expectations for the students in their classes; however, these are common expectations that the majority of professors have:

Read Your Syllabus | The syllabus is the guide/outline that your professor has created to help you be successful in the classroom. Professors expect you to read these and pay attention to them! They view them as important, so to be successful, you need to view them as important! Look for these key items:

Course Logistics

  • Classroom
  • Class time
  • What are the course materials?
  • Are there differences between meeting sessions, such as time, location, lab, etc.?
  • What is the inclement weather policy?
  • What is the attendance policy?
 

Communication

  • Where is my professor’s office?
  • What are my professor’s office hours?
  • What contact information is listed for my professor?

Learning Expectations

  • What is expected of me in this course?
  • How will I receive my assignments?
  • How is my grade weighted?
  • Where do I submit my assignments and in what format?
  • What is the goal of this course?

     

Important Information

  • Put the important dates on your calendar!!
    • Tests
    • Due dates
    • Assignments

       

Class Attendance: 

  • Get to class early
  • If you are late, quietly and respectfully slip into the back
  • If your professor is late, be respectful. They notice who stays. 
  • If you miss a class:
    • Email your professor before if possible. 
    • Be familiar with the attendance policy 
    • Make every effort you can to make up work
    • Connect with a classmate to find out what you missed. 
    • Visit your professor to see what was covered in class. 

Be an Active Listener:

  • Take notes
  • Make eye contact with your professor
  • Sit near the front
  • Go to class prepared
    • Read
    • Complete assignments
  • Avoid:
    • Falling asleep
    • Texting, playing games, scrolling
    • Working on assignments for other classes
    • Eating
    • Distracting behaviors 

Talk to Your Professors:

  • Talk with them during their office hours
  • Check your syllabus and notes before asking questions, you may find the answer
  • If you make an appointment with your professor, keep it
  • Be respectful of your professor’s time 

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Counseling

If you are interested in setting up an appointment with one of our counselors, email counseling@williamsbu.edu

Williams attempts to help students develop holistically. Students needing assistance with personal problems should consult the Director of Counseling,  Dr. Aneita Cooper. The university offers licensed professional counseling services. These counselors provide personal and confidential counseling services to students. In addition, some of our other faculty and staff are trained as ministers or counselors.

The university also has convenient access to local and regional mental health services. All students have access to tutoring and a comprehensive array of vocational/career services provided through the Joy Ring Student Success Center. 

Other Important Contacts:

  • Emergency services: 911
  • Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 or text 988

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Williams Baptist University exists to cultivate Christ-centered leaders who make a difference in their lifework.

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