Introduce yourself to new professors and ask previous professors how they are doing. It is important to build and maintain relationships with professors and it could improve your connection and investment in the course.
Be proactive from the start. Schedule time for note-taking, reading, making flashcards, and studying early in the semester.
Write down all the important dates (found in your syllabi) in an agenda or electronic calendar. This can help prevent projects, papers, assignments, and exams from sneaking up on you.
Sit near the front of class. Studies show that students who sit near the front tend to be more engaged.
Keep a planner or a digital calendar updated with everything you have going on: classes, work, meetings for any organizations you are a part of, getting together with friends and family, etc.
Be realistic with how much time you have in a day to accomplish everything. If you keep your to-do list realistic you won’t find yourself staying up late or being discouraged with the things you still have left to do.
Prioritize your time. Figure out what is most important for you to accomplish and work on that first. If you have an exam next Monday and a homework assignment not due for a few weeks, prioritize studying for the exam.
Be sure to remember self-care in your time management – getting enough sleep, time for full meals, exercise.
Check out this weekly time schedule template to help you plan out your schedule! When filling it out, make sure you include tasks that are often overlooked (ex: getting dressed, making dinner, caring for pets, your commute) that can take up a considerable amount of time in your day. Drop-in with a peer coach if you need assistance working through it.
Review your notes and flashcards daily. Repetition is important for many people in preparing for an exam.
Meet with your professor or a tutor to clear up any confusing topics.
Take short breaks.
Stay healthy – eat well, get enough sleep, exercise.
Explain your material aloud or to a friend.
Form a study group – not only can you help one another learn material, you also hold each other accountable to study.
Develop summary sheets for each class.
Study in a distraction-reduced environment – no matter how good of a multi-tasker you think you may be, your brain will work better without distractions.
Do you like to study outside? Study by Loch Norse when it’s nice outside. Starbucks also has a nice outdoor seating area where you can grab a coffee and study.
Looking for a place that falls in between silent and crowded? Einstein’s in the library is for you! Here you’ll have access to computers, printers, food, and coffee.
Want a place to study that is not in the library? Head up to the third floor of Griffin Hall and sit at one of the many tables looking out at campus.
Your instructor’s office hours are a great first stop for any questions you have about material covered in class.
Tutors are a great resource if you need help with content-related questions as you study for exams or work on homework. Learn more about tutoring or schedule an appointment on the PLUS Tutoring webpage.
If you need help conducting college level research, be sure to visit the library and speak with one of their research librarians for one on one assistance. Find out more on the Steely Library webpage.
Success PLUS is available for free, ongoing, one-on-one peer assistance with college and life success skills. They offer assistance in time management, effective study habits, test-taking strategies, note-taking methods, and more.
FUEL NKU is Northern Kentucky University's on-campus food pantry run by students, for students. They offer FREE produce, refrigerated, frozen, and non-perishable food and toiletry items. Just bring your current NKU All Card.
NKU's Center for Student Inclusiveness goal is inclusion diversity, collaboration, and innovation. The Center includes: African-American Student Initiatives, Office of Student Accessibility, Latino Programs and Services, LGBTQ Programs and Services, Norse Violence Prevention, and Parents Attending College.
NKU offers many scholarship opportunities for both first time freshman and continuing / transfer students.
NKU's Financial Assistance office is a great resource for any questions you have about the cost of college and types of aid available. You can also stop by NKU OneStop to talk to someone in person.
Navigating finances can be one of the hardest parts of college. UCAP Student Services offers face-to-face help with financial, academic and personal topics.
NKU is partnered with CashCourse to provide students and alumni with free financial literacy resources. This resource can help you learn how to create a budget, how to protect your credit, and much more.
Some holds can prevent students from being able to register for courses. To find out if you have holds that need to be resolved, log on to your myNKU account and click on the Holds button in the student section.
There are many different types of holds that can be placed on your account. If you are unsure what a hold means or how to resolve it, go to NKU's Registration Holds page.
Drop-in hours are an option for students with quick questions that do not need a full advising appointment. You can drop-in with a Peer Coach or an Advisor. Find out more about drop-ins and when they take place on our drop-ins page!
Getting involved in organizations that relate to your major, like the COI Ambassadors, is a great way to network for future career opportunities and research in the field. Learn more about how you could get involved on the COI student organization webpage.
Student employment is a great way to get involved on campus. Many departments offer work study or peer coach positions which is an awesome way to work and get involved at the same time. Check out NKU’s employment site for listings!
Career Services offers assistance on writing resumes, writing cover letters, and preparing for interviews. They can also provide information on career fairs. Visit Career Services to learn out more about what they have to offer.
Handshakeis NKU’s own job search database where you can find jobs, co-ops, and internships.
Read the Informatics INFORMER bi-weekly for information on professional development opportunities.