Political Science and International Relations |
Student Services Portal |
ACADEMIC HELP RESOURCES
Everyone struggles somewhere, sometime, with something.
Maybe you would do better in classes if... you knew how to take better notes, OR had
better study skills, OR knew how to get key information out of textbooks, OR wrote
better test essays, OR knew how to properly cite resources, OR had a better idea on
how to locate research materials, OR... any number of things.
Pride is your enemy: There are almost always people and resources to use to help with whatever you need
help with. The main problem is that students rarely use the resources that are here.
And, the main reason for this is pride, a reluctance to ask for help. You want to
do well and we really want you to do well. So, whether you have small issues here
or there or some big issues, get over the pride factor and get the help you need.
Do not let problems fester—tap into the resources that are available and make college
really successful.
WHAT YOU WILL FIND ON THIS PAGEA) Talk to Your Professors!
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A) TALK TO YOUR PROFESSORS!
Your single best resource is the professor in a class where you may need help with some skill. Whether you are having an issue with something related to the specific class or some general skill needed in the class, your professor can usually help.
Students who talk to their professors do better than those who do not. Some students are very reluctant to go to a professor's office and simply talk to them about issues, but research has found that nine out of ten professors do not bite—so go and talk to them.
Question: When Should You Go Talk To Your Professor? |
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B) Talk to Your Advisor
Some issues are not specific to a particular course, such as recurring problems with writing or note taking, or personal traumas that are undermining your performance in all classes. For such issues, go and talk to your academic advisor. She or he can probably help with many of these issues, and, if they can not, they can put you in touch with people who can help.
If you do not have an advisor yet, or do not remember who your advisor is, or are not sure how to contact your advisor, just click over to the Advising Info page.
C) Use the Resources the University Provides
MTSU provides a range of resources for different student needs and problems. They are there to be used, so use them.
MTSU Resources |
MTSU Writing Center – For help with individual assignments, or help with general skills, set up an appointment and get help with all forms of writing. |
TRiO Student Support Services – Many MTSU students are eligible for TRiO tutoring and advising assistance. Just click over to the site and see if you are eligible. |
MTSU Tutoring Resources – These tutoring opportunities are for specific courses that many students struggle with, so look at the courses they work with and use them if you are in one of these courses. |
Research Librarians – The Library has full-time research Librarians to help students with the research process and finding materials. If you are lost trying to find materials, talk to them. |
Disabled Student Services – If some form of disability is impacting your performance in classes, talk to DSS and see what can be done to address the problem. |
Counseling Services – If you are experiencing loss or grief or depression or other emotional issues that impactiog your performance in classes, talk to counseling and get assistance. |
Student Health Services – If you are experiencing health problems that are impacting your performance in classes, go to Health Services. |
D) Use Good Online Help Sites
There are many web sites available with good tips on specific academic skills you
may need help with. The hard part is sifting through everything out there to find
things that really are valuable. Whether using some of the examples below or others
you find, you should talk to professors about the advice and if it will be useful
in their classes.
Sample Online Resources |
On Time Management Skills:- The Importance of Making a Schedule- Planning Study Time |
On Good Note-Taking Skills:- Taking Lecture Notes- Note-Taking Skills |
On Reading Textbook Skills- How To Read a Textbook- How to Read a College Text |
On Good Study Skills- Test Taking Strategies- Test Preparation Tips |
On Writing Good Essays on Exams- How to Write Good Essays- Tips on Writing the Essay-type Examination |
On Writing in Political Science- PS: A Student Writer's Survival Guide- Writing Political Science Papers |
On Avoiding Plagiarism- Plagiarism: What It is and How to Recognize and Avoid It- Avoiding Plagiarism |
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Middle Tennessee State University, in its educational programs and activities involving students and employees, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, or age. Furthermore, the university does not discriminate against veterans or individuals with disabilities.
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