This article appeared in the Fresh Start issue of the Collegian, sent to new Penn State students.
Coming to a campus of over 40,000 students may pose difficulties to new students academically, but it is comforting to know that there is help right around the corner. In fact, help is closer than one may think.
There are many study opportunities around Penn State to help students perform better academically as students begin their freshman year. This help includes knowing good places to study, utilizing office hours, going to a tutor and creating study groups.
"Take advantage of as many tutoring and studying opportunities as you can because they will help keep your grades up. I'm definitely going to do that while I'm here at Penn State, and I definitely suggest it to other freshmen," said Kelly Murphy (freshman-accounting).
There are many on and off campus opportunities for tutoring, such as Nittany Notes and Penn State Learning.
According to the Penn State Learning website, students can work with individual tutors, study groups and team project work projects, located in the Boucke, Wagner and Sparks buildings on campus.
As well as learning centers and tutoring opportunities, professors provide office hours to their students, where students can meet with their professors individually.
"I definitely suggest talking to your professors and teacher's assistants first. Utilize office hours because you'll get to know your professor and you'll also know what they're looking for in assignments and papers," said Aishia Correll (senior-health policy and administration).
Correll, who also serves as a Resident Assistant, also said that RA's will hold study groups throughout the year in the dormitories because each floor has a study area.
"Going to RA study groups are always good, too. They help students out and usually there's free food and drinks, which is also nice," Correll said.
Study groups are another beneficial way of performing well academically, said Correll and Murphy.
"Study groups are really helpful because chances are someone there will know something that you don't and they can help you. They really help people out," Murphy said.
As for places to study, there are many places both on and off campus that are easily accessible to Penn State students.
"The library is a really peaceful place to go to study, including the stacks. Other people there respect that you're studying and it helps you concentrate since it's quiet," said Lauren Shevchek (freshman-communication sciences and disorders).
Correll also suggests going to the library, as well as areas in the commons, the Knowledge Commons and areas downtown like Panera and Starbucks.
By utilizing study areas, groups and tutors, Murphy, Shevchek and Correll said that it'll help students succeed in Penn State, especially if new students are intimidated about coming to a large campus.
"As long as you use your resources wisely, like going to office hours and studying, you can definitely do well here at Penn State," said Shevchek.
