Stingray Success: Student Success

Communicating with your instructor on a regular basis can have many benefits for you as a student. First, it can improve your grades by getting you the help you need, providing you with feedback on how you are doing, and keeping the professor in the loop of life events that may impact your ability to complete assignments. Second, it lays the groundwork for a good relationship that can benefit you in future endeavors like job opportunities and letters of recommendation.

While it can be nerve-wrecking to initiate the conversation or ask a question try to remember that your instructors are there to help you learn! Your success helps everyone; so communicate early and often! A last minute request for help or an extension is not as likely to get you the help you need as a substantive and timely request.

Here are some good times to consider reaching out to your instructor:

• you are having problems understanding course material
• you know an assignment may be late
• you want feedback on your performance in class
• you know you will be absent or tardy
• you are very interested in a particular aspect of the course and want more information

Time Management

Organization

• Use one centralized method of keeping track of dates and to-do lists. It can be digital or physical but make sure it is accessible. At the beginning of the semester use your syllabi to put in the big projects/dates right away.
• Find out what time of the day you work best and set that aside as work time. Even if it means getting up a little earlier, you are saving time by working more efficiently.
• Organize your to-do list into 2-3 categories.
  • High priority: due dates that are very soon (this week), larger projects that are worth more points (tests, papers), anything with immediate/large consequences for not doing or doing well
  • Medium Priority: due dates that are within the next few weeks, projects that are worth less points
  • Low priority: due dates far in the future, things that require other work to be completed first

Procrastination/Distraction

• If something will take less than 10 minutes, do it as soon as you think about it! Having it done frees up more time and mental space later.
• Try the snowball effect: knock out a few smaller projects that aren’t as time consuming to help your to-do list feel more manageable and boost motivation to keep working.
• Setup a workspace that is conducive to focusing. Keep anything that may be distracting out of sight (TV, phones, etc) and turn off notifications.
• Keep the work area tidy to reduce stress and help you find everything you need.
• Try listening to white or brown noise if you find you need extra stimulation to stay focused.
• Create a separate work user on your computer to create a digital space without distractions of unnecessary apps and websites.
• Start with the most difficult parts of a project so it is easier to come back to work.
• Always stop your work at a place that makes sense so you know what you were doing and can pick it back up quickly.