Student Success Center

Student Resources

• GPA calculator
• Online Flashcard

Helpful Websites

• Writing Center
  
• Tutoring
• Purdue OWL (writing resource)
• How to Study
• Math.com
• Learning Style Quiz
• University of Minnesota Online Learning Resources
• Khan Academy
  (Students can make use of our extensive library of content, including interactive challenges, assessments, and videos from any computer with access to the web)

Study Skills

• General Skills
• Ten Proven Steps to Successful Test Taking 
• Various Tips for Various Test Types 
• The Six Types of Test Taking Errors 
• College Expectations 
• Tips for Studying
  
• Test Taking Tips
  

Resource Links

• Grammar and Writing Skills (UMC Writing Center)
• Time Management
• Dictionary/Thesaurus
• Note-taking (Why's and How's...EXCELLENT!!!)

The UMC Library provides limited proctoring of make-up tests as a service to faculty. This service should not be used for students with testing accommodations due to documented disability – those tests are administered by the Disability Resource Center.

Learn more about test proctoring

Students who do not maintain good academic standing (cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better) are placed on academic probation and become a part of UMN Crookston’s Golden Eagle Academic Recovery (GEAR) program. While participating in GEAR, both on-campus and online students will be placed in a Canvas site to assist the student with their academic recovery. The Canvas site will prompt students participating in GEAR to complete the following expectations:

• Enroll in 15 or fewer credits
• Earn a 2.0 or better GPA for the semester
• Develop and complete an individual Academic Action Plan (AAP) to earn a 2.0 or better throughout the semester. Part of the AAP will include the following steps:
• Visit with the Student Success Center (SSC) by the end of the second week of the semester to discuss your plan of action
• Visit with your advisor during Weeks 5-6 to check your progress and update your plan of action, if necessary
• Check your grades at midterm on MyU to be sure you are on track. If your grades are not where you would like them to be, we highly encourage you to request an academic coaching session to make a plan for your academic recovery for the rest of the semester.
• Visit with your advisor during Weeks 11-12 to check your progress and select classes for the next semester
• Visit with the SSC for the final AAP meeting during the last 2 weeks of the semester

Specific due dates for each meeting will be listed on the AAP and in the Canvas site.

Students need to attain a term GPA of 2.0 during the semester they are in the GEAR program to avoid academic suspension. Students who do not complete an AAP, or follow the terms of their plan, may lose their right to appeal an academic suspension.

Meeting with a tutor is a normal part of being successful as a college student.
Request a tutor by clicking on the button below.

Request a Tutor

Planning to head to a conference? Out of town for a family event? If you’re expecting to miss one or more of your classes this semester, consider a Don’t Cancel Class workshop!

The Student Success Center offers a variety of workshops to engage your students while you are away. Our topics (listed below) range from career preparation to diversity to learning strategies, and we would be happy to tailor them to the needs of your class!

Some workshops can be shortened and combined to cover a single class period or can be presented as a supplement to a regular class.

To request a workshop, fill out the form below. Please fill out your request at least two weeks in advance of the date of your absence.

Request a Workshop

Workshop Topics

Academic Support/Study Skills

• APAS: How to prepare for graduation
  This workshop teaches students how to understand their APAS report and use it to prepare for graduation. Students will run an APAS report for their declared major and, if desired, a “what-if” APAS report for a different major. This workshop will include an overview of the various tags and symbols in the report, an explanation on how to interpret the different courses and requirements, and a breakdown of the APAS categories.

• Common Grammar Mistakes
  This workshop covers the basics of English grammar with the goal of helping students recognize common grammar errors such as run-on sentences and incorrect comma usage. The content of the workshop can be tailored based on the needs of a class and/or the instructor’s preferences.

• Metacognition
  This workshop helps students assess their study habits through the lens of metacognition. In simple terms, metacognition means thinking about one’s thinking. Students will be asked to consider their own learning processes and reflect on ways to apply what they learn to their current courses and study practices.

• Preparing for & Reflecting on an Exam
  This workshop encourages students to look beyond the numerical score on a test and to use their past work to find ways to better prepare for future exams. It will encourage students to identify their own strengths and weaknesses, recognize past patterns and errors, and reflect on ways to better their time management and study strategies.

• Note-Taking Strategies
  This interactive workshop will make use of class materials to teach students effective note-taking strategies. Students will learn the benefits of both typing and writing their notes and choose which method is best for them. They will also be given strategies for organizing their notes and will discuss the importance of taking good quality notes. This workshop will also teach a unique style of note-taking called the Cornell Method, which students will practice in real time during the workshop.

• Reading Strategies
  This interactive workshop makes use of course-specific materials to teach students effective reading strategies. Students will learn about the SQ3R method and have the opportunity to practice it with course materials. They will also learn strategies for annotating, highlighting, reviewing, and note-taking while reading. If course-specific reading materials are unavailable, this workshop can also be done with a generic textbook selected by the Student Success Center.

• Time Management
  This workshop will teach students the basics of effective time management. Students will learn practical strategies to help them prioritize tasks, organize their time, and balance their responsibilities.

• Goal Setting
  This workshop teaches the importance of goal setting for a growth mindset and long-term success. Students will learn the SMART (specific, measureable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) goal-setting method and will have the chance to develop their own SMART goal and action plan for achieving it.

• Academic Etiquette
  This workshop teaches students basic etiquette for interacting with university professors, staff, and peers. It will cover how to compose a professional email, how to contribute during a class discussion, and how to approach office hours and one-on-one meetings with professors. Because of the content of this workshop, it is most appropriate for first-year students.

Career Services

• Resumes and Cover Letters
  This workshop provides an overview of content, conventions, and formatting for resumes and cover letters. It can be customized based on the average age and experience of students in the course.

• Professional Etiquette and Networking
  This interactive workshop teaches students how to communicate professionally for the purposes of job searching and professional networking. It will include an overview of best practices for professional social media and LinkedIn.

• Interview Skills
  This interactive workshop prepares students to answer basic interview questions and pitch themselves to potential employers. Students will learn the basics of preparing and elevator speech and will practice interviewing one another.

• Preparing for a Career in a Diverse World (cross-listed with Diversity)
  This workshop provides information on the importance of diversity in a global environment across all fields of study. Students will learn what multi cultural fluidity is, why it is important and how to learn it while still a student. We will discuss the top eight traits that companies are looking for in their employees and how diversity is linked to the majority of them.

Diversity

• Personal/Social Identity Wheels
  This hands-on activity workshop allows students to have a conversation about their personal and social identities. Students will discuss and share the privileges and/or disadvantages of their identities and reflect on the identities of their peers.

• LGBTQIA+ 101
  This workshop focuses on the basics of diverse gender and sexual identities. Students will learn appropriate and current terminology relating to the LGBTQIA+ community and will have the opportunity to ask questions.

• Inclusive Language
  This workshop focuses on language choices that accurately and respectfully represent diverse groups. In addition to being introduced to preferred terminology for multiple groups, students will learn the history and importance of inclusive language and will discuss current debates about terminology.

• Preparing for a Career in a Diverse World (cross-listed with Career Services)
  This workshop provides information on the importance of diversity in a global environment across all fields of study. Students will learn what multi cultural fluidity is, why it is important and how to learn it while still a student. We will discuss the top eight traits that companies are looking for in their employees and how diversity is linked to the majority of them.

Graduate/Professional School

• GRE Preparation
  This workshop gives students an overview of the purpose, subject matter, and sections of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). It will cover the best strategies for preparing for each section and the free or low-cost study resources available.This workshop is most appropriate for students who are planning to apply to graduate programs.

• Personal Statements/Letters of Intent
  This workshop covers the basics of writing personal statements (also sometimes called letters of intent or statements of purpose) for graduate school applications. The focus of the workshop can be tailored to different application processes (for example: short response questions). This workshop is most appropriate for students who are planning to apply to graduate programs.

Health Services

• Sexual Health & STIs
  This workshop covers sexual health and sexually transmitted infections from a factual and biological standpoint. Students will learn the importance of practicing safe sex and the resources available to them on campus.

• Basic First Aid
  This workshop gives students an overview of basic first aid. They will learn when and how to administer basic first aid in the event of an emergency and learn how to handle specific situations.

• This Bugs For You
  This workshop discusses common viruses and bacteria. Students will learn how these common viruses and bacteria are treated. Other topics in this workshop include proper handwashing, flu versus cold symptoms, gastrointestinal (GI) problems, etc.

Miscellaneous

• StrengthsQuest 101: Knowing Your Strengths
  This workshop uses students’ Clifton StrengthsQuest results as starting point for discussion. Students can explore how their strengths relate to many different areas of their life or the focus can be narrowed to a particular field or major.
• How to Vote/Voter Registration Process/Absentee
  (To be offered in the beginning of fall semester, before the 2020 election.)
  This workshop emphasizes the importance of voting regardless of political affiliation. Students will learn how to register to vote in Minnesota, apply for an absentee ballot, locate their appropriate sample ballot, and research candidates.

• Collected Essays on Learning and Teaching (CELT)
• College Open Textbooks
• Multimedia Educational Resource for Learning and Online Teaching (MERLOT)
• Open Textbook Library
• Open Education Consortium
• OpenStax
• Pedagogy Unbound
• U of MN Teaching Toolkit