Study Strategies

Success Coaches are here to help when you want to upgrade your approach to active learning  through incorporating evidence-based strategies for reading, note-taking, studying and exam success. 

You have options.

  • Our study strategies workshops cover topics such as communicating with professors, efficient reading, note taking, study techniques, and test anxiety. All workshops are 50 minutes. No sign-up/RSVP is required to attend.
  • Drop-in coaching is held in-person at various community centers on campus and no appointment is necessary.
  • Individual appointments are one-on-one conversations with a success coach to help you build on what you’ve learned in the workshops. Appointments are scheduled on OASIS Scheduler and conversations can happen in person, on the phone or on Zoom.
  • Study strategies templates can help you get started any time.
  • If you're not sure where to start, consider taking our Success Coaching and Learning Strategies self-assessment.

Workshops

Workshops are a great place to start! Study strategies workshops are interactive and participatory, so you can expect to discover your study baseline and learn new approaches through writing and discussion.

All workshops are 50 minutes. No sign-up/RSVP is required to attend. Success workshops are offered on campus in 114 South Hall, in addition to continued Zoom-based workshops. 

Printable PDF calendar

Communicating with Professors

Communicating with Professors: What are best practices for communicating and building relationships with professors? We will discuss e-mail, office hours, and mentorship.

Take Charge of the Reading

Read to remember! Explore active techniques for engagement and efficiency. We will practice concept mapping as a way to capture and organize the information we read.

Maximizing Lecture

Let’s analyze the role of lecture—expectations, challenges, and opportunities—in our learning. We will discuss strategies to use prior to, during, and after lecture.

Study Smarter, Not Harder

How do you know what you know? How do you prepare for exams? Let’s discuss strategies that can help make study sessions more effective and efficient.

Strategies for Test Taking

How can I become a better test taker? Join us to discuss strategies for maximizing your test grade, including managing test-induced anxiety.

Designing and Delivering Presentations

Presentation skills are useful in and outside the classroom. Come learn techniques for creating an effective presentation, as well as best practices for public speaking.

Drop-In Coaching

Whether you want to ask a specific question, have an accountability check in, or are just curious about what coaching can help you with, all are welcome to drop in.

Fall 2025 Hours: 

  • TBD

Individual Appointments 

Meet with a Success Coach if you want to: 

  • Improve your note-taking during readings and lecture
  • Incorporate diverse methods for active recall and self-testing
  • Manage test anxiety
  • Get the most out of office hours and learn how to ask your professors for guidance 

During an individual appointment, expect your Success Coach to listen, ask questions, and serve as your thinking partner. We are also learning strategists, and can share with you research-based ways to study more efficiently and effectively. 

3 questions to consider in preparation for your appointment

  • What’s an important or urgent topic for you right now?
  • If you and your coach made progress on this topic, what do you hope would change?
  • Do you have a specific outcome in mind for this appointment? If so, what is it?
  • Optional: Is this appointment part of a required agreement with OSSJA or your College? If so, how can this conversation best support you right now?

Scheduling an Appointment

  • Appointments are 30 minutes, and can be a one-time session or an ongoing check-in with the same coach.
  • If you are signing up for an initial appointment, please be descriptive when filling out the reason for the appointment in the Advising Appointment System. This helps your success coach best prepare for the appointment.
  • Disclaimer: Success Coaching is not a substitute for academic advising (university requirements, course selection and scheduling, change of major, etc.)

Log in to OASIS Advising Appointment System

Templates and Printouts

These templates and printouts can help evaluate your study strategies and exam performance. 

For our full library of templates and printouts, visit our the SLCS Resources page.

Self-assessment

Consider starting with the self-assessment quiz, which will provide you with customized recommendations for services/workshops based on your needs and goals. The quiz takes about 8-10 minutes to complete, and you will receive an email with your results.

Start the self-assessment