Academic Support

Don’t wait till you’re stuck. Ask for help. Ask early and often. Get to know your resources and the folks who are here to support you before you ever feel like you need that help. Ask questions and consider new ways of learning.

Support services

OSU is filled with people and places to support your academic growth and learning. Use the provided list as a starting point to access services across campus.

Struggling?

Even with a lot of preparation, sometimes things don’t go as planned. For any number of reasons, you may find yourself struggling with a course or grades. You’re not alone, and you have support and options.

  • Try out the Course Grade Calculator worksheet to take stock of your current grades and help inform your next steps.
  • Connect with your instructor to let them know what’s going on. Visiting office hours, asking questions or sending an email shows that you’re working proactively to figure out what you can do next. If instructors don’t know how you’re doing, they can’t help you continue forward.
  • Reach out to your academic advisor to find resources and support in navigating decisions like withdrawing from a course or switching from A–F to Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U) grading. Your advisor can help you understand policies and restrictions for courses that can be graded S/U.
  • Schedule academic coaching appointments — a series of 45 minute, 1-on-1 conversations to help you reflect on strategies and approaches you’re currently using. Coaches help you identify what will help you moving forward and provide accountability through regular meetings.
  • Connect with Student Care to talk through your unique situation and options. They can help you navigate unforeseen circumstances (injury or illness, hospitalization, loss of a loved one, etc.) and the impact on your coursework.

Learning and study skills

You already have your own go-to study strategies and tools, but it can also be useful to adapt or change strategies so you can continue to learn effectively and efficiently in each of your courses.

  • The Academic Success Center has programs and resources that can help you reflect on your learning and approach to studying and make informed decisions moving forward.
  • For new ways to plan and schedule your time, procrastinate less or prepare for tests (and more!), visit the Learning Corner. It’s online, available 24/7 and full of information to support your success.
  • Start each term strong with the Start of Term Checklist. This guide helps you take stock of what you know, what you need to find out and what you can do in the first weeks of the term to set yourself up for success.
  • Academic Coaching meets you where you’re at and offers ideas for how you can build upon your skills and achieve your goals. A coach can support you regardless of major or year in school, and will help you create a plan approaching each of your courses.

Technology, tools and platforms

So much of the work and learning you do in college relies on technology: the devices, software and online platforms used to access, engage with and submit work.

  • The Service Desk can help troubleshoot and fix issues related to email, software, internet connection and more.
  • OSU Libraries search function helps you find the books, journals and articles you need. Get started with instructions for optimizing your use of the library or with a research guide for your assignment, course or major.
  • ReadSpeaker and TextAid are tools that use text-to-speech technology to read content aloud, available to all students in Canvas.
  • Zoom provides video conferencing for remote connections with your instructors and peers. Classes, office hours and study groups may take place over Zoom, whether synchronously (everyone together at once) or asynchronously (everyone at their own pace).
  • Media Hub offers consults to support students in their media work (video, audio recording, etc.), rents equipment and provides large-scale printing services (like research posters).
  • The Service Desk can help troubleshoot and fix issues related to email, software, internet connection and more. The Tech Checklist and Help Resources pages can help you find other contacts.

So much can impact your academic success, and we know that financial barriers can be particularly challenging. If you’re experiencing financial difficulty, know that the Basic Needs Center has a textbook lending program, can facilitate access to course materials and needed devices (laptops, calculators) and helps students who are experiencing food and/or housing insecurity. Access for some course materials is also available through the library’s course reserves. If you have any questions, ask a librarian

People as resources

Often, when we think of resources, we focus more on offices or programs than on the people around us. But people are some of the best resources you have. Consider adding some of the following personal connections to your resources toolbox:

  • Study groups are a great way to keep yourself on task, learn content and receive and provide support. Find strategies for effective study groups and team work on the ASC website.
  • Advisors are here to support your academic journey. Connect regularly with your advisor so you can share what’s working or what isn’t, ask questions and get help planning for goals and opportunities.
  • Instructors are some of the greatest resources you’ll find at OSU. They can help with content, share about their field and point you toward research opportunities or internships. Use office hours, email, and class time to get to know them. If you have a class teaching assistant (TA), make sure to ask them questions, talk through concepts together and ask about strategies for success in your course.
  • Librarians are incredibly knowledgeable. If you’re stuck in a research process and not sure what else you should try, email, chat or make an appointment with a librarian.
  • Academic learning assistants (ALAs) live in the residence halls and deliver academic programming to residents. They hold office hours and provide academic coaching appointments. If you’re living in a residence hall, go introduce yourself!

Population-specific support

There are several offices and units at OSU that provide in-depth resources and support to students. Here are a few you should know about:

  • The Educational Opportunities Program (EOP) supports students from underrepresented backgrounds to thrive and succeed at OSU. Students work with EOP counselors throughout their time at OSU, participate in supportive coursework and can apply to live in an EOP Living Learning Community.
  • TRIO SSS supports students who are first-generation, low income and/or experience a physical or learning disability. Incoming students take part in a summer bridge program, receive academic and personal counseling and complete an academic skills assessment.
  • Academics for Student Athletes supports the academic success of student athletes by providing academic counseling and learning services specifically for student athletes.
  • Disability Access Services works to ensure that students at OSU who experience a disability receive services, accommodations and access to support them on their academic path. Check out the “New to DAS” tab on their site to get started, and review their list of accessibility resources and strategies for students navigating remote learning.

Additional Resources for your Academic Support