One of the first offices students connect with is the Academic Success Center (ASC). This office is staffed with amazing professional Academic Advisors who work closely with new students. Student success is their number one priority and this mission begins by connecting with students at the beginning of the academic and collegiate journey.
New to Woo workshops help students navigate their first semester. These group sessions focus on the skills needed to be a successful college student, along with timely information regarding campus technology, advising/registration, and more!
Topics include: Getting Organized, Self-Advocacy, Time Management, Study Skills, and Getting Involved. For the full list of workshop topics, click the link below.
New to Woo workshops meet on Mondays at 2:00 pm in the Academic Success Center.
Students have already been contacted by their ASC Academic Advisor via email with information about the course registration process for the first semester. Each first-year student is assigned a specific academic advisor to work with through out the first year.
Working with incoming students throughout their first year is something the ASC values and places a lot of attention on. The ASC Academic Advisor provides guidance and information on academic policies and procedures and is available to have conversations with first-year students about major exploration, help connect with Faculty Advisors, and talk about what resources a student needs to be a successful student at Worcester State.
For the first year, students are assigned an ASC Academic Advisor along with a Faculty Advisor. Here is an explanation of how each of these advisors can support first-year students.
Just showing up is half the battle. You can’t pass a class you’re not in. Yeah, we’re starting basic. But it’s the #1 game-changer. Professors drop test hints, assignments shift, and just showing up gets you halfway to passing.
Front-ish or middle. Where the professor sees you but won’t randomly call on you. Chef’s kiss. You don’t have to raise your hand every 5 minutes, but sitting up front = better focus, less phone scrolling, and professors start to recognize you. In a good way.
They literally exist to help you. Go before you’re failing, thank me later.
Faculty office hours aren’t just for when you’re failing. Go early in the semester. Introduce yourself. Ask for help or just chat about class. It builds a connection with faculty that pays off later.
Your brain loves structure. Block out your week like it’s a Netflix schedule.
Use your phone calendar to block out time for:
Then stick to it. Your brain loves routine…even if your social life doesn’t.
Open the doc. Type the title. Walk away. Boom. You’ve started. The rest is easy.
Starting an assignment = winning. Open the doc, write a sentence, make a heading. That tiny start makes it 10x easier to finish later.
Your classmate today is your study buddy tomorrow.
Need notes? Study partner? Someone to text when you miss a class? That’s your go-to person. Plus, it makes classes way less awkward. You will also feel good helping out a fellow classmate when they need you to return the favor.
You’re literally paying for these. Use them. They’re helpful. They’re underrated.
They know the hacks. They can get you out of stuff. Keep them in the loop.
Your ASC Academic Advisor can help with way more than class schedules. They are there to help answer all kinds of college questions like switching majors or academic support if things go south. Stay in touch, even if things are going fine.
Clear the mess. Reset the vibes. Check your grades. Plan your wins.
Sunday night = plan your week, clean your backpack, check grades, prep snacks, and vibe-check your energy. Small reset = big results. Make a to do list of academic and social things you want to accomplish. Add in rewards for accomplishing the list.
You don’t owe everyone your energy. Protect your peace.
Not every gathering, event, or friend group deserves your time. Say no when you need to. Sleep more. Hydrate. Stretch. You can’t pour from an empty cup.
Write down why college matters to you. Not just “get a degree”, but think deeper. Is it to be the first in your family to graduate? Land your dream job? Travel the world?Revisit that reason when you hit a slump.
