Can you believe it? We are now in the seventh week of the semester! The transition to college can sometimes be challenging. Our goal at Tutoring & Academic Support (TAS) is to provide academic support to help your student achieve their goals at Georgia Tech. Explore the programs below to find the support you need.
It is officially feedback time – Midterm Progress Reports. If students are enrolled in 1000- and 2000-level courses, grades are now available to help assess their progress. The information is timed so that there is still time left in the semester to make adjustments if needed. These grades are meant to advise the student and his or her academic advisor, but they do not contribute to a student's GPA or show up on a transcript. Progress report options are S (Satisfactory) or U (Unsatisfactory, performance level of D or lower) and should be based on the completion of at least one graded assignment.
Do something with this information. Students who discover that they are off-track or would like to do better are encouraged to contact Tutoring & Academic Support (tutoring.gatech.edu) to find out what they can do to improve their performance. Connecting with a tutor or academic coach, visiting a professor or TA during office hours, or participating in a workshop or study group can help.
All our services are free to students. In academic coaching, students meet with one of three trained learning specialists for 1-on-1 strategizing about student skills and challenges. This personalized approach to academic success allows students to take further control of their education and align their habits with those goals. Our workshops cover a similar range of topics in an interactive group setting, creating the opportunity for reflection, dialogue, and actionable steps. Let your student know that help is available!
Appointments may be scheduled online at https://traccloud.go-redrock.com/gatech or, the student can come into our office and make an appointment there. Our office is in the Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons, Suite 283.
Want additional resources to help your student? Keep reading below for helpful questions to ask your student about their academic success.
Parents often have questions about how to support student success. The hope is that you can have open conversations with your student about their successes and struggles, and find out how they would like you to support them. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) prevents Georgia Tech from releasing your student's information to anyone without their written consent. For your student to develop independence and self-sufficiency, they must take the initiative to seek the resources and support they need individually throughout their undergraduate studies.
For your convenience we have developed some questions that parents or guardians can consider as they engage in conversation with students:
What are your academic goals for the semester? Goal setting is important because it gives students purpose, direction, and motivation. What grade does your student expect at the end of the semester? Is that a realistic grade based on their previous performance and/or talent in their major? Setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely) goals is a skill that students can translate into many areas of life.
How do you effectively manage your time? Time management and goal setting go hand-in-hand. A time management tool can assist students to stay on track and achieve their goals. Some of the best time management tools can be found on the devices that students utilize every day. Whether it is a weekly schedule in a diary, google calendar, or cell phone, encourage students to take advantage of technology to help with time management.
Are you attending class? This may seem like an obvious question, but students sometimes need to be reminded about the importance of attending class. There is information shared in the lecture that is pertinent to academic success in the course. Instructors will communicate information on due dates and the syllabus as well as significant information on subject matter that could be on a future test or quiz.
Do you have a place to study? Having a consistent place to study as one prepares for quizzes, tests, and finals are important. A study location should be a place where a student can focus, plan, and concentrate with limited distractions. There are many study locations on the Georgia Tech campus including Clough 273 at the Center for Academic Success.
Have you visited your professors or TAs during office hours? Students should take advantage of office hours to connect with their professors. Office hours are held specifically for students to visit and ask questions. Students attend office hours to seek help on an assignment, ask for clarification on a topic they learned in a lecture, or to inquire about their major. Professors have their hours listed on their course syllabus, and students can drop in during that time or contact the professor to make an individual appointment.
Have you utilized the services offered by Tutoring and Academic Support (TAS)? TAS offers various services to help students achieve their academic goals. We offer free tutoring services, academic coaching, and success workshops on various topics catered to academic success.
How do you manage academic stress and anxiety? Stress and anxiety in a rigorous academic environment can affect a student when it's not dealt with properly. Ask your student to identify the early warning signs of stress and anxiety. They must have a healthy outlet for relieving stress whether it's an effective time management plan, regular exercise, relaxation techniques, or journaling.
How do you keep up with your graduation plan? Encourage your student to develop a relationship with his or her academic advisors. Academic advising is one of the most important services that college campuses offer. Your student is in college not only to earn a degree, but to become an educated person, a lifelong learner, and a contributing member of the workforce.