Beginning an academic journey is exciting and, at times, nerve-wracking. Whether you are an undergraduate just beginning your college education; or a graduate student pursuing an advanced degree, learn how to make the most of the campus resources and services available to students.
The Power of Campus Resources
According to the Varying Degrees survey from New America, 85% of American adults surveyed think support is necessary for students to achieve success. This may come in the form of campus resources, such as support related to academics, career planning, mental health, physical wellness, and more.
Why Are Support Services Essential for College Success?
Campus resources and student services aim to help students create an optimal environment — physical, mental, emotional, and social — for learning. Predictors of success in academics extend beyond intelligence. While how readily you comprehend and remember new concepts certainly influences academic performance, the entire atmosphere that surrounds a student’s academic career also has an impact. Your study environment, friends, and family available to support you, stress levels, physical health, and mental health all impact your education.
Typical Challenges New Students Face
Taking on any new endeavor may be overwhelming. New students face a variety of obstacles in the transition to a new school and a higher level of education. Challenges might include:
- Academic adjustments
- Emotional difficulties
- Financial pressure
- Increased academic workload
- Information overload
- Social changes
- Time management
No matter how many of these individual challenges a student faces at once, they may experience feelings of anxiety and depression as a result. These negative emotions may detract from their academic experience and limit their success. Seeking support through campus resources helps students adjust to university life and balance their workload for a positive experience and better academic results.
What Is Academic Support?
At a university, academic support refers to the various academic support services and resources made available to students. Academic support resources provide support to help students achieve success in their educational endeavors by helping them overcome the academic challenges they face.
So, what are the different types of academic support services? Academic support may include:
- Advising
- Tutoring
- Mentoring
- Learning centers
- Workshops
- Labs
- Access to specialized programs for students with disabilities or learning differences
Who Benefits From Academic Support?
All students, at all levels, who want to work to improve their grades, strengthen their study habits, and enhance their organizational and time management skills could benefit from academic support. Additionally, students with specific needs or learning differences could benefit from specialized support programs.
Core Academic Support Services on Campus
Most universities offer several academic support services designed to help students succeed in coursework, improve study skills, and transition to college-level academics. For example, at Post University, the Center for Academic Success offers students a wealth of resources designed to support their academic success.
Tutoring Centers Across Disciplines
The Center for Academic Success includes a tutoring center that provides additional support and instruction across disciplines, including help with courses in mathematics, statistics, algebra, accounting, finance, science, biology, sociology, English, and writing. Through the Center for Academic Success, one-on-one tutoring is available both in person and online at no additional cost to students.
Supplemental Instruction Groups
Students may be able to connect with peer-assisted learning groups for the opportunity to study in a group setting that supports their learning while also expanding their social circle.
Writing and Language Labs
Across many industries, communication through writing is an essential skill in today’s employment landscape. Universities often offer a writing center to provide students with writing coaching and assistance — helping you complete clean, well-written assignments while learning how to become a better writer.
Academic Advising and Mentoring
Navigating the process of enrolling in a university, registering for classes, and ensuring you are meeting all your graduation requirements is an important aspect. For example, at Post University, every student has a dedicated academic advisor who is committed to helping them navigate the university system while utilizing available academic resources.
Advisor Appointments — Planning Your Academic Journey
Advisors offer guidance for setting and achieving goals as well as tools for success in and out of the classroom. They help you plan your entire academic path from your first to last semester to ensure you are on schedule to fulfill all requirements for graduation.
Upon enrolling to attend the Main Campus at Post University, students are assigned an academic advisor by our Advising Office. We strongly encourage students to take full advantage of appointments with their advisors; they are excellent resources in and of themselves.
Peer Mentoring — Support From Experienced Students
Peer mentors help support new students as they settle into college life while offering guidance with academic skills, social integration, and personal well-being. At Post University, the Center for Academic Success provides a range of student support services, including peer mentoring, tutoring, and access to peer educators and specialists.
Seeking Faculty Mentors
Faculty mentors play a vital role in helping students navigate academic challenges and opportunities throughout college. Beyond academics, mentors often provide encouragement, help students connect classroom learning to real-world applications, and serve as trusted advisors when students face personal or professional decisions. At Post University, our faculty serve as mentors to their students. We encourage students to cultivate strong campus connections by actively participating in class and attending their professors’ office hours.
Specialized Academic Services
Higher education should be accessible and available to everyone. Specialized academic services are designed to ensure all students, including those with disabilities or unique learning needs, have equitable access to education. Many universities also provide individualized support plans, counseling, and advocacy to help students navigate accommodations and succeed academically.
At Post University, we offer the following specialized services and University Pathways Program, which are designed to welcome and accommodate students with disabilities and learning differences:
Disability Accommodations and Student Access Centers
At Post University, we use an interactive process to identify reasonable, individualized accommodations for students with disabilities. We provide students with the opportunity to discuss their needs, working on a case-by-case basis to ensure they are adequately accommodated.
TRIO and Federal Support Programs for Underrepresented Students
At Post University, our Tuition and Financial Aid office is here to provide support and guidance for exploring TRIO programs for underrepresented students.
Emergency Academic Aid and Financial Planning Support
In some circumstances, students might qualify for emergency academic aid or other types of financial planning support through federal programs. For example, at Post University the financial aid representatives can help walk you through the process of applying for aid and exploring all of your financial assistance options.
Leveraging Workshops and Skill-Building
Many colleges and universities offer workshops and skill-building programs as part of their academic support services. These sessions often cover topics like time management, effective study habits, test-taking strategies, research skills, and stress management. Some programs also focus on digital literacy, public speaking, or career readiness skills. They are typically open to all students and designed to help them adapt to college-level expectations, improve academic performance, and build confidence both in and out of the classroom.
Study Skills and Exam Prep Workshops
For many students, university classes require an adjustment compared to those in high school in terms of academic expectations and pace. Attending workshops may help students level up their study skills and learn how to prepare for exams.
Time Management and Note-Taking Sessions
In addition to workshops on note-taking and time management, academic advisors offer advice and guidance for getting organized and making the most of their time and study materials.
Online Resources and Academic Guides
Along with online tutoring through the Center for Academic Success, Post University offers a blog filled with useful articles and a video library designed to support academic success.
Connecting to Holistic Student Services
Academic success extends beyond the classroom. Your health, financial well-being, and available tools all contribute to academic performance. Outside of academics, many colleges and universities offer other support services that range from health services to technology support to support the whole person on their education journey.
Career and Wellness Services
Post University provides students with well-rounded resources that range from mental health counseling and a physical health center to future vision creation through our Center for Career Planning and Professional Development.
Financial Aid Advising and Student Account Services
Financial experts may support students’ academic journey with financial aid advising through student account services. This kind of support provides answers to questions about tuition and educational costs while helping students navigate the process of applying for financial aid and tuition assistance.
Campus Technology Support and Library Resources
Handwritten college coursework and bluebook examinations have become increasingly rare, meaning that tech support in higher education is more important than ever. At Post University, students may access a wide range of technology resources and IT support services in addition to digital library resources available through the Traurig Library and Learning Center.
How to Find and Use These Resources
Here is a quick overview of how to leverage academic resources on campus and online:
Campus Portals, Directories, and Student Success Centers
One of the best places to find and access academic resources is through your university website. Here, students may find campus portals, directories, and contact information for all of the academic resource centers.
First-Year Orientation and Resource Fairs
At Post University, we strongly encourage first-year students to attend orientation and campus resource fairs. These events connect them with a peer mentor, an academic advisor, and campus groups responsible for providing academic support in different forms. Plus, students are introduced to the wealth of resources and services available to them.
Seeking Help Early — Do Not Wait Until Things Go Wrong
Be proactive in your education, as waiting to seek help often only results in the need to work harder to catch up. Instead, at Post University, we recommend finding resources before you even need them, then getting in touch for support as soon as you sense you might be struggling.
We even provide opportunities for students to prepare for class before Post University admission through the Post Academy.
Creating Your Personalized Support Plan
Every student is different, and so is every individual’s academic journey. Crafting a unique support plan that meets your distinct needs provides the best opportunity for success.
Mapping Your Academic Support Journey
Take time to read through the university catalog for your degree program. Browse the required courses, noting any that you think might cause you trouble. Talk with your academic advisor about the steps toward preparing for these classes and the resources that are available to help ensure your success once they begin.
Tracking Usage and Outcomes — Adjusting as Needed
As you progress through your coursework, keep track of the academic support services you have used and record how much they helped you. This can help you adjust your academic support plan and leverage the best resources and services for you in the future.
Encouraging Peers to Share Resources and Form Study Networks
Despite attending classes regularly, students sometimes begin to feel isolated in their educational journeys. Remember, though, that you are attending school and courses with a whole group of like-minded students. Work together to support one another — comparing notes and sharing resources obtained from study groups in order to maximize success and the value you get from your classes.
Your Next Steps: Accessing Student Services at Post University
Once you are enrolled and preparing to begin classes, begin accessing and leveraging the resources available to you.
Quick Checklist to Get Started
- Start by talking with your advisor. During your first advising appointment, ask about the resources they suggest that could help support you in the successful completion of your current course schedule.
- Get a schedule of workshops and resource fair events where you have the chance to learn important skills and explore support services.
- Stop by the Center for Academic Success to schedule an appointment with a tutor.
Building a Habit of Proactive Resource Use
As stated above, do not wait to get help. Be proactive about leveraging the range of academic support services available to you. Even if you think you might be able to get by without assistance, you may be surprised at how much there is to gain from a little one-on-one work with a tutor.
There Is No Need to Go It Alone: Post University Is Here to Support You and Your Success
You are not alone on your path toward higher education. Develop relationships with your classmates, take advantage of your professors’ office hours, and remember to lean on your friends and family for support outside of school. Plus, all of the academic resources and services discussed above are your go-to support systems at Post University.
Thank you for reading! The purpose of this blog is to provide general information to the reader, and as such, this information may not directly relate to programs offered by Post University.
Please note jobs and/or career outcomes highlighted in this blog do not reflect jobs or career outcomes expected from enrolling in or graduating from any Post program.