Learning Commons

2078 Cedar Hall

Monday through Thursday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

May 21 to Aug. 12

1132 Linn Hall

Monday and Tuesday: Noon to 3 p.m.

May 21 to July 18

2071 Cedar Hall

Monday through Thursday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

May 21 to Aug. 12

3106 Linn Hall

Wednesday: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

May 28 to Aug. 6

The Learning Commons partners with the Writing Center, where students can access assistance for Composition, Literature, or any course that requires writing.

Need additional assistance? Stop by the Allsop Computer Lab in Nielsen Hall or call 319-398-5606. The computer lab assistants are available for all of your computer questions and needs. Explore lab services and devices.

Other campus computer resources include the Computer Skills Lab in Cedar Hall or the Kirkwood library.

• Read your syllabus and course schedule. This will help you schedule your tutoring appointments to properly prepare for tests and quizzes without cramming.
• Start your homework. This will help identify problem areas to focus on during your appointment.
• Do your best to understand as much of the material as possible.

• Textbook
• Course materials (syllabus, course schedule, etc.)
• Previous homework assignments, quizzes and tests
• Notes, study guides, flash cards and other study tools
• Homework, similar problems or challenging problems
• Specific questions

• Understand that you may have to wait for the them to get to you; please be patient.
• Understand that they may need to review your textbook, class notes, and/or previous problems to fully answer your question.
• Understand that if there are other students waiting, they may not be able to work with you for more than five minutes at a time. Please have your materials and questions ready.
• Participate and ask questions! This is YOUR appointment, so be sure to be involved.
• Do not feel embarrassed if you need to have something repeated or need your assistant to slow down.
• Your learning assistant will not do your homework for you, and will not correct your completed homework. There is no other way for you to learn the material than for you to do the work yourself.

• Attend all classes and actively participate! Ask questions and take notes. This may answer your questions immediately. Know and understand instructor's expectations and guidelines.
• Form study groups with other students from class to review homework and prepare for tests. The whole group is welcome to stop in for walk-in tutoring!
• Your classroom instructor is your best resource! Be sure to ask them your questions as soon as you have them; either in-class, during their office hours, or other methods listed in the course syllabus. Nobody knows the course better than the instructor!

Students often deal with stress in a campus setting when it deals with grades and testing situations. Test anxiety is nothing more than your nerves and the possibility of failure getting the best of you. You tell yourself that you do not have the skill set necessary to carry out the task, therefore you anticipate failure.

Here are several things you can do to avoid stress and anxiety related to your education.

Take Care of Yourself

Your ability to succeed in the classroom is dependent on how you treat your body. Schedule time in your day to eat properly, have a regular exercise routine, and get sufficient sleep. These three basics will prepare you to cope with whatever the day throws your way.

Don't Make a Mountain Out of a Mole Hill

Evaluate the situation. Is it really as bad as it seems? Imagine yourself in the best and worst case scenario. When you mentally process both possible outcomes you have taken away the fear of the unknown. Your nerves and anxiety has no where to go and you can be calmer about what steps will be necessary to do your best.

Be Prepared

If you are taking an exam, make sure you have studied the materials, including your text, supplemental material, and lecture notes. If the test is over a technique you need to explain to an instructor, make sure you have gone over the technique several times before you make your presentation. Being prepared is the best way to zap the anxiety bug.

Breathe

During your exam take some deep breaths. Deep breathing causes your nervous system to calm down.

Power of Positive Thinking

Before you go into your exam, silently repeat a positive self statement. It may be something as simple as, "I think I can... I think I can." Or, think about a happy time in your life. Studies have shown that positive thoughts prior to exams produce better grades. Don't let yourself get down. Be confident! Be positive!

Decompress

After you have made it through a stressful situation, allow yourself time to enjoy life. Invite your friends over to watch a funny movie, have a cup of coffee with your mentor. Devoted friends will be excited to hear how you overcame a rough situation.

Exercise with a buddy. The endorphins that are released during exercise will make you feel happy, refreshed, and ready to take another test next week!

Like numerous Kirkwood students, you may need assistance in developing study skills and other strategies to achieve success in your coursework. Information on ways to enhance your abilities in taking notes, test taking, time and stress management, and reading textbooks are available.

Being successful in college takes more than attending class. When you are new to college, sometimes there are learning curves to being successful in your classes.

Find out more about:

• Citations and sources
• Forming a study group
• Managing your time
• Motivation
• Problem-solving
• Textbook reading tips
• Tips for exams

Sometimes lectures in classes frustrate students. Sometimes lecturers go much faster than some students can follow.

There are many strategies that can help students cope with these frustrations, but one can be significantly helpful: a study group. It has been proven that studying in groups helps many students. As students work in groups, they feel free to ask questions about concepts and topics that are hard to understand.

Strategies for Study Groups

• Since it is hard to handle a large group of students, keep the group small for discussions.
• Find partners you are comfortable with.
• Decide on the place to meet. It should be in a place most accessible to everyone in the group.
• Decide on the time that works best for the group members.
• Choose a group leader.
• Groups should meet on weekly basis. When meetings are held less often, attendance tends to drop off. These meetings should not, when possible, have any conflicts with other activities.
• Start and end the meetings on time.
• Make a list of questions with which you may want some help. The group is a place where you can clarify your knowledge regarding your concerns. Clarification of instructional information and content is often much easier with many heads put together.

Study Groups cannot take the place of individual study and thought, but they are an extremely beneficial study skill for many students. Each student learns from other group members and the social interaction allows members to gain confidence and a sense of mutual support.