Student Success Workshops


Student Success Workshops are offered by the Division of Academic Enhancement (DAE) to provide a comfortable environment where students can feel free to ask questions and engage with faculty, academic coaches, mentors, and peers.

Faculty/Staff: If you would like to request a presentation or workshop for a UGA class, student organization, or special event, we are delighted to help.

Students: A limited workshop schedule will be availble for any UGA student to attend during fall and spring semesters.

 

 Academic Success Workshops

Students who attend this one-hour workshop will learn about self-care and develop strategies to prepare for tests and final examsSpecifically, students will learn to: 1) better predict and prepare for difficult test questions, 2) practice problems under test-like conditions, and 3) use the syllabus to get in sync with their professors. 

Learning Objectives:  

At the conclusion of this workshop, students will be able to…

  1. Practice self-care as they study and prepare for tests 
  2. Identify the best time(s) to begin preparing for tests and exams 
  3. Use activelearning strategies (generative, concept mapping, and self-testing)vs. passive learning strategiesin preparation for test and exams 

Summary of Actions:  

  1. Introduce the diverse continuum of when students may begin preparing for tests
  2. Identify students’ best “now” to begin studying 
  3. Discuss the right time and place, resources, and the Study Cycle
  4. Discuss strategies for using syllabi, studying on one’s own, active/generative strategies, self-testing, and final review preparation
  5. Practice planning and managing test preparation efforts in groups using case studies 

 Resources 

  • Brown, P. C., Roediger, H. L., & McDaniel, M. A. (2014). Make it stick: Harvard University Press. 
  • Fiorella, L., & Mayer, R. E. (2015). Learning as a generative activity: eight learning strategies that promote understanding: Cambridge University Press. 
  • Fiorella, L., & Mayer, R. E. (2016). Eight Ways to Promote Generative Learning. Educational Psychology Review(4), 717. doi:10.1007/s10648-015-9348-9 
  • McGuire, S. Y., & McGuire, S. (2018). Teach yourself how to learn strategies you can use to ace any course at any level. 
  • Pauk, W., & Owens, R. J. (2014). How to study in college (11th ed.). Boston: Wadsworth Cengage Learning. 

In this 1-hour workshop, students will learn to make a conscious effort to listen, pay attention, and actively organize information from lectures and readings to solidify your understanding and master the course content. 

Learning Objectives:  

At the conclusion of this workshop, students will be able to… 

  1. Identify note-taking strategies for success. 
  2. Compare and contrast the benefits of five different note-taking strategies. 
  3. Develop personal strategies for improving attention in class. 

 Summary of Actions:  

  1. Discuss students’ current note-taking strategies. 
  2. Introduce the Cornell Method, the Mapping Method, the Outlining Method, the Charting Method,and the Sentence Method. 
  3. Explain different strategies for improving attention in class. 
  4. Out NoteTaking Experiment Activity and Quiz (See two separate handouts): “Take the next 5-7 minutes to read your instructor packet. According to your instructor packet, take notes on the mini-lecture. Then take quiz.” 
  5. Use results of quiz as a means of debriefing about takeaways from this workshops, with emphasis about what students found effective versus ineffective.

Resources:  

In this workshop, you will learn the essentials of good sentence construction, the proper formatting expected per discipline, and strategies for avoiding high frequency errors in college writing.

Students who attend this one-hour workshop will learn about and begin practicing strategies proven to help organize, manage, and prioritize their academic responsibilities while maintaining adequate margin for the many opportunities to enjoy college life at UGA.  

Learning Objectives:  

At the conclusion of this workshop, students will be able to… 

  1. Identify / choose a time management system 
  2. Begin developing a weekly schedule / suitable study routine  
  3. Develop strategies for organizing their class materials, content, communications, and tasks that are urgent and important  

Summary of Actions:  

  1. Pair and share to learn systems being used by their peers
  2. Introduce college semester timing and various views of managing time in college: weekly, daily, and semester long 
  3. Introduce the study cycle as students develop weekly routines 
  4. Discuss urgent vs. important decision-making
  5. Review organizational skills and practices to save time

Resources:  

  • McGuire, S. Y., & McGuire, S. (2018). Teach yourself how to learn strategies you can use to ace any course at any level. Sterling: Stylus Publishing, LLC.
  • Covey, S. R., & Covey, S. (2020). The 7 habits of highly effective people. Simon & Schuster.
  • Pauk, W., & Owens, R. J. (2014). How to study in college (11th ed.). Boston: Wadsworth Cengage Learning. 

This one-hour workshop will help you learn and practice college-level reading and learning strategies to better connect with the content and professor, maintain your focus, and manage the heavy reading load required for success in college. 

Learning Objectives:  

At the conclusion of this workshop, students will be able to 

  1. Identify the content, context, and purpose for each reading before they begin to read.
  2. Discuss the mechanics of reading, reading rates, signal words to look out for, andways to better navigate texts
  3. Define the SQ3R method of reading and explain how it compares to the Study Cycle 

Summary of Actions: 

  1. Introduce reading context and reading rates.  
  2. Discuss the mechanics of reading.   
  3. Practice eye movements, vocalization, and speed reading.  
  4. Conduct “signal words” activity.  
  5. Explain the SQ3R Method and relate it to studying.  

Resources 

In this 1-hour workshop, students will be introduced to the most efficient and effective study strategies for academic success in college, and will learn best practices for reviewing course material for tests. 

Learning Objectives:  

At the conclusion of this workshop, students will be able to… 

  1. Define metacognition
  2. Apply the study cycle to routines and habits 
  3. Identify which metacognitive strategies are most effective for their study habits

Summary of Actions:  

  1. Introduce metacognition. 
  2. Discuss the five components of the Study Cycle. 
  3. Introduce 11 different metacognitive learning strategies and situate them within the Study Cycle. 
  4. Discuss in groups/dyads current study habits and adapt based on material learned in workshop. 
  5. Debrief about takeaways from this workshops, with emphasis about what will be incorporated for next exam. 

Resources:  

 

Communications Workshops

In this workshop, students will learn how to effectively use presentation aids (i.e., Powerpoint, visual aids, interactive activities) when delivering a successful speech or group presentation.

In this interactive workshop, students will learn about effective communication in group project settings. Students will also practice strategies to help them cope with communication breakdown and conflict when working with group project members. 

In this workshop, students will learn more about nonverbal communication within the public speaking space.  Students will be provided nonverbal strategies and skills that promote a successful speech,  presentation, or group project presentation.

  

**For additional online, on-demand content, please visit our Academic Success at Georgia pages. 

For more information about Student Success Workshops, please contact Rachel Pharr at rpharr@uga.edu