"I'm struggling in a class, what should I do?"

When you come to college, you’ll learn that you have everything available to you, but it’s how you use it that counts!  In high school, I never really struggled in many classes, and if I did, I was always able to ask a friend for help.  In college, classes are definitely a lot harder, and some people learn the hard way.  You may have difficulty in some subjects, you may not, but it is important to know what to do if you are not doing as well as you had hoped!

Going to your professor should always be the first thing to do.  Even if you are in a big lecture like Physics 211 or Chem 110, most professors will hold office hours during the week where you can go and ask questions about the lecture and homework, or even discuss your grade and standing in the class. Many people do not take advantage of office hours, but for me, the professors were always very approachable and happy to help.  Make sure to come with questions written down beforehand because it is important to be prepared. Along with professors, most classes have Teaching Assistants (TAs) that run study groups or are available for questions.  These are usually upper level students or graduate students who have already taken the class or are doing research in that subject.  Many departments on campus also offer tutoring or even a resource center where students can go to have questions answered about assignments or exams.  Private tutoring usually costs money, but the resource centers are free to all students!

There are also several places to receive help off campus.  Lion Tutors and PSUKnowHow are both tutoring services that offer group and individual study sessions during the semester and right before exams.  I have gone to Lion Tutors for several exam reviews and found them to be very helpful. Even though they cost money, unlike most help on campus, they are great for having a review of general concepts right before a big exam!

In the end, no one is going to tell you that you need help, and knowing where and when to get help is half the battle.  There are so many resources available to students and as long as you take advantage of them, there is nothing stopping you from succeeding during your freshman year!

Nicole Lockwood is a sophomore in Industrial Engineering, and she is a Rover for WEPO '14!