The winter quarter can be challenging: Not only are the days short and the temperatures cold, but fall-quarter grades are sometimes not what students were hoping for, and it’s easy to feel discouraged. While all Northwestern students are academically talented, the rigors of Northwestern coursework brings new challenges, and everybody needs help at some point. Faculty and TA office hours are a critical source for help in a course, but for undergrads looking for an additional option, they can access the Academic Support and Learning Advancement (ASLA) resources that will give them the boost they need to meet their goals.
ASLA offers a range of programs and services to help students stay on track:
- Drop-In Peer Tutoring meets evenings and Sunday afternoons, supporting more than 30 STEM and social science classes.
- Peer-Guided Study Groups provide a more sustained and community-oriented group experience; students meet with 4-6 classmates each week to collaboratively review concepts, clarify points of confusion, and prepare for tests and other assessments.
- The Undergraduate Program for Advancing Learning offers a small community that meets together weekly to learn the most effective study strategies and support one another in reaching their academic goals.
- Peer Academic Coaching matches students with trained peers who offer an ear and provide ideas and guidance around developing one’s study and learning strategies.
- The Navigating Northwestern Academics series brings students and faculty together to talk – in a fun, comfortable environment – about common academic challenges and how to navigate through them.
Staff consultations are also available for students who aren’t sure where to get started.
Students who participate in these programs often find that they do better in classes, gain confidence, and learn more effective study strategies. In participants’ own words:
- “The drop-in tutors were incredibly friendly and supportive.”
- “My peer coach helped me think of better ways to study and ensure that I understand material so that I was able to be less worried.”
- “The study group helped me solidify my understanding of the material and conceptually understand problems rather than just knowing equations. Super helpful!”
Also see ASLA’s “Advice from Undergrads” videos: students speaking from their own perspectives on working through academic challenges, continuously improving their study strategies, and learning how to most effectively seek the help they need.
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