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Academic Success Academy

Join the Student Success Hub for our ongoing workshop series to build on your academic strengths and goals: the Academic Success Academy. Check out the schedule below!

On-Demand Videos

Canvas Overview and Walk-Through

Professional and Effective Communication

Study Strategies and Self-Regulated Learning

Workshop Schedule - Spring 2024

All events will be in the Student Success Hub, 217 Langley Hall, unless otherwise noted. Trigger a reminder email from the University Events calendar by clicking the "I'm Interested" button for each session.

Honors College
Tuesday, January 23    
2 p.m. – 3 p.m.

A staff member from the David C. Frederick Honors College will present on admissions and academic requirements of the Honors College and their programs.

Financial Wellness
Tuesday, February 6
2 p.m. – 3 p.m.

A staff member from the Office of Financial Wellness will join us to share tips for financial wellness in college.

Studying When You’re S.A.D
Monday, February 12    
3 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Presented in collaboration with the University Counseling Center (UCC) as part of the Academic Performance & Resiliency Workshop Series. This workshop will focus on identifying Seasonal Affective Disorder and strategies to cope.

Understanding and Overcoming Procrastination
Tuesday, March 5    
2 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Presented in collaboration with the University Counseling Center (UCC) as part of the Academic Performance & Resiliency Workshop Series. For many students, motivation can ebb and flow throughout the semester and this may lead to procrastination. Join the UCC for this interactive workshop to better understand how procrastination impacts you and how to overcome it.

FAFSA Workshop
Tuesday, March 19
2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

With the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) changing for the 2024-2025 school year; The Financial Wellness Office will hold a workshop to go over and answer questions about the 2024-2025 FAFSA.

Tough Convo Toolkit
Monday, April 1     
3 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Presented in collaboration with the University Counseling Center (UCC) as part of the Academic Performance & Resiliency Workshop Series. Join the UCC to learn skills to prepare and facilitate difficult conversations, such as saying no to a friend, asking a professor for support, and advocating for yourself in various situations.

What Is Research?
Tuesday, April 9    
2 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Pitt is a research university—but what does that really mean? Who does research, and why? What does research even look like? Do all majors do research? This workshop, presented by Dr. Carl Sell of the TRIO McNair Scholars Program, will seek to begin answering those questions for you, as well as give some tips on some best practices for beginning your own research.

Recent Workshops

Fall 2023 Workshops

Sessions are conducted by Student Success Hub or, where indicated, the University Counseling Center (UCC).

Understanding Your Syllabus
This workshop is intended to assist students in understanding what a syllabus is, why it is important, and how to use their syllabi to organize their schedules.

Note Taking
This workshop is intended to assist students with developing note taking skills.

Time Management in College
This workshop is intended to assist students in proactively managing their time so they can enjoy all that college has to offer.

Academic Communication
This workshop is intended to assist students in developing professional communication skills that are helpful for interactions with their peers, faculty, and university staff.

Study Skills & Test-Taking Strategies
This workshop is intended to assist students in developing study skills and test taking strategies to improve academic performance.

Managing Stress
This workshop is presented in collaboration with the UCC as part of the Academic Performance & Resiliency Workshop Series. It will focus on stress management techniques.

Procrastination
This workshop is presented in collaboration with the UCC as part of the Academic Performance & Resiliency Workshop Series. It will focus on preventing and overcoming procrastination.

Preparing for Advising
This workshop is intended to assist students in preparing for their academic advising appointment.

Imposter Syndrome
This workshop is presented in collaboration with the UCC as part of the Academic Performance & Resiliency Workshop Series. It will focus on defining and overcoming Imposter Syndrome.

Returning Home
This workshop is presented in collaboration with the UCC as part of the Academic Performance & Resiliency Workshop Series. It will focus on the experience of returning home after the many changes you might have undergone while at school.

Spring 2023 Workshops

Navigating Canvas 

Canvas is the educational platform that most professors will use to guide their classes here at Pitt. This workshop is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the ins and outs of how to navigate Canvas and to give student opportunities to ask questions. 

Presented by: Jennifer Cooper, Instructional Designer for Academic Initiatives, Office of the Provost, University of Pittsburgh 
 
Understanding Your Syllabus 

A syllabus is document professors use to guide their courses. A syllabus is a contract that will explain why the course is taught, a timeline of topics/assignments, and how a student can be successful in the course. The workshop is designed to help students understand a syllabus so they can feel more confident on staying on top of their course requirements and obligations. 

Presented by: Brian Williams, Assistant Director of the Kessler Provost Scholars, Office of the Provost, University of Pittsburgh 

Student Loan Repayment Session 

The Student Loan Payment pause is nearing its end and borrowers will soon have to resume student loan repayments. Financial Wellness Center is providing this workshop to keep you up to date on what to expect and how to reapply for the 2023-2024 FASFA. You will also learn tips and tricks to pay off loans early. This workshop is designed for all students that may be considering or are currently loans to pay for school.

Presented by: Office of Admission and Financial Aid - Financial Wellness Center

How to Succeed in School and Life

We all aspire to do more, to be more, to contribute more. And yet, many of us consistently fall short of our desired goals and allow our performance to be dampened by external demands or reduced motivational forces. To perform at a higher level of performance, we must first identify those barriers, and then begin the intentional process of fostering more adaptive mindsets that allow us to succeed. In training, you will learn about insights from social psychology that can help give you the competitive edge you seek.

Presented by: Dr. Omid Fotuhi, Director of Learning & Motivation at WGU Labs and Research Associate at University of Pittsburgh

Student Toolbox of Academic Technology

The Student Toolbox is a suite of academic technology that is available to all Pitt students and aims to improve student success, engagement, and belonging. Join us to learn more about how you can use the Student Toolbox and how it can benefit your journey here at Pitt!

Presented by: Jen Marco, Academic Technology Analyst, Office of the Provost & Pitt IT, University of Pittsburgh

Time Management

With finals only a few weeks away you may have numerous tests, papers, projects, presentations, etc. and seemingly not enough time to complete them all. This Time Management workshop was designed with you in mind. You will learn various tools and time organizational strategies that will help you relieve the stress of the time crunch as well as how to utilize your time more effectively.

Presented by: Brian Williams, Assistant Director of the Kessler Provost Scholars, Office of the Provost, University of Pittsburgh

Academic Self Care for Test Anxiety
April 12
3 p.m.–4 p.m.
Langley 217

Especially in preparation for finals, students may feel an increased level of stress, leading to feelings of overwhelmed and burnout. In this workshop, you will learn reflective practices and strategies to incorporate into any course to increase opportunity for academic success. Students will be able to identify and apply techniques to manage stress and anxiety associated with tests. You will also learn how to improve your study skills and motivation.

Presented by: Brian Williams, Assistant Director of the Kessler Provost Scholars, Office of the Provost, University of Pittsburgh

 

Questions?

Email us at studentsuccess@pitt.edu.

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