Overwhelmed by finals? College Info Geek has gathered resources that may be helpful as you prepare for the end of the semester. The Ultimate Guide for Studying for Final Exams includes links with useful tips and tricks on everything from breaking through a lack of motivation for studying to maintaining focus and concentration to test-taking strategies for the day of the exam. Check it out and good luck!
Category: Other
Universal Design for Learning
Hope’s Digital Teaching and Learning blog has dedicated posts this month to universal design for learning (UDL). Take some time to click on the links and read about how UDL may be helpful during the development your courses.
Center for Applied Special Technology,
Harvard University (CAST)
Study Strategies Workshop
“How To” at the Academic Success Center
All Academic Success Center (ASC) services are free of charge.
Request tutoring in a 100 or 200 level course:
- NEW THIS SEMESTER: Come to a required 30 minute information session before applying! After you attend a session, you can apply for a tutor online without an additional appointment. All information sessions will be held in VanZoeren 240:
- Thursday, January 11 at 11:00 a.m.
- Friday, January 12 at 4:00 p.m.
- Monday, January 15 at 4:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, January 16 at 11:00 a.m.
- Thursday, January 18 at 5:00 p.m.
- Friday, January 19 at 3:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, January 23 at 11:00 a.m.
- Thursday, January 25 at 4:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, January 30 at 11:00 a.m.
- Thursday, February 2 at 4:30 p.m.
- OR, complete an application for tutoring, available on the ASC website or in 261 Van Zoeren, and turn it into the ASC with a printed copy of your schedule. Applications are being accepted starting Wednesday, January 17.
- If you did not attend an information session, you will need to meet with an ASC intern for your tutor match. You can schedule this follow-up appointment at least two days after you turn in the completed application.
- Contact and meet with your tutor, decide on a schedule for tutoring, and complete the Tutor/Tutee Agreement form, which you will return to the ASC.
Request accommodations needed for a disability:
- Complete a Request for Accommodations form.
- Meet with staff to discuss your accommodation request.
- Provide requested documentation that supports your request.
Request peer academic coaching:
- Complete an application for academic coaching, available on the ASC website or at the ASC, Van Zoeren 261, and turn it in at the ASC with a printed copy of your schedule.
- Schedule and attend an appointment with the coordinator for your coaching pair-up.
- Contact your coach to get started.
Request study-strategies assistance:
- Call 616-395-7830 or stop in at the ASC, VanZoeren 261, to make an appointment.
- Meet with staff to discuss your needs.
NEW and Exciting
We have a new team member working for Disability Services! Megan Herzog stepped into the recently created position of Services Assistant this past November. The majority of Megan’s work is behind the scenes (Literally. Her work station is around the corner from the front desk of the ASC.) and involves lots and lots of sticky notes. She manages all of our exam accommodations and works closely with student proctors. This means she creates our testing schedules, communicates with professors and students, and organizes other aspects of accommodations. On a big exam day, you will find Megan running back and forth from her desk to the printer as she makes hard copies of tests. You might also bump into her around campus as she delivers completed exams.
Megan graduated from Hope College in 2013 and is married to Leo Herzog, the resident Google expert in CIT. She spends most of her free time being as active as possible! Megan enjoys hiking/snowshoeing, ice hockey, and taking her two west highland terriers on walks. If you are ever near the ASC, please stop by and say hi! She would love to meet you.
Student Success Lunch and Learn Series: Students with Disabilities
Jeanne Lindell and Carrie Dattels from Disability Services facilitated a discussion on equal access for students with disabilities for faculty and staff. You can read about the information that was discussed at the HHMI Discussion Group blog.
Student Success Lunch and Learn 3: Equal Access for Students with Disabilities.
Americans with Disabilities Act – Fast Facts for Faculty
I have procrastinated writing this post about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) , not because the information does not need to be shared, but because there is already great information available. Therefore, I have decided not to duplicate:
- What is the ADA? The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. You can find general information at the ADA National Network.
- What does the ADA mean for Hope? Title III of the ADA covers private institutions and ensures equal access to post-secondary education. This includes all aspects of college, including academics, programs, services, housing, and student life.
- What should we know about the rights, responsibilities, and roles of institutions and students? The ADA Coordinator’s office at Ohio State University has a lot of great information about the ADA and the accommodation process for faculty as well as students. If you click on the link above to browse, also check out the Rights and Responsibilities.
- You may not already know that faculty have the right to request verification that a student needs an accommodation for a disability. This verification can only be done through the Disability Services office, and students can register by completing a Request for Accommodations form.
- The American Psychological Association has developed Toolkits of valuable information for both students with disabilities and faculty. While the information is geared toward those in the social sciences, Toolkit II and Toolkit III provide information relevant to all disciplines.