Resources

Tutoring Options Around Campus

In addition to The Study's 1:1 Peer Tutoring and Group Workshops, various departments across campus hold drop-in tutoring as noted below.

Department	Day(s) of the Week	Location	Time
Accounting	Tue/Wed	KH 006	5-9PM
Computer Science	Sunday	DS121	2-4PM
Computer Science	Monday	DS121	5-7PM
Compuer Science	Tuesday	DS121	5-7PM
Compuer Science	Thursday	DS121	6-8PM
Math/Statistics	Tues, Wed, Thurs	KH303	6-8PM
Physics	Mon, Wed, Thurs	KH217	5-7PM
Physics	Tuesday	KH217	6-8PM

Newsletter Articles

Spring Study Suggestions ~
by: Justine F. Khadduri, PhD (Director of Learning Support)

As the spring semester concludes, students will embark on the one last feat as they complete their coursework: the final exam. The Study offers many resources to support students as they journey to the end of the 2024-2025 academic year. Content-based tutors and Academic and Organizational Consultants are available for appointments through May 7^th. Please, encourage your student to access our online scheduling management system, WC Online, to schedule an appointment.

Here are a few thoughts to keep in mind for exam season:

• Create a Plan: Research consistently reports that mass cramming does work as an effective means of learning material, particularly if students will be required to apply learned material on an assessment. It is essential that students create a study plan, spaced out (chunked) over time, to improve fluency, decrease stress, enhance sleep, and provide an overall optimal learning experience (Kornell & Bjork, 2008). The Study’s website includes modules focused on creating Study Plans; students can also meet with and Academic and Organizational Consultant to construct a plan.
• Test Yourself: One of the most effective strategies for assessing preparedness is through self-tests. Many times, professors will provide students sample problems, questions, study guides, or past exams. Use those resources, along with class notes, previous assessments, course materials, to create a practice exam that covers all potential topics that could be on the final. Complete the practice test each day leaning up to the final. For every problem answered incorrectly, create a study guide and review (multiple times).
• Sleep: A good night’s rest should not be optional! Baylor University psychologists highlighted that “good sleep quality is important to cognition, physical health, mental well-being, and creativity – factors critical to academic and professional success” (King, 2017). One study concluded that students who acquire eight or more hours of sleep prior to exams could see a five-to-seven-point increase on their assessment (Scullen, 2019). As much as possible, we have been encouraging students to keep a regular sleep schedule that allows for (at least) eight hours of sleep.

Gallagher, K. (2022). Using “make & take quizzes” to improve exam performance and engage students in effective study strategies. Teaching of Psychology, 49(2), 124-129. https://doi.org/10.1177/0098628320957991

King, E., Daunis, M., Tami, D., Scullin, M. (2017). Sleep in studio based courses: Outcomes for creativity task performance. Journal of Interior Design, 42(4), 5-27. https://doi.org/10.1111/joid.12104

Kornell, B., and Bjork, N. (2008). Learning concepts and categories. Psychological Science 19(6), 585-592. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9280.2008.02127

Scullin, M. (2019). The eight hour sleep challenge during final exams week. Teaching of Psychology, 46(1), 55-63. https://doi.org/10.1177/0098628318816142

The Study ~ Spring 2025
by: Justine F. Khadduri, PhD (Director of Learning Support)

The start of the new semester is the perfect time to create an action plan for success this spring!  We hope that part of your plan will be using the resources in The Study. All our offerings aim to enhance the learning experience, provide a community to engage with academic materials as a team, and provide a safe space to get help when academic challenges arise. Some of our services include the following:  

• 1:1 Peer Tutoring (Content/Course Based)
• Academic Coaching (Note-Taking Strategies, Test-Taking Preparation, Analytical Reasoning Practice, and Reading Comprehension Support)
• Organizational Coaching (Time Management, Prioritization, Accountability, and Executive Functioning)

As you embark on your Academic Journey Spring 2025, consider the following:

1. New Schedule, New Routine: A new semester means a new schedule. Outside of class, how will you spend your time? Remember, for each hour in class, students should plan to spend three hours on their own reviewing and studying course materials. For example, for a course that meets three times a week for fifty minutes (therefore 150 minutes per week), students should allocate about six to eight hours outside of class to engage with the material.
2. WC Online (Online Scheduling Platform for Tutoring and Coaching): Make sure you are registered with WC Online; this platform can be accessed using the student’s Loyola credentials.
3. Skills: Go to our Coaching Program section of the website and review our online modules. Topics include concentration and memory, note-taking, study strategies, time management, procrastination, and critical thinking. You can also schedule a time to meet with a Coach to review these skills and set up your new routine!

 

The Study’s Sense of Smart Strategies, September 30, 2024
by: Justine F. Khadduri, PhD (Director of Learning Support)

The Study has been tremendously busy as we started the Fall 2024 Semester. We have been delighted to welcome new and returning students as they access the Study for tutoring, coaching, and a space on campus to work.

Throughout September, I have been joining Messina Enrichment Classes to share about one of my most favorite topics: the brain. It is simply remarkable how the brain processes stimuli in order to ignite learning. Though there is much still to be studied, it is incredible how much we know regarding strategies to optimize the creation of long-term memory/knowledge toward fluency, to establish an environment conducive to learning, to assess the ways in which different types of stimuli can impact the ability to learn, and to consider the unique nuances of individual brain processes.  We have curated a series of modules based on brain research focusing on time management, critical thinking, reading comprehension, study strategies, and concentration. We hope students will access these materials, and we hope students will consider meeting with a tutor or coach to go through the materials and directly apply these strategies to their current work.   

Students can access these modules as well as sign up for an appointment with a coach or tutor through the The Study’s website. We strongly encourage all students to register with our online scheduling management system, WC Online. Students should use their Loyola username and password.

The Savvy Students in The Study, Summer 2024
by: Justine F. Khadduri, PhD (Director of Learning Support)

Loyola’s savvy students know that accessing resources on campus will enhance their learning experience, provide a community to engage with academic materials as a team, and provide a safe space to get help when academic challenges arise. The Study, located on the third floor of Jenkins Hall, houses free resources available to all graduate and undergraduate students. Some of our services include the following:

• 1:1 Peer Tutoring (Content/Course Based)
• Academic Coaching (Note-Taking Strategies, Test-Taking Preparation, Analytical Reasoning Practice, and Reading Comprehension Support)
• Organizational Coaching (Time Management, Prioritization, Accountability, and Executive Functioning)

As your student begins the fall semester, I recommend the following:

1. Pre-Plan a Plan: Ask your student how they plan to organize their materials, assignments, deliverables, calendar, and syllabi this fall. Will your student go digital? Paper planner? Undecided? Though research ultimately concludes that student preference is best, Julie Morgenstern (Organizational Consultant and New York Times Bestselling Author) is a firm advocate for the reliable pen and paper approach as noted in her research.
2. Study Time: Now that fall schedules are almost set, discuss with your student how they plan to utilize their free time. I always remind students that there are a multitude of activities, groups, and organizations to join. I also remind students that for each hour they are in class, they should plan to spend three hours on their own reviewing and studying course materials. For example, for a course that meets three times a week for fifty minutes (therefore 150 minutes per week), students should allocate about six to eight hours outside of class to engage with the material.
3. WC Online (Online Scheduling Platform for Tutoring and Coaching): Have your student go to WC Online and set up their profile. Students will be prompted to login using their Loyola credentials.