Student Success Resources

This page lists resources to help students get the most of their time as a college student: whether it's guidance on selecting classes to balance CORE and major requirements; getting information on how to be a better student (improving note-taking, test-taking, writing skills); or students looking to take advantage of some of the unique college experiences, such as an alternative break trip or undergraduate research. 

Within Loyola

ACE Advising	1-on-1 Academic Advising, Master’s Mentor, or ACE Coach: meetings available with ACE staff.  To request Academic Advising, use WCOnline and select "ACE Advising Appointment Calendar: in the dropdown menu.
Academic Advising and Support Services	Lots of information about stress busters, study strategies, time management, test taking, reading, and note-taking.
Immersions	Alternative Break Immersions are short trips over Winter, Spring, or early in the Summer break periods where students can serve and be immersed in communities locally and abroad to better understand the social justice mission of Loyola
Biology and Chemistry Study Tips	A collection of tips compiled by a LUC student (Class of 2015) who worked as an ACE tutor.
CAS: College of Arts and Sciences	Information about major and minor degree requirements for the degrees through this college at Loyola
Career Development Center	Starting your first day as a Loyola student, helps students and alumni find internships and jobs, determine what career path interests you, career fairs, and resume assistance, among other services.  Lots of resources to explore, including job guides and sample resumes.
Understanding CORE Requirements	What the CORE requirements are, and which specific knowledge areas are waived depending on your specific major.  Lots of information to explore to understand what it takes to fulfill your graduation requirements.
Tutoring Center	The Tutoring Center offers group tutoring, supplemental instruction, academic skills workshops, and teaches Univ 112-Strategies for Learning, a one-credit course where students assess their academic skills and become strong, effective learners in college.  The center provides a space where learning dialogue can take place and where minds work together, across divides, to achieve academic success and sustain academic integrity.
International Programs	Information on studying abroad in over 55 countries (including financial assistance), in Loyola’s flagship programs in Rome, or J-term or summer programs.
Library Note-taking Guide	Research indicates that learning is most effective when notes are written by hand.  Discover strategies for creating a notebook that is well organized and notes that will help you succeed academically by attending this workshop, which you can see the slides at this link.
Library Reading Guide	Academic work requires a carefully considered combination of effective skimming and careful in-depth reading.  Effective readers employ strategies to organize and retain their reading.  This workshop available at this link provides strategies and solutions to reading dilemmas such as these.
LUROP: Loyola Undergrad Research Opportunities Program	Explains why research experience as an undergraduate is so important for graduate school and job searches, how to get involved in research, and sometimes get paid for it.  Application deadlines vary by program.
Off-Campus Student Life	An office dedicated to meeting the unique needs of Loyola students who commute to campus, whether they live at home with their family or in an apartment nearby campus.  They sponsor many programs to help these students get better connected with each other and Loyola University Chicago.
Pre-Health 101 for ACE	A presentation given for ACE students to gain exposure to the Pre-Health Process, and what goes into a medical school application beyond the numbers.
Pre-Health 101 for ACE - The Numbers	A presentation given for ACE students to gain exposure to the Pre-Health Process, and to understand the numbers that drive the application process for medical school, as well as many of the other pre-health fields, such as pharmacy school.
Schedule Builder	A one-page PDF chart that students can use to plan their weekly schedule, with blocks of time matching with when Loyola University Chicago offers classes, such as Monday from 9:20am-10:10am.  Students using this should be sure to factor in time for a commute for classes at Water Tower Campus.
Student Accessibility Center	Serves students with disabilities by creating an accessible learning environment and educating the campus community.
STARS Mentors (Students Together Are Reaching Success)	Small group mentoring for helping first-year students adjust to Loyola University Chicago and college life, particularly to assist students of color and first-generation students, make the transition to college
Study Abroad PPT for ACE‌	Click here to download a PowerPoint Presentation made by both ACE staff and Office of International Programs Staff about how to finance a study abroad experience!
Time Management Tips	Time Management Tips: Some time management tips for students to improve how they spend their time.
Blank Schedule	Time Management - a blank schedule that a student can use to track how they spend their time.
Time Management Info	Time Management Presentation: a session we present to help students realize the importance of using time wisely and set a schedule.
Wellness Center	Information and assistance on all topics related to mental or physical health from sexual assault support to managing allergies.  Can be especially helpful for managing anxiety and stress as related to being a student.
Writing Center	An on-campus resource where students can meet with peer tutors for assistance in brainstorming, organizing, and drafting academic assignments

 

Beyond Loyola

Education Quest- Transitioning to College	A non-profit organization dedicated to providing information and resources for helping students be successful in college.  Information specifically on making the transition from high school to college, including advice on how to study, how to select a major that fits you well, and how to avoid excessive debt in school.
Hints on How to Succeed	A condensed two-page guide with basic information on how to manage your time, studying in general, preparing for exams, presenting college level homework and writing assignments.  A great resource for incoming students!
Learning Styles Survey	Online survey to gain awareness about how you best learn, so that you can utilize that approach in your studying
Learning Styles Explained	Information, academic strategies, and study tips for students to identify and excel with their own learning style, whether you are a visual learner, a tactile/kinesthetic learner, or an auditory learner.
Did I Plagiarize?	A flowchart that guides students through a series of yes/no questions to find out if they may have inappropriately used another individual's work as their own, which is plagiarism.  Addresses proper citations in writing, the importance of using original ideas in writing, not using your own work for two different courses without citing yourself.
Can I Use That Picture	A flowchart that guides students through a series of yes/no questions to find out if they are within the guidelines for copy right, fair use, and public domain to have permission to use a picture.
ScienceStudyTips	A three and a half minute YouTube video that provides nine tips that have been scientifically proven to help people study more effectively.
The Time You Have	A three-minute YouTube video that helps students put into perspective the time we all have to make the most of life.
What can I do with this major?	Information for students who are considering various majors.  Especially useful with academic advising for first- and second-year students who are exploring their interests and preparing to declare their major.
WrightsLaw	informational resources for students with disabilities about transitioning to college, succeeding in college, and planning for after college

 

Mobile Apps

(Phone or Tablet)

Dropbox	Store documents in a cloud and access them from anywhere. LUC Box is a similar idea. Helpful when storing large files.
EasyBib	Helps you create bibliographies and works cited that are accurate to the format your professor requires (e.g. Chicago style, Turabian, MLA, APA).
Evernote	Stores notes, hyperlinks, pictures, etc. Everything can be organized into folders (by class, for instance), so you can keep all your important information in one place.
Math Alarm	In order to shut your alarm off, you’ll need to complete math problems! This helps to prevent oversleeping!
myHomework Student Planner	Use this to record all assignment deadlines and keep track of your homework to make sure things are organized and being completed on time!
Oxford Dictionary	Use this to look up the definitions of unfamiliar words from textbooks, other reading assignments, or lectures.
Pomodoro Time (iOS)/Simple Pomodoro (Android)	This is a time management app based off the Pomodoro technique—25 min work followed by a 5 min break to keep your mind engaged and focused for successful, efficient task completion.
Remember the Milk	Syncs with your Loyola Outlook account to manage tasks and complete them in time, according to priority.