Resources for Improving Your Performance

If you feel that you are not performing as well as you could in a given subject, seek help. There are a myriad of resources and people who are available to assist you in improving your performance, so don't go it alone.

If you believe you are in serious trouble in a subject, and may possibly fail it, you should see your advisor and instructor. You should consider meeting with the staff in Student Support Services. They can direct you to other support services and, if necessary, can advocate in your behalf.

If you feel you are doing well in your courses, don’t become over-confident. You must sustain your effort, attend class and recitations, and stay on top of your assignments. One can fall behind quickly.

Some of the resources available to you include:

• The Learning Strategies Web Site: the Office of Undergraduate Advising and Academic Programming (UAAP) offers a Learning Strategies web site to help students strengthen their learning skills and connect with resources within MIT. The UAAP also offers workshops and provides online learning modules on topics such as: time management, note-taking, test-taking strategies and finals preparation. Information on upcoming offerings can be found on the Learning Strategies site. Each module encourages students to evaluate their current methods and to think creatively about how they might improve them.
  
  
• Tutorial Services: Now that the term is underway and you have received your first grades, you should have an idea of where you stand with your classes. Do you find any of your subjects especially challenging? Does one or more of your subjects require a significant amount of your time? Would it be helpful to attend a tutoring session or join a study group? Tutoring is available in many forms at MIT, especially in science core subjects. Visit the Tutorial Services page of the Learning Strategies site to find a list of individuals, groups and departments who offer tutoring throughout the term.
  
  
• Improving Test Performance: Some students find that they do well on problem sets, but have difficulty with tests. This is not uncommon, as the exams at MIT challenge you to apply complex concepts in extraordinary ways. Don’t be discouraged if you do not do well on your first test. Your problem sets and exams are meant to teach you sophisticated problem-solving skills, so continued practice is the key. Rework your problem sets and tests to discover where you went awry. Bring questions to your TA or instructor for clarification. Get additional experience by doing the sample problems in your reading and problem sets from previous terms. If you feel you need more guidance or instruction, you might consider scheduling time with a tutor. You can also visit the Test-Taking Strategies module mentioned above for additional information about exam preparation, from creating a study plan, to carrying it out and performing well on test day.
  
  
• If you feel that your academic troubles are being caused by something other than insufficient learning strategies, consider consultation with staff in Disabilities Services as they can assist with diagnosing your situation and may refer you to additional resources for help and support.
  
  
• Managing Stress and Staying Healthy: Stress can also be a difficult obstacle to overcome. As you continue to work hard in your classes, it is important to remember that MIT also offers many personal resources. If you are feeling overwhelmed or stressed, please consider contacting one of these individuals. Speaking with an experienced faculty or staff member (such as your class instructor or advisor or your department's undergraduate administrator) can often help. In addition, staff in Student Support Services and Mental Health Service at MIT Medical are also available to help.