Your Resources for Academic Success
Use the following tips to help you succeed academically.
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Meet with your adviser regularly.
Your academic program coordinator (adviser) is your best resource to ensure that you understand your major requirements and stay on track for graduation. He or she can also provide you with on-campus resources and strategies to be successful. We suggest that you continue to meet with your adviser throughout your probationary semester to check in and discuss your progress.
You are required to visit your adviser to have the hold removed from your account before you register for courses.
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Establish purpose and motivation.
Without goals in your academic career, it is difficult to stay motivated. Discuss some specific academic goals with your adviser—one such goal might be to meet with each of your professors during their office hours to discuss your progress within the first half of the semester; another might be to take at least one page of notes for each reading assignment. Give yourself a framework to help you manage your own progress.
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Repeat and replace.
Discuss this option with your adviser during your meeting about your registration hold. For courses where you have been unsuccessful, this policy allows you to replace your previous grade with your new grade. If the new grade is higher, this policy will be the most efficient way to improve your overall GPA.
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Attend and participate.
Attend every class meeting. Be on time and prepared to participate. Many professors dedicate a certain percentage of your grade to participation and attendance, so make the most of these easy points! If you attend class and contribute to class discussions regularly, you are more likely to keep up with assignments, and you are showing your professors that you take their classes and your education seriously.
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Manage your time.
Time management is one of the most difficult skills for many students to master. We suggest that you set up and maintain regular study hours each week, and allot for extra time when deadlines for large assignments or exams are coming up. Begin this scheduling process as soon as you receive your syllabus. The standard recommendation regarding study time is two hours outside of class for each hour in class, but de-pending on your background and learning style, you may need to budget more. If you have a full-time job, consider taking classes part time so you can balance your work and class responsibilities.
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Visit your professors during office hours.
Professors are your best resource to discuss course material in more detail, to ask questions and to review assignments and course expectations. Seeking a professor’s help can go a long way in showing that you are serious about your own educa-tion, as long as you show up to your meeting prepared with questions. Building a positive relationship with a few profess-sors in your field of interest will also help you in the future.
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Participate in study groups.
Studying with other students in your classes can help motivate you and facilitate learning outside of the classroom. Sometimes, another student can explain a concept in a way that helps you understand it better, and when you’re able to explain a concept to another student yourself, you’re more likely to remember it. By forming a study group with your classmates, you can also learn new study techniques and strategies to help you succeed.
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Withdraw when necessary.
Speak with your professor before you consider this course of action—discuss the likelihood of your passing the course and what you can do to improve your performance. If you’re at the point where a failing grade is inevitable and there is still time to withdraw, that option may be better than allowing a failing grade to further impact your GPA.
While a "W" will not negatively affect your GPA, you should check with the Office of Financial Aid to see if it will affect your Satisfactory Academic Progress and your financial aid package .
Offices and Services on Campus
UBalt's offices and services are here to help you succeed academically.
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Academic Success Programs at RLB Library
The Library offers academic coaching, course preparation, tutoring, success coaching, writing consultations and workshops, among other services for students.These services are free. Check the website to determine if an appointment is necessary.
RLB Library | 410.837.4260 | library@ubalt.edu | www.ubalt.edu/success
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Bursar's Office
The Bursar’s Office handles any bills from or payments to the University. Their website describes payment plans, and offers tools to help with financial decisions and budgeting.
Academic Center 127 | 410.837.4848 | ubbursar@ubalt.edu | www.ubalt.edu/bursar
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Career Center
The Career and Internship Center provides students with assistance in planning a career path. They offer mentorship, interview tips and professional development workshops, in addition to help finding a job or internship. These services are free. Log into UBWorks (under Tools in your myUB Portal) to schedule an appointment.
Student Center 306 | 410.837.5440 | careercenter@ubalt.edu | www.ubalt.edu/careercenter
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Office of Disability and Access Services
The Office of Disability and Access Services provides students who have documented disabilities with reasonable accommodations and ensures access to all campus facilities and programs. Check the Center’s website “Information for Students” tab to schedule an appointment and know what to bring with you.
Academic Center 139 | 410.837.4775 | das@ubalt.edu
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Center for Entrepreneurship
The Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation supports students with innovative business ideas through connections to resources, opportunities and community contacts.
Business Center 104 | 410.837.4892 | cei@ubalt.edu | www.ubalt.edu/cei
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Counseling Services
The Counseling Center offers individual counseling, group counseling, psychiatric referrals, college survival skills, outreach programs and crisis intervention. Counseling sessions are free and confidential. Call to schedule an appointment. Walk-in hours are available for first-time visits.
Academic Center 111 | 410.837.5159 | counseling@ubalt.edu | www.ubalt.edu/counseling
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Diversity and Culture Center
The Diversity and Culture Center provides services, educational programs and activities to create a diverse UBalt community.
Student Center 002 | 410.837.5744 | diversity@ubalt.edu | www.ubalt.edu/diversity
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Financial Aid
The Office of Financial Aid provides students with grants, scholarships, loans and work-study opportunities.
Academic Center 126 | 410.837.4763 | financialaid@ubalt.edu | www.ubalt.edu/financialaid
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Robert L. Bogomolny Library
In addition to access to collections of books, journals, data-bases and DVDs, the Library offers research help, specialized websites to help you with assignments and quiet space for studying or practicing presentations.
Learning Commons, Third Floor | 410.837.4260 | www.ubalt.edu/library
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Office of the University Registrar
The Office of the University Registrar provides students with registration information—course offerings, exam schedules and academic deadlines—and transcripts.
Academic Center 126 | 410.837.4825 | records@ubalt.edu | www.ubalt.edu/records
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Rosenberg Center for Student Involvement
The Rosenberg Center for Student Involvement helps students get involved on campus, offering more than 90 student organizations, as well as on-campus activities and events to help students engage with each other and the UBalt community.
Student Center 303 | 410.837.5417 | csi@ubalt.edu | www.ubalt.edu/csi
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Student Affairs
Student Affairs provides initiatives including first and second year experience programming and resources for students to understand their strengths and the challenges of student life. SA also provides resources for military and veteran students.
Academic Center 112 | 410.837.5429 | studentaffairs@ubalt.edu | www.ubalt.edu/studentaffairs