Online Center for Student Success

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Studying, grades, or academics

One of the fundamental reasons a student enrolls at a university is for academic success. Therefore, your time in class must provide for intellectual and personal growth. Also interactions with your instructor and your adviser, your study time, and your other academic interactions foster this success. NC State's commitment to your success must be coupled with your proactive commitment to addressing your academic needs. Help is only a web site, a submit button, or a phone call away. If your need is still not met, then don't give up, continue to look for the answer. This is a rudimentary skill in higher education. Be sure to seek out academic connections through being mentored by a faculty member or the various and many research opportunities available on campus. Remember, the more you put into your college experience, the more great experiences you'll have.

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Where can I find additional help with my studies outside of class?
I'd like to make sure I'm on course to graduate on time, where can I find help?
The library is so big, how can I find the resources I'm looking for?
What if I feel a professor has graded me unfairly?
What if my professor has not posted the final exam schedule?
Is there anyone I can talk to about personal issues I may be having with a professor?
What if I need to take a specific course, but the course is full?
Can I study abroad and still graduate on time?
I got additional support because of a disability in high school, is this type of support available at NC State?
I just got an invitation from a campus honor society. What does this mean? Should I respond?

Where can I find additional help with my studies outside of class?

First, it is important to know what to study. The best way to get a feel for what you should be focusing on is to meet with your instructor and get clear on what types of things the instructor expects you to be getting from your study time. Many students find the Undergraduate Tutorial Center a good place to start for additional academic support in courses. If this is a matter of how to study, both the Undergraduate Tutorial Center and the Counseling Center have workshops to help with study skills, time management, and notetaking.

I'd like to make sure I'm on course to graduate on time, where can I find help?

The Office of Registration and Records has developed a Plan of Work tool that will allow you to enter the courses you have taken, are currently taking, and plan to take in the future so that you can plot your course to graduation. Registration and Records also offers access to curriculum guides to help you with this plan. It's a good idea to develop a Plan of Work and then meet with your academic adviser to talk through the plan to see if there are any adjustments that you need to make. If you are unable to contact your adviser or want general information about a curriculum that is not in your department or college, the Office of Advising Support, Information and Services (OASIS)is an excellent resource.

The library is so big, how can I find the resources I'm looking for?

Simply ask! NC State has one of the best and most professional library staff in the country. The library professionals really enjoy the process of connecting people with the information they are looking for. You might also like to take the Virtual Tour.

What if I feel a professor has graded me unfairly?

Your professor is the expert in the course. If you believe you were unfairly graded for non-academic reasons, then you should first discuss your concerns with the professor. If after that conversation you still believe that the grading was unfair, you should discuss your concerns with the department head in which the course is taught and beyond that with the dean of the college in which the course is taught. Remember however, judgments about the academic merit of students' work is not debated beyond the department level. You may file a formal grievance regarding a final grade in a course, but this is not an option regarding individual assignments.

What if my professor has not posted the final exam schedule?

The final exam schedule is posted by the Office of Registration and Records under "Exams." Any change in that schedule requires special authorization from that office and notification of all students enrolled in the section or course in question.

Is there anyone I can talk to about personal issues I may be having with a professor?

Absolutely, if you feel comfortable, you should always start by talking directly to the professor. If you don't feel comfortable talking to the professor, the next step would be to talk to the department head in which the professor teaches. Beyond the department head, the conversation would be with the dean of the college in which the professor teaches. It is recognized that sometimes students may find it difficult talking directly to anyone in the professor's reporting line. In these cases, a mentor, the Counseling Center (assistance with personal, academic or vocational problems) or the Office of Equal Opportunity (assistance with concerns of discrimination and harassment) are resources that may help clarify and present concerns so that they can be addressed.

What if I need to take a specific course, but the course is full?

This is one of the good reasons for using the Plan of Study tool available through Registration and Records. Data from the tool gives departments more accurate information on numbers of students who need to enroll in specific courses each semester. Depending on where you are in your academic career, there may be different approaches to this challenge. If you are registering for a future semester and the course is full, then you may want to use the "waitlist" option. If the "waitlist" is full, then you'll want to ask the course instructor or pay a visit to the department in which the course is taught to see if they plan on adding any additional seats or sections. It's not always possible to accomodate every student who cannot get into a course; however, unless the teaching department knows about your need, they cannot possibly address it.

Can I study abroad and still graduate on time?

Like any enhancement to your academic career, studying abroad requires careful planning. There is no reason with the appropriate consultation with your adviser and planning that you cannot study abroad and graduate on time. Check the Study Abroad Office to find a program that works with your academic plans.

I got additional support because of a disability in high school, is this type of support available at NC State?

Yes. The Disabilities Services Office is committed to providing equal opportunity for all faculty, staff and students. Below you will find links for further information on how to register with DSO.

I just got an invitation from a campus honor society. What does this mean? Should I respond?

What it means is you have earned the recognition by other successful students and faculty at the University for the effort you have put into your academic performance. Recognition by honor societies is lifelong and adds positive highlights to your personal resume. The question is "Why wouldn't you respond?"