Information for Students

          A. Academic Resources

i. Study Habits

ii. Exam Skills & Test Anxiety

iii. Writing Skills

iv. Reading Skills

v. Math Skills

vi. Tutoring

          B. Other MSU Resources

i. Getting Help With Problems and Mentoring

ii. Career Advice

iii. Scholarships, Student Loans & Financial Counseling

iv. Student Activities and Involvement

v. Library Research

          C. Departmental Phone Numbers

          D. Common Challenges & What to Do

          E. GPA Computation Worksheet

STUDY HABITS

MSU Resources

• First Year Initiative (FYI) Program                   994-7359               174 SUB & S. Hedges Basement
              Erika Swanson                                                           
• Disability, Re-entry and Veteran Services        994-2824               180 SUB
              Brenda York
• TRiO/ Student Support Services                       994-4541                185 SUB
              Florence Garcia
• Study Skills Workshops (TRiO)*                        994-4541               185 SUB
                                                             

Courses

• Applied Learning Strategies (APLS)              994-4541                    185 SUB
             Extended Studies Course (EDCI 280)
             Free of charge for students qualifying for TRiO services

• COLS 100: Effective Academic Practices       994-5536        201 Culbertson
  A course for freshmen offers information about services on campus and teaches time management, test taking, reading, and other academic skills.   Through the College of Technology, on MSU’s campus.

Websites

• First Year Initiative (FYI)
            www.montana.edu/freshmen

• TRiO/Student Support Services Website
            www.montana.edu/triosss

On Your Own

- Attend class regularly.
- Review your class notes daily.
- Form study groups with students in your classes.
- Set up an appointment to speak with your individual professors to discuss your questions and concerns.
- Set up an appointment with an FYI staff member to work on specific areas.

EXAM SKILLS & TEST ANXIETY

MSU Resources

• First Year Initiative (FYI) Program                  994-7359                    174 SUB &
              Erika Swanson                                                                  S. Hedges Basement

• TRiO/Student Support Services              994-4541                   185 SUB
              Florence Garcia

• Counseling and Psychological Services         994-4531                    211 Swingle
              Pat Donahoe

Websites

• Test Taking Skills
       http://www.montana.edu/freshman/studyskills.html

• Self Help On-Line
       http://www.montana.edu/wwwcc/docs/on-line3.htm

• TRiO/Student Support Services Academic Strategy Workshops
       http://www.montana.edu/triosss/studyskills.html

On Your Own

WRITING SKILLS 

MSU Resources

•  Writing Center                                   994-5315                    1-108 Wilson
•  Satellite Writing Center in Renne Library and Residence Life    

MSU Classes

•  College Writing I with weekly writing lab (WRIT 101)***
   

College of Technology Courses at MSU

• Build Basic Writing Skills (WRIT 080)
• Development Writing (WRIT 095)
      Writing Center for WRIT 080 and 095 students (201 Culbertson, 994-5536)

Websites

• Writing Center
      http://www1.english.montana.edu/wc

On Your Own

          - Make an appointment with the Writing Center to get extra help on your assignments.
          - Consult with your English professor and identify specific writing needs.
          - Talk with other professors to pick up hints for writing in subject-specific coursework.
          - Read your paper aloud to yourself to catch typos and grammatical errors.

READING SKILLS 

MSU Resources

• Study Skills Workshops – TRiO*       994-4541                    185 SUB
• FYI Workshops                                  994-7359                    174 SUB
  

Courses

• Build Basic Writing Skills (WRIT 080)
• Development Writing (WRIT 095)

MATH SKILLS

MSU Resources

• Math Learning Center                                      994-5375                    1-112 Wilson
• ASMSU Tutoring                                               994-2933                    221 F SUB
• TRiO/Student Support Services Tutoring        994-4541                    185 SUB

MSU Courses

• Pre-Algebra (M 085)  All classes arranged through TRiO Office*
• Survey of Algebra (M 097)      MSU and TRIO lectured  courses     

COT Courses offered on campus

• Pre-Algebra   (M 065)
• Survey of Algebra (M 096)
• Drop-in Math Tutoring (Mon-Fri, 9-5)       994-5536        201 Culbertson       

On Your Own

          - Remember: math is sequential, work on it daily.
          - Attend the Math Learning Center or see a tutor.
          - Meet with a study partner or group.
          - Attend help sessions if offered.
          - Consult with the professor of the course you are taking.
          - Consult with students who have previously taken the course.

TUTORING

MSU Resources

• ASMSU Tutoring                               994-2933                    221 F SUB
• TRiO/Student Support Services       994-4541                   185 SUB
• Math Learning Center                      994-5375                    1-134 Wilson
• Writing Center                                 994-5315                    1-108 Wilson
• Chemistry Help Center                     994-4801                   108 Gaines
• Physics Help Center                                                          255 EPS
• Math/Writing Tutors for COT Courses       994-5536          201 Culbertson
                      

On Your Own

- Call individual departments for a list of tutors
- Try to get into a study group with other students in your class.           

GETTING HELP WITH PROBLEMS & MENTORING

MSU Resources

• First Year Initiative                  994-7359                    174 SUB
              Erika Swanson

• Dean of Students                      994-2826                   174 SUB
              Glenn Puffer
              Erin Macdonald Peck
  
              Erika Swanson

• Academic Advising Center        994-3532                    Reid 418
              Diane Donnelly

• Counseling Center                     994-4531                    211 Swingle
              Pat Donahoe

• Residence Life                           994-2661                    Hedges Complex
              Tammie Brown

• TRiO/Student Support Services  994-4541                    185 SUB
              Florence Garcia

• Health Services Workshops        994-2311                121 Swingle

• VOICE Center                               994-7142                    14 Hamilton
              24-Hour Crisis Hotline
              for victims of sexual assault

• Women’s Center                          994-3836                    370 SUB

• ASMSU Legal Services                 994-2933                    221 C SUB

• Disability, Re-entry,                     994-2824                   180 SUB
  & Veteran Services

• University Police                         994-2121                    Huffman

Websites

• First Year Initiative
        www.montana.edu/freshmen

• Dean of Students Office
        www.montana.edu/wwwds

• Academic Advising Center
        www.montana.edu/wwwgs/advising

• Counseling
        www.montana.edu/wwwcc  

• Residence Life
        www.montana.edu/reslife

• TRiO/Student Support Services
        www.montana.edu/triosss

• Health Services
        www.montana.edu/wwwhs

• Disability, Re-entry, and Veteran Services
         www.montana.edu/wwwres

• Women’s Center
          www.montana.edu/wwwwomen

• University Police
          http://www.montana.edu/wwwmsupd

CAREER AND JOB INFORMATION

MSU Resources

• Career Services                                  994-4353                    177 SUB
                        Carina Beck

• Student Employment                          994-5859                    177 SUB
                        Sandy Eschenbaum

• Financial Aid – Work Study                994-3432                   135 SUB
                        Brandi Payne

• Academic Advising Center                  994-3532                   418 Reid
                        Diane Donnelly       

Websites

• Career Services
                    www.montana.edu/careers

• Financial Aid's Work Study Page
                    www.montana.edu/wwwfa/workstudy.php

• Academic Advising Center
                    www.montana.edu/wwwgs/advising

On Your Own

-Talk with an academic advisor or speak with faculty in your area of interest.

- Stop into the Career & Internship Services office – 125 SUB.  Find out where it is located, know their services (you might be surprised as to how they can assist you NOW!).

- Log-on to www.mycatcareers.com (for jobs, internships & Career Fair Schedules) – It’s FREE!

-Attend their weekly Wednesday night workshops – What Can I Do with a Major In…; and check out see the full schedule of workshops on their website (www.montana.edu/careers)

-Think about the future.  By your sophomore year, you should be researching career options, the beginning of your junior year you should be planning your internship, and by your senior year be ready to market yourself in the job search.   At any time, meet with a Career Advisor or Career Coach.

SCHOLARSHIPS, STUDENT LOANS & FINANCIAL COUNSELING

 MSU Resources

• Financial Aid                                                   994-2845       183 SUB
                Brandi Payne

• Student Assistance Foundation                     994-5024        179 SUB
                Emily Flemming
  

Websites

• Financial Aid
                     www.montana.edu/wwwfa

• Student Assistance Foundation
                     www.safmt.org

• Student Advocates for Financial Education (SAFE) Resource Website
                     www.safe.montana.edu

• The Smart Student Guide to Financial Aid
                     www.finaid.org

• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
                     www.fafsa.ed.gov

• Direct Loans Servicing Online
                     www.dlservicer.ed.gov

• Scholarships Online
                     www.fastweb.com

On Your Own

STUDENT ACTIVITIES & INVOLVEMENT

MSU Resources

• Student Activities                             994-3591        222 SUB
               Patty Inskeep

• Office for Community Involvement    994-6902       330 Culbertson
               Kathy Tanner   

Websites    

• Intramurals & Recreation
                     www.montana.edu/wwwimrec
     

• Outdoor Recreation
                     www.montana.edu/outdoorrecreation

• Student Activities
                     www.montana.edu/wwwstuac

• Office of Community Involvement
                     www.montana.edu/comminv

• Athletics  
                     www.msubobcats.com

• MSU Leadership Institute       
                     www.montana.edu/wwwlead1

On Your Own

LIBRARY RESEARCH

MSU Resources

• Renne Library Reference Desk               994-3171                     1st Floor

• Research Assistance Program               994-6668                   
       One-on-One research help  

• Circulation Desk                                      994-3139                    1st Floor

• Inter-library Loan (ILL)                          994-3161                     1st Floor

Websites

•  Library Homepage
                  www.lib.montana.edu

• Research Assistance Program (RAP) Request
                  www.lib.montana.edu/instruct/rapreq.html

• Electronic Reference & Ask a Librarian
                  www.lib.montana.edu/ref/askalibrarian.html

MSU Library Workshops

DEPARTMENTAL PHONE NUMBERS

College of Agriculture               202 Linf202 Linfield                          994-3681

College of Arts & Architecture   217 Che217 Cheever                          994-4405

College of Business                                  408 Reid                     994-44994-4423

College of Ed/Health HD 250 Reid            250 Reid                   994-413994-4133

College of Engineering             212 Rober212 Roberts                           994-2272

College of Letters & Science   2-205 Wils2-205 Wilson                        994-4288

College of Nursing                     115 Sher115 Sherrick                             994-3783

College of Technology (COT)        201 Cul201 Culbertson                        994-5536

University College                  212 Montan212 Montana                            994-6057

A REFERENCE FOR COMMON CHALLENGES AND WHAT TO DO…

1.  Personal, family, or medical problem during the semester

1. Discuss with professors
2. Visit the Dean of Students Office – may be eligible for “Incomplete” Grade or University Withdrawal
3. Visit the Health Service and/or Counseling & Psychological Services

2.  Floundering in class

1. Are you attending class and then studying two hours per credit?
2. Speak with an advisor, professors, academic dean, or Dean of Students Office
3. Seek study groups, TRiO/ASMSU tutoring, FYI Program

3.  Reading, writing, study skills, learning, disabilities, tutoring, appropriate major
                 

4.  Grade Point Average: how is it calculated?

1. See worksheet here.

5.  Classes with a very large number of students

1. Sit toward front of room & avoid distractive students
2. Resist skipping classes
3. Form a small study group & ask professor for extra help when needed

6.  Academic Probation

1. College or University Probation, Suspension Warning – any time your GPA falls below 2.0 you are in academic danger
2. If you are suspended and later reinstated you are always returned to a “probation” status which requires you to earn at least 2.0 GPA
3. For more details, see the FYI Office 174 SUB

7.  Desire to become involved and a leader

1. Student Activities Office
2. Cat Crew Program
3. Intramurals & Recreation
4. Departmental Clubs, Service and Honorary Organizations
5. Greek Life
6. ASMSU/Student Government
7. Residence Hall Association
8. Health Promotion Program

8.  Sexual Assault

1. VOICE Center (seeking advice doesn’t mean you are pressing charges)
2. MSU Police & Bozeman Police
3. Student Health Service
4. Dean of Students Office
5. Women’s Center

9.  Medical Attention & Psychological Counseling

1. Swingle Health Center & Psychological Counseling Center
2. Service available regardless of insurance or medical coverage

10.  Loneliness

1. Visit the FYI Program or Dean of Students Office
2. Check out Student Activities and get involved
3. Seek counseling appointment with Psychological Counseling Center

11.  Alcohol/Drug Issues

1. INSIGHT Program
2. Health Promotions & Student Health Services
3. Dean of Students Office
4. Alcoholics Anonymous

12.  High School to College Transition

1. More study time required (two to three hours per credit hour)
2. TRiO/ASMSU Tutoring
3. Form study groups
4. Visit FYI Program

13.   Roommate Complaints

1. Discuss with roommate 
2. Consult Resident Advisor or Residence Life for solutions

14.  Extracurricular Involvement for Awards and Honors

1. Establish & maintain a Student Involvement Log from Student Activites Office

15.  Lack of Information

1. Read and review all sections of your MSU Catalog, Schedule of Classes, and visit the MSU Website often (www.montana.edu)
2. You must know your own rights, responsibilities, and possibilities – there is no way MSU can inform you personally of all details vital to your success
3. Check with FYI Program in SUB 174

16.  Financial Aid Probation or Suspension

1. You may be placed on probation or suspension if you drop below the credit level for which you were funded
2. Financial Aid regulations are complex but often have flexibility – check with the Financial Aid Office always before dropping classes

GPA COMPUTATION WORKSHEET

III. Resource and Referral Guide For Parents

Return to regular view	Text-only	Updated: 7/10/09