In addition to tutoring, course planning, and advising, SSS encourages student participants to engage in other academic smart and life skill building activities. The program provides online resources to help students develop essential skills for academic and life success. Students who complete academic and life smart skills earn participation points towards scholarship competition. Participation points are used as a criteria to determine SSS scholarship awards.

To receive credit and earn participation points for completing an online activity, participants must watch at least one of the videos suggested below and complete the online quiz at the bottom of the page. Answers to the quiz are recorded and automatically submitted to the Learning Skills and Technology Coordinator for processing once you click the “Submit” button.

Quiz

Academic & Life Smart Skills Quiz
 
3. Did you find the information to be useful?*
4. How likely are you to use at least one of the suggested techniques in the future?*
 

Academic Smart Skills

Coping with Anxiety

Anxiety occurs when one encounters a situation of uncertainty, and it is characterized by fluctuations in emotion, tension, and worry. Although it is a natural reaction to life, anxiety can become overwhelming and sometimes incapacitating. High levels of test anxiety can impede academic performance. The good news is that anxiety can be reduced and managed using a variety of activities and exercises. 

Additional Useful Information
Anxiety and Depression Association of America

Listening Skills

The key to effective communication is listening. Listening is the ability to accurately receive and interpret messages while communicating. Without it, messages are often misunderstood and you create unnecessary frustration for all parties involved. 


Additional Useful Information
5 ways to improve your listening skills

6 Listening Skills Exercises To Promote Stronger Communication

Memory Skills

Have you ever devoted hours reading a textbook only to get to the end of a chapter and not remember what you read? You are not alone. The ability to recall information is largely dependent on the degree of your memory skills. 

Additional Useful Information

Memory Skills

Note Taking

Most college professors use class lectures to teach the course material; therefore, effective note-taking is critical for academic success in college.

Additional Useful Information
How To Take Study Notes

Lecture Note Taking

Study Formula SQ3R

Note Taking Strategies

Test Taking

Tests are an inevitable part of the college experience and test taking skills are critical to academic success in college.  

Additional Useful Information
Test-Taking Strategies

Test-Taking Strategies

Test-Taking Strategies

Test Taking Central

Tips For Better Test Taking

Life Smart Skills

Assertiveness

Assertiveness is the ability to express one’s feelings, beliefs, and opinions confidently and respectfully. 

Additional Useful Information
5 Ways To Improve Your Assertive Communication Skills

Assertiveness- Tips and Techniques

Goal Setting

Setting goals is a powerful process to turn your ideal future into reality. Goal setting can help you choose where you want to go in life.

Additional Useful Information
20 Exceptional Tips for Setting and Achieving Smart Goals

5 Proven Ways to Set Goals and Achieve Them

Goal Setting Strategies For Success

Self-Discipline

Self-discipline Is the ability to control and manage oneself with the purpose of achieving a set goal. The need for self-discipline of a college student cannot be overstated. 

Additional Useful Information
6 Tips to Succeed in College through Self-Discipline

Time Management

The ability to regulate time spent on activities is critical in college. Managing one's time is the key to efficiency and productivity.

Additional Useful Information
7 Effective Time Management Tips for College Students