Computing Tools

ACADEMIC SERVICES LISTSERV
The Academic Services e-mail listserv is the primary means of communicating information regarding advance registration advising, university/academic deadlines, employment opportunities, and other news vital to student-athlete success. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STUDENT-ATHLETE TO MAINTAIN AN ACTIVE EMAIL ACCOUNT AND TO REVIEW THEIR MESSAGES AT LEAST DAILY.

ACADEMIC SERVICES COMPUTER LAB
The student-athlete computer lab is located in the Academic Services offices in Anderson Hall, northeast of Ryan Field. Computer lab hours are the same as Academic Services business hours, M-F 8:30am-6:00pm, although extended evening hours during the school year are available.

Computer Lab Rules:
1. Absolutely NO FOOD OR DRINK is allowed in the lab.
2. Clean up your work space before you leave, recycle all discarded printer pages.
3. Academic use ALWAYS supersedes recreational use.
4. Headphones MUST be used when listening to CD's.
5. Do not save documents to the hard drive. USE YOUR OWN DISK. Disks are available for 25 cents each.
6. Follow the posted procedure to quit your application.

LAPTOP PROGRAM
In addition to the lab, students may sign out Mac and PC laptops to work on projects when travelling or, in special cases, in their rooms.

Laptop Check Out Rules:
1. Priority is given to student-athletes IN SEASON AND TRAVELLING and/or the discretion of the Study Skills Coordinator.
2. Maximum check out length is 3 days.
3. Computers borrowed by students are to be returned to Academic Services by 5pm on the due date or else a $5.00 late charge will be assessed for EACH DAY PAST THE DUE DATE.
4. Do not save documents to the hard drive. USE YOUR OWN DISK. Disks are available for 25 cents each.
5. All software programs or documents put on the laptop by the student must be deleted prior to return.
6. Failure to return the computer promptly will jeopardize your laptop privileges.
7. Reparation for damage to the laptops or loss thereof is the responsibility of the student-athlete.

Laptops can be signed out in person at Academic Services by completing a form- see any Academic Services staff for assistance.

Study Skills Program

PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Study Skills program (the academic component of C.A.T.S. Lifeskills) is designed to aid student-athletes in developing consistent study habits essential to academic success at Northwestern. This program consists of tutoring services, evening study skills/tutor sessions, and core advising.

EVENING STUDY SKILLS
All entering freshman student-athletes are REQUIRED to participate in the Study Skills program; however, many upperclassmen take advantage of the available tutoring as well.

Location: Northwestern University Library
Days/Times: Monday through Thursday, from 7:00pm to 10:00pm
Tutoring Available: Drop-in tutoring is available every evening in Rooms 4770, 5722, and 5770. All Learning Teams will meet in the library at the assigned day and time (ask the sign-in monitor for day/room assignments). Individual tutors may also arrange to meet with student-athletes during this time.

Freshman Requirements:
• All freshmen are required to attend a total of 6 hours of Study Skills a week during fall quarter.
• Students are requested to spend a minimum of 2 hours on any given evening to ensure study time is productive. Many student-athletes attend 2 evenings a week (3 hrs/night), although hours can be accumulated in 3 days (the 2 hour minimum/night).
• Students typically continue in the program at least through the winter quarter of their freshman year (although criteria for required participation varies- see Academic Services with questions).
• NOTE: Student-athletes can also receive credit toward their weekly Study Skills total for hours spent studying/working at the Academic Services Computer Lab. A purple sign-in sheet is available at the front desk and student-athletes MUST HAVE A STAFF MEMBER INITIAL SIGN-IN AND SIGN-OUT TIMES in order to receive credit.

TUTORING SERVICES
Most tutors are graduate students at Northwestern. Although these tutors are available to assist with coursework, they are not permitted to assist students with writing papers. Three types of tutoring are available:

1. Learning Teams- group tutoring sessions for a specific class facilitated by a tutor (similar to discussion sections). Each team usually meets once a week, but may meet more to prepare for midterms or finals. Teams are supplemental- NOT to reteach what is being taught in class. Student-athletes will receive an e-mail with any learning team assignments from Academic Services' Tutor Coordinator.
2. Drop-in Tutoring- available every evening for classes that have daily problem sets (e.g. chemistry, calculus)
3. Individual Tutoring- fully available if individualized attention is needed.

INDIVIDUAL TUTOR REQUEST FORM
You may submit a request for an individual tutor on-line by filling out the request form. Tutor requests usually take 48 hours to process; please schedule your requests at least 1 week in advance.
Complete tutor request form

CORE ADVISING
Upon arrival as a freshmen, student-athletes are assigned an Academic and Student Services core advisor. Core advising consists of weekly meetings with an advisor to discuss academic progress (e.g. grades received, assignments, exam preparations, etc.). The core advisor assists with academic techniques such as time management, note-taking, and goal setting, and also provides campus resources to help student-athletes during their adjustment to college.