Learning Support Center

The successful transition to college

Below are a few examples of how different high school and college can be. At the LSC, you can get mentoring, tutoring, and general academic coaching to help you successfully manage all the challenges that await you at Norwich University.

College vs. high school

• You are responsible for your own schedule — in and out of the classroom.
• You may live with a stranger in a dorm room, away from home.
• Classes usually meet every other day, and you may not have classes every day.
• For each hour you are in the classroom, you’re expected to study or do homework on your own for two or three hours. However, the homework may not be graded, or even discussed in class. Your professor may never remind you of the homework, instead assuming that you’re following the syllabus.
• You may be required to write lengthy papers, even in non-English classes.
• You must meet with your professors during Òoffice hoursÓ, or after class.
• You may not get frequent updates on your grades, or even accurate midterm grades. Your final grades may be calculated based on only a few tests, exams or papers.
• Ds are not good enough grades to graduate.
• You may have a work-study or other part-time job.
• Books cost a lot, but you can keep them, which means you can and should take notes and highlight in them.
• Sports practice and games are more time-consuming and may conflict with academic schedules.

Depending on the type of help you need, you may work with one or more of the following LSC services:

Professional senior tutors, who can:

• Help you learn better time-management, organization, and study skills.
• Help you in specific subject areas, like math and English.
• Act as academic coaches to keep you on track.
• Meet with you on an as-needed or regular basis.

Peer tutors, who can:

• Help you succeed in specific subject areas, like geology, Spanish, or criminal justice.
• Meet with you on a regular, weekly basis.

The coordinator of Specialized Student Services, who can:

• Guide you through the process of properly documenting a physical, psychological, learning, or attentional disability.
• Create an educational profile outlining accommodations.
• Facilitate communication with parents, faculty, and staff.
• Meet with you on an as-needed or regular basis.

The English as a Second Language (ESL) specialist, who can:

• Help you become a more fluent speaker and writer in English, if English is not your first language.
• Meet with you on an as-needed or regular basis.

LSC services are included in the cost of tuition and are available to all students. To begin getting help, all you have to do is come to the LSC offices on the fourth floor of the Kreitzberg Library or call x2130 to make an appointment.