Asking for help is a radical skill to develop, practice, and engage in often, and your time at the university is a great place to work on these skills. Help-seeking is something we all engage in, whether we're still in school or out in our careers. As we continue to learn, we'll continue to need to seek support/clarity/assistance/etc. The most successful students at OSU are asking for help early and often; rather than seeing help-seeking as a last-resort, seeing help-seeking as an important piece of the academic success process, and bringing it in as an early step.

OSU is committed to providing resources to support your academic success and to enhance your overall confidence and comfort as you navigate the university setting. We know that entering the university is a transition, and that when one transition feels complete another may begin. To help with these transitions, we encourage you to consider who you can reach out to for help, whether these are units or individuals here at OSU, family and friends, or instructors and peers in your courses. 

At OSU we have a broad definition of “resources” that includes a range of services that might be of use to you at different points in your academic career. In addition to the myriad offices and departments on campus (CAPS, Student Health Services, Academic Success Center, and ASOSU Office Advocacy, to name a few), individuals can be resources (your advisor, your instructors, ASC strategists, a good friend, a classmate); technology can be a resource (MyDegrees, Canvas, a website, your email), and even spaces can be resources (the library, the MU, the Quad, etc.).

To make use of these resources you may need to spend some time reflecting on your experience, what's going well and what you're feeling challenged by, and then thinking about who or what could help you to move forward/navigate. Reflection isn't always easy, especially when we feel the tug of multiple commitments and deadlines. But taking even five or ten minutes to do this thinking can be invaluable to your experience and next steps. If it's helpful to do this reflection with someone else, come and see us at the ASC: Waldo Hall 125 | Monday through Friday | 9 AM to 5 PM. You don't need an appointment, you can just drop in and chat with one of our strategists - tell them what's going on, what you're looking for, etc., and they can help you to identify where you might do and who you might see, and get you the important contact information too (location, phone number, hours of operation, etc.).

In addition to the ASC, you can ask your academic advisor, professors, friends, and the faculty and staff working in other OSU support offices to help you identify and locate the resource you’re looking for. We're all here to help you, and we're all happy to be an initial resource as you seek others.

If you'd prefer to explore on your own, or if the hours you're working within are outside of regular unit operating hours, the Student Experience website has a comprehensive list of resources available at OSU (you can filter by campus and/or topic). And don't forget: you're bringing resources with you, too, in addition to the support of family and friends: you have your own motivation and determination, as well as years of experience thinking and learning (in and out of school). All of this is great for you to draw from as you navigate your academic path at OSU.

PEOPLE & PLACES TO SUPPORT YOU

  Professors, Instructors, TAs: As a resource, professors and instructors provide the most direct link to the course content you’re studying. If you’re struggling in a class, have questions about material, or want to know more about a subject, your instructors are a great first contact for learning more.  Most teaching faculty have set office hours.  You can visit office hours to discuss anything, from questions about course content to recent grades/class performance.  Faculty may also know about internships and other academic opportunities in their department or field which may be available to you. It’s worth taking the time to get to know your professors.  Professors can be great mentors and strong advocates for you when you're seeking out a new opportunity in the field or requesting a reference for graduate school.  

  Friends, Peers, Classmates: The students who surround you are an invaluable form of support for your academic success.  Your fellow students contribute greatly to your college experience. In an academic context, think of your fellow students as potential study partners or study group participants.  Study partners and groups are excellent resources, as you can collaborate together to understand and master course content.  Outside of academics, your fellow students provide you with rich opportunities to learn about people from varying backgrounds, to gain insight into other people's world view, and to develop strong relationships based on shared interests.

  Campus Services, Programs & Offices: OSU has a wide range of services and programs on campus. For many students, finding the right resource can be a challenging task. That's where the ASC comes in! Not only do we have our own helpful programs, we also strive to get you to the places and people who will best support you across campus. Come to us first and we'll get you where you need to go next. If you find yourself wishing there was an office that did X, or a person to talk to about Y, swing by (you don't need an appointment!): Waldo Hall 125 | Monday through Friday | 9 AM to 5 PM. Or call us at 541-737-2272. And, check out the Experience @ OSU resource site for a comprehensive list of OSU resources. Use the filters on the right to choose which kind of support you're looking for.

  Technology – Websites & Apps: As a student at OSU, you're expected to navigate a range of websites and learning tools (Canvas, Beaver Hub, MyDegrees, Top Hat) and to regularly check and use your email for university communication. We know not everyone is coming in a digital native, and that it can take time to learn how to use all of these different resources. And, we know that technology has the opportunity to amplify your learning experience. To help you get up to speed and to get you thinking not only about how best to use the technology, but how best to use it to support your learning, we've got some tools and videos that discuss Canvas and also in-person, hybrid and online learning environments. In addition to OSU-specific technology, innovative technology continues to impact the learning, studying, and research habits of students, faculty and staff. If you’re interested, we encourage you to seek out learning apps, websites and videos, and other pieces of technology that improve your experience as a student.

  Your Academic Advisor: Academic advisors are trained professionals whose role is to help you navigate degree requirements, encourage reflection about educational interests, engage you in career preparation and planning, promote use of resources, and answer questions as you progress in your academic career. Each college has different requirements about how and when to meet with your advisor, but, as with other resources, you should be proactive in working with an academic advisor. By establishing a relationship with your advisor and sharing your ideas and concerns with them, you can maintain a strong support network that will keep you on track as you progress through your degree requirements.

If you want to talk about how you're going to use these resources, or what key pieces of information you might bring to these conversations, come in and see us at the ASC. We're always happy to help, and planning ahead for these visits and discussions can help you navigate the experience even more effectively and successfully, and help you get the answers you're looking for. Forgot where to find us? No problem. We're here:

Waldo Hall 125 | Monday through Friday | 9 AM to 5 PM

Come in when it works in your schedule — you don't need an appointment! — and one of our strategists will be thrilled to sit down, listen, and think with you. See you soon!