1. How to Succeed in
College
Western Washington University
Benjamin R. Ratcliff

2. Overview
 Study Strategies
 Academic Support
 Personal Wellness
 University Resources

3. Set Yourself Up for Success
 Give ample time to complete studying and
work. It’s better to finish early than cramp
in the end.
 Don’t wait until the last second to start
reviewing.
 Reduce or eliminate distractions.
 Keep the big picture in mind. Little facts
will be easier to remember if they fit into
a bigger idea.
 Be an active learner. Think about how
you’re learning.

4. Getting the Most Out of Studying
 Just having the intention to learn doesn’t
correlate with learning. The way you think
about the material is more important than
the time you spend studying.
 Engaging the material (deep processing),
rather than just trying to memorize it
(shallow processing), will lead to better
retention of knowledge.

5. Deep Processing
 Elaboration: Relating a topic to other
concepts.
 Distinctiveness: Separating a topic from
similar concepts.
 Personal Connection: Connecting a topic
to a personal experience.
 Retrieval & Application: Practicing using
knowledge in the way you’re going to
have to use it.

6. Helpful Hints
 Set a goal and come prepared when
studying as a group.
 Create a concept map of how concepts are
related.
 Stay engaged!!
 Hand write your notes.
 Highlight “smart.”
 Teach others what you’re learning.

7. Recovering after a Setback
DON’T
 Panic
 Go into denial
DO
 Be honest with yourself
 Examine how your prepared
 Review the exam
 Talk with your professor
 Examine your study habits and make the
appropriate changes

8. Don’t be the student who…
 Keeps studying the same way, hoping to
improve.
 Waits until the end of the quarter to ask
for help.
 Skips class to focus on other classes.
 Falls further behind waiting to find time to
catch up.
 Crams at the last minute.
 Doesn’t do assignments because they are
small or late.

9. Academic Support
 Needing help planning for the upcoming
quarter and beyond? Try the Academic
Advising Center in Old Main 380 or call
360-650-3850
 Need to withdraw from a class? Having
problems with registration? Try the
Registrar's Office in Old Main 230 or call
360-650-3430
 Need help with course work? Try the
Tutoring Center in Wilson Library

10. Personal Wellness
We are most productive and
happy when all the aspects of our
lives are in balance. Your
academic load will seem easier if
you can maintain good health, a
sense of purpose, and a clear
mind.

11. Body
 Your brain is part of your body, so it makes sense
that if you take care of your body, your brain will
function better.
 Getting regular exercise is not only a good
distraction from studying, it will help your mind be
quicker and recall information better.
 A good diet helps to fuel your brain. Eating right
will make you more energetic, more focused, and
happier.
 Having a good night’s sleep shouldn’t be
undervalued. Your mind uses the time you sleep to
encode the things you learned that day. A few
extra hours of sleep can actually be more helpful
than staying up studying.

12. Spirit
 Spirituality means a lot of different things to
different people, but don’t underestimate its
importance in maintaining wellbeing.
 Spirituality can mean a connection to a religious
group. There are many organizations such as the
Campus Christian Fellowship, the Buddhism Club,
and the Muslim Students’ Association that are open
to Western students.
 Spirituality can mean a connection to nature. The
Arboretum and the area surrounding Bellingham
are great places to reconnect with the
environment.
 Spirituality can mean a feeling that your work is
purposeful. Thinking deeply about your daily
actions and behaviors can help rediscover your
purpose.

13. Mind
 Our brains house both the mechanisms of learning
and our emotional centers, and these two functions
are closely intertwined.
 Stress can be extremely detrimental when trying
to learn. Take a deep breath, take a break, and
remember that whatever test you’re studying for
will not define your academic career.
 Again, getting enough sleep is essential for a
healthy mind.
 Doing things that aren’t academic (playing games,
hanging out with friends, or reading a book for
pleasure) is important to avoid burnout.

14. Personal Wellness Support
 Need someone to talk to? Try the
Counseling Center located in Old Main 540
or call 360-650-3164
 Need support as a first generation or
minority student? Try the Student
Outreach Center located in Old Main 387
or call 360-650-7443
 Not feeling well? Try the Student Health
Center located down the street from the
Rec Center or call 360-650-3400

15. QuestionS?

16. Good Luck!!!
Thanks for Coming!!!