Success at WKU
Success at WKU
There are many resources for students to consider while attending WKU. These resources can help to make the student's time on The Hill successful academically but also a time they remember for the rest of their life.
Get Involved Outside of the Classroom
Job and Internships
Balancing academic work load and personal load is sometimes a difficult juggling act. For many students, however, they need to work while attending WKU. While at WKU many students are searching for their majors and minors but many are trying to figure out what they will do once they join the professional work force. Sometimes there is no way to know if you like something until you do it. Work with your academic advisor, the Advising and Career Development Center advisors, your faculty, or possibly your department for ideas or suggestions on possible jobs or internships that are available.
Research
The Spirit of Research and Creativity at WKU is inspired by faculty who encourage students to ask questions and to find new ways to look for answers. WKU has many options to consider when thinking of research. Take a look at the WKU Office of Research to find resources of what is available for WKU students. Contact these offices for specific questions.
Study Abroad and Study Away
The Office of Study Abroad & Global Learning at WKU engages WKU students, faculty, and staff in diverse, educational, and cultural experiences through faculty led, exchange, consortia, and other study abroad opportunities. Contact Study Abroad today!
Study Away [BROKEN LINK] provides off-campus for-credit learning opportunities. Focusing on partnerships in creative learning, Study Away extends the classroom beyond the campus borders to increase a sense of citizenship and enhance American cultural understanding. Contact Study Away for more information!
Volunteer
The ALIVE Center [BROKEN LINK] at WKU is committed to helping students, faculty, and staff as well as surrounding community members find resources and opportunities for meaningful service and engaged scholarship. It is the hope of the ALIVE Center staff that students will engage in successful applied-learning opportunities and work to improve the quality of life by acting as a public problem-solver and effective community-builder.
Become Connected with Others at WKU
Get to Know Your Academic Advisor
Your academic advisor is part of your educational journey at WKU. Students must meet with their advisor at least once a semester. During these meetings, students should consider more than just class selection. Talk with your advisor about classes, internships, study abroad and away, and anything else academically you may have questions regarding.
Communicate with Your Faculty
There is an assumption by many students that faculty are intimidating. Faculty at WKU are friendly and are here at WKU because they love the work they are able to do and enjoying have an opportunity to pass their passion onto students. Take advantage of faculty office hours, discuss research, and get the most out of what the faculty at WKU have to offer.
Join a Student Organization
There are literally hundreds of student organizations at WKU. While involvement with the Student Government Association (SGA) or within the Greek community are popular choices for many students, there are many options outside of these areas as well. Get involved on-campus and make connections with other students who have similar interests. Visit the Student Activities & Organizations office today to get involved.
Make Your Academics a High Priority
Get Help Early and Often
The transition to college is not an easy one for students. If you find yourself falling behind academically, do not be afraid to admit it. Get help and take advantage of the many resources available at WKU. One resource you may want to consider is The Learning Center (TLC) at WKU. This service offers free tutoring and support in nearly all of the classes first year students will be enrolled in.
Relationships are Important
As mentioned above, contact with the your faculty is a good thing to do. If you have questions about academics or specifics to a class you are taking, go visit the faculty member during their office hours. Take time to spend with them and it will build a relationship that not only you will remember, so will the faculty member.
Some of the links on this page may require additional software to view.