Next Stop: Success at the ASC
Being a student at Wilson College is not always fun and games. Students don’t always find the time to enjoy campus activities or get involved with clubs. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with classes because assignments require a lot of time. Sometimes it’s hard to find time for personal lives.
Fortunately, staff and faculty at Wilson College’s Academic Success Center understand that students tend to struggle with time management, stress or anxiety before the big midterm test.
Pushing Past the Negative Thoughts
Interim student advocacy coordinator Joy Merchant works with Mike Bloomford and Sydney Maurer to help motivate students throughout each semester. As part of the ASC, she coaches students struggling with academics, preparing for tests or just needing guidance.
Throughout the day, Merchant holds appointments with students and coaches them to be their best. The goal is for students to leave feeling better than when they came. “It is a very non-judgmental space here that is completely confidential for students,” said Merchant.
While meeting with students, Merchant is open, sharing her authentic and honest self. She also encourages students to brainstorm solutions to their problems.
Located on the second floor of the library, the ASC staff is ready to help anyone needing academic guidance. “Some students may believe that we are just here to address problems. Yes, sure. We are here to help with addressing academic problems, but we are also here before you get to that point you are really struggling in your academics,” said Merchant.
Getting help from Wilson advisors, mentors, staff and faculty can benefit a student’s academic life. Merchant said some students shy away from tutoring or academic coaching because they feel uncomfortable or anxious or worry that they are in trouble. Merchant’s experience reflects what some professors notice about students’ academics today. “We need students to tell someone (whether it is the ASC staff, an instructor, or another student) that they need accessibility services,” she said.
Unfortunately, students struggle to overcome the stigma of asking for help, guidance or advice. Merchant and her staff at the ASC challenge students to push past this stigma and ask for help to improve their academic lives.
Using the Tools and Services Offered
The Academic Success Center offers test preparation, subject tutoring, accessibility and a writing lab. It also teaches time-management skills and helps students cope with exam-related stress. Merchant uses a metaphor to describe the ASC environment. “We are like a tool store,” she said. “We have all these different aisles. Accessibility, tutoring, motivation, time management, stress-relief or anxiety alleviation. Each of these aisles are filled with tools, and so the students need to come to the store to pretty much buy the tools they need.”
All services are free for Wilson students.
Scheduling an Appointment
Students can go online through the Wilson College portal, login to their Wilson College account and look under “Tools.” Look for “Academic Success Center,” click on the title, then click on Schedule an Appointment. The Wilson Portal asks students to login using their username and password. After logging in, students choose the type of assistance they need. Students can pick from two categories within the ASC portal: academic coaching or subject writing tutoring/writing tutoring. After selecting a category, students can schedule a tutoring appointment.
Finding a Space
After scheduling an appointment with the ASC, students meet their tutors on the second floor of the John Stewart Memorial Library.
Exiting the elevator, students will see study rooms and spacious areas to relax or study. Walking toward the art exhibition room, students will notice two desks where a subject or writing tutor will greet them with a smile. There, students can meet their tutor, find a quiet area to sit down and begin to work together on their paper or project.
No doubt, the atmosphere on the second floor of the library encourages, motivates and helps students focus on their assignments.
Succeeding in Academics and Mental Health
The ASC is dedicated to helping students succeed in their academic and personal lives. The ASC staff help students accomplish their goals here at Wilson, but they also care about how the student is taking care of their personal mental, emotional or spiritual health.
Self-care is also a critical factor for the ASC staff and faculty as they mentor students’ success. “We don’t go through life alone, so we shouldn’t have to go through college alone,” said Merchant.
Students who find themselves struggling with motivation or who need encouragement or stress relief should make an appointment with the ASC staff. Joy Merchant, Mike Bloomford and Sydney Maurer are there to assist with academic life and drive students toward success.