Five academic resources you should know about

Sure, it’s only September, but midterms will be here before you know it! Now is the perfect time to get ahead of those 11th-hour panic attacks. Here are five resources that will make your life much, much easier.

1. The library
   
   
   Mary Helen Cochran Library isn’t just pretty to look at — or a cozy place for a nap — it’s also packed with resources you cannot live/study without. There are books, yes. Lots of them. And computers. With access to an enormous database of secondary literature on pretty much anything you can think of. But there’s one crucial resource you may not have thought about: the library staff. Did you know that every student has a personal librarian to help with her research? Visit their website to find out who your special helper is!
   
   

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   The Academic Resource Center (ARC)
   Whether you fancy yourself a pretty savvy writer or freeze at the thought of crafting your first serious research paper, our student tutors in the ARC will help make your writing sparkle. They also offer assistance with time management, study skills, and any other academic obstacles you might bump into. There are subject tutors to help with specific classes, too. The ARC is located on the second floor of the library. You can make an appointment at sbc.mywconline.com.
   
   

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3. The dean’s office and student life
   
   
   For general academic questions, the dean’s office in Fletcher Hall is here to help. You can stop by in person or contact them at Ext. 6205 or deansoffice@sbc.edu. The dean’s office works closely with Dean of Student Life and Academic Support Kelly Kraft-Meyer, who also serves as director of the ARC. Dean Kraft-Meyer is always happy to talk about any concerns you might have — no matter how small you think they are! She also helps with special accommodations for learning disabilities. Stop by her office in Prothro Hall, call Ext. 6134 or email kraft_meyer@sbc.edu.
   
   

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   Your professors
   Nobody — OK, maybe your parents — is rooting for you as much as your professors. They really, really want you to succeed, and they want you to have fun learning. Take advantage of their office hours, talk to them after class, have lunch with them. Let them know if you need help, or when there’s something you really want to chat about. Their doors and ears are always open.
   
   

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   Your peers
   At Sweet Briar, you’re never alone. From roommates to teammates to fellow club members, there’s always someone you can ask for help when that unfinished algebra homework is keeping you up at night. Perhaps you just need someone to explain it to you one more time. Perhaps you need a study partner. That’s okay. There’ll be a time when someone will need your help, too.