Note-Taking Guide 

Explore note-taking approaches before, during and after class, including different note-taking formats (e.g., Cornell, Duke). Learn about note-taking apps and what might work for you and the lifestyle you have. Think of where you want to keep your notes (digital or hard copy), where you want to store your course readings (on your iPad, computer, Drive), etc. How can technologies facilitate your learning, including your specific learning needs? The earlier you experiment with methods and resources, the more adaptable you can be when the semester begins.

Weekly Schedule Planner

Find a template or planner to organize your big-picture tasks and help you monitor what you need to get done. These can be either digital or hard copies, but experimenting with them before the semester starts may allow you to build a habit that you can adjust when the semester begins. Planners that track a large amount of information (to-do lists, goals, notes, appointments) are comprehensive, but also require more energy to maintain; planners that are too simple often can’t capture the various activities and timelines you’ll be working on. Whatever allows you to be consistent with your organizational flow is the best option!

Interested in setting goals for the Fall 2024 semester as well? Also check out our Visualizing Goals workshop offerings in September.

Responding to Academic Challenges

For first-years, but also throughout your college career, each semester brings its own challenges and problems to solve. Review this guide to help anticipate some questions or problems you may face, and explore some ways in which you may be able to navigate these challenges. The more you can anticipate, the better prepared you may be when/if you confront them in the middle of a hectic semester!

Student Guide to Generative AI

Technologies have changed so much in the past few years, creating new landscapes within the academic world. This guide helps you understand how to think about the role, limits, and ethical considerations of including Generative Artificial Intelligence in your learning toolkit.

Student Campus Resources

As a student at Barnard, you have so many resources available to you that it may be hard to know how to tap into them. From registering your accommodations with the college to tapping into individual and group academic tutoring, Barnard offers a wide range of resources that support academic, physical, and emotional well-being. Look over this list of campus resources to see what you have access to.