Improving Concentration

The ability to concentrate, to focus one’s attention exclusively on the task at hand, is essential to learning. Both internal and external distractions can make concentration difficult. This workshop examines these distractions and strategies to enhance concentration. You learn to identify your distractions and develop strategies to eliminate them, practice relaxation techniques to improve focus, and explore other tactics to improve your concentration

Overview of Study Strategies

This workshop explores effective study methods and note-taking techniques. You'll examine how you learn best, explore strategies to capitalize on your learning style, and learn methods to transfer information from short-term to long-term memory.

Organization Skills

Is clutter getting in the way of your academic success? Do you have trouble keeping up with all your papers, texts, e-mails, and assignments for your classes? Come to this workshop to learn techniques to better manage your paper flow and arrange your desk, computer files, and living space in ways that will help you be more efficient and productive. We'll help you develop an individualized plan to meet your unique needs, style, and schedule. Get ready for your classes with a clean sweep!

Thesis Support

This program helps graduate students learn coping strategies and practical tips to get through the thesis-writing process from proposal to defense. Interested individuals may contact Diane Knight at 703-993-2380 to schedule a consultation session.

Motivation and Goal-Setting

Exam Strategies

Managing Performance Anxiety

Does worrying about a test make it hard for you to study? Do you forget all you know just as the exam begins? Any time you are asked to perform, tension can interfere with you doing your best. This workshop examines the reasons for performance anxiety and explores strategies for cope with it.

Scheduling & Time Management

Do you spend too much or too little time studying? Learn the skills of successful time management and increase your ability to balance study with other activities.

International Student Experience

This workshop is geared towards developing academic and social skills for international students to ensure their success in the American colligate system.  Discussions will include exploring differences and challenges amongst the American and international educational systems. Students will also learn advocacy skills with professors and peers. Students will develop a support system by learning how to utilize mentors, tutors, and services provided by the university to aid international students.  Students will learn how to become a part of university life  by learning how to create a cultural mentoring program, joining extracurricular activities, and knowing how to make a varied peer social group. Students will learn about academic skills such as stress management, time management, overcoming procrastination, motivation and goal setting, overview of effective study strategies, as well as reading and writing skills specific for ESOL students.

Academic Survival Workshop
for Midterms & Finals

Midterms and finals are a stressful time, especially if you’re already behind in your coursework! At this workshop, learn strategies for organizing outlines for your final papers, developing a study plan for your exams, preparing for your presentations, as well as learn how to better communicate effectively with instructors and classmates. In addition, you will explore ways of managing middle and end-of-semester stress and give and receive support from other students. It’s not too late!!

Overcoming Procrastination

Advanced Reading Strategies