Academic Coaching

Throughout the year, we offer coaching sessions with our amazing teachers and staff members aimed at helping international students to be successful academically as well as socially. 

Academic support is just as important as all of the social opportunities that we provide here at our office. We offer online and in-person assistance with listening, speaking, reading and writing. 

We can help with language support in:

  • Grammar
  • Reading
  • Pronunciation
  • Citations and research skills
  • Listening and lecture note-taking
  • Intercultural communication

You can schedule time with an advisor for in-person assistance or simply walk-in for services during established coaching times at Maucker Union Room 113A (Please check in at the front desk)

Make an Appointment
Coaching Schedule
International Engagement

Tips for Success

  • Read the question carefully. Also, read slowly! What is the question asking? 
  • Can you answer the question without looking at the choices? This can help you choose the correct answer.
  • Eliminate the wrong answers.
  • Manage your time. Spend about two minutes on each question. If you can’t answer it, go to the next question.

 

White test paper with multiple choice circles and a sharpened pencil on top of the paper

Over time, we slowly forget what we have learned. One effective way to improve retention is note-taking. However, we all know that taking notes is difficult and taking notes in a second language, is even harder, yet taking effective notes is an essential skill for academic success.

Taking notes on your laptop might be faster and easier, but you may find yourself taking dictation (word for word) instead of notes (summarizing what was said). Taking handwritten notes can help you organize the lecture information more effectively, and it also reduces the risk of plagiarizing later. 

Extreme close-up of fingers holding a pencil just about to start writing on a spiral notepad

Look at the following sentences. Can you identify the punctuation errors? See the answer key below once you finish. 

  1. My new student job is exciting, I love working with the OIE team.
  2. Ibrahim asked, “Could you tell me where the Office of International Engagement is located”?
  3. Its located in Maucker Union. It’s employees have their offices in MAU 113. 
  4. Come to MAU 113 to meet one of our academic success coaches and learn more about punctuation rules.  
  5. We offer online and in person assistance in these areas; listening, speaking, reading and writing.

To learn more about punctuation rules, use the following resources: Purdue OWL and NIU Punctuation Tutorial. 

Variety of punctuation marks in black font on a white background
  • Read the question carefully. Also, read slowly! What is the question asking? 
  • Can you answer the question without looking at the choices? This can help you choose the correct answer.
  • Eliminate the wrong answers.
  • Manage your time. Spend about two minutes on each question. If you can’t answer it, go to the next question.

 

White test paper with multiple choice circles and a sharpened pencil on top of the paper

Over time, we slowly forget what we have learned. One effective way to improve retention is note-taking. However, we all know that taking notes is difficult and taking notes in a second language, is even harder, yet taking effective notes is an essential skill for academic success.

Taking notes on your laptop might be faster and easier, but you may find yourself taking dictation (word for word) instead of notes (summarizing what was said). Taking handwritten notes can help you organize the lecture information more effectively, and it also reduces the risk of plagiarizing later. 

Extreme close-up of fingers holding a pencil just about to start writing on a spiral notepad

Look at the following sentences. Can you identify the punctuation errors? See the answer key below once you finish. 

  1. My new student job is exciting, I love working with the OIE team.
  2. Ibrahim asked, “Could you tell me where the Office of International Engagement is located”?
  3. Its located in Maucker Union. It’s employees have their offices in MAU 113. 
  4. Come to MAU 113 to meet one of our academic success coaches and learn more about punctuation rules.  
  5. We offer online and in person assistance in these areas; listening, speaking, reading and writing.

To learn more about punctuation rules, use the following resources: Purdue OWL and NIU Punctuation Tutorial. 

Variety of punctuation marks in black font on a white background

Deadlines are very important when it comes to success in academic study and your professors, advisors and peers expect that you will stick to deadlines. Organizing your time can help you avoid costly mistakes and will make your life as a student easier. Think ahead and create a plan for the semester that is manageable and helps you achieve your goals.

Extreme close-up of calendar with fingers holding a pen on the right side and deadline written in red capital letters

Do you need to print something?     

While there are many ways to print materials on campus, here are two easy ways for students. 

Printing station at UNI - Close up of computer with monitor to the left of a Lexmark printer

Plagiarism is presenting someone else's work or ideas as your own, with or without their consent, by incorporating it into your own work without full acknowledgment. Plainly, it is copying someone else's work and claiming it is your own.

Some international students may have a difficult time writing papers and essays in English. The internet has great facts about every topic imaginable, but you cannot cut and paste information from a site or article and insert it into your own papers. American culture holds the value of "self-reliance" very deeply, so when a professor feels you plagiarized, they feel you didn't do your paper by yourself. Therefore, you can fail the assignment, fail the course or even face punishment from the university.

Make an Academic Coaching Appointment
Extreme close-up of a keyboard with copy and paste written on two side-by-side keys

Deadlines are very important when it comes to success in academic study and your professors, advisors and peers expect that you will stick to deadlines. Organizing your time can help you avoid costly mistakes and will make your life as a student easier. Think ahead and create a plan for the semester that is manageable and helps you achieve your goals.

Extreme close-up of calendar with fingers holding a pen on the right side and deadline written in red capital letters

Do you need to print something?     

While there are many ways to print materials on campus, here are two easy ways for students. 

Printing station at UNI - Close up of computer with monitor to the left of a Lexmark printer

Plagiarism is presenting someone else's work or ideas as your own, with or without their consent, by incorporating it into your own work without full acknowledgment. Plainly, it is copying someone else's work and claiming it is your own.

Some international students may have a difficult time writing papers and essays in English. The internet has great facts about every topic imaginable, but you cannot cut and paste information from a site or article and insert it into your own papers. American culture holds the value of "self-reliance" very deeply, so when a professor feels you plagiarized, they feel you didn't do your paper by yourself. Therefore, you can fail the assignment, fail the course or even face punishment from the university.

Make an Academic Coaching Appointment
Extreme close-up of a keyboard with copy and paste written on two side-by-side keys