ama36 – Learning Strategies Center

Winter Session 2026 Offerings

Posted on December 15, 2025December 15, 2025 by ama36

The LSC has online resources to help you reflect on the Fall semester and prepare for the Spring

Reflecting on the Fall Semester to Prepare for Spring

Before you start thinking about the spring, you should take some time to think about what went well this fall (what helped you be successful?) and what you might do differently (what could you do to help you be more successful?). Check out the LSC Study Skills Module on Gearing up for a new semester at Cornell to explore some ideas.

Winter Session Workshop Courses

The LSC is excited to offer two workshop courses during the Winter 2026 session. These opportunities are all free and not-for-credit. Similar to other LSC courses, they are taught by experienced instructors and are completely optional. Find more information about our winter workshop courses at this link.

The Math Preparation for Physics Workshop Course is a free, not-for-credit opportunity for students who are taking Physics 1112 this spring to improve proficiency and confidence with fundamental math skills and concepts that are necessary for the course. More information coming soon.
The Winter Session Calculus Prep Workshop Course is a no-cost, not-for-credit opportunity for students who are taking Math1110 or Math1106 in the spring to work on the fundamental concepts and skills needed for success in those courses.

Anytime Online Canvas Modules

Maybe you’d like to do some review before classes start, or maybe you dropped a class and would find it useful to get additional preparation before you take the class again. LSC’s anytime online modules are for you! Cornell net ID log-in is required for these resources. Find more information about anytime online canvas modules at this link.

Managing Academics Over Winter Break

Posted on December 14, 2025December 15, 2025 by ama36

1) Build a calendar to plan your winter session

Staying organized starts with a calendar! Maybe you are planning to take a class or study over winter session, or maybe you need to catch up on some fall course work. Check out the LSC’s tips for managing your time, then set up a calendar that will let you get your work done and set aside time to rest, relax, and enjoy a well-deserved break.

2) Explore ideas to take care of yourself and have fun

Taking care of yourself means having some fun, which can also help you study and focus better. Be sure to plan in activities like exercise, hanging out with friends and family, watching TV, gaming, and doing things that bring you joy.

Want some great ideas about taking care of yourself, and how to have effective study breaks? Check out Cornell Health’s resources: https://health.cornell.edu/about/news/study-breaks-stress-busters and https://mentalhealth.cornell.edu/self-care/self-care-practices

3) Figure out your study space (where you will get work done)

Organize your space: If you are taking an online class, you will need to carve out a physical space to do your remote learning. It might be challenging to find a spot at home that’s private, quiet, and has internet access. What are some things to consider?

Find a quiet space (and negotiate with your family or roommates to help keep it a quiet space!).
Before class starts, see if you can create a study space that is effective for learning. Though it can be tempting to just work from your bed or the couch, having a dedicated workspace that’s different than your lounging space can make both work and relaxation more productive.
Stay organized! Get a file organizer for paper files and take some time to clean up your desktop and electronic files.

4) Find others to study with

Peer pressure doesn’t have to be a bad thing! In order to harness positive peer pressure, study with a friend, get a study partner, or maybe even recruit a younger sibling or friend who’s still in high school.

5) If you are taking a Winter Session class

Check our the LSC resources on “Learning Online“

Successful students ask for help when they need it!

Posted on January 10, 2024October 1, 2025 by ama36

At the LSC, you will often hear us say, “Successful students ask for help when they need it!”. This advice actually came from our student tutors. When we asked them what they would want to share with new students, this was the most common response.

So, you might be wondering, where DO I get help if when I need it?

Where can you get help?

Visit office hours with your course instructor or TA (Teaching Assistant). Office hours are times for you to come and ask questions – they are usually held at a variety of times. Instructors and TAs are there to help you learn, so visit office hours and take a look at how you can best use them! (New to Cornell? – check out our Cornell Terms to Know page!)

Look for LSC tutoring and LSC Supplemental Courses, which are available as a supplement to some challenging introductory courses and give additional problem-solving practice. Check out the LSC webpage for what courses are supported. All courses and tutoring offered by the LSC are available at NO COST to you!

Find a study group or study partner. Not only are study partners a great way to network and connect with your peers, studying together is a powerful tool for learning:

Other students may have questions you didn’t even know you have.
Setting a regular time and place to study can help with procrastination.
Explaining material to other students is a well-established method of solidifying your own knowledge.
Working with classmates from a variety of background helps you gain insights and experience perspectives you might not otherwise have access to.

Finding people to study with can be challenging (even when you are taking in-person classes), and Cornell’s Learning Strategies Center (LSC) helps match you with study partners. To find out more about study groups and partners and to sign-up for study partners for class you are in, visit the LSC’s Studying Together webpage.

Talk to your Advisor. Every college is different in terms of how advising works, but they all have staff who are there to help! College advisors provide information on where to get support while you are here and they can advise you on the courses you need to/should take.

Look at study tips and strategies offered by the LSC. Help with study strategies and time management can be just as important as help with content. Sometimes tweaking your current study strategies or trying new ones can help you save time and learn material better. Check out the LSC resources on how to study, managing time and stress, and learning online.

There are many place to get help! Your friends, residential staff, and family are great resources. Check out non-LSC academic resources and other campus support offices.

As you already know, it won’t always be easy, but you can do it!

Cornell WILL push you and it WILL be hard sometimes (that’s how we get better and learn). Remember, you have the tools and the resources – maybe you need to tweak them, maybe you need to try something new, but you have what you need, and you have a community of support (your peers, your instructors, your advisors, residential staff, and many others) here to help.

It’s easier to keep up than catch up, so make sure you get help when you need it. Have a great semester!