Last week, students at the College of Staten Island were able to attend the Importance of Study Habits and Time Management Workshop. Dominic N. Fiduccia, the Academic Resource Center Coordinator at the Office of Academic Support at CSI led the workshop.

He began by explaining the history of the workshop, how it started in 2019 and happens twice per semester, one in-person workshop and another Zoom session. While many of the participants were first-year students, other students were there to learn more about better study habits.

As the workshop started, students were each given worksheets to follow along the workshop. Students learned about SMART goal-setting, which means specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely. With this acronym students can map a pathway to accomplish their goals.

Mr. Fiduccia also spoke about how success is not an accident and with consistent action students are able to achieve the results they are hoping for. He also spoke about test-taking –  making sure students do not rush, read the test instructions carefully, and to not be afraid of asking questions when clarification of directions are needed. In addition, students should be aware of timing during a test and plan how much time they want to spend on questions. Lastly, if you are stuck, Mr. Fiduccia urges test takers to just skip that question and go back to it at the end of your test.

The workshop then ended by going over some statistics in time management for students to review. A majority of students (53%) said they struggled with needing more time during tests in college than in high school, and 88% of students said yes to changing their methods of time management now that they are in college.

Entering college can be a huge change for students, and here at CSI there are many resources to make sure you thrive in this upcoming semester. Students should visit the Office of Academic Support in the Library, Room 117. In addition to helpful tips students can use year-round, the office also offers study centers and tutoring as well as Faculty and Staff resources as well.

By: Rachel Rodrigues