Holistic Student Success Platform
engagement
Engagement focuses on those behaviors – attendance, timeliness, assignment completion, and participation – that are essential to academic success in college.
College-level courses can demand a great deal more than what you may recall from high school. While you may not be required to attend every course, doing so is absolutely crucial to passing. Likewise, homework, readings, or other assignments may or may not be required, but are where you have a chance to master what you learned in the course. Lastly, many faculty give grades for participation (e.g., classroom discussions, online discussion boards).
Perhaps the most important part of Engagement is that it can vary from course to course. Therefore, it’s on you to learn what’s expected of each course and make sure you fulfill those requirements. Remember that, even though a reading or assignment may not be graded at the time it’s given to you, it’s a critical part of your learning and will definitely be needed later on.
Tell me and I forget.
Teach me and I remember.
Involve me and I learn.
Benjamin Franklin
General Tips and Strategies to Improve Engagement
Show up to class
-
When it comes to being successful in college, going to class is probably the most important choice you can make.
-
While you have more freedom to control your time, make sure class attendance remains your top priority.
Be an active participant
-
In college (especially compared to high school), expectations shift significantly. In many cases, professors will expect students to be more engaged, contribute more to the class, and take greater ownership of their learning.
-
Taking notes, asking questions, and engaging in conversations is not just what faculty expect, it’s also a critical part of your learning.
Collaborate with Peers
-
Join Study Groups: Collaborating with classmates can deepen understanding and build community.
-
Engage in Group Projects: Take an active role and share responsibilities equitably.
-
Seek Peer Feedback: Ask peers for input on assignments and ideas.
Extend Learning Beyond the Classroom
-
Attend Workshops and Lectures: Many colleges offer extracurricular events to enhance learning.
-
Connect with Faulty: Visit professors during office hours to discuss topics of interest.
-
Engage in Research Opportunities: Participate in undergraduate research or internships.
Leverage Support Services
-
Academic Advising: Use advisors to stay on track with your goals.
-
Tutoring and Writing Centers: Seek academic support as needed.
-
Counseling Services: Mental health support can boost overall engagement.
Engagement Resources at WCU
The Division of Student Success
Provides the resources needed to help you reach your academic potential and complete your degree that will lead to opportunities beyond WCU. Refer to the Division of Student Success for support in academic advising, career and professional development, tutoring, and mentoring.
To enrich your campus experience. WCU offers a variety of extracurricular student activities, events, student organizations, and leadership programs.
The Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning
Provides opportunities to engage with the WCU community and beyond.
Other Engagement Resources
Engagement - and adjusting to the increased expectations of college-level courses - is just one part of the transition to college. In 2024, CollegeData.com conducted a survey of new college students to understand what issues were most pressing. If you'd like to hear from other students, you can read about the results here.
College Info Geek created 300 episodes of their podcast to help college students improve study skills, balance their finances, and connect their education to a career. They have a host of resources that help students learn about various skills and strategies that can help you transition to college more effectively, including time management, getting involved, and connecting with your professors.