The College's Office of Undergraduate Retention and Student Success (OURSS) is ready to support you in every way to ensure you achieve your academic goals. Our office has multiple resources which will offer you guidance in practically any area. Please check out the list of support services offered by the College, and feel free to contact your Academic Advisor if you are looking for information you do not see listed.
College of Arts + Sciences support for student success
We're here for you every step of the way
As a major in the College, your major courses may be located predominantly in one building. However, your other classes may be anywhere on campus. With IU Bloomington being such a large campus, it is a good idea to open the interactive online campus map on your phone This resource provides building names, parking options, and even Healthy IU walking paths to explore our beautiful campus. Just type your desired location into the search box and it will give you walking directions. In addition, there are maps located around campus for you. Be sure to check to see whether the free Campus Bus Service will help you reach your destination. Always check your class schedule the day before classes begin in the event of a room change!
Many students are nervous to approach their instructors. Don’t be! Your instructors are here for you and welcome interaction from students. They want you to succeed and will offer help and resources to ensure your success. If there is ever something you do not understand, go see your instructor. All instructors are required to hold office hours for informal interactions with students. Most will let you know on the syllabus whether it is necessary to make an appointment or whether you can just walk or Zoom in at any time during those hours. Never feel shy about asking for information if you have questions about anything such as course content, assignments, or exams.
Your Academic Advisor is your best resource for all information regarding your academic path. Your advisor will help you follow your degree plan so that you stay on track and will be able to connect you with many resources that IU offers to support your success. If you experience any signs of difficulty in your classes, be sure to check in with your advisor as soon as you know you are having trouble. There are several policies that may be applicable to your situation, some with firm deadlines, and your advisor can help you navigate them. Plan to see your advisor at least once per semester, but feel free to contact them whenever you need help. We are committed to your success! To make an appointment with your academic advisor, go to the Student Appointment Scheduler in One.IU.
The College realizes that not everyone can be a full-time student. You should discuss your personal situation with your academic advisor to assess how many credit hours you should take if you are working and/or have other outside obligations. Not everyone can be successful working full time while taking a full course load. Your academic advisor will help you find a balance to make sure you reach your goals as you also attend to your responsibilities. Remember that the College and the university offer many resources that can help you with that balance.
If you are a student with a qualifying medical condition, under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Accessible Educational Services (AES) is dedicated to ensuring that you have the tools, support services, and resources that allow equal access and reasonable accessibility measures (accommodations) to be successful at IU Bloomington.
AES works with you and with appropriate university personnel to offer equal access to learning, educate the IU Bloomington community about diversity and inclusion, and link you to essential resources for success. IU Bloomington will provide reasonable accessibility measures (accommodations) to any student with a qualifying medical condition under the ADA. Accessibility measures are available for placement testing, exams, in-class support, and campus mobility. Whether you have a permanent or temporary impairment, you can register for services through Accessible Educational Services (AES).
College can be a challenging experience. Making academic and social decisions may feel overwhelming, especially if this is your first time making decisions independently, but IU provides many resources to help you. From the first day of classes, the Academic Support Center provides an important connection to campus resources to encourage your academic success, integrate your into campus life, and help you create a support system to ensure you will excel in college and beyond. The Student Academic Center is another resource that provides college success classes, peer tutoring for Finite Math and Calculus classes, a video help series, and academic coaching.
If you need assistance with writing assignments, be sure to check out Writing Tutorial Services. The Math department sponsors the Math Learning Center for assistance with many math courses. You can also find free tutoring for many of your classes. It is best to seek out these services when you first encounter problems. You’ll be surprised at the difference they will make in your success.
Students early in their career may benefit from enrolling in EDUC-X 158 Culture of College, which is designed to help students learn different strategies so that they can be successful in their studies. This 3-credit hour full-semester course is open to students from all disciplines.
You belong at IU!
Getting involved with student groups and organizations on campus can help you make new friends and can greatly enhance your college experience. With hundreds of student groups, you can find many opportunities to pursue your interests and make new connections around campus. Check out beINvolved and the beINvolved events calendar to discover exciting new social opportunities.
IU Bloomington is also home to many outstanding cultural centers dedicated to celebrating the unique backgrounds and experiences of our students through events, outreach and advocacy. These include:
First Nations Educational and Cultural Center
It’s never too early to begin planning your future. The College’s Walter Center for Career Achievement will help you connect your academic journey to your professional goals. The Walter Center is the place where you can discover internships, opportunities, and ways to curate your educational experiences in a way that reflects your unique and compelling story for employers. Health Professions and Prelaw Advising will help prepare you for admission into professional programs in law, medicine, and other health professions. They offer orientation sessions along with individual advising sessions, so if a professional career is in your future, be sure to take advantage of their services.