Advising & Support >> Academic Services >> Learning Skills

Support for Academic Skills

When seeking to improve general academic skills (such as writing papers or time management), the following programs can help:

Learning Resources Center

The Weingarten Learning Resources Center provides academic support through a varied menu of services and programs, including:

• • Individual instruction with a Learning Instructor.
• • Print Information: self-help pamphlets, handouts, and calendar tools for independent use.
• • Interactive workshops.
• • Collaborative University Programs.

For contact information and walk-in hours, see the website.

Information Commons

The David B. Weigle Information Commons in the Van Pelt Dietrich Library Center, supports collaborative learning and group activities using the latest technologies. The WIC offers training, equipment and support for technology, research and digital media creation. Through its program partners, WIC also hosts student support services for writing, public speaking, study strategies and time management. WIC includes Data Diner booths, group study rooms, alcoves, a high-tech seminar room and the Vitale Digital Media Lab. WIC offers an extensive calendar of workshops and training opportunities.

Writing

The Penn Writing Center offers friendly, expert writing help to Penn undergraduate and graduate students. Writing tutors are trained to help students write with greater skill and confidence.

Speaking

Speaking-intensive courses give students the opportunity to hone their public-speaking skills, and the CWiC Speaking Center offers students access to trained peer speaking advisors. These advisors provide individualized coaching for students and groups working on presentations or seeking less formal speaking guidance. Students interested in becoming speaking advisors should apply for COLL 135, the training course offered each spring. Applications are due in November.

CWiC honors students with both strong research projects and superior speaking abilities by providing those students with a public forum in which to talk about their academic work. See the CWiC website for more on Emerging Scholars Talks.