Brendan Bonner ’23

News Editor

With the spring semester getting underway and classes returning to the forefront of everyone’s mind, resources that can help in academic success are as important as ever. Luckily, there are a plethora of options available out there for ensuring students the most success possible in the new semester. 

One of the best places to look is, of course, the Academic Service and Learning Resources (ASLR) programs. Hosting many different mediums of programs, the ASLR center is there for both students looking to maintain their success and for those who need help reaching it. There are several programs that are either entirely new or being built upon in anticipation of the spring semester. Kelly Santileus, the director of Academic Resources here at College of the Holy Cross, spoke to the goal of ASLR saying: “Our goal is to help alleviate some of that academic stress by offering tips and strategies to navigate your academic journey at the College.”

For those in fields of STEM+E, a great ASLR service comes in the form of The STEM+E Workshop, which is a one-on-one peer tutoring program. The Workshop itself is now being held two times a day, a new addition for this semester. From Monday through Thursday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., there will now be drop in, first come first serve, one-on-one tutoring sessions. For those who are unable to make the new, earlier sessions or find it too crowded, the traditional appointment based program will still be held in Dinand 205 between 6 p.m.-8 p.m. More information regarding this resource can be easily found here. Online and in person options are available!

ASLR also offers a series of Academic Success Workshops that apply more general tools for succeeding this semester. There are a multitude of Workshops being held over the course of the spring semester, with the very next one being “Time Management,” which will be held on Feb. 23. All Workshops are free to Holy Cross students and are a great way to learn skills in all facets of academic success. 

Another great resource offered by the ASLR is the several leadership opportunities within the program. The Passport Program, Odyssey Program, and the Mentor Program are now all accepting applications through the common application, found on the Passport website linked within the ASLR Newsletter or found at this link. Passport Leaders assist in first year students’ transitions to the rigorous academics at Holy Cross, and it is a great opportunity for students of any year. 

Lastly, students can schedule one-on-one appointments with the directors of ASLR themselves, which allows for thorough and personalized help with your own academic goals, skills in time management, and identifying the on-campus resources that would be best for you. 

Kelly Saintelus graciously provided some more insight regarding virtual options for students looking for a totally COVID friendly approach. While “daytime drop-in tutoring does not have an online option” currently, “the STEM+E Workshop has an online option for students unable to meet in person.” Furthermore, “students can make an appointment with a staff member or for tutoring by visiting our website: holycross.edu/ASLR” completely virtually.

For those looking for some guidance this semester, be sure to check out the success workshops coming up throughout the spring, or make an appointment with an ASLR director today!

Graphic by Academic Services and Learning Resources