Academic Support

You're probably doing it right now! Whether you're a senior parsing over your final transcript or an incoming freshman anxiously awaiting your first day of class, you know preparation is key. What you're probably less sure about is what exactly you're preparing for.

Our mission in the Dean of Students office is to assist you in achieving your academic goals. But this idea of "achieving your academic goals" is a bit misleading. Often when students hear "academic goals," they automatically start thinking in vague, philosophical terms--some hazy, faraway sense of accomplishment you hope to feel by the time you receive your degree. But when we hear "academic goals," we come at it from the exact opposite perspective.

We concern ourselves with the concrete and the pragmatic--the short-term decisions William & Mary students have to make on a daily basis. Questions like "How much longer do I work on this paper?", "Should I start studying for the exam I have tomorrow instead?", "Is it worth it for me to skip my morning class so I can finish both?", or "Do I dare ask my professor for an extension?"

The Dean of Students Office is a place where you can get help answering these kinds of questions. We meet with students both individually and in group sessions to talk about things like time management, stress management, and study techniques.

We know William & Mary students achieve "academic goals" every day, not just at commencement.

• Check the Academic Compass (pdf), your guide to getting the most out of your William & Mary coursework.