How Baylor works to help BU students succeed in their classes

Every college student knows the feeling — a challenging class that stretches your limits, perhaps at the same time you’re adjusting to the new responsibilities of college life. In the moment, you may feel the top-tier academics that drew you to the school are stretching you beyond your limits.

At Baylor, students are not alone in those moments. All they have to do is know where to look — and Baylor’s Paul L. Foster Success Center is the place to start, offering personalized support for Bears.

“We are so aware of the investment our students and their families are making,” says Carroll Crowson (BA ’03, MSED ’05, MTS ’12), a three-time Baylor graduate who serves as director of academic support programs in the Success Center. “We work to support student flourishing in all phases of their journey.”

On a recent episode of the Baylor Connections podcast, Crowson shared the many ways Baylor provides resources to help them flourish academically. Here are a few examples:

• Tutoring and Supplemental Instruction: One-on-one or group tutoring or help sessions are what many think of automatically when they think of academic support, and Baylor offers them for all students, whether they’re struggling in a class or just want to get ahead.
• Academic Skills Development: If you think of succeeding in college like playing a sport, everyone needs coaching on how to excel at a higher level. Baylor offers personalized academic assistance to help students implement study strategies, time management and personal plans for success.
• Technology: Baylor recently earned a national award as a leader in the use of technology to advance student success. Baylor uses a platform that enables staff to see early warning signs of academic struggle and proactively connect with students to help them find their footing and succeed in their academic work.

Perhaps the best thing about these resources, besides the personal connection that Baylor is recognized for, is that it’s all freely available to BU students.

“I like to call it an all-inclusive resort,” says Crowson. “They’re all free to students, and we want them to use them all. I love the stories that come from students who utilize the resources they need and get to the next level, and we’re here to help them.”

Sic ’em, Baylor academic support!