Online and In-Person Essay Help

You may have papers and other written assignments due this semester. There are two ways to get feedback on those assignments before you turn them in. Online essay review is available to all Vol State students through eLearn. Go to the eLearn page for the course and look for the “Essay Review and Writing Support” tab. You can upload any written assignment to a dropbox there and receive feedback from a Learning Commons tutor. You can also visit the Learning Commons location on each campus for a face-to-face session with a writing tutor. You can come by during any stage of the writing process, from brainstorming to final revision. The assistance is free and open to all students.

Vol State events this Week

Feb. 17 TN Tech University representative, Wood Campus Center main hallway, 10 am – 1 pm

Feb. 18 MTSU representative, Wood Campus Center main hallway, 10 am – 2 pm

Feb. 18 Daniel Caron: Picture Leadership, student workshop, Rochelle Center-Thigpen Library, 12:45pm

Feb. 18 SGA Meeting, Rochelle-Thigpen Library, 11:15am-12:15pm

Feb. 18 Black History Lunch and Learn: The Life of James Baldwin, Nichols Dining B, 11:15am-4pm

Feb. 19 Belmont representative, Wood Campus Center main hallway, 11 am – 2 pm

Feb. 19 Q and A with President Faulkner, Cookeville Atrium, 10-11:30am

Feb. 19 The Words We Use, welcoming language discussion, Springfield Campus Community Room, 11:10am

Feb. 19 Daniel Caron: How to Play with Difficult People, student workshop, Nichols Dining Room B, 11:15am-12:30pm

Feb. 20 Union University representative, Wood Campus Center main hallway, 10 am – 2:30 pm

Feb. 20 The Words We Use, welcoming language discussion, Cookeville Campus, 11:10am

Feb. 20 Civil Rights Activists in the 1950s, Lecture by Melanie Cochran, Rochelle Center-Thigpen Library, 11:15am

Feb. 22 Intercollegiate Student Art Show Reception and Awards, Art Gallery, first floor SRB, 1pm-4pm

Feb. 22 Final Basketball Home Games, join the SGA is cheering on the Pioneers, Pickel Field House, games at 2pm and 4pm

Three Things to Do Now if You are Struggling in Your Classes

The work is piling up. You are getting behind in your classes. You are not sure if you can do it. First, take a deep breath. Most college students feel this way at one point or another. It is still early in the semester and there are things you can do to catch up. Here are three things to do immediately:

1.       1. Talk to the instructor for any class that you are having problems. Visit them in their office or see them after class, but have a real discussion about what you can do to catch up. They have to hold you to the same standards as other students in the class. They also want to see you do well in their class. Work out a plan with each instructor and get the work done.

2.       2. Many students have trouble juggling work and family needs with college demands. Make a priority list of what are the most important things you need to get done and consider dropping the extras that you don’t have time for. Hopefully, that isn’t your classes. It could be that you have over-extended yourself with extracurricular activities, volunteering at church, etc.

3.       3. You may be trying to take too many classes and need to drop one. Just be careful, it can impact your TN Promise, TN Reconnect and other financial aid. If you are considering dropping a class at this point or perhaps even considering dropping out of college altogether, please talk to someone first. There are advisors available on each Vol State campus. It doesn’t have to be your assigned academic advisor. You can visit the Advising Center on the Gallatin campus, Ramer Room 141, at any time during business hours. You can drop-in or make appointments to see advisors on other campuses. You should also meet with Financial Aid to discuss how it will impact you.

College may be tougher than you expected. You can do this.  Successful college students have one thing in common- they overcome adversity and challenges. That means getting in there and fighting to succeed. We are here to help, whether it be with free academic assistance and tutoring or just by listening and offering advice. Don’t forget all of the free Vol State academic help you have available to you. Visit www.volstate.edu/collegesuccess for details.

Vol State Events this Week

Feb. 10 Lead on. Feed on. Students can learn about leadership and the Feed student food bank, donate items to the Feed to win prizes, Nichols Dining A, 11:15am-12:15pm

Feb. 10 and 11 Auditions for the Vol State production of the musical “Annie Warbucks, open to all, Caudill Hall auditorium, 6pm-8pm

Feb. 11 SGA Meet and Greet with Something Sweet, meet student government and make a candy gram, SRB 2nd floor hallway, 12:30-1:30pm

Feb. 11 Lipscomb representative, Wood Campus Center main hallway, 10 am – 2 pm

Feb. 12 and 13 Blood Drive, Cookeville Atrium check-in, 10am-3pm

Feb. 12 Nashville Opera performance, everyone invited, SRB 151, 2pm

Feb. 13 UT Knoxville representative, Wood Campus Center main hallway, 10 am – 2 pm

Feb. 13 Black History Lunch and Learn: The March on Washington, Nichols Dining B, 11:15am-12:30pm

Feb. 13 NSLS Empowers, discuss empowerment with students, SRB second floor hallway, 9am-12:30pm

Open Now Cookeville Art Exhibit: Margaret Krakowiak, Urban Trees, hallway show though April

What the Vol State Library Can Do For You

The Thigpen Library in Gallatin is your number one campus resource.

Don’t know where to start when researching a topic?  The library staff offers personalized service. Librarians can provide instruction on methods to search for books, eBooks, journal articles from databases, streaming videos, and other resources.

Would you like access to technology?  The IT department maintains a computer lab on the library’s first floor that is open in conjunction with the library. Use one of the many computers available in the lab, including printing and scanning. The library also has laptops available for check-out and use anywhere within the library.

Do you need to access a specific textbook?  There are a variety of textbooks on reserve for two hour use within the library.  Just ask the staff at the circulation desk for assistance.

Would you like a peaceful place to study?  There is a silent study room on the second floor of the library and additional study space throughout the second floor.

Do you need a meeting place for a group activity?  There are study rooms on the second floor for group study and a practice-presentation room.

For Library services in Springfield, Livingston, and Cookeville please visit: http://libguides.volstate.edu/offcampus

For other information please visit www.volstate.edu/library

Vol State Events this Week

Feb. 3 Trevecca University representative, Wood Campus Center main hallway, 11am – 2pm

Feb. 4 Cumberland University representative, Wood Campus Center main hallway, 11am – 1:30 pm

Feb. 4 SGA Meeting, Nichols Dining B, 11:15am-12:15pm

Feb. 4 Global Engagement Mixer, meet students from other countries, Rochelle-Thigpen, 1pm

Feb. 5 UT Knoxville representative, Wood Campus Center main hallway, 10am – 2pm

Feb. 5 Black History Lunch and Learn: The Tuskegee Airmen, Nichols Dining B, 11:15am-12:30pm

Feb. 6 Coffee with the Prez, students can chat with Dr. Faulkner, SRB second floor, 9:15am-11:30am

Feb. 6 Baptist College representative, Wood Campus Center main hallway, 10:30am – 2pm

The Feed Student Food Bank Open to All Students

The Vol State Feed provides free food to students in need. All students are eligible.The Feed at Vol State seeks to alleviate the barriers and challenges associated with food insecurity and hunger so that students can remain in school, and ultimately, earn their degrees. It could be called a food pantry or a food bank. The important point is that The Feed is open to all Vol State students. It is operated at all four Vol State campuses.

The Feed is stocked with non-perishable food items and personal hygiene items. All current students are welcome to use The Feed and must present their Student ID at each visit. Students are able to use The Feed as often as needed. The Feed operates on the honor system. Students will be asked to fill out a brief registration form with basic information, but it is not necessary to prove eligibility.

How to Use The Feed

You need to make an appointment to use The Feed this semester. Just visit the Student Engagement Office in the Wood Campus Center, room 215. Or email student.engagement@volstate.edu.  Please see the front desks at CHEC, Livingston and Highland Crest campuses for help at those locations.