Author: Caelin Bragg

Now is the time for you to check your class progress and reflect on the goals you set for yourself at the beginning of the semester. You can do this by locating your grades in Blackboard and attending academic success programs. You can also visit the Shocker Learning Center.

You can also contact student.success@wichita.edu to request a meeting with a success coach or schedule directly at the Success Coach website.

Students may feel anxious about approaching their professors and need encouragement to interact with them. Despite these reservations, making connections with faculty can help students feel more comfortable in class, get references for jobs or graduate school, and help advise them about career options.

Use the link below and to learn few tips on how to approach and speak with professors. Remember, faculty members are often their best resource for academic success.

It’s never too late to try new tactics in the classroom and at home to improve learning. Students can quiz themselves or other classmates on class concepts, create questions from assigned readings to ask during class, or join a study group with other motivated students to improve academic performance.

Do you need help? Wichita State’s Counseling and Prevention Services (CAPS) has a variety of mental health services with people ready to help students. Visit their website to view a full list of services.

The majority of the parking lot at Woolsey Hall, lot 41, will be closed Thursday, Jan. 26 for events during the day. ADA spaces are always open outside of a lot reservation. Make plans for how you intend to park prior to coming to campus.

Do you know a faculty member who exemplifies any of the traits below? If so, nominate that person for the Wichita State President’s Distinguished Service Award.

• Distinguished service to the university
• Distinguished service to the community
• Notable outreach efforts or forging of connections among WSU and the community
• Long-term commitment to WSU through extensive committee service

Consider nominating them for the Presidential Service Award. Complete a nomination form, attach a CV that includes the nominee’s service activities, and include a letter of support. Previous recipients of this award are not eligible for nomination.

Nominations will be accepted until 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27. Please send your nominations to leeann.birdwell@wichita.edu.

Wichita State University has selected the top 14 finalists in the annual Distinguished Scholarship Invitational:

• Kyra Bergman, Centralia High School (Centralia, KS)
• Maisy Blanton, Andover High School
• Evander Davis, Washburn Rural High School
• Grace Fisher, Liberty High School (Missouri)
• Payton Hamilton, McPherson High School
• Maley Hansen, Wichita North High School
• Lesly Hernandez, Maize High School
• Tamara Ibrahim, Wichita East High School
• Jayden Island, Derby High School
• Katelyn Janzen, Oklahoma Bible Academy (Oklahoma)
• Carson McCachern, Deer Creek High School (Oklahoma)
• Laura Pham, Wichita East High School
• Ronish Rasaily, Wichita East High School
• Anna Richardson, Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School

Are you feeling overwhelmed prioritizing, studying and juggling multiple roles while trying to meet your academic deadlines? Time management will always be one of the biggest challenges for all college students, but Wichita State’s student success coaches are here to help.

Students who want to to improve their time-management skills can find tips and resources in the time management section of the Student Success website.

Students can also reach out to their professional success coach for help on time management.

Zach Gearhart, chief of staff, will update faculty and staff on legislative issues raised related to Wichita State from the Kansas state government.

The meeting is open to all faculty and staff at 9 a.m. every other Friday. Due to electrical maintenance in Morrison Hall, the next meeting is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 27 in 202 Rhatigan Student Center.

The Wichita State Police Department encourages all students, faculty, staff and visitors to remain safe while driving and walking across campus.

WSUPD offers the following safety tips to both drivers and pedestrians:

For drivers:

• Follow all traffic laws, including driving at or under speed limits and coming to a full stop at stop signs.
• Stop for all pedestrians and offer proper clearance for them to cross the road.
• Be vigilant when approaching intersections. Even if you have a green light, pedestrians may still be crossing.
• Be prepared for pedestrians to cross the road if you see them approaching a crosswalk. They may not give you adequate signals they will cross before doing so.
• Make sure to use your blinkers when making turns, and check that you don’t accidently have your blinker on when you don’t intend to turn.
• When making turns, make sure to check for pedestrians in front of you as well as where you are turning into.
• If you see a yellow light, slow down and stop if it is safe to do so. Pedestrians may start crossing as you pass through.
• Be extra vigilant when visibility is low, such as at night or in heavy rain, snow or fog.
• Consider using the Wichita State Transit buses when traffic is high or visibility is low, or when you have to drive a considerable distance across campus.

For pedestrians:

• Follow all traffic laws and traffic signals that tell you when and when not to cross.
• Always use marked crosswalks. Many drivers are not expecting pedestrians crossing elsewhere.
• Check for cars coming from both directions before you begin to cross the road.
• Remain vigilant for cars when crossing the road. Pedestrians have the right of way on roads, but drivers may not see you crossing in time to slow down.
• Make sure drivers coming from both directions have clear sight of you before you cross the road.
• When using a crosswalk, make it clear that you are about to cross before doing so to give drivers enough time to see you, slow down and let you through.
• If a driver has their car blinker on, make sure they are slowing down and completing the turn before crossing the road. They may have a malfunction or left it on by mistake and may not be turning.
• Be extra vigilant when visibility is low, such as at night or in heavy rain, snow or fog.
• Consider using the Wichita State Transit buses when traffic is high or visibility is low, or when you have to walk a considerable distance across campus.