Academic success director and students share key advice about academic health and success
Recognizing academic performance and learning patterns are the key to achieving academic health, said Michael Aldrich, the library and academic success director. He said, “When you are physically healthy, that means your body is functioning. Academic health means you are functioning in class. You may not always get As, but you are engaged, and [learning] is something that you are excited about.”
He shared several factors impacting academic health such as mental issues, learning disabilities or family issues. While challenges and difficulties are common during academic journeys, Aldrich said academic health is not about a perfect condition or the absence of struggles. He said, “Good academic health is knowing that you are struggling, but you feel good about what you are doing because you put in time to learn and grow.”
Academic doctors
Aldrich said knowledge is one of the few things that stays with people, not just in this life but throughout eternity. He said, “The Lord brought you here generally for two reasons. [First], there is something you need to learn here. The second reason is there are... people you will encounter who need you.” He shared how most people are afraid to ask for help, often because of pride and embarrassment. Similar to seeking help from a doctor when we are sick, we also need people to help us during academic emergencies, he explained.
Bailee Fox, a senior majoring in intercultural peacebuilding and social work from Utah, said her professors have helped her throughout her complex academic journey. She said, “Amanda Ford is one of my professors who has been a very kind role model for me. She’s someone I love to talk to and makes me feel less stressed.” Fox said Ford is a living proof of what she can become if she works hard and earns her two degrees.
Valerie Joy Agustin, a junior majoring in political science and accounting from the Philippines, said her academic doctor is not a physical person but a journal where she addresses Heavenly Father. She said because she is not used to talk about her problems to others, writing in her journal helps her understand her feelings and improve. “Once I write things down, it gives me a little bit of comfort that I can overcome things…. When I’m afraid or feel like I failed a test [and] when I feel like I’m not doing well in a class, I write it in my journal. [Writing makes me realize] what holds me back [and helps me] feel like everything will be okay,” she said.
Aside from finding comfort in having a journal, Agustin said she tries to check her Stellic with her academic advisor at the beginning of a semester. She said her Stellic is already planned out until she graduates, but sometimes checking it with her advisor reassures her when there are new updates in the classes.
Best advice
Aldrich said, “Not many of us love to reach out. Some of the biggest factors are pride and embarrassment, but the whole gospel we believe in is based on the idea ‘We need help.’ That’s why the Atonement is needed.” He said anyone can be an academic doctor, whether it be an academic advisor, faculty member, friend or a supervisor. “Anyone who is willing not to criticize but is honest to help solve the problems [can be an academic doctor],” he added.
Through her experiences, Fox suggested students to find a place to make connections and get to know their professors because it will make their studies to more enjoyable. She said, “Find a friend who will support and encourage you in what you want to do with your goals.”
Fox said having a friend’s help gives opportunities for mutual support and more relaxation through doing fun things.
Agustin said she once thought multitasking was balancing. She said, “You need to stop multitasking. Because when you multitask, it affects the quality of the things you do.” Rather than multitasking, she said one’s focus needs to be on finishing one thing first before starting the others. She added, “ When you’re in a classroom, you need to listen to your professor. Sit there and write [down what you learn] and try to think through [what was said].”
When people are feeling down, Agustin recomended reaching out to others or reflecting on the why you are willing to go through the struggles of assignments and challenges. She said, “There’s no hard thing or hard topic. If you know the purpose of taking that topic, [you will be willing] to learn what is taught in the class.”
Making a decision
Fox’s choice to pursue a double major encouraged her to take on many responsibilities, she said. Fox said the key strategy that supported her academic journey was her proactive approach in reaching out and initiating contact with others whenever she had a pressing idea or question. She said, “Being proactive helps me to be positive and avoid regrets because I did my best to keep moving.”
She said she felt more well-rounded in making a decision and her to-do list is less like a task when she understands her motivations. “When you know what you are passionate about, it’s never as bad as you think it’s going to be. Sometimes we just overthink it and get scared of the big things we have to do, but it always works out,” said Fox.
Agustin said double majoring was not her initial plan. She was initially majoring in accounting and minoring in political science. After taking Political Science 101 during her freshman year, she said she realized she was not only interested in solving mathematical problems but also problems in society.
Agustin said accounting and political science are very different. “Accounting has specific rules.,” she explained. “When you follow the standard and compute it, you get an exact number, [whereas] political science allows you to think outside the box. So when you enter a political science exam, you need to think carefully and analyze.” Agustin said she sometimes feels stressed because what is required for a political science exam is different from an accounting exam. Because of the differences, she said she sometimes mixes up the requirements for each class and overanalyzing her choices in exams.
Measuring academic health
Planning work is an essential step for Agustin, and she said she lists tasks according to priority. “I usually plan everything I need to do and try to see whether I can delegate some of the tasks to other people, especially if I have responsibilities with clubs or a group project,” she said. Checking her list of tasks is one way Agustin feels academically accomplished, she said. She added understanding a topic and being able to explain it to someone else is a second accomplishment. Lastly, she said she feels academically accomplished, “If I’m enjoying the things I want, even if it takes a lot of time.”