Academic Skills Assessment Program

The Academic Skills and Assessment Program (ASAP) is designed to help students improve their academic performance by addressing a number of concerns that can interfere with effective learning. ASAP targets a wide range of issues including:

  • Time management
  • Learning and Memory
  • Test anxiety
  • Reading effectiveness
  • Effective exam preparation
  • General study skills

The staff at Student Counseling Service (SCS) have developed and compiled a number of self-help resources relevant for academic success in a university setting. Please note that the links provided are intended as an educational aid to further your understanding of topics that can impact academic performance but should not be viewed as a substitute for assistance from a qualified mental health professional.

Time Management

Memory and Concentration

Reading

Study Skills

Exam Preparation

Improving Academic Performance 

Dealing with Stress 

Mindfulness and Relaxation

ASAP workshops are offered on relevant topics every quarter. Please see the descriptions below and check back in late summer for dates and times.

Stress Management Fundamentals

Whether you want to succeed academically or socially, effective stress management is the foundation of health and well-being. While stress itself is a normal and necessary part of life, we often neglect the fundamentals of stress management when they are most needed. This educational workshop is full of useful tips to help you better manage stress.

Monday, October 22, 2018 (3-4:30 p.m.) at South Lounge in Reynolds Club.
To sign up, click here.

Overcoming Procrastination: Taking Charge of Your Choices

Procrastination is one of the most common problems that students face. When excessive, it can cause significant academic difficulties that interfere with the ability to accomplish goals and feel satisfied with performance. This workshop is designed to help you understand why we procrastinate and provide guidance on how you can consciously choose behaviors that align with your personal academic goals.

Friday, October 12, 2018 (3-4:30 p.m.) at Alumni House (5555 S. Woodlawn Ave.)
To sign up, click here.

Rumination Remedies for Expert Worriers

Do you often worry about things that have happened in the past or might happen in the future? Does over-thinking get in the way of your academic life? Do you ever wonder if there are better tools to manage anxious thoughts? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are invited to learn more about why we over-think, get tips on creating distance from problematic thoughts, and practice a new way of responding to difficult thoughts and emotions.

Thursday, November 8, 2018 (3-4:30 p.m.) at Alumni House (5555 S. Woodlawn Ave.)
To sign up, click here.

Mindfulness for Academic Success

A practical skill that has been shown to increase attentional control and the ability to keep focus on the present moment, Mindfulness is highly relevant to effective academic performance. Join us for a hands-on introduction to the various components of mindfulness that are tailored to help you maximize your ability to learn.

Thursday, November 15, 2018 (3-4:30 p.m.) at Alumni House (5555 S. Woodlawn Ave.)
To sign up, click here.

Some students may benefit from brief one-on-one appointments. This provides an opportunity to discuss your concerns more fully with an ASAP counselor and determine personalized strategies to achieve your academic goals. ASAP appointments are 45 minutes in length.

To get started, make an ASAP appointment by calling 773.702.9800, Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Appointments take place at SCS, 5555 S. Woodlawn Ave. For more information, contact Tab Shamsi, PsyD, at tshamsi@bsd.uchicago.edu.

Related Links

UChicagoSocial: SHCS