The Syllabus.  Review the strategies for success included in the syllabus. In addition, review the information about the level of commitment and effort required for a 5-unit class (all Spanish courses are worth 5 units).  Each unit assumes 1 hour in the classroom, and 2 hours of preparation outside of class.  Are you spending the average 10 necessary hours weekly outside of class; and, if so, are you dividing the time up throughout the week in order to have consistent, daily practice?  If you're taking a high number of units and/or working many hours at a job, and this is keeping your from being able to put in the time necessary for you to achieve the success that you desire, you may need to rethink your schedule.

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Your Classmates.  Other students can be a wonderful resource in a couple of different ways.  First, since language courses are all about communicating with others, they lend themselves especially well to group study.  Try to arrange study sessions with your classmates, even if it's just a half hour before or after class once or twice a week.  Also, find out from your classmates if there are any specific study strategies that they use that they've found especially successful, and share your experiences with them.  Sometimes, it's just a matter of finding the technique that works best for you, so try to stay open to trying out different techniques, and don't let yourself get too frustrated if one in particular doesn't work so well for you.  Chances are good that there is another that will.

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Your Instructor.  Take advantage of your instructor's time and knowledge!  If they have an office here on campus, make yourself a frequent visitor.  If not, arrange to speak with her/him before or after class, or during the break.  In addition to required assignments, ask your instructor if there are any additional activities that you can do in order to practice the material.  They may have extra handouts or recommendations about websites to visit.  They may also have additional suggestions about study techniques.  When speaking with your instructor, try to be as specific as possible in identifying what problems you are having.  This may involve some self-reflection beforehand: try to be able to communicate how often you are studying, what specific techniques you are using, and where you're having problems (understanding grammar? retaining vocabulary? comprehending the spoken language? etc.).

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The OCC Student Success Center. All OCC students who have paid their College Service Charge are entitled to free tutoring services.  Tutoring is provided by trained student tutors and volunteers who have taken the course in which you want tutoring and/or who have knowledge of the course content.  Click here to find out more about the OCC Student Success Center.

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The OCC Student Health Center. If you get sick, remember that part of your registration fees at OCC cover your access to the OCC Student Health Center. This includes mental health services, which include crisis care. Take advantage of these resources and keep yourself both mentally and physically healthy!