University Housing’s mission is to provide exceptional living opportunities for students to succeed academically. Our goal is to empower and support students to reach their full potential through events, interactions, and experiences beyond the classroom. Residential students will enhance their academics and career readiness by connecting with campus partners and faculty. Our Engage 100 course, Academic Resource Centers, and scholarship consultations are available to help launch YOUR academic success. The Academic Initiatives program supports residential students' academic needs and goals through advising, academic events, campus connections, and providing an academic environment that motivates students to excel.
Team Members
Stephanie Tillman
Program Coordinator
Academic Initiatives
Tel: (850) 645-7281
Email: sftillman@fsu.edu
Academic Trainers
The trainers are current Florida State University students trained to assist residential students to succeed in their academic endeavors.
Academic Trainer Contact Sheet
Academic Tools and Tips
The academic tools and tips can assist you in scheduling your time, actively participating in class, and maximizing your learning potential. Take advantage of this resourceful toolkit to streamline your academic journey. For additional study tips and tools, please visit Academic Center for Excellence.
Step 1: Get Organized
- Weekly Study Schedule - Build a routine to make time for your commitments
- Weekly Study Schedule Template for Excel
- Course Master To-Do List – A master to-do list to organize all of your tasks for the week
- Weekly Planner – A weekly calendar to plan your time
- Academic Resource Center Planner – Notion Template
- Academic Digital Planner
- Project To-Do List – A resource to aid in taking larger assignments/projects and breaking them down into smaller manageable tasks (an example and blank template included)
Step 2: Maximize Class Time
- Study Cycle - Make the most of in-class and out-of-class time
Step 3: Create a Study Plan
- Study Strategies - A list of study strategies categorized by learning styles
- Pomodoro Technique – A tool for focused work with planned breaks in between
- Five Day Study Plan – An example for building an organized exam study schedule
Campus Resources
Get to know the wide range of available campus resources to help you succeed academically.
Academic Resource Centers
Academic Resource Centers (ARC) are convenient spaces for students living on campus to study, collaborate, and excel academically. Whether studying alone or working on a group project, the ARC provides an on-campus space for communal and individual learning. Academic Resource Centers provide a place to study, work on homework, read, or meet with an Academic Trainer. There are multiple seating options, whiteboards, and resources for projection. Residential students can access the ARCs using their FSUID. The current ARC locations include:
Jennie Murphree Hall
Ground Floor, behind Chick-fil-A
- Who Can Use It: All residential students
- Hours: *Daily
- Amenities:
- Individual study pods (1 ADA-accessible)
- Individual and group seating with tables (including movable)
- Whiteboards (including movable)
- SMART Board interactive display
- Multimedia conference table with hook-ups
- Restroom, water fountain, vending
DeGraff Hall (East)
First Floor
- Who Can Use It: Residents of DeGraff Hall
- Hours: *Daily
- Amenities:
- Individual and group seating with tables
- Whiteboards (including movable)
- SMART Board interactive display
Salley Hall
Lower Lobby, Middle Building
- Who Can Use It: All residential students
- Hours: *Daily
- Amenities:
- Individual and group seating with tables
- Multimedia conference table with hook-ups
- Whiteboards (movable)
- Projector screen
*Closed during hall closures.
Tip: Academic Trainers are available in ARCs during open hours to help with study skills, time management, and accountability check-ins.
Academic Training
Academic Trainers are current Florida State University students who serve University Housing by helping residential students succeed socially and academically. Academic Trainers are peer educators in our Academic Resource Centers and instructors in our course Housing - Community and College Life: The Florida State Experience. Students who need academic assistance can make appointments to meet with an Academic Trainer.
Academic Trainers can help you with:
- Building study schedules
- Improving study skills and habits
- Connecting you to campus resources
If you ever need extra support, you can also schedule a one-on-one Academic Consultation with an Academic Trainer.
View Academic Trainer Contact Sheet
Academic Consultation
Academic Consultations are individualized sessions with an Academic Trainer designed to help students with specific academic concerns. Students can get assistance with:
- Time Management – Learn how to balance classes, work, and life
- Study Skills – Discover strategies that match their learning style
- Accountability Check-ins – Get ongoing support to stay on track
What to expect: Students will meet with an Academic Trainer in a welcoming space where they can talk openly about challenges, practice new strategies, and leave with a plan they can use right away.
Schedule an appointment today through Campus Connect. Need help scheduling? Click here for step-by-step instructions.
Engage100
Florida State Experience: Housing & Residence Life is a course taught by University Housing staff and offered exclusively to first-year residential students. This unique opportunity is designed to help students thrive during their transition to college by equipping them with practical skills, personal insights, and meaningful connections.
Through this course, you will be better prepared to:
- Discover pathways to environmental, physical, emotional, and financial well-being
- Identify strategies to strengthen your academics and career readiness
- Develop your identity as an active community member
- Demonstrate responsibility and mindfulness when engaging your communities
Because the class meets weekly in a small-group setting, students will benefit from personalized attention, close peer relationships, and a supportive space to share and grow. This course is just the beginning of the academic enhancement opportunities available to residential students. Learn more about this course and other Engage 100 opportunities by visiting engage100.fsu.edu.