College extends beyond just academics at Penn State. The school is renowned for its wide range of options of extracurriculars, service engagements, athletics and more. A school so big is powered by many employees, and oftentimes there is space for students to work as part of that.

One of the hardest parts about going to class and studying for exams in the spring is being cooped up inside and missing the gorgeous weather. Penn State’s campus is blooming in April and May, and a sunny day cures any academic ails. Taking your studies outside can not only make studying more enjoyable, it can also improve your mental health and frame of mind to conquer big exams. Here are some of the best locations on campus to do so!

Whether you are a rising senior, a thoughtful junior, a sophomore inquiring, or a freshman planning ahead--the question of graduating early crosses the desk of many Penn State students. While some worry about graduating on time, others ponder if they should finish early and weigh all the options. I was in this position asking this question since freshman year of college, and went back and forth all four years. I ended up landing on graduating early in Fall 2023, but there were many pros and cons debated and tweaks I had to make in my educational journey to get there.

While most students traditionally take classes in Fall and Spring Semesters, Penn State offers summer course options to all students. The reasons for taking a summer course vary: catching up on credits, graduating early, preferring an asynchronous format…the reasons are different for every student.

Navigating college is a pivotal journey for many young adults, marking their first true taste of independence. This transition into the collegiate world is a leap from the structured support of high school to an environment where guidance is available yet requires active pursuit. The leap to university life, with its reduced oversight and increased personal accountability, can be seamless for some but daunting for others. The challenge of managing academic duties alongside personal responsibilities can quickly become overwhelming, leading to potential setbacks in both academic performance and well-being.

Penn State has an amazing faculty of advisors who are dedicated to helping students navigate their Penn State journey from their first day to their last. They act as resources for all things academic, but can also guide students through other challenges or questions they may have that pop up during the semester.

College is the perfect place to begin to understand who you are as a student--how you learn, your style of working, communication, peer connections and more. Once you step foot on campus, you may find that the student you were in high school and the styles it took for you to earn the good (or poor) grades might not be well-suited for what you face in college.

Being accepted to Penn State is a huge accomplishment and exciting time for students and parents. The horizon broadens, and all one can think of is the amazing four years they are going to have here at PSU. However, as time creeps closer, we as students find that we have a lot to manage and put in place before we ever step foot here--and fast. There’s matters of football tickets, housing, meal plans, roommates, and more--it feels like you always have to be one step ahead in your planning. This can be extremely overwhelming, for both students and parents.

Penn State has endless online resources and websites for academic success and making the college experience easier to navigate. But, having so much information at your fingertips can sometimes be overwhelming and overstimulating as a student. There are thousands of engaging classes to choose from at the start of a new semester, but that also comes with many steps students must take to know what they need and register successfully.

Transitioning from high school to college brings varying degrees of ease for different students. While some may breeze through college exams with minimal effort, others struggle to adapt to the nuances of instruction, testing, and grading. Universally relatable among college students is the experience of failing an exam or falling short of anticipated grades, often occurring early in the semester as students navigate new class dynamics and subject matter.

Sleep is one of the most intriguing subjects to scientists, faceted at the intersection of Health, Psychology and Biology. While many of its components have been thoroughly studied, there is still much we don’t know about brain processes of sleep (like dreaming). One area that has been heavily researched and confirmed important in our daily lives in relation to good quality sleep is its impact on our learning processes, and ultimately, academic success.

The success of your study session can often rely on where the study session is held. Penn State Libraries are perfect because there are a multitude of study spaces that allow you to find a spot that fits your needs. These recommended and not recommended spaces are ranked based on three factors: Privacy, Noise Level, and Availability of Outlets. All of these spaces can be found at the Pattee and Paterno Library (Note: the Pattee and Paterno Library is one building and the differentiations indicate which side the of the library a space is located).

Navigating the academic landscape can be challenging, especially when it comes to understanding policies that can impact your GPA and academic standing. Penn State has introduced a grade forgiveness policy that offers a helping hand to undergraduate students striving to improve their grades and, ultimately, their GPA. Here’s a simplified breakdown of what you need to know about this policy.

For many Penn State students, the task of needing to scan homework with their cell phone for uploading to Canvas is a frequent and sometimes daunting challenge. This blog post aims to shed light on an effective solution that streamlines this process, ensuring that your digital submissions are as polished as your academic efforts.

As one semester concludes, the anticipation for the next one begins. This blog aims to guide students in effective preparation, helping them harness essential skills and resources for a successful academic journey. Alongside strategies for note-taking, course selection, and technology utilization, consider the invaluable support that academic tutoring can offer as you embark on the upcoming semester.

Self-study is the cornerstone of learning. It's where you explore new concepts at your own pace, develop critical thinking skills, and build a personal connection with the material. When students engage actively with the subject matter, they're better equipped to ask insightful questions and grasp the nuances of the topic.

As AI continues to make waves in every industry, high school students might wonder how they can get a head start in this exciting field. This blog post aims to demystify AI and provide you with practical ways to engage with it.

Goal-setting isn't just a January ritual; it's a year-round endeavor crucial for academic success. However, the art of effective goal-setting is often misunderstood, leading students down a path of frustration and self-doubt. The right goals can be a roadmap to success, while the wrong ones can be a recipe for failure. In this article, we'll dive deep into the SMART framework, a proven methodology for setting achievable goals.

In the dynamic world of economics, understanding the intricacies of production costs is paramount for businesses to make informed decisions and stay competitive. Among the powerful tools used to analyze these costs, cost tables stand out as an essential and versatile method. In this blog post, we will explore the importance of cost tables in economics, define the variables involved, and provide a detailed explanation of their significance. Additionally, we have an informative video below that will walk you through the process of solving cost tables step-by-step.

Are you struggling to communicate effectively with your professors via email? If so, you're not alone. In today's workplace, digital communication skills are essential, but many students overlook the importance of honing these skills in college. As a professor who receives countless emails from students every year, I understand the challenges of communicating professionally and respectfully via email. This post is intended to provide you with some practical tips to help you improve your email communication skills and make the most of your college career.