Stay On Track

Study outside of class for two to three hours a week for every credit hour you take. For example, if you register for 16 credit hours, you should study outside of class for at least 32 hours a week.

It’s very important that you ask for help. Everyone struggles occasionally. Connect with our Huskie Academic Success Center. The center offers comprehensive academic services and resources, including tutoring sessions, writing assistance and academic skills development. And be sure to go to class and stay in communication with your professors. They’re people too and can help you if you’re struggling. Send them an email or meet with them during office hours. Your academic advisor is another great resource. They can help you set goals, understand academic requirements and guide you in course selection. Schedule an appointment with them every semester using the Navigate Student app.

Reach out to the Center for Student Assistance. If you need time away, staff at the center will notify your professors. The center also offers a student emergency fund for short-term financial need and can provide resources and information or direct you to someone who can assist you. If you're facing a difficult situation or need help addressing an issue that affects your personal or academic life, contact the center at 815-753-8300 or studentassistance@niu.edu.

Your professors and instructors in each course will give you a syllabus with the most important information about the class. Be sure to read it. You’ll find course objectives, expectations, assignments, dates of exams/quizzes, university requirements and faculty contact information. It’s a good idea to put all important dates from the course syllabus in your planner right away. This will help with planning your time later in the semester.

Yes! The key to getting and staying organized is mapping out what needs to be done, then doing it in small steps. Use an academic planner to keep track of homework and tests, as well as work, meetings and other commitments.

Yes, see our academic calendar. You’ll also find dates of exams/quizzes — along with course objectives, expectations, assignments, university requirements and faculty contact information — in the syllabus given to you by your professors or instructors for each course. It’s a good idea to put all important dates from the academic calendar and the course syllabus in your planner right away. This will help with planning your time later in the semester.

Blackboard is a course management system that allows professors or instructors to add and organize course resources for you to access online. To access Blackboard, just visit webcourses.niu.edu. You’re going to need your Z-ID and password to log in. Blackboard is a great tool to help monitor your class performance. Your professors or instructors will put grades for assignments in your Blackboard. However, your official final grade for classes and GPA are always found in MyNIU.

Navigate Student is a great place find a study buddy! It will help you connect with fellow Huskies, advisors and services. The app also allows you to see all your important tasks in one easy-to-view list. It also can help you locate campus resources.

We want to help you keep your education on track. One of the best ways you can do this is by registering for classes early. Prepare now by learning when to register and how to register. Registering for classes early has many benefits including:

• Increased chance of getting into needed classes.
• Earlier access to financial aid and scholarships.
• Easier to stay on track to graduate.

It’s important to know that you won’t be able to register if there’s a hold on your account. Holds can be placed on accounts for several reasons. Learn more about holds on student accounts.