Cullen College of Engineering students looking for a study group don’t have to look very far.
The college’s student organizations are hosting a series of study nights every Monday through Thursday all semester long. All students are welcome to all sessions, regardless of their major or student organization affiliation.
“I personally love the study nights,” said Joe Udoh, an electrical engineering major and vice president of the University of Houston chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). “It’s really helpful. Plus, they usually have pizza and other snacks, so it’s a good place to get some food while you work.”
According to Udoh, the initiative grew out of study nights held by individual student organizations primarily for their own members.
Recognizing that these sessions could benefit every student, the organizations partnered to host study sessions on different nights of the week and to welcome the college’s student population at large to these sessions.
As a new initiative, typical study nights have about 15 students, said Udoh, though the organizations hope to increase that number in the coming weeks.
The events not only help students stay focused on their work, they also provide an opportunity for students to get help – and to help others – on particular topics and assignments. In fact, Udoh said, the groups running the sessions may formalize this tutoring component in the months ahead. Ideally, students who excelled in a particular class will be available to help those currently enrolled in that subject.
Such activities not only help students succeed academically, they help build the teamwork and communication skills that are needed to succeed in the professional world, he noted.
“When you’re working with other people, you see different study habits. The study nights help you learn how to work in a group setting, how other people communicate and how you communicate with them, and when to step forward and when to sit back and listen,” he said. “It really helps you build the soft skills that can set you apart.”
For a list of study night times and locations, visit PROMES’ student activities calendar here.