• Look at how they refer to themselves on the course syllabus
• Ask them how they want to be addressed (i.e., Dr. Smith, Professor Smith, or Mr./Mrs. Smith)
• Look at the names they use in their e-mail signature. If it contains Ph.D. or Ed.D., you should call them Dr. unless they tell you otherwise.

Best Practices for E-mailing your Professors

• Write from your college or university email account
• Include your course number and section in the subject line
• Choose an appropriate greeting using either "Dr." or "Professor"
• Be polite yet concise
• Sign with your full name, course number, and section
• Proofread for spelling errors/punctuation

Sample E-mail

Office hours are designated times when you can meet with your professors and teaching assistants outside of class to discuss the material being presented in class or other related topics.

• Clarify and ask questions about course content
• Work through practice problems
• Learn about new study strategies for a particular course
• Ask questions about the syllabus, upcoming assignments, and due dates
• Prepare for an upcoming assignment
• Review an assignment or exam after grading
• Talk about grades

• Study your textbook, notes from lecture, and attempt your homework before going to office hours so you can identify specific concepts and/or questions you need addressed
• Try not to wait until the day before an assignment or test is due

Blackboard is a learning management system (LMS) used at USC.

Visit blackboard.sc.edu and login with your USC credentials.

• View course content such as all the folders, documents, and assessments, as well as other items within a specific course
• Take tests and submit assignments
• Interact with your classmates and instructors directly by using tools like discussions, journals, and course messages
• Stay up-to-date on course activity including new content and announcements
• View your overall grades for all courses. The grade display of letter, percentage, or points depends on the instructor's settings for the course

For additional help and more information, visit the Blackboard Help Center.

• Center for Health & Wellbeing
• College of Nursing
  • Student Study Rooms available exclusively for Nursing Students in rooms 129, 131, 304, 305, 423, 502C, and 518
• Darla Moore School of Business
  • Global Cafe
  • Study Rooms available exclusively for Moore School Students available on Level 2 via reservation.
• Gamecock Recovery Lounge (Carolina Coliseum Room 4001)
• Jones Physical Science Center
• Russell House 2nd and 3rd floor lobby
• Starbucks Cafe at Russell House University Union
• Science and Technology Building
  • Enhanced study areas and an open lounge area available for students
• Thomas Cooper Library
  • Level 1: Quiet study areas are available. No talking is permitted in these areas. Silent study carrels are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Small and large group study rooms are also available via reservation.

    • Note for Fall 2023 semester: This area is currently unavailable, but Level 3 carrels are open for business! 

  • Level 2: Quiet study areas are available. No talking is permitted in these areas. Small and large group study rooms are also available via reservation.
  • Level 3: Quiet study areas are available. No talking is permitted in these areas. Silent study carrels are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Small and large group study rooms are also available via reservation.
  • Level 4: Open study areas are available. Tech Coops as well as small and large group study rooms are also available via reservation.
  • Level 5: Open study areas available either in the Technology Lounge or the open space near the Career Center.
  • Main Level: Open study areas are available, including Scholars Corner and the Library Skywalk. Large group study rooms that typically fit 6-8 people are also available via reservation.
  • Mezzanine: Open study areas are available, including the front of the Mezzanine. The back of the Mezzanine (i.e. Student Success Center) is available for open study when the Student Success Center is closed.
• University Advising Center (Close-Hipp Suite 301)

• Arnold School of Public Health Patio
• Davis Field
• Horseshoe
• Gambrell Rooftop Patio
• Barringer House Gardens
• School of Journalism & Mass Communications Rooftop Garden
• Russell House Patio
• Darla Moore School of Business Patio
• Thomas Cooper Library Fountain

Looking for a change of scenery? There are many local coffee shops near campus that make great study spots!

• Drip (Five Points)
• Starbucks (Five Points)
• Immaculate Consumption - 933 Main St (behind the State House)
• Cool Beans Coffee Co - 1217 College St