Academic Support That Builds Strong Habits

The transition to college can be overwhelming. New expectations, heavier workloads, and the challenge of learning how to succeed at the collegiate level. At Hardin-Simmons University, the Strategic Learning Initiative (SLI) is designed to help students build those skills early, setting a strong foundation for long-term academic success.

For recent graduate Macy Temple ’25, SLI became a turning point in her Hardin-Simmons journey.

Originally from Dallas, Temple graduated in December with a double major in history and English. Looking back, she credits the Strategic Learning Initiative with providing the structure and confidence she needed to move forward academically.

“When I first heard about SLI, I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect,” Temple said. “I thought it would be similar to a study skills class I’d taken earlier in school. I wasn’t especially excited, but I went in with an open mind.”

That openness proved important.

During a challenging academic season, Temple encountered a different approach to academic support through SLI, one focused not just on what to study but also on how to study effectively.

“It was incredibly helpful to have an entire class dedicated to learning how to study,” she said. “Not just being told that I needed to, but actually learning how to do it in a practical way.”

Macy pictured with her mom and sisters at graduation in December 2025.

SLI emphasizes hands-on learning strategies that students can apply across disciplines. For Temple, learning how to turn class notes into exam questions was especially impactful.

“As a history major, I had a lot of names and dates to memorize, but I also needed to connect them,” she said. “Developing exam questions helped me understand the material on a deeper level.”

A hallmark of the Strategic Learning Initiative is its weekly one-on-one coaching sessions. Temple met regularly with her academic coach, scheduling her meetings early in the week to create a clear plan for the days ahead.

“I can struggle with prioritizing tasks,” she said. “Meeting weekly helped me break assignments into manageable steps and set realistic deadlines so I could stay on track.”

SLI also helped Temple develop organizational habits that extended beyond the classroom.

“I’ve always struggled with using planners consistently,” she said. “But the weekly planner checks helped me stay aware of overlapping deadlines, especially with long-term papers.”

Now, as a graduate reflecting on her experience, Temple views SLI not as a requirement but as a foundation that helped her succeed.

“I already had some of the skills,” she said. “But SLI helped me put all the pieces together.”

For incoming freshmen or existing HSU students looking for help on their academic journey, the Strategic Learning Initiative offers more than academic support. It provides structure, accountability, and practical tools to help students transition successfully into college life.