Creating Success as a Student

This is a presentation offered by the Student Success Centre for new students who are curious (or anxious) about how best to succeed as a student. Creating Success As A Student

Plus, basic study tips to get started:

• Manage your time well:

  • Make a personal study schedule and stick to it. Find a good time and place to study that’s free of distractions.

  • Break your study time up into 40-60 minute chunks with 5-10 minute breaks in between.

  • Set attainable, short-term goals for each study session. Combine some routine tasks with more challenging study.

• Build in regular review:

  • Review your notes on a regular basis, combine your class notes with your textbook notes, and identify what you need help with – well before the exam!

  • Each week do a 30-60 minute review of what you’ve covered in class.

  • Don’t forget to follow up your classes by reviewing your notes, rewriting messy parts, and filling in gaps.

  • You’ll understand and remember textbook content better if you write notes in your own words.

• Exam preparation:

  • Be active in your studying: explain the material out loud, teach the material to a friend, do a practice quiz, and solve problems.

  • To help you study, draw diagrams and concept maps to visually represent the content and show relationships.

  • Self-testing is one of the most effective ways to prepare for exams. Use flashcards, go over old exams, textbook questions, or create your own test questions – there are many ways to do this.

  • Make a study guide! Gather up your notes, organize into topic piles, label the piles, and condense your notes again by topic.

  • Good exam preparation includes looking after yourself as well. Make sure that you are eating properly, getting some exercise, and enough sleep.