By Tharchika Sathiaseelan, Academic Assistant (Work Study student)
Final exams are just around the corner and I know a many of us also have labs, assignments, and papers to do in between now and final exams.
The question is when do we find time to study for exams, finish assignments, eat, and sleep?
This month can be quite hectic for many of us! However, with the right tools and resources we can conquer this together one step at a time.
Here are some tips and suggestions to help you prepare with the time you have remaining:
1. Mark Your Calendar and Prepare
It is important to be aware of all your deadlines and exam dates so you can sufficiently prepare for them. For example, some assignments may be quite difficult to complete in an all-nighter, and may require you to work on it step by step. Once you are aware of the assignment and the due dates you can use the Assignment Calculator to predict how long it will take to complete it. Also if you haven't checked already the final exam schedule is already up! You can find the schedule by clicking here.
2. Prepare a Weekly Agenda
Plan your week using a daily planner, agenda, or calendar, anything that works best for you! This will give you an idea of how your week looks like overall: when you have classes, work, deadlines, and exams. Being aware of your upcoming events is the first step to avoid procrastination, and will allow you to work around them.
3. Make a To-Do List
Making a reasonable "To-Do List" that outlines all the tasks necessary to complete in order of priority level will help you keep track of what needs to be done. There’s nothing like checking off an item from my To-Do list! I know from my own experience that it can sometimes be overwhelming when there are multiple items due around the same time…It’s easy to feel discouraged and not know where to start! Creating a To-Do List, will help you stay focused and motivated – Pace yourself accordingly!
4. Study Smart, Not Hard!
You want to make sure that you study smart not hard. There is really no value in spending numerous hours reading and reviewing a journal article if you are not thoroughly understanding and absorbing the content. This can save you several valuable hours which you can dedicate to other activities. Another key aspect to ‘studying smart’ is to first acknowledge your learning style. Another important aspect is to determine the time of day you study best: Are you an early bird or a night owl? Finding out the time of day you work efficiently can save countless hours from being unproductive.
5. Take Advantage of Workshops!
- Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) is a workshop that will help you refine your study skills and help you save time when studying.
- Study Success Sessions are drop-in sessions that occur on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 12-2pm in AC254 (Library Room) until December 1st only. These drop-in sessions are run by our Study Skills Peer Coaches who have excelled in various disciplines and are thrilled to share their knowledge and expertise in addressing topics such as: Study Strategies, Multiple Choice and Essay Questions, Time Management, Memory and Concentration, and Reading and Note-taking!
- Meet with an Academic & Learning Strategist on a 1:1 basis through pre-booked appointments or drop-in sessions.
- Exam Preparation for Exam Jam is a workshop that will help you improve your skills on taking multiple choice and essay type questions. As well as teach you methods to conquer exam stress! You can registrar for this event on CLN for the following dates:
- November 30th 2016: 12-1pm
- December 1st 2016: 3-4pm
6. Take Breaks and Reward Yourself
One way to stay on top of your goals is to stay motivated. In between studying and completing assignments you should acknowledge your hard work with small rewards such as watching one episode of your favourite T.V. show or going on a walk to get some fresh air.
I hope the tips and resources I have provided you with, will help you this busy season while you are working on your assignments and preparing for exams!
Don’t forget to check out our Academic & Study Skills tip sheets that can be found here
If you have further questions feel free to come by our office, AC213! We're here to help.
Good luck on all your assignments and exams!
No comments:
Post a Comment