If you’ve had late nights, in sweat pants and have waited hours in line to buy your coffee from Timmy’s, chances are you’ve just survived the first half of the fall 2009 session at UTSC. Now that you’re done, you want to wind down and simply ‘chill’. Don’t get too comfortable yet, because finals are just around the corner. Re-evaluate your good and bad study habits, how could you have made your life easier? With stress comes heavy repercussions, so remember to exercise, eat healthy and allocate your time for readings and assignments. It will take you only ten minutes to create a goal sheet and schedule to better manage your time this semester. If you follow through, you will be sleeping like a baby during finals. Take my advice and I promise you’ll ace your test. Remember that time is something that you can never get back so make good use of it.
Check out my goal’s for this semester.
1) Wake up @ 7am
2) Eat a balanced breakfast (This will help you concentrate for your 9am classes)
3) 30 minutes of Cardio / 3 days a week
4) Yoga class/1 a week
5) Stay on top of homework and Prepare notes for finals along the way
6) Make appointments with the writing centre/ TA 2 weeks in advance
Best of Luck,
Ace ;)
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Kicking Procrastination to the Curb!
Hey Everyone!
I had some trouble focusing on school work this weekend so I went by the Academic Advising and Career Center to pick up a tip sheet on procrastination. It really helped me put things in perspective so I thought I would share it with you:
Student’s are especially vulnerable to procrastination because:
-they don’t have a supervisor overseeing their productivity
-rewards for effort are further in the future
-you have to apply yourself for four years before receiving the reward of a degree
Common Reasons for Procrastination:
Fear of Failure
-Students may set low goals to protect themselves from really trying and being disappointed if they should fail, but by procrastinating there is an increased likelihood of failure
Fear of success
-Once you have established a high standard for yourself you may feel a continued pressure to maintain that standard. This can be an overwhelming feeling
Disorganization/ Not Enough Information
-You may procrastinate if you don’t know where to begin
-A task may need to be broken down into component parts and goal sets
-Remember: “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”
Lack of Interest
-Students can lose interest in school for many reasons
-The course content may not capture your attention or personal issues may be interfering with your concentration
An Established Pattern
-The pattern of last minute projects may become a part of your study approach
-there is a tendency for such a pattern to become a problem
-if academic success is to be obtained it may be time to break the pattern
Solving the Problem
-You must first understand the reason behind your procrastination.
-the underlying reason may vary from course to course and a student may exhibit different symptoms at different times
Steps to begin solving the problem:
1. Identify the roadblocks posed by your time wasters, examine your rationale for procrastinating, and explore accompanying feelings
2. Pay Attention to self-talk : subconscious messages like “I have lots of time” or “I’ll do it later” lead many students into the Manana Trap. “Manana” means tomorrow in Spanish. Ask yourself why “later” is a better time to work on a specific task versus right now. Unless you have a rational reason for delaying: get started immediately!
3. Try the 5-Minute Plan: many students agree that the hardest aspect of completing a project is getting started. Next time you find yourself procrastinating, commit to working on the task for 5 minutes. Most of the resistance associated with that activity will decrease after working on it for 5 minute and at the end of that time you may feel yourself motivated to keep working.
The Importance of Rewards
Your old procrastination patterns can resurface from time to time. You may become discouraged and have a sense that change is impossible. You can help to foster change by incorporating rewards into your action plan. Take some time to explore both small and large rewards as part of your action plan to become a better time manager, and plan to implement these self motivators.
If you need to talk to someone about your personal study skills you can always drop by the Academic Advising and Career Center.
All the Best,
ACE
I had some trouble focusing on school work this weekend so I went by the Academic Advising and Career Center to pick up a tip sheet on procrastination. It really helped me put things in perspective so I thought I would share it with you:
Student’s are especially vulnerable to procrastination because:
-they don’t have a supervisor overseeing their productivity
-rewards for effort are further in the future
-you have to apply yourself for four years before receiving the reward of a degree
Common Reasons for Procrastination:
Fear of Failure
-Students may set low goals to protect themselves from really trying and being disappointed if they should fail, but by procrastinating there is an increased likelihood of failure
Fear of success
-Once you have established a high standard for yourself you may feel a continued pressure to maintain that standard. This can be an overwhelming feeling
Disorganization/ Not Enough Information
-You may procrastinate if you don’t know where to begin
-A task may need to be broken down into component parts and goal sets
-Remember: “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”
Lack of Interest
-Students can lose interest in school for many reasons
-The course content may not capture your attention or personal issues may be interfering with your concentration
An Established Pattern
-The pattern of last minute projects may become a part of your study approach
-there is a tendency for such a pattern to become a problem
-if academic success is to be obtained it may be time to break the pattern
Solving the Problem
-You must first understand the reason behind your procrastination.
-the underlying reason may vary from course to course and a student may exhibit different symptoms at different times
Steps to begin solving the problem:
1. Identify the roadblocks posed by your time wasters, examine your rationale for procrastinating, and explore accompanying feelings
2. Pay Attention to self-talk : subconscious messages like “I have lots of time” or “I’ll do it later” lead many students into the Manana Trap. “Manana” means tomorrow in Spanish. Ask yourself why “later” is a better time to work on a specific task versus right now. Unless you have a rational reason for delaying: get started immediately!
3. Try the 5-Minute Plan: many students agree that the hardest aspect of completing a project is getting started. Next time you find yourself procrastinating, commit to working on the task for 5 minutes. Most of the resistance associated with that activity will decrease after working on it for 5 minute and at the end of that time you may feel yourself motivated to keep working.
The Importance of Rewards
Your old procrastination patterns can resurface from time to time. You may become discouraged and have a sense that change is impossible. You can help to foster change by incorporating rewards into your action plan. Take some time to explore both small and large rewards as part of your action plan to become a better time manager, and plan to implement these self motivators.
If you need to talk to someone about your personal study skills you can always drop by the Academic Advising and Career Center.
All the Best,
ACE
Friday, June 19, 2009
RICH BEFORE 30!! (Can your dreams still come true?)
Hey everyone!
Have the recession blues got you feeling down? Here's some inspiration!
I found a really cool article from the "Job Postings" magazine from the Academic Advising and Career Center. It discusses some really useful tips to help you on your road to success. I found it extremely helpful and I really think you should drop by the AA&CC and read it if you get the chance. Here's a quick summary of the 10 steps:
1. FOCUS: Do what makes you happy - Don't over-commit yourself. Figure out which activities will help you achieve your primary goals and learn to say 'no'.
2. PRIORITIZE: don't waste time on things that don't make you happy
3. WORK HARD: and maintain your enthusiasm!
4. RESEARCH: Identify role models in your industry and research what they did.
5. MENTOR: Get a role model to mentor you.
6. TEAM BUILD: Work with people you admire.
7. DO FAVOURS: Go out of your way to lend a hand
8. VOLUNTEERS: Get next to the bigwigs by helping out with special projects
9. TAKE RISKS: create and take opportunities to learn new things.
10. FOCUS AGAIN: Don't let money get in the way of doing what makes you happy.
BEST WISHES!
ACE
Have the recession blues got you feeling down? Here's some inspiration!
I found a really cool article from the "Job Postings" magazine from the Academic Advising and Career Center. It discusses some really useful tips to help you on your road to success. I found it extremely helpful and I really think you should drop by the AA&CC and read it if you get the chance. Here's a quick summary of the 10 steps:
1. FOCUS: Do what makes you happy - Don't over-commit yourself. Figure out which activities will help you achieve your primary goals and learn to say 'no'.
2. PRIORITIZE: don't waste time on things that don't make you happy
3. WORK HARD: and maintain your enthusiasm!
4. RESEARCH: Identify role models in your industry and research what they did.
5. MENTOR: Get a role model to mentor you.
6. TEAM BUILD: Work with people you admire.
7. DO FAVOURS: Go out of your way to lend a hand
8. VOLUNTEERS: Get next to the bigwigs by helping out with special projects
9. TAKE RISKS: create and take opportunities to learn new things.
10. FOCUS AGAIN: Don't let money get in the way of doing what makes you happy.
BEST WISHES!
ACE
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
What is 'Get Started'?
Get Started is a one day academic orientation event created for incoming students. The program is designed to introduce you to, and help you use all of the tools necessary to have a successful first year at the University of Toronto Scarborough.
Why you should go:
--> you will get the opportunity to meet staff and faculty members
--> get the chance to interact with other first year students
--> you will also get the chance to choose which first year courses
--> get tips & advice from a Coach - a senior student.
--> you will get to explore the campus
--> get your new UofT Student Card
Find out more and register here:
http://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/~getstarted
Why you should go:
--> you will get the opportunity to meet staff and faculty members
--> get the chance to interact with other first year students
--> you will also get the chance to choose which first year courses
--> get tips & advice from a Coach - a senior student.
--> you will get to explore the campus
--> get your new UofT Student Card
Find out more and register here:
http://www.utsc.utoronto.c
Monday, February 2, 2009
International Opportunities Fair Date: Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Place: Science Wing Meeting Place
Have you ever thought about going overseas? Or are you just curious about the things you can do internationally?
Come to the fair to gather information and speak directly with representatives from a variety of organizations with interests around the world.
Be sure to bring copies of your updated resume. Many organizations will be collecting resumes at the Fair. Get your resume critiques prior to the Fair at the Academic Advising & Career Centre, room AC213. Preparation is key to success at a Job Fair.
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