STUDENT LIFE
201 DECEMBER 2009
STUDENT LIFE
201
DECEMBER 2009 | VOLUME 25
CALENDAR December | 3
HEADLINES
Procrastination | 4 Tips On Writing Exams | 5
LETTERS TO YOU Letter on Mumps | 6 Happy Holidays | 6
EVENTS
Events | 7
2 | STUDENT LIFE 101 | December 2009
DECEMBER 2009 1
UP COMING EVENTS!!!
World AIDS Day
January 2010
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Last day of classes
9
Exam Period December 9-22 2009
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New Year’s
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Classes Starts
Diversity Town Hall The Diversity Town Hall is in the SLC at 12pm.
First Day to Pick Up OSAP
15 Open Enrolment Ends University of Waterloo Closed 24 The December 24-January 1 2009 Work Term Ends December 24 2009
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Warrior Weekends January 29-30, 2010 Warrior Weekends is a studentrun event which provides a diverse assortment of activities to all students in an effort to increase student night life at UW! Most events take place in the SLC. Event information can be found at www.warriorweekends.uwaterloo.ca. Last Day to Make Fee Arrangements
December 2009 | STUDENT LIFE 101 | 3
HEADL I N E S
Procrastination
It’s a new term! Procrastination may have become a habit during the Fall term. You may be delaying starting on new assignments. This is a good time to check out the following Top 10 Ways to Deal with Procrastination Now, and save yourself from unnecessary pressure and stress for the rest of the term. Top 10 Ways to Deal with Procrastination Now:
10. Note where you are starting from, and set small, realistic goals from there. Chunk large projects and tasks into very small 15 minute pieces of work and just do the next step.
9.Don’t keep doing the same ineffective things. What you have tried in the past? - what helped and didn’t help?
8.Identify what energizes and motivates you into action (music, calling a friend, getting organized, going for a run, studying in a variety of different places) and combine this with trying to work.
7.Work in your ‘high energy’ time of day. Do you know how to use your circadian rhythm?
6.Be assertive and set limits on distractions from friends. Reduce interruptions of phone, email, MSN, or having an open door.
5.Ask yourself: “If I can only get one thing done today what would it be?
4.Jot down distracting thoughts. Don’t try to continue concentrating when distracted. Set aside time to focus on these concerns after getting something done.
3.Get something/anything down on paper when beginning a task. Editing comes later! Try writing quickly so the “inner-critic” can’t interfere.
2.Just start! Action leads to action… – pick anything and do it!
1.Challenge self-defeating perfectionistic beliefs: they slow you down. Use realistic statements to help your perspective (e.g., “Doing something is better than nothing”, or “Things get done one step at a time” ).
Forget perfection, finesse, the right moment, needing to feel motivated or in the mood – even the smallest accomplish ment is forward motion, and forward motion leads to momentum! Don’t procrastinate on dealing with procrastination! For Additional Information: December 2009 | STUDENT LIFE 101 | 4
TIPS ON WRITING AN EXAM It is this time of the year again. The rush between the overwhelming amount of assignments due, studying for final exams, somehow still writing midterms and realising that the end of the year holidays are just around the corner. According to 3 Study Skills programs focused on University and College students, there are a few basic rules that you can follow to increase your chances of success at writing exams. Check them out:
University of Waterloo
Common Suggestions
• Arrive in good time and with the right equipment and materials where appropriate
• Arriving just on time an avoiding the “cramming crowd”
• Using a crib sheet to study, even if none is allowed during the exam • Answering the questions as asked. •
Showing you understand the question, know the relevant material, and can present it in an organized manner.
MULTIPLE CHOICE Remember to: Find out if points are lost for wrong answers Cover gives answers First thoughts are best Don’t double check
Imperial College of London
• Read carefully (some exams give reading time) • Reading all questions (except multiple choice) before beginning • Multiple choice: Anticipate the answer to the question, then go looking for it •
Check your answers before handing in your paper.
• After the exam -don't indulge in post-mortems and comparisons with others. Review what went well in your overall approach, before and during the exam including the way you handled anxiety. * If you are really worried about exams or have had difficulty with them in the past, contact Counselling Services for help as soon as possible
Victoria University On Wellington • Scan the whole paper • Read all questions: compulsory, type, number, marks • Choose your battles: questions you want to do • Answer all required questions • Write neatly, be concise
• Choose your questions and allocate time for each one according to marks per question. (Allow 10 minutes for checking at the end) • For essay type questions, make a brief plan for each answer while your brain is fresh, and make sure you answer the question rather than just writing everything you know about a topic. • Answer your best question first but stick to the time you have allocated • It is better to attempt all the required questions than to do one very well and not have time for the last one
MATH Include in your exam: A statement of what you are trying to do All relevant formulae, facts, numbers All Steps Space for readability Highlighted answers If you can’t finish write all you know
By: Monica Mansilla December 2009 | STUDENT LIFE 101 | 5
LE TT E R S TO YO U
Letter Concerning Mumps Dear Waterloo Student, “A cluster of students with mumps has been identified within the past few weeks at the universities in Waterloo. Public health informs us that there is a recent increase in mumps cases in the province. This communication provides information and guidance for our university community about mumps symptoms, vaccination recommendations and availability of vaccine. People for whom these messages are especially important: · anyone who has had a friend, classmate, roommate or someone they may casually know who has had mumps in this last school term. · people born after 1970 and before 1992 because this cohort may have missed the second dose to complete immunization against mumps. · people immunized outside of Canada who may have received the first dose of mumps vaccination before the age of 12 months or vaccine which was not properly refrigerated. For information about mumps and vaccination recommendations please see: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/cs/mumps/english/resources/docs/mumps_fact_sheet.pdf http://www.health.gov.on.ca/cs/mumps/english/resources/docs/brochure.pdf Health Services has vaccine available and will offer it to anyone who has never been immunized for mumps or needs a second dose of vaccine. If you are unsure please contact your family physician or the public health department where you attended high school for your immunization records. The clinic welcomes all students, faculty, staff and union members for mumps immunization between the hours of 9:30 -11:00 and 2:00 - 4:00 Monday to Friday beginning today until Dec. 22nd.” Thank you once again for your assistance in publishing health information. We really appreciate your support. Barbara Barbara Schumacher MD Director, Health Services University of Waterloo Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1 Sincerely,
Happy Holidays
Dear Upper-year student, Happy Holidays from the Student Life Office! Best of luck on your exams, and we hope that your holiday is safe and refreshing for when you return to classes this winter or head off to a coop placement. While you’re on campus, be sure to read about the Mumps Vaccine available to you. If you’re having trouble finishing up those last minute projects, check out the article form Counseling Services on procrastination and read about some tools to get you through. Until January, Happy Reading! Johnny Trinh Student Life Coordinator:Communications & Special Projects studentl@uwaterloo.ca December 2009 | STUDENT LIFE 101 | 6
E V E N TS
December 2009 | STUDENT LIFE 101 | 7