Secrets to Success

Finding Study Buddies

It’s always easier to surmount your weekly study load with allies at your side. However, the hardest part of online and hybrid learning is not being able to have the same trivial interactions with people in your course before your lecture or tutorial begins. These are some ways you can still meet people in your courses:

1. Almost everyone goes to the first lecture

Take the opportunity to flick through the participants list and if you see anyone you know, reach out to them!

2. Join the group chat for your course

Almost every course has a group chat via Messenger, you can ask your fellow peers if there is one during lecture breaks or on the UNSW Discussion Group on Facebook. If there is no course chat, offer to make one - many students will be grateful!

3. Take the leap in your break-out rooms or groups

Break the ice and introduce yourself! Something as simple as “Hey everyone, I’m ___, how are you guys finding uni?” is a great way to start a conversation.

4. Great minds think alike

If someone has asked a question similar to one you had online, or a question you found interesting, find them on Facebook, and reach out to them to discuss the course! Trust us, this happens more often than you think!

5. Make the most of your in-person interactions

If you have classes on campus, make the most of the opportunity to meet new people, whether it’s introducing yourself to the person on the lab bench next to you, someone you meet outside your tute room, or even someone sitting next to you in an in-person help session.

Building Persistence

Remember - your courses are a marathon, not a race! You may find university work challenging, so learning to work slowly but steadily, and asking for help when you’re stuck is an invaluable skill. Avoid the last minute exam cram or lecture binge at all cost - not only will you save yourself a ton of stress, you’ll also be able to access tutor advice much earlier in classes or help sessions, which are often spread throughout the term.

1. Set Goals

Set yourself goals for each course, and even for uni-life. Research shows that you are 42% more likely to achieve your goals if you write them down, so do not just think about them, write them up, stick them on your wall, and make it your motivation to persist through the term!

2. Hit up the forum

Your course admin will set up a coursewide, staff monitored forum on Moodle, Edstem or a similar platform. Use it to ask questions if you’re stuck on a problem, or have general queries about the course and exams. Don’t hesitate to ask - chances are, another student is probably wondering the same thing!

Mastering Time Management

One of the greatest benefits (or risks) of learning online is more freedom over how you spend your time. If you use your time effectively, you can stay on top of content and have the benefit of flexibility. On the other hand, it’s easier to fall into the dangerous cycle of procrastination. To keep yourself on track:

1. Create a weekly plan - and follow it

Your planner should contain your class schedule, assessment deadlines and any extracurricular events. Set study times or even bedtimes - but be realistic. Setting an overly ambitious plan could leave you demoralized if you don’t complete it, or overexerted if you do, so aim just above your current comfort level. If you don’t enjoy planning your study routine to the hour, instead opt for a daily to-do list. You can handwrite your schedule on UNSW’s official planner or sync it across some of our favourite apps on page 35.

2. Note down your course assessments

Most courses release exam details two weeks before the exam, however the course outline will still provide what week your assessment will be in and what content will be tested, so you can start tailoring your notes from the get go! For more exam tips see page 37.

3. Make time for yourself

If you end up spending all day at your desk or in bed, online study will become draining very quickly. If you want to achieve your goals while staying motivated, plan time away from the screen to relax and refocus. This could be as simple as cooking some food, going for a walk, or spending some time with a pet.