Study Secrets for Success

As a first year student you will be attending a variety of classes such as lectures, tutorials and labs, where you may be confronted with huge amounts of information. It can be challenging to stay on top of your studies but it is important to maintain a good work flow throughout the term so that when it’s exam time, you won’t be catching up on a trimester’s worth of lectures!

Note-Taking

It is important to know how to extract and remember the important information delivered to you in your courses. Note-taking is an effective way to reinforce and capture what you’re learning

Here are some tips for effective note-taking:

DO write down the main points and notable facts that may be hard to remember

DO organise your notes - use bullet points, abbreviations and highlight

DO summarise the main messages at the end of your lecture to reinforce your understanding of the material

DON’T write down everything the lecturer says

DON’T experiment with the presentation of your notes during note-taking

Time Management

1. Create a weekly plan - and follow it!

Your planner should contain your class schedule, assessment deadlines, extracurricular activities and plenty of time for self care If you don’t enjoy a time-bound schedule, opt for a daily to-do list instead Make sure you don’t overpack your schedule otherwise you might risk a burnout!

2. Note down course assessments

Your course outline will provide you with what week your assessment will be in and what content will be tested. Start tailoring your notes and study early on!

Remember your courses are a marathon, not a race. Learn to work slowly and steadily; avoid cramming at the last minute. Most importantly, set goals for yourself and work towards them. While studying, don’t hesitate to ask questions from your lecturers, tutors and the forum.