essential skills

March Into Success: Workshops to Enhance Your Academic Journey!

Whether you’re looking to improve your research skills, boost your study strategies, or gain essential academic writing tools, the Library and Student Learning Centre are offering a range of free workshops this March to help you succeed. Below is a sneak peek into the fantastic workshops available to all AC students throughout the month. Make sure to mark your calendar and take full advantage of these opportunities by signing up for a session.

March 2025 Workshop Schedule: Empower Your Learning

1. On Campus: Cite Right! APA Bootcamp

  • When: March 6, 9:00 AM (Room C263)
  • Where: Library Learning Lab
  • Why Attend: Whether you’re new to APA citation style or need a refresher, this workshop will provide the tools to make citing sources a breeze. Get hands-on experience with citation formatting and learn tips and tricks to avoid common errors.

2. On Campus: Searching with Page 1+: Mastering Library Searches

  • When: March 6, 2:00 PM (Room C263)
  • Where: Library Learning Lab
  • Why Attend: Dive into the powerful features of the Algonquin College Library’s search tools. Learn how to navigate Page 1+ effectively to find the resources you need for research. This workshop is essential for mastering advanced search strategies and maximizing your research efficiency.

3. Online: Jumpstart Your Paper: Strategies for Effective Research

  • When: March 7, 10:00 AM
  • Where: Online (via Zoom)
  • Why Attend: Starting a research paper can be overwhelming, but with the right strategies, you can set yourself up for success. Learn how to plan your research, organize your ideas, and streamline your writing process.

4. Online: AI at AC: A Beginner’s Guide to Generative AI

  • When: March 11, 2:00 PM
  • Where: Online (via Zoom)
  • Why Attend: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing how we learn, work, and create. This workshop will introduce you to the basics of generative AI, exploring how it can assist with research and writing.

5. Online: Building a Strong Foundation: Tips for Conducting Literature Reviews

  • When: March 12, 12:00 PM
  • Where: Online (via Zoom)
  • Why Attend: The literature review is a cornerstone of academic writing. Learn how to search for, evaluate, and organize sources to build a solid foundation for your research project.

6. Study Skills: Getting Started & Avoiding Procrastination

  • When: March 13, 3:00 PM
  • Where: Online (via Zoom)
  • Why Attend: Procrastination can be a major obstacle to academic success. This workshop will provide strategies to help you stay on track and start your projects with confidence. Get advice on goal setting, time management, and staying motivated.

7. Study Skills: Pay Attention to This! – Finding Your Focus

  • When: March 14, 11:00 AM
  • Where: Online (via Zoom)
  • Why Attend: Struggling to concentrate? This session will help you build the skills to improve your focus, manage distractions, and increase productivity.

8. Study Skills: Note Taking Strategies – Make it Stick

  • When: March 14, 1:00 PM
  • Where: Online (via Zoom)
  • Why Attend: Effective note-taking is key to retaining information. Learn techniques that will make your notes more organized, impactful, and easier to review later.

9. Online: Finding Peer-Reviewed Articles: The Key to Research Success

  • When: March 17, 2:00 PM
  • Where: Online (via Zoom)
  • Why Attend: Peer-reviewed articles are critical in academic research. This workshop will teach you how to locate and evaluate peer-reviewed journal articles to elevate the quality of your work.

10. Study Skills: Time Management – Rock the Clock

  • When: March 18, 1:00 PM
  • Where: Online (via Zoom)
  • Why Attend: Time management is an essential skill for academic and personal success. This session will help you create effective schedules, prioritize tasks, and avoid burnout.

11. Online: Paraphrase Like a Pro: Essential Skills for Academic Writing

  • When: March 19, 1:00 PM
  • Where: Online (via Zoom)
  • Why Attend: Paraphrasing is crucial in academic writing to avoid plagiarism and demonstrate your understanding. Learn how to paraphrase correctly and incorporate ideas from other sources into your own writing seamlessly.

12. Online: Avoiding Cut and Paste Plagiarism

  • When: March 21, 10:00 AM
  • Where: Online (via Zoom)
  • Why Attend: Avoiding plagiarism is essential for academic integrity. This workshop will walk you through how to avoid common pitfalls and properly attribute sources in your work.

13. Online: Understanding Plagiarism: Protect Your Academic Integrity

  • When: March 24, 2:00 PM
  • Where: Online (via Zoom)
  • Why Attend: Plagiarism can have serious consequences. This workshop will help you understand what constitutes plagiarism and how to safeguard your academic integrity.

14. Study Skills: Stress Management

  • When: March 28, 2:00 PM
  • Where: Online (via Zoom)
  • Why Attend: Managing stress is crucial during busy academic periods. Learn techniques to help you stay calm and focused, even when facing deadlines and exams.

15. Online: Presenting Skills

  • When: March 28, 12:00 PM
  • Where: Online (via Zoom)
  • Why Attend: Public speaking can be daunting, but with the right techniques, you can make a strong impact. This session will cover the essentials of creating engaging presentations and communicating effectively with your audience.

How to Register

To register for any of the workshops listed above, simply visit the Workshops Schedule. Don’t wait—these workshops are the perfect way to boost your academic performance and build essential skills for success.

Take advantage of these free resources and set yourself up for success this semester!

By attending these workshops, you’ll gain the tools, confidence, and strategies needed to excel in your studies at Algonquin College. Best of luck, and we hope to see you there!

Welcome to College: Your Ultimate Guide to Getting Started

Hey there, future college superstar! 🎉 Feeling a mix of excitement and nerves as you step into this new chapter? Totally normal! You’ve made it to college, but now you might be wondering, “What’s next?” Don’t worry – we’ve got your back with some super handy tips to help you hit the ground running. Let’s dive into the 7 Steps to Success that will get you cruising through your college journey with ease!

1. Connect with Tech

Welcome to the digital age! To make the most of your time at Algonquin College, you’ll want to get comfortable with some essential online tools. Sign up for a free workshop or visit the Navigating Technology Guide to get the lowdown on Zoom, Brightspace, email, Microsoft 365, and more. It’s like having a tech-savvy buddy guiding you through!

2. Master the Art of Time Management

Procrastination? No thanks! Embrace your inner time wizard by diving into some Time Management modules. These will arm you with nifty techniques to plan your time wisely, tackle assignments early, and develop a routine that works for you!

3. Plan Your Schedule Like a Pro

They say “Failing to plan is planning to fail,” and that’s spot-on. Start by crafting a semester plan and weekly schedule. This way, you’ll keep track of your goals and stay on top of your game. A little planning goes a long way!

4. Take Notes Like a Boss

Struggling to juggle listening, note-taking, and absorbing information? You’re not alone! Even if your classes are online and recorded, effective note-taking is crucial. Check out the Taking Notes in Class module to learn tips and tricks for balancing tasks and creating notes that actually help you study.

5. Read with Purpose

Ever feel like you’re reading but not really absorbing the material? Fear not! The Reading with Purpose module is here to transform you into a reading ninja. Discover strategies to get the most out of your reading and make that knowledge stick.

6. Discover the Treasure Trove of Services

Your college offers a ton of resources to support you. From the Library to the Student Learning Centre (SLC), you can get help with research, citing, study skills, math, presentations, coaching, peer tutoring, and so much more. Check out our Services site to find out how we’ve got your back.

7. Ask Away!

Got questions? Don’t hesitate to ask! Swing by your campus Library or use our online Library Live Chat service. Our friendly staff are always ready to help you out in real time.

Whether you’re navigating campus or rocking online classes, starting your college adventure on the right foot is key. Follow these steps, seek help when needed, and remember: the secret to success is already within you!

Best of luck with your first week – go make it amazing! 🌟📚🎓

Start Your College Journey on a Positive Path!

Welcome to college! You could be feeling excited or nervous – or both! You may find yourself thinking “I’ve made it here but what are my next steps supposed to be?”

Enter the Where Do I Begin hub! This hub is just the first in a series of supportive modules found within The Learning Portal; an amazing resource that offers shared access to resources from all Ontario Colleges. The Where Do I Begin hub will familiarize you with some of the most important things you need to know when starting out in college.

Getting Started

Follow the 7 steps to success found within the Getting Started module of the Where Do I Begin hub and discover more services that will help you along the way!

  1. Get connected to online tools – register for a free workshop and learn to navigate key technology used regularly at Algonquin College, such as Zoom, Brightspace, email, Microsoft 365, and more!
  2. Learn how to get things done – Resist the temptation to put things off and get started on your assignments sooner! Explore these Time Management modules to gain simple techniques to plan your time more effectively and get into a routine that works for you.
  3. Start planning your schedule early – Many students don’t plan to fail; they just fail to plan. Learn how to make a semester plan and create a weekly schedule to ensure that you start and stay on the right track.
  4. Learn how to take study-worthy notes – Do you find it difficult to listen, take notes and absorb everything all at the same time? You’re not alone! Even if you are attending class online and can access a recorded version of a lecture, it’s still important to take efficient notes that you can use for studying. Visit the Taking Notes in Class module to learn how to balance tasks more efficiently and in a style that works for the way you learn.
  5. Learn to understand what you read – The Reading with Purpose module will help you develop key strategies and techniques to better absorb information you have read.
  6. Learn about available services – There are many college services available to help you! The Library and Student Learning Centre (SLC) offer support in areas such as research, citing, study skills, math, presentations skills, Coaching, Peer Tutoring, and more. Visit the Services webpage to discover how we can support you throughout the school year.
  7. Ask questions – Don’t be afraid to reach out! Visit your campus Library or use our online Library Live Chat service to connect quickly with library staff who are available to help you in real time.

Whether you’re attending classes on-campus or online, start your college journey on the right path by following these steps and seek help when you need it – the key to success lies within you!

Best of luck with your first week of classes!