essential study skills

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! 🌟📚🎓

A lot of students start stressing about exams early on. It’s totally normal to feel nervous about your performance or to buckle a bit from the pressure of passing your upcoming evaluations. We believe the best way to succeed at studying is to start early, start with what you know the least, and to take care of yourself both mentally and physically.

Deciding What to Study

Before you begin studying, it’s essential that you figure out what you should be studying.

Pay attention: Your instructor may give clues or instructions about what material you should focus on.
Start with the hard stuff: Start with the concepts you are having the most difficulty grasping, as these will likely take up more of your time. Use the Stoplight Technique to learn how to prioritize your material.
Check your learning objectives: Look at the learning objectives for your class and assigned readings to gain an idea of what to focus on.

Knowing How to Study

Save yourself time and effort by understanding how to study successfully and more efficiently.

Avoid distractions: Put away your phone or turn it off. Remove distractions and find an environment that works with you and not against your concentration.
Have a plan for yourself: Plan study time that works around your schedule to avoid cramming. Take this quiz to identify your learning styles and determine if you are a visual, auditory or kinesthetic learner.
Be realistic: Procrastinating is not the answer; setting unrealistic expectations and leaving things to the last minute can leave you in a tough spot when you are stuck with the reality of what you need to do versus how much time it will take to do it effectively.
Remember your goals: Set studying goals; decide what you want to cover day by day and try to relate your subjects of study to real-world situations.

Memorizing and Understanding Concepts

You will cover a lot of material over the course of a semester and it can be hard to remember everything during a test or exam. Follow these strategies for memorizing and understanding concepts:

Understand the concepts: Make sure you fully understand the concepts before attempting to memorize them.
Create color-coded flashcards: Visuals can help with memorization; making flashcards in different colors lets you break down subjects and themes.
Use mnemonic devices: Using memory devices such as visualization, acronyms, acrostics and rhymes.
Reciting and repetition: Reading information out loud and repeating material over and over again can help you to remember it.

Manage Your Stress

The Stress Management module covers topics such as:

Coping with Stress through the use of breathing techniques which will help you to persevere in those moments of anxiety and worry.
Changing your Perception of Stress by practicing Mindfulness (the act of living in the present) you can learn to focus on the here and now.
Problem Solving to Manage Stress Don’t get overwhelmed by a problem, find the best way to tackle it with practical strategies that can be applied to real world scenarios.

Use these bonus tips to help stay calm and composed when feeling stressed:

Breathe.
Calming breaths from the belly can help calm the feeling of anxiety.
Think about the present moment.
Avoid getting too caught up in thinking of the past or the future.
Think of solutions.
Dealing with practical problems, such as assignment overload, can help with emotional problems such as anxiety.
Ask for help.
Asking for help when you need it is important and useful when trying to solve problems.

LinkedIn Learning Playlist

This Study Skills playlist includes online courses and videos that can help you improve your study skills, including time management, stress management, effective studying, presentations, and more.