Strategies
Getting Started—Some “Smart Start” Strategies
Learning Skills classes teach study skill strategies (e.g. note-taking and exam preparation) to help you get good grades. Camosun also has tutoring, Academic Upgrading Help Centres, and the Language Help Centre.
- Think about past learning experiences to discover where you are likely to need help, and ask for help when you need it -- even very high test anxiety can be overcome.
- Find a friend to study with, or to help you review materials.
- Plan to attend all classes.
- Plan to review materials before classes so you can ask about your questions.
- Find a place to comfortable place to study free from distractions. Studying in a consistent place may help you learn.
- Ask other successful students about their study strategies.
- Ask about the computing use demands of your program. If you are not comfortable using a computer, keyboard and mouse, a word processing program, and email, or doing research on the internet (e.g. google.com), get help from friends or family and practice, or take an academic upgrading course or Continuing Education before you start classes. Basic computer skills are quite essential to college success.
Time Management
- Plan what work, home, or volunteer activities you can stop doing, or ask others to help with, while you’re a student.
- Look for time-saving shortcuts in all parts of your life.
- Try to arrange your work schedule to focus on studying during busy times and exams.
- Schedule big social events, medical appointments, trips, etc. between semesters.
- Schedule shorter daily study time at the time of day when you learn best; it’s better for learning than a few long weekly blocks.
- Learn about course expectations by looking at course outlines and plan so the time spent on each exam or assignment matches its percent of the course grade.
- Use time riding the bus, between classes, or appointments, etc. for study and review.
- Use a planner to record assignment due dates, exams, course start and end dates, and your work schedule, personal appointments, and study time.
- Get clarity on all out-of-class program requirements (e.g. anticipated study time) and the class and field experience schedule, to know if you’ll work early mornings, late afternoons or weekends, or need extra travel time.
- Talk to other students about managing schedule demands.
