We asked PMC Coordinator and Learning Strategist (she’s a professor, too!), Rylee Oram if she has any tips for students to get the term off to the right start.

She had a few suggestions!

Get Organized

Read your syllabus and mark down deadlines in your calendar right away.

  • Try to go through each syllabus and highlight the deadlines. Once you’ve done this, add them to a calendar with reminders.

Be realistic!

  • Try to create a sustainable, realistic and consistent schedule for yourself;
  • treat school like a 9-5 (job), if you can;
  • try to maintain your routines around sleep, eating and work.

Create an Optimal Work Space

Declutter

  • Keep the materials you need for the work you will be doing;
  • go for minimalism.

Remove Distractions

  • If you know something like your phone is a distraction, put it in an area away from your workspace;
  • turn off notifications on your computer and close tabs related to things other work.

Get Comfortable

  • Ensure you have water, coffee, tea, a snack and/or a comfortable chair;
  • if at home, make sure the room is at a comfy temperature, or that you have a sweater/blanket.

Create a *Vibe*

  • Do you like plants? Add a plant!
  • Do you like nice smells? Add a candle of humidifier!
  • Natural lighting? Heck yes!

Silence or Nah?

  • If you prefer silence, make sure to have earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones on-hand;
  • If you like some music, get your favourite playlist set up.

Use this Spot Exclusively for Studying

  • No Netlix here! Associate this space with work.