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.