Cozy Up to Smarter Studying
Midterms are here, and so is the season of pumpkin spice, falling leaves, and warm study vibes. This October, let’s lean into learning with intention and strategy.
Metacognition Matters
Take a moment to reflect on how you learn—not just what you learn.
Understanding your thinking patterns helps you study smarter, not harder. Philosophers don’t ask “why” just to sound cool, it’s actually a powerful metacognitive tool. When you dive into a new topic, ask yourself why it’s important to the subject, to you, or to anything else you know. This helps create meaningful context and connects new knowledge to your existing experiences, making learning stick better.
Create Your Ideal Study Space
Find your focus in quiet corners like the MacOdrum Library’s 3rd or 5th floors, quiet hallways, or even the campus greenhouse.
For other suggestions check out “The Best Study Spots on Campus”. A calm, personalized environment can boost retention and reduce stress.
Tech That Helps
Try assistive tools like:
- Gizmo AI – for interactive studying
- Notion – with free templates for planning, tracking, and organizing
- Read and Write, Grammarly, and MindMeister – to support reading, writing, and brainstorming
Plan to Succeed
Break tasks into manageable chunks by considering how much each assignment or exam counts toward your final grade.
For example, if a paper is worth 30% and a quiz is worth 10%, focus more energy on the higher-value tasks first. Using percentages helps you prioritize and allocate your time wisely. Tools like Notion or Google Calendar can help you assign deadlines, set reminders, and color-code tasks based on their importance to visualize your week and stay on track.
Here are some Assignment Planner links to help you get started:
Research Support at Carleton: Check out the Library’s vast array of resources such as Research Help.
The Centre for Student Academic Success (CSAS) has a lot of supports that they offer, such as Writing Services.
AI: Use Wisely
AI can be a great tutor, but don’t use it for graded work. Instead, ask it to quiz you, explain concepts, or help brainstorm ideas.
Spaced Retrieval = Long-Term Learning
Review material in intervals. Use flashcards or apps like Anki to space out your studying and strengthen memory.
Reading Week Reset (October 20-24, 2025)
Slow down. Catch up. Reflect. Use this time to revisit notes, organize your materials, and recharge. Learning is a marathon, not a sprint.
Prioritize key subjects that need extra attention for midterm prep. Be sure to include breaks to avoid burnout, as well as scheduling a day or two off completely from school related work! A great tip is replacing your normally scheduled class time on completing outstanding tasks related to that class.
How to Register for the PMC Learning Strategies Modules: In the “Discover” tab on the Brightspace Main page, search PMC Learning Strategies – PMC_Learning_Strategies, and select enroll. If the course does not appear, you may already be enrolled so check the “select a course” menu in Brightspace.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email the PMC Learning Strategies Team at PMC_LS@cunet.carleton.ca.