Study Smarter

Tips to help set yourself up for success by planning based on how you learn—not just what you learn.

Metacognition Matters

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 3^rd or 5^th floors, quiethallways, 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.