Transitioning back to full-time coursework or research after a couple of co-op terms may be challenging. Your schedule changes (sometimes from a 9-5 workday) to a less structured schedule with a mixture of lectures and tutorials at different times of the day. Workload also varies based on upcoming tests, assignments, and other activities. Learn more about different strategies you can implement the next time you return as a full-time student.
- Strategy #1: Look up expectations for each course
- Strategy #2: Plan your semester once you get your syllabi
- Strategy #3: Set up accountability points
- Strategy #4: Create SMART goals
- Strategy #5: Plan your weeks
- Strategy #6: Prepare how you will spend your study time
Book an appointment with an academic coach at the Centre for Academic Communication.
Look up expectations for each course
Most of the time, the course might already have a syllabus posted or there may be class information posted on the faculty or department website. You can see what types of textbooks you might need, suggested readings as well as projects or assignments. This will help you prepare for the term ahead!
Plan your semester once you get your syllabi
Academic coaches always recommend planning your semester – either on paper or by using a digital calendar. If planning digitally, it is a good idea to set reminders for important assignments and quizzes that you might have to submit throughout the term. Brightspace Pulse app (available for both iOS and Android) has a notification setting that you can enable to notify you before the deadlines of important activities.
Learn planning strategies on UVicLearn with the article Backwards planning for time management.
Accountability points
Setting up accountability checkpoints is a great way to motivate yourself to reach each of your goals. Accountability checkpoints amount to a personal system of checks and balances that keep you on track with your progress. Accountability is about taking steps and (this is very important) about following a sustainable action plan that moves you forward.
- Set SMART goals with a study buddy
- Communication with your professor and TA
- Book weekly/bi-weekly short meetings with an academic coach at the Centre for Academic Communication, who will also help you set goals and provide personalized study techniques.
SMART goals
Once your term starts, make specific-attainable goals for each of your study sessions. For example, to prepare for a biology midterm, goals for one of your 3-hour study sessions can be:
- Re-read your slides from Week 3
- Review Chapter 6 and 7
Vague goals that are just blindly assumed can eventually add up and lead to anxiety halfway through the term.
Do a self-check at the end of every week and re-evaluate your learning strategies and goals.
Plan your weeks
After you have your semester/ monthly plan for a term ready, plan your week. In a weekly plan, put in your:
- Classes
- Work shifts
- Club meetings
- Other commitments
- Study time for each of these courses
Our academic coaches highly recommend putting in the specific study time for each of your courses throughout the week since it will help you prioritize your study sessions.
Prepare how you spend your study time
Different courses require different methods of studying. For example, an English or Philosophy course might require a lot of reading, whereas a math course has practice questions.
Have an initial plan on how you will study for your courses and where you would like to do your studying. Some students like to do their readings in the library and practice math questions in the Math and Stats Centre.
Learn more about how to plan where to study and find quiet bookable study spaces on campus on UVicLearn with the article Creating your own study space.
To learn more about this topic and to get help
Book a free in-person or online appointment with a Centre for Academic Communication academic coach!