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Making Term Two Different

 
When many of us load “Grade Report” on MUGSI, we’re filled with a nervous anxiety that may not necessarily go away once we see the blank spaces filled in with actual grades.

Later, when we discuss those marks with friends or family, we often hear “Well, there’s always next term.”

While this is a definite fact, it’s a truth that’s much more helpful and relevant with a plan. The existence of a second term is absolute, but its results are up to you.

Identifying Problem Areas
In the last few days of the break, when the general buzz of the holidays has worn down, it may help to sit down with yourself and a piece of paper to identify the areas you had difficulty with last term.

Do not restrict your list to solely academics and subject areas, though this may help and is definitely a great starting point.


Focus on aspects such as time management, general organization and the approach taken to doing work.

To elaborate, in first term many students begin by writing everything out, even if it is in the textbook. This is usually a great strategy for learning and would help you do wonders in high school, but is not always effective for university, where you may have 5 books and approximately 300 to 500 pages covered from each of them.


A lot also rewrite Powerpoint slides put up by professors, or rewrite the entire math problem when doing Calculus. By simply referencing a page number or printing out the lecture notes, you save yourself time and allow for more efficiency in your work.

Simple tricks that increase efficiency would allow you to devote more time to absorbing, relearning and addressing concerns with material.

In terms or organization, large calendars, post its in notes or as memos to oneself, day planners, electronic reminders and white boards may be very helpful.

Using Available Resources

We’ve all been told to use resources such as our professor’s office hours, our tutorials, and course specific offerings in order to better facilitate our learning.

It may however be more helpful to actually schedule the times for these into a day planner to serve as a better reminder of their availability and another push to attend if necessary.


Difficulties in the transition to university may extend beyond textbooks and what they cover – psychological and emotional concerns may hinder a student’s progress in ways they did not expect.

It may be natural to believe that these internal issues have no solutions or cannot be made better, however, they are possible to manage in a way that does not impede other aspects of your life and there are individuals trained to help.


Consider contacting the Centre for Student Development, located in the basement of the Student Centre, which provides help for students struggling with any of a variety of problems.

Further information can be found at: www.csd.mcmaster.ca

Never Forgetting the Basics
Sleep, a nutritious diet, exercise and a balance of work and socialization are some of the most integral pillars to any university student’s life.

While you may have resolved to do homework on time this term, and not procrastinate, don’t forget to sleep on time, or eat while you’re working.

Contrary to what you may be told by other students: One cookie does not fall into all major food groups.


Stress Busters and Staying Healthy:
A common story I personally hear from other first years relates to the high levels of stress we encounter, causing us to give up on our daily readings and just crash on the couch watching House – which is great until the night before a midterm when we suddenly have more than we can handle on our plate.

Exercise, talking to someone, playing music (be it playing an instrument or just listening), reading and other activities that are part of a balanced life help relieve stress by diverting your focus on to another task for a certain amount of time.

For students with high levels of stress be they brought about by school work or other underlying factors – consider contacting the CSD to develop ways to best deal with the anxiety.

Another form of health is simply observing good hygienic rules such as showering on time, washing your hands before eating, changing your pillowcases regularly, and washing your sheets after a fever or cold.

And lastly:
No matter how Term 1 went, Term 2 can be different.
It is up to you to realize that this involves making a change, and to proceed in following through.


Alvand, Ethansaucier, kenvin100, manu, moops, xo.monica all say thanks to goodnews.inc for this post.

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Old 01-02-2010 at 11:20 PM   #2
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Awesome article. Thanks!
 



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