1. Study Skills Organisation, time management and preparation LSS 1003
Dr Sinead Eccles

2. Determining Your Needs
Categorise time spent on
Class time ___________________
Study time ___________________
Assignments ___________________
Work ___________________
Commute time ___________________
Social ___________________
Family ___________________
Other ___________________

3. Assess and Evaluate (ongoing process)
Ask yourself: Will the way I am spending my time contribute to my college success? Do I need to make changes? Am I willing to make the necessary changes to achieve college success?

4. Exercise 1 – A Calendar Long-range perspective
Due dates (assessment schedule)
Religious holidays, reading week, personal/special events
Target dates
BB Learn

5. Exercise 2 – A Weekly Schedule
Balance and manageability
Study time – Quality > Quantity
Regularity  routine/habit
Specific ‘homework’
Limit – No more than 2 hours at one time
Review for each course for balance and needs

6. Weekly Schedule Tips Colour code Post it in useful place(s)
Computer-generated
Easier to adjust
Include weekend study hours

7. HOW to Get Organised Set Up Your Own System
Set up a simple filing system
Course folders
Academic information folders
Personal information folders
Organise your study area
Locate and regularly use an IDEAL study location

8. KEY TO SUCCESS Test Period
Follow your schedule for approximately three weeks
Adjust as the course progresses.
Monitor and adjust
as necessary

9. Exercise 3 – ‘To Do’ List
List everything you need or want to get done.
Set your priorities.
A - Must be done
B – Should be completed if at all possible
C – Low priority, completed only after doing A’s and B’s
Prioritize tasks within each group.
Developing this type of behaviour will increase productivity.

10. Exercise 4 – Sample Assignment
Break assignment into steps/stages
Estimate time needed
Library research – estimate (and add 2 hours)
Count back from due date
Consult Assessment schedule
Plan your assignment
Describe why you have chosen to do your chosen course. In your answer make reference to your hopes and fears, strengths and weaknesses

11. Anticipating and Planning for your course – Course Planning
Course Outline: Your road map for each class Course Outlines (IMPORTANT DOCUMENT) Long-range planning begins on day one

12. Additional tips
Ask yourself: “What is the best use of my time right now?”
Utilise small blocks of time that you might normally waste.
ALWAYS have study material with you.
Work when you have the highest level of energy.
Avoid external distractions. Sometimes these can be friends!!
When tired or distracted, change activities – “Mix it up”

13. Additional tips Acknowledge the work you have accomplished.
Remember to take/plan breaks.
Remember to maintain a life outside of college and work
Family/friends/colleagues/classmates – support systems are very important
Monitoring your academic performance is important for achieving the goals you have set yourself in college. But your grades are NOT a measure of you as a person.

14. PROCRASTINATION: Dealing with Deadlines
Putting off = Anxiety/Stress
Stop “thinking about” the assignment and TAKE ACTION!
Break down large tasks into manageable smaller tasks
Psychology of Procrastination: Why People Put Off Important Tasks Until the Last Minute

15. Take a break

16. How do you know if you are organised?
How do you know if you are doing well?
How do we know if you are learning?

17. Purpose of Assessments
For your teacher (and yourself) to check that you have understood the work covered on the course and that the work which demonstrates this is entirely yours.
Your exams are at the end of semester– now is the time to start planning.
Cramming, rote learning and memorisation.
“as long as education is synonymous with cramming on an organized plan, it will continue to produce mediocrity.”
Gorst, H.E. (1901) The Curse of Education