#unitips

In my country,the first uni semester usually starts at October (which means very soon) and i’m more that excited!.However, i can’t help but have some concerns.As a first year, i have no knowledge of the whole “University” concept,that’s why i’m currectly browsing on internet about uni hacks/tips and useful advice from other uni/college students.

Here are some EXTREMELY IMPORTANT notetaking tips by   The Academic Success Center 

BEFORE CLASS

~ Identify main concepts and terms you expect to learn

~ Write questions you hope the lecture will answer

DURING CLASS

~ Take notes in your own words

~ Use consistent abbreviations and symbols

~ Answer any questions you wrote before class

~ Capture main ideas and sufficient detail (definitions, examples, images)

~ Make and visualize connections between concepts

AFTER CLASS

~ Make time to return to your notes after class

~ Transform your notes into a new format (e.g., visual, mind map, quiz questions, study guide)

~ Summarize your notes in writing, verbally, or—better yet—both!

~ Connect current class notes to concepts from the previous classes/weeks

~ Compare notes with a classmate to catch missed info

NOTE TAKING MYTH BUSTERS

MYTH: All you need to do is take notes during class 

FOR REALS: Notes are only as good as what you do with them after class. Learning happens when you put notes to use. Here are a few ways to commit notes to memory:

 • Transform your notes into a new format (summary, visual, diagram, etc.)

 • Explain your notes and main points aloud to someone else 

•Write possible test questions based on your notes

 •Create a study guide that you add to each week with new information and connections you’ve made

MYTH: You should write down everything you hear in lecture 

FOR REALS: Don’t do that. You might end up tuning out content if you only focus on transcription. Or you might get super stressed if you miss a word. Instead… 

• Listen for key points 

• Translate ideas into your own words

 • Listen 80% of the time and write 20% of the time 

• If you know you have a question about a concept, don’t stress. Mark it, so you can review it later with other materials or in office hours

MYTH: Quantity = Quality 

FOR REALS: Excessive note taking may not be quality note taking. Check your balance between listening, learning, and note taking by asking… 

• Am I focused on comprehension during lecture (rather than on transcription)? • Can I recall and explain what I learned after lecture?

 • Do my notes have enough main points and detail for me to use them later in a new way? (e.g. writing a summary, drawing a mind map)

In my first post, I wanted to address a topic in which I feel most university students can relate to, it certainly was and still is a concern for me. 

If you feel overwhelmed by all the extra baggage that comes with being a uni student, you’re definitely not alone. Keeping on top of deadlines while finding time to attend all those socials can get a little too much for even the best of us. Having nearly completed my third year of university, even I’m still trying to figure out the best way to do things and i’m far from the perfect student. Keep reading if you want to find out how you can make your student life a little less stressful.

Me first !  The most important piece of advice I can give you is to put yourself first. You have goals, both personal and professional and it’s important that you set yourself up to achieve them because at the end of the day, that’s why you chose to go to uni.  Know where you want to be and what you have to achieve by this time next month; giving yourself small monthly goals will keep you on track and feeling that much more motivated to keep going, nobody wants to be in the same place in a months time, specially not in terms of uni. Simple habits such as keeping a to do list and ticking things off as you complete them will give you that sense of fulfilment. I personally like to start the year by investing in a cute planner, something that uplifts my mood and make me want to write in it every day, I use colours and quotes and cross off my goals as I achieve them. It’s important to have something that drives your passion and makes you feel good inside. 

Clutter attracts clutter  This applies to anything and everything in your life. Your workspace, wardrobe, handbag, laptop, car, bed etc. All of these thing need to be looked after. You will be surprised by how much a clean work space can help keep a clean mind. Personally I find it difficult to concentrate when  my room is left untidy or my workspace is cluttered. This doesn’t mean you have to clean everything religiously every day, I certainly don’t. Start small, do your washing before it piles up, have allocated spaces for everything, put that curling iron away once you’ve used it, these little things will make your life so much easier and save you the stress of spending a whole day cleaning when you could be studying for next weeks test. 

Balance Everyone needs a break sometimes. Your wellbeing is more important than anything so take time to enjoy yourself with friends, if you need alone time, take yourself out to that cute cafe and treat yourself, go on a shopping spree. There isn’t more to say about this than don’t spend all your time studying but don’t spend all your time partying. 

So whilst there are no written rules to being the perfect student, always remember to do what makes you feel good and keep those goals in mind. 

Lots of love 

Hey guys! It’s ya girl !

🌱Break down your homework/responsibilities so that you’ll do little “steps” everyday

🌱Create the PERFECT study environment (Romanticize your life ❤️)

🌱Make a PLANNER

🌱Set reasonable goals 

  DISCLAIMER: Obviously, we are not the same ,especially when it comes to studying and absorbing info. Each one of you can try whichever hack/study technique you want and just because it didn’t work on you ,that doesn’t mean that it won’t be helpful for others :)

🍒.Studygroups.Personally,i like studying alone so studying with other people isn't helpful to me . However, if you think you could do better with a study-group ,then find a couple of good friends (who are interested in studying AS WELL) and GET THINGS DONE

🍒.Take notes by hand ,it’s an effective way to crave everything into your memory, faster and easily

🍒.Show up in class/lectures ,everything will make a lot more sense. Trust me :)

🍒.Do a little everyday ,but don’t let it be your WHOLE day (e.g Today i’m gonna study the first 2 chapters for my history test ,then i’ll do my science project and then i’ll watch the next episode of Miraculous Ladybug and go to the gym) ;)

🍒.BULLET POINTS AND DIAGRAMS!

🍒.Be a SMART READER , not a ROBOT

GUESS WHO’S BACK!

🌷FIND INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR UNI/COLLEGE

The uni’s website will be your “most visited” internet page ,It’s good to know what you’re going to deal with beforehand,ask/search about EVERYTHING (lessons,professors,clubs,how things work,extracurricular activities and so on)

You can even ask questions from people who are already studying at your department and seek for a good advice

Some websites may even have the map of the building,download it immediately,it will be very useful ,especially during the first semester (thank god i had the map otherwise i would get lost and wouldn’t know how to get out lmao).

🌼AFTER YOU LEARN EVERYTHING YOU NEED ABOUT UNI’S CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES,ENROLL ON THE ONES THAT INTEREST YOU

The best way to socialize,make friends,gain knowledge/experience and do what you love with people who have the same passion as you 

🌻STAY TUNED WITH UNI’S NEWS(ESPECIALLY REGARDING YOUR DEPARTMENT)

It’s important to know what happening/changing (in your curriculum e.g) 

Unfortunately , for many of us school equals stress and anxiety . If you’ωε ever felt so exhausted and stressed to the point where you were unable to do even the simplest tasks YOU ARE NOT ALONE, it’s totally understandable, you don’t have to feel bad about yourself just DON’T let it take over you, just take a deep breath , rest and try harder :)

💐Stop whatever you’re doing and take a small break. During this time,do things that makes you feel secure, carefree and calm (e.g drawing, dancing, singing, jogging ) or do NOTHING at all! Staring at the ceiling can also help you deal with stress you know  :)

💐Talk to someone you trust ,it’s better to let anxiety out than keep it inside and pretend you are okay (believe me it only makes it worse...).In case you feel uncomfortable talking to someone, then write your feelings on a diary or draw them.

💐Knowing yourself and your limits can help you see things more realistically and deal with everyday problems easily. SELF-AWARENESS is the key :)

💐Set a daily routine so that you won’t have to worry about time

💐Drink Chamomile tea  ☕

💐LAUGH , watch funny videos on yt or a comedy movie, anything that lifts up your mood :)