STUDY TIPS

Here you can find study tips from your very own executive team, who are students who deal with the stresses of university life just like you!

VP Communications - Silvi

Firstly, find a study spot with natural light; it keeps you motivated for longer and as soon as you don’t have enough light to work, take a break! I like to set 20-30 minute timers to work, then I take a 5 minute break, then I go back to studying. I also take time between long bouts of studying to go get some physical activity, like dancing with the UOttawa Dance Club, going to the gym or going for a walk!

President - Liza

There are so many things that can determine how efficiently and how productively you study! It’s super important to try different strategies and find what works for you. Does music help? For how long can you study before you lose concentration? Does it work better to study alone or with friends? These are questions to keep in mind, and each little element can make a difference! 

Director of Secretarial Affairs - Anupriya

Don’t leave studying until the last minute! If you can, do a quick 10-15 minute review of what you just learned right after your lecture! For memorization courses, use active recall strategies to retain information faster and for a longer term. Plan ahead! Having a good, focused study buddy really helps with motivating you to continue studying. Have healthy coping mechanisms that help you destress and find what learning style works best for you! 


Director of Bilingualism and Translation - Gabe

It’s important to manage your time properly. Make yourself a calendar with all the deadlines to all your assignments. Divide up your time during the day; this way everything will seem more manageable and organized.

Director of Marketing and Promotion - Carolyn

  • Make sure you get enough sleep at night so your brain can process & remember what you studied. 

  • I also recommend starting brainstorming for papers and projects extremely early so your subconscious can work away. 

  • I rotate what I'm working on after each study break. I can shift my focus and stay engaged for longer periods.

Council Member - Farah

NEVER panic! I know it’s easier said than done, but panicking too much will make it much harder to retain information and to actually do a test or assignment. Remember you are doing what you can with what resources and time you have. 

  • If you have to study for more than one subject, start with the one you like/find easiest. You will finish much quicker when you have in mind that there is another subject to study for, AND if you enjoyed studying for it, you’ll be more optimistic going into the second subject. 

  • Get a calendar (you can print one out every month instead of buying a real calendar; or you can get a dated journal). At the beginning of every month, go through your syllabuses and notes from your classes and write down the deadlines of every assignment and test coming up for that month. Color-coding these by class/course also helps. This helps you plan out what to get started on first, and you can even designate days on the calendar for studying for a specific course or working on a specific assignment. 

    • Laying things out this way makes you feel more prepared for the coming month and calms down some of the anxiety you may have about upcoming projects. Your mind will feel less cluttered!

101 Week Coordinator - Arianna

Never underestimate the power of a study group! Finding people in your classes to swap notes with and study with is the best way I have ever found to fill in gaps that you didn't understand in your lecture! Also: explaining concepts to someone else is the best way to be sure you fully understand that topic yourself! Book a study room, have each person choose a chapter/chapters to become experts in, and teach one another before tests!

VP Finance - Ema

I highly recommend re-reading your notes, and while re-reading your notes, think about what questions your professors may ask you about the material. This way you can think of answers to questions before you see them and you can have a better understanding of the material.

VP Philanthropy and Activism - Mikaleigh

  • Go to campus! It’s much easier to stay motivated and focused when studying/working in one of the buildings on campus. Plan out a list of tasks you want to accomplish before leaving campus for the day and you’ll be surprised by how efficient you become!

  • It’s important to have a healthy balance of school, work, and social activities to give your time structure. Looking forward to a fun night out with friends is great motivation to get your work done ahead of time and will ensure you’re not burnt out when it comes time to work hard. 

Student Academic Success Service (SASS) Resources:

Check out SASS resources for tips to improve things such as study habits to concentration skills and time-management and be sure to see if they have any upcoming workshops!  Click here to go to their resource page.