New Term. New Habits.

How to leverage your strengths and establish new study habits

Are you experiencing academic challenges or have you experienced challenges in the past?

Do you feel a bit lost in your courses or confused about how you should approach learning at university?

Do you feel frustrated you put in the work but don’t see results?

Academic Skills instructors are here to guide you as you reflect on your strengths, understand your motivation, connect with campus supports, and identify study habits you can change.

Start by taking this short survey to reflect on your current habits, your strengths as a learner, and the skills and strategies you want to develop.

Develop a support network

University may require your independent learning, but that doesn’t mean you have to go it alone when things get tough. Don’t be afraid to reach out. It is important to ask questions when you are unsure about university processes or policies, need clarification on assignment expectations, or feel confused or frustrated by course materials. Research shows that students who are engaged in their learning are more likely to use university services and find academic success.

Talk to your friends and family about your classes, your learning, and your concerns. Let them know what you need: time to study, quiet space to focus, or encouragement when you experience challenges at school

Meet with Trent professionals for guidance and resources.

Connect with peer supports to see new perspectives and see you are not alone.

Think about Motivation

Leverage your strengths

We all have strengths: what are you good at? What do you enjoy? Consider trying a new writing or study strategy that draws on these qualities.

If you’re really creative,

If you like lists

If you enjoy writing

If you’re a good presenter

If you like research

If you like listening to lectures and podcasts

Take first steps to new study habits

Change can start small. Choose one or two strategies to commit to and make them habits over a few weeks. It can be helpful to get encouragement and create accountability for your commitments, so communicate your intentions with a friend, family member, or Trent supporter (e.g., Academic Skills instructor, Academic Advisor, SAS Advisor, Counsellor, Peer Supporter, Rebound Guide, etc.)

Time management   

Organization

  • Check your Trent email and Blackboard daily for important messages from your course instructors. Consider creating folders for each course so your messages are organized and easy to find.
  • Review your course syllabi weekly to ensure you are up-to-date with assignments, quizzes, readings, and course content.
  • Label and store all digital files (notes, articles, etc.) in folders named for the course.

Course readings

Research and Writing          

Learning from feedback      

  • Take time to read and understand instructor feedback on your assignments. Meet with your TA or professor to ask questions for clarification on confusing points. Make a list of issues big (analysis, evidence) and small (grammar, formatting) to use as a checklist for future assignments.

Studying for Exams  

Trent University respectfully acknowledges it is located on the treaty and traditional territory of the Mississauga Anishnaabeg. We offer our gratitude to First Peoples for their care for, and teachings about, our earth and our relations. May we honour those teachings.

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