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guide of study tips

Sometimes studying can feel like climbing
Mount Everest in thongs.
We know it can be hard, especially if
you’ve just finished high school and
are trying to figure out what
this uni thing is all about.
That’s why we’ve put together this A–Z guide of uni
study, to help you lace up your boots and get
climbing through your coursework.
You’re not climbing alone, and with
these tips it won’t take long to
reach the summit of your
first study goal.
A is for
ASSIGNMENTS
At the start of the semester, prioritise
your assignments in a list and hang it
somewhere that you can’t miss. You’ll be a
pro at juggling study and completing your
assignments in no time!
B is for
BREAK TIME
During study, reward yourself with a hard-
earned break. If you find yourself losing
focus or getting frustrated, try getting a
drink or snack to perk you up. You could
also try stretching or even taking a nap (just
be sure to set an alarm so you wake up).
C is for
COLOUR-CODING
Not only does using different colours jazz
up your study notes, if you assign particular
meaning to a colour, you’ll be able to recall
information more efficiently.
However you do it (highlighting, underlining
or changing the text colour on your
computer), make sure you know what the
colours represent e.g. Red = important and
Blue = keep for later.
D is for
DEADLINES
The due date is NOT the do date!
Always know when your assignments
or tasks are due. Write down due dates
multiple times, in multiple places,
IN BOLD CAPITAL LETTERS
so you won’t miss them!
Plan your time. Try not to procrastinate
and if you need it, ask for help.
E is for
EXERCISE
Whatever kind of exercise you enjoy, adding
physical activity into your routine will help
you stay calm and focused for study.
Exercise releases feel-good endorphins and
is a great stress reliever. Even if it’s just a
walk with a friend or some time outdoors
with your dog, squeeze exercise into your
study routine wherever you can!
F is for
FIRST IN FAMILY
Did you know 60%* of USQ students are
first in their family to study at uni?
If you are a first in your family student, you
can find a range of free resources to help
you succeed at university, from blogs to
your very own downloadable motivational
cards, on the First in Family website.
*Source: Higher Education Information Management Systems (HEIMS) data,
Department of Education and Training, 2015.
WITH THESE TIPS IT WON’T TAKE
LONG TO REACH THE SUMMIT OF
YOUR FIRST STUDY GOAL!
G is for
GOALS
It’s a good idea to set specific goals for each
study session, such as reading two chapters
of your textbook or completing the learning
activity for one module.
SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable,
realistic and timely) help you to manage your
time and get a sense of satisfaction from each
study session.
H is for
HEALTHY SNACKS
Snacks work as a great study reward and
also help to keep your brain fuelled and
focused.
While it’s ok to have a few sugary treats
stashed away, healthy options such as fruits,
nuts, veges, yoghurt and dark chocolate will
help to boost your brain power.
Check out these great study snack ideas!
I is for
INDEPENDENCE
When you start studying at uni, you take on
more responsibility for your own education,
such as making sure your assignments are
in on time and that you keep up with the
course study schedule.
You may also become independent from
your friends if you’ve gone to different
unis. Be open to meeting new people and
take the initiative to join a sporting group or
social club to make new friends.
J is for
JOURNAL
Whether you use a journal, diary, wall
planner or sticky note system, write down
what you need to complete each week and
prioritise your tasks.
Keeping track of what you need to study
for and when will help you be prepared for
each class and assessment piece.
K is for
KEY WORDS
Key words are king when it comes to study
success.
When reading through your course material,
take note of words and phrases that are
mentioned several times and that appear
in your assessment task sheets or learning
activities. These are the words you want to
remember!
L is for
LEARNING STYLE
Everyone learns differently and you can
tailor your study to suit your own style.
If you’re a visual learner, search for videos
related to your course material or use
diagrams or creative techniques to write
your study notes. If you learn best by
listening, record yourself reading your
study notes to play back later. Hands-on (or
kinaesthetic) learners should try physically
practicing or demonstrating key study
concepts.
WITH THESE TIPS IT WON’T TAKE
LONG TO REACH THE SUMMIT OF
YOUR FIRST STUDY GOAL!
M is for
MEMORY TRICKS
• Use flashcards to test yourself, or ask a
friend to test you
• Make a story out of the information you
need to remember or apply the concept
to a real life situation you remember
• Study in short, spaced out blocks instead
of long sessions to help with long-term
memory recall
• Create acronyms with the first letter of
each word you need to remember.
N is for
NOTE TAKING
Research shows that hand-writing your
notes helps you to retain information more
effectively than typing them on a keyboard.
If you use a laptop to note take in class,
try re-writing your notes by hand when
you get home. You can get creative with
colour-coding and diagrams to help the
information sink in.
O is for
OPTIMISM
Having a positive outlook on study will help
keep you motivated and reduce stress.
Study can have its ups and downs, but no
matter what happens there are always
positive ways to overcome a study let
down. Keep looking on the bright side
because you can do this!
P is for
PROOFREADING
Whether you’re writing an email to
your lecturer, a forum post or a whole
assignment, you should always proofread
your work.
Errors in spelling and grammar can cost you
marks on your assessment at uni, so use
these tips to proofread like a pro!
Q is for
QUESTIONS
If you need help with your course readings,
a tricky assignment or some support as you
settle into uni life, all you need to do is ask.
Your lecturers, peers, tutors and Student
Relationship Officer (SRO) are all climbing
alongside you, so don’t hesitate to ask for
help when you need it.
R is for
REFERENCING
Referencing your work is super important
at uni! If you don’t give proper credit where
it’s needed in your assignments, you could
be at risk of plagiarism.
For tips and advice on getting referencing
right, head to the USQ Library website.
WITH THESE TIPS IT WON’T TAKE
LONG TO REACH THE SUMMIT OF
YOUR FIRST STUDY GOAL!
S is for
SOCIAL MEDIA
If you feel like social media is distracting
you from your studies, try an online anti-
distraction tool such as ‘StayFocused’,
which restricts your access to selected
websites for a set period of time.
While social media is a great place to get
support from your uni mates, make sure
it doesn’t take up too much of your study
time!
T is for
TECHNOLOGY
No matter where or what you study,
technology is bound to play a big role
in your time at uni, so embrace its many
benefits.
Whether it’s an app for study on the go
or software to make your referencing
easier, technology and study are the
perfect match!
U is for
USQ TEAM
The team at USQ are here to help you with
all of your study and student life questions.
Whether it’s an assignment problem,
an accommodation hassle or personal
circumstances that are impacting your study,
there’s a member of the USQ team ready
to support you.
V is for
VICTORY DANCE!
A great way to celebrate all sorts of uni
achievements, victory dancing is strongly
encouraged.
As you climb toward the summit of your
first study goal, get ready to bust some
serious celebratory moves.
W is for
WIKIPEDIA
It’s a useful resource when you want to
learn about something quirky, but Wikipedia
should never be used as a reference for
your assignments.
To find out more about using credible
sources in your study, check out this guide
to taste-testing your assignment
resources.
X is for
XEROPHYTE
According to the Collins English Dictionary,
this refers to ‘a Xerophilious plant, such as a
cactus’.
When writing your assignments, be like a
cactus and get to the point as quickly as
you can! #punintended
Y is for
YES!
During your time at uni you want to say
‘yes’ to as many opportunities as possible.
Whether it’s the chance to make a new
friend, gain work experience or take a
step outside your comfort zone, embrace
whatever comes your way!
Z is for
‘ZZZ’
One of the most important study tips is to
make sure you’re getting enough quality
sleep each night. You’ll need to be well-
rested to stay focused on your study.
You can also use naps as a well-earned
reward when you reach the summit of your
study goals!
There’s a lot to learn about uni study, especially
when you’re just starting out. But remember,
you’re not climbing alone and if you
need support in your study journey,
all you have to do is ask.
Now that you’ve learnt some great study tips, it’s
time to think about how you’ll tackle your first
pieces of assessment. Check out this
helpful, step-by-step guide on how to
approach your first assignment.
You’ve got this!

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CRICOS: QLD00244B  NSW02225M  TEQSA: PRV12081  15.2.A  11.2016  IMAGES © SHUTTERSTOCK.COM