5 Things You Can Do Right Now to Set Yourself Up For End-of-Term Success: By Zac Schraeder TFS Student Advisor
The midpoint of any term can be a bit stressful. Not only is it midterm test time, but major assignment due dates and final exams are mere weeks away. It’s crunch time! Now is the time to start anticipating how and when you will study and organize the information you’ll need for those big tests!
Here are five ways you set yourself up now for end-of-term success at Toronto Film School:
Know what to expect
Look ahead in your course material (Hint: your course outlines and myTFS course page will have this information!) so you can anticipate the topics you’ll be learning about. You’ll be better equipped to proactively prioritize and categorize the information you’ll be receiving.
Learn how you learn
Finding the most effective way for you to take notes and study can be frustrating and overwhelming. A quick and easy way to do this is to find out your learning style. Try taking the Hearing, Seeing, Doing quiz, and/or the Multiple Intelligence Quiz. The results and corresponding learning strategies can help you hone in on what note taking and study methods work best for you. Once you have this information – put it to use!
Rearticulate information
Whether you’re an introvert, an extrovert, an organized person, or a bit on the chaotic side, it’s important to rearticulate the information you’re learning right now in a way that resonates with you. For some people, this means re-writing notes, discussing in a group, or distilling information into easy –to-remember chunks (think acronyms or cue cards). Experiment with ways of rearticulating information to find out what works best! Hint: Step 2 can also help with this.
Control your learning environment
The world is full of distractions that you can access whenever and wherever you want. When you are taking notes in class or studying, it’s important to anticipate and eliminate as many distractions as possible. Turning off your mobile device (ouch!) in class and while studying, avoiding addicting things like Netflix (yikes!), and having dedicated time for studying on your schedule are all great ways to control your learning environment. Be very mindful of your distractions and commit to avoiding them when priorities like school and studying require your full attention.
Ask for note taking and studying guidance
Your instructors here at Toronto Film School are experts in their field and there’s a good chance they have practical, creative ways to take notes or study what they’re teaching you. Don’t be afraid to ask them for note taking or studying advice. Additionally, your program coordinator(s) or members of your student services team are eager to assist you right now. Check out the Toronto Film School staff directory to find their contact information!
If you want to discuss time management, studying, budgeting, note taking, or anything other school-related skills, contact Zac.
Zac Schraeder is the Toronto Film School Student Advisor and he is here to help. He is based at the Davisville and Dundas Campuses and is available at [email protected] or 416-929-0121 extension 1226.
