Top 10 Tips for Academic Success at University

In a nutshell…be engaged.

1. Ask Questions - Being curious leads to greater understanding.

2. Go to Class and Participate - Regular attendance at lectures, labs, seminars and online components makes it easier for you to stay engaged.

3. Read the Syllabus and all Assignments Carefully - The syllabus is your contract with the instructor and all the information you need to know is here.

4. Be Flexible and Open to Changing Your Work Habits - Are you managing your time effectively? Are you reading efficiently and getting the reading done each week?

5. Use a Calendar - Put assignment due dates, test/exam days, and seminar presentation dates on a calendar and notice the ebb and flow of your term.

6. Learn and Practise the Skill of Summarizing - To summarize, read and listen carefully, taking notes in point form. Write about what you have learned using only the point-form notes to help you. Check your version against the original.

7. Plan all Writing Assignments in an Outline - Outlines ensure you have thought through a logical structure for your paper, making the actual writing of the paper easier and the end product better.

8. Be Your Own Editor - Use computer spell and grammar checkers but also edit and proofread all your work yourself.

9. Read Instructors’ Comments - Comments and corrections on your work are learning opportunities.

10. Become familiar with your university’s support services

Read our online publication, Survive and Thrive for more strategies here.

- The Academic Skills Centre, Trent University www.trentu.ca/academicskills