How to get an ‘A’ at Mount A
To support students and help them reach their full academic potential, Mount Allison University offers a number of academic support services, including:
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Writing Resource Centre – tutors are available to help with all stages of the writing process;
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Academic Mentors – live in residence and are available to help students navigate the various academic and counselling resources available;
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Peer Tutor Program – recruits exceptional students from all disciplines to tutor fellow students in course content;
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Student Success Course – a workshop-based course designed to help build the core academic skills that will help first-year students succeed;
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Study Skills Workshops – a series of workshops on basic university skills, such as time management, note-taking, study habits, test-taking, and paper writing;
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Thesis Writing Support Group – a peer support network for upper- level students writing theses or large research projects.
The single most effective study habit students can cultivate is to study regularly:
• Cramming helps you memorize, not learn;
• Set aside regular, consistent study periods for each subject;
• Reviewing material regularly helps you know it, so there is no need to relearn it for an exam.
Also, remember to:
Find a quiet space.
Differentiate between regular study and test/exam prep:
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Regular study: reviewing course material at least once per week, which promotes “deep learning”
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Test/exam prep: studying material in “chunks” or units, which promotes content-specific learning
Use a method that works for you — don’t be afraid to try a new method!
• Cue cards
• Practice tests
• Summary sheets
• Paraphrase or summarize course material
• Map out links between course readings and lectures
• Sample questions with a study partner (Coming up with questions helps learning as much as answering them!)
Take regular breaks
• Facebook, video games, and e-mail are NOT breaks!
• Go for a walk
• Shake up your muscles
• Change locations
• Have a bite to eat
Eat healthy
Get enough sleep and exercise