With due dates and midterm dates coming up fast, I’m sure I’m not the only one super grateful that uOttawa had a fall Reading Week. While some of us don’t actually use the weeklong break to read, Reading Week is actually a prime opportunity to be productive. While fall reading week has unfortunately come and past, here are some tips for what you can do next reading week (aside from a weeklong Netflix binge) that’ll prepare you for the rest of the semester and prevent last minute stress.
1) Mark your calendar and create a study plan
If you don’t already have one, get an agenda or a calendar and mark down every midterm, assignment, reading, or project you have for the rest of the semester. Even if you aren’t planning on doing much over the break, look at it as a time to organize and take the time to plan out what days you’ll dedicate to which subjects in the future. Creating a study plan will hopefully prevent last minute efforts and deal with any overlapping deadlines in advance.
2) Read your textbooks, lab manuals, course packs etc.
This seems like an obvious tip, but most of us probably don’t actually read during Reading Week. Now that you’ve marked down which readings need to be done and when they need to be done by, you can start reading ahead, catching up, or clarifying past readings. Try to spread them out, reading half of a chapter or 30 minutes a day depending on how much you’d like or have to read. Don’t force it; incorporate it into your daily routine for the week.
3) Brainstorm and start homework assignments early
Get started on assignments, essays, or case studies that aren’t due for a while by taking an afternoon to brainstorm research topics and figure out what type of information you need and where to find it. Starting early will also help you identify or clarify an issues or questions that you can approach your professor with after the break.
4) Review
If you have any cumulative exams, take a look at what you’ve done so far in that class. You’ll be seeing most of those concepts again, so get any clarification questions you have ready to ask your professor. It’s also a good idea to use the break to start creating your exam notes and once you get your questions answered, you can insert them to the rest of your notes.
5) Establish a routine
If you’re planning on doing a lot of schoolwork, or are preparing for midterms for after the break, prevent late night cramming by organizing your week and establishing a routine ahead of time to get all of your work done. It’s easy to get distracted, so make it realistic, take lots of breaks, and try to stick to it.
Reading Week exists to allow students to catch their breath, so while some of us might take the weeklong break to relax or travel, don’t forget to take advantage of this opportunity to be productive. I mean, you can even read on the plane if you want to.
Links:
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/340373684310971365/
http://columbiaspectator.com/2013/05/03/best-ways-waste-reading-week
http://www.garden-of-books.com/2013/10/its-monday-what-are-you-reading.html