TIPS
»» Learn how and where you study most
effectively, and actively create that
environment. Do you like a cluttered or
neat desk? Do you need to be alone or
with other people? Do you want music
or noise in the background, or do you
prefer silence?
»» Are you over-scheduled? It’s okay to
say no to something. Look for things
that can be reduced or put off, and
adjust the rest of your responsibilities
accordingly.
»» Notice things that waste your time (i.e.,
Netflix, TV, internet, etc.) and minimize
the time spent on them.
“UNFORTUNATELY, MY FIRST
SEMESTER OF COLLEGE WAS A
HUGE LEARNING CURVE FOR ME. I
WAS UNPREPARED FOR THE TIME
DEMAND OF COLLEGE, AND IT WAS
STRESSFUL. I STARTED USING SOME
OF THESE TIPS, AND IT HAS HELPED
A LOT! I NOW ALWAYS CREATE A
CALENDAR AT THE BEGINNING OF
THE SEMESTER, AND I LIVE OFF MY
TO-DO LIST. IF I COULD DO IT OVER
AGAIN- I WOULD MANAGE MY TIME
BETTER A LOT SOONER!”
STUDENT
SUCCESS
GUIDE
—A JUNIOR’S TESTIMONY
»» Set goals and stick to them. Goals are
an important way to get everything
done.
»» Routines can make daily tasks go
faster, such as getting ready, doing
chores, and studying.
TIME
»» Look for breaks between classes and
study during those times.
»» Visit the Academic Learning Center
(located in the ITTC, room 008) for tips
on how to study more efficiently.
MANAGEMENT
ACADEMIC ADVISING
GIL 102
uni.edu/advising
(319) 273-3406
LET US HELP YOU GET ORGANIZED
ACADEMIC LEARNING CENTER
ITTC 007/008
uni.edu/unialc
(319) 273-6023
“LACK OF DIRECTION,
NOT LACK OF TIME, IS THE
PROBLEM. WE ALL HAVE
TWENTY-FOUR HOUR DAYS.”
—ZIG ZIGLAR
“THE BAD NEWS IS TIME FLIES.
THE GOOD NEWS IS YOU’RE
THE PILOT.”
-MICHAEL ALTSHULER
168 HOURS
Do you realize that we only have 168 hours a
week to get everything done?
SCHEDULES
A visual schedule can help you identify times
to study, or time that is currently not being
utilized as efficiently as it could be.
Find a schedule template at www.uni.edu/
unialc/college-reading-learning-center/
resources or use a digital calendar, such as
Google calendar.
Fill in the number of hours per week you
spend on each activity. Then add up the
hours and put that number next to “Total.”
Classes ___
Work ___
TO-DO LISTS
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8. Clea
Organizations ___
To-do lists are a great way to stay
organized and on top of everything.
Studying ___
(multiply credit hours x2)
q Start by making a list of everything you
need to do.
Meals ___
Chores and Hygiene ___
q Make sure it is easily accessible. Use
a digital copy or a planner you can
always carry with you.
Hours per week for sleep ___
Other ___
Total ___
Now subtract the total from 168, and this is
your free time per week. (Divide by 7 to get
free hours per day.)
REMEMBER TO INCLUDE:
• Classes
• Organizations/Meetings
• Studying
• Work
• Sleep
• Meals/Hygiene/Chores
• Other
Free time per week ___
Free time per day ___
Remember to leave some time for
yourself each week to relax.
q Prioritize! Identify tasks that need to
be completed today, tasks that need to
be completed tomorrow, and tasks that
need to be completed this week. Do
the most pressing tasks first - not just
the shortest or easiest.
q Check off completed tasks!
PROCRASTINATE?
When there are free hours in your schedule,
use those hours to study for a certain class.
Even if nothing is due that week, you can
always review and stay on top of your notes!
“BY FAILING TO PREPARE, YOU
ARE PREPARING TO FAIL.”
– BENJAMIN FRANKLIN