Posts for the Topic university learning

We asked students and learning specialists to share their best tips, tricks and tools for university students. Browse through the articles for new strategies and perspective. Use the filters to find content that works for you.

Four common group project challenges (and what to do)

a group of people high five-ing in a library

Conflict in groups can arise for different reasons. How you work through them will contribute to the success of your project.

Survival guide to group work

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Your ability to work effectively with others is a skill you’ll bring into your professional life.

How to apply critical thinking in learning

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Sometimes your university classes might feel like a maze of information. Consider critical thinking skills like a map that can lead the way.

Why do we need critical thinking?  

Critical thinking is a type of thinking that requires continuous questioning, exploring answers, and making judgments. Critical thinking can help you: 

How do you create effective study questions?

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Study questions are a great way to help you prepare for an exam or test. They help you review the course material and practice applying it to questions — just like you’ll do during the test.

The key to doing this effectively is to create study questions that force you to use the same skills you’ll use during the exam. 

Next time you get feedback, try these tips

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Let’s start by admitting that reading the feedback on an assignment — especially one you don’t think was your best — can be uncomfortable.

Maybe you even avoid checking the comments because you find constructive feedback difficult to hear. That’s completely normal.

Why attend classes (it’s more than just showing up)

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Do you feel unmotivated to attend in-person lectures?

Maybe you feel disengaged because you can review the slides on your own or watch the recorded lecture. Or maybe you’re not interested in engaging in class discussions or activities. 

If you’re having these feelings, here’s a reminder of some benefits of attending and participating during in-person classes.

How to use feedback to your advantage

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Have you ever submitted an essay or project that you were so sure would meet your professor’s expectations, only to get it back with lots of notes and a lower grade than you were hoping for?

We’ve all been there. Receiving and reviewing feedback from your teaching assistants (TAs) and instructors is a regular part of the university experience.

Teaching assistants (TAs) are here to help!

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What is a teaching assistant (TA)?

TAs are upper-year or graduate level students that help your professors and instructors with grading, tutorials, exams and more.

What is independent learning in university?

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Many of us enter university looking forward to having more independence in choosing our classes, schedules and how we learn.

In high school, independent learning might have looked like personal initiative in managing your assignments. In university, this is only a fraction of the kind of independent learning you will have to do.

What I wish I knew about studying in university

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The first day I stepped onto the sprawling university campus, it was an intoxicating blend of excitement, nerves and sheer determination, and I’m sure it's the same for many other first years.

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