ACADEMIC PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS

After successful completion of Week Six of FY101, students will be able to:

  • Prioritize academic responsibilities through appropriate time management tools
  • Consider which study habits lead to academic success

Week Six Outline:

  • Highs and Lows (of time management so far?)
  • Brainstorm: why do we procrastinate? Is it a time management issue, a mood management issue, or both? Here is an article you can share as part of the conversation. 
    • 24 Hour Time Grid. Have students create a 24-Hour-Timegrid (either on paper, via the fillable Word Doc or in their electronic calendars) that records time for sleep, meals, classes, work, study time, and free time. Have them pair share what is working for them and what is not. Have students create 1-2 SMART goals to improve how they are spending their time based on their assessment.
    • Study Cycle Activity: Share the Study Cycle. First, ask students to discuss which components of the Study Cycle they have used in the past and which components tend to fall by the wayside. Next, have students ensure their 24 Hour Time Grid addresses each step in the Study Cycle. Emphasize the Review and Assess stages. 
    • Semester at a Glance. Ask students to bring one (or all) of the syllabi from their academic courses to class. Have them record when there are exams, big deadlines, etc in the calendar of their choice. Then encourage them to discuss how they could use Reverse Planning and Weekly Study Plan to break down one of their writing projects or prep for a cumulative exam into manageable chunks. The Semester At a Glance calendar by the ERC can be a helpful tool as well.
    • Review the ERC Resource Guide to give students direction for seeking help in specific classes. Share tips and tricks for time management and studying from PM and Instructor.
      Possible Activities:
    • Scavenger Hunts- Break your class into groups of 4-5 students. Give them 15-20 minutes to complete as much of the 100 Bay State Rd Scavenger Hunt as possible (includes ERC  and Writing Center for Academic Success). When time is up, have them share their answers/selfies to the class and award a winner.
    • Educational Resource Center (ERC): Consider having staff from the ERC visit your class or you can visit them at the Yawkey Center for Student Services to become more familiar with their space. Book a 30-40 min workshop:
      • Manage your Time and Productivity:  Managing our time effectively is a cornerstone of success. Learn key principles of time management, compare the advantages of different types of time management systems, and explore specific tools to help you consistently plan your time and execute that plan. Discover strategies to help you maximize your focus to get the most out of your work time.
      • Study Smarter: Learning effectively is an acquired skill. Tap into the expertise of cognitive science to learn research-backed study methods that will help you learn the material deeply and retain it longer without taking extra time.
      • Reading for Information: Effectively reading for information calls for a strategy that is distinct from non-academic reading. Learn techniques to read more proactively and to remember what you’ve read. Digital reading is also addressed.
      • Conquer Procrastination and Spark Motivation: Procrastination is a common occurrence, but it can keep us from achieving our goals and has a negative effect on our physical and mental health. Learn why people procrastinate and gain some practical strategies to counter it.
        To book a workshop with the ERC, contact Bob Maxwell maxwellr@bu.edu Assistant Director for Academic Support at the ERC.
  • Peer Mentor has students sign up for one on ones