By week 3 and 4 you’ve likely settled into your courses and the workload is starting to pick up. This period is crucial for building strong study habits, reviewing early material and preparing for upcoming assessments. Here are some tailored study tips to help you make the most of these foundational weeks.
1. Review and organise your notes
- Revisit lecture notes: Spend time reviewing the key points from weeks 1 and 2 to reinforce your understanding.
- Create summaries: Write summaries of each week’s main topics, breaking down complex ideas into bullet points. This is a great way to retain information and build a study guide for later.
- Digital organisation: If you prefer digital notes, use apps like OneNote or Google Drive to categorise your notes by subject and topic.
- Plan your week: Use a trimester or weekly planner to map out all your classes, study sessions and other commitments. Griffith’s study planner is a great resource.
- Allocate time for review: Dedicate one or two days per week specifically for reviewing previous material. A brief review now will make preparing for upcoming assessments much easier.
3. Utilise Griffith’s study resources
- Academic skills workshops: Griffith’s Library workshops cover essential skills like essay writing, referencing and exam preparation.
- Assignment help: Start exploring assignment support if you have a major paper or project due later in the semester. The earlier you seek guidance, the better prepared you’ll be.
4. Start drafting your assignments
- Outline and research: Begin by creating a rough outline of your assignment and gathering any required sources. An early start allows you to gather your thoughts and adjust as you go.
5. Practice active learning techniques
- Self-quizzing: Test yourself on material from previous weeks to see where you need more practice. Flashcards, concept maps and mock quizzes can all be helpful.
- Teach what you’ve learned: Try explaining key concepts to a friend or family member. Teaching is a powerful way to solidify your understanding.
6. Manage your well-being and avoid burnout
- Practice stress management: Try scheduling some downtime and explore Griffith’s counselling and well-being services if you need support managing academic pressures.
- Balance study and socialising: Take breaks and don’t be afraid to socialise! The Griffith Gold Coast Student Guild and Griffith Student Representative Council often hosts events, providing a great opportunity to connect with others and unwind.
