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Tools & Resources for Student Success

Our team of success coaches gathered some of our most highly recommended resources for college success. Explore the resources below at your own pace and bookmark the ones you find most helpful. Want to learn more or discuss these topics in more detail? Book a success coaching meeting today.

 

Learning & Studying

Maximize Learning Time with Pomodoro Technique

The Pomodoro Technique® Core Process

  1. Choose a task you'd like to get done 

    Something big, something small, something you’ve been putting off for a million years: it doesn't’t matter. What matters is that it’s something that deserves your full, undivided attention.

  2. Set the Pomodoro for 25 minutes

    Make a small oath to yourself: I will spend 25 minutes on this task and I will not interrupt myself. You can do it! After all, it’s just 25 minutes.

  3. Work on the task until the Pomodoro rings

    Immerse yourself in the task for the next 25 minutes. If you suddenly realize you have something else you need to do, write the task down on a sheet of paper.

  4. When the Pomodoro rings, put a checkmark on a paper

    Congratulations! You’ve spent an entire, interruption-less Pomodoro on a task.

  5. Take a short break

    Breathe, meditate, grab a cup of coffee, go for a short walk or do something else relaxing (i.e., not work-related). Your brain will thank you later.

  6. Every 4 pomodoros, take a longer break 

Once you’ve completed four pomodoros, you can take a longer break. 20 minutes is good. Or 30. Your brain will use this time to assimilate new information and rest before the next round of Pomodoros.

Testing Strategies

Test Prep Tips & Activities  

Self-Testing Strategies:

#1. Create study tools and recite/ recreate them from memory. Try creating a study guide, flashcards, chart, table, or outline.

#2 Create self-tests and take them. Predict test questions or essay questions to create your own self-test. You can also answer sample questions from your textbook. 


#3 Teach someone else. Review material with a partner or study group. Be sure to explain/ teach material out loud to group members. 


Figure 1

Examples of Testing Strategies

Preparation Strategies Review Strategies
Develop study sheets Recite study sheets
Develop concept maps Replicate concept maps from memory
Make word cards Recite word cards
Make question cards Recite question cards
Make formula cards Practice writing formulas
Make problem cards Work problems
Make self-tests Take self-tests
Do study guides Practice study guide info out loud
Re-mark text material Take notes on the re-marked text
Make a list of 20 topics that might be on the exam Recite the list of 20 possible exam topics
Do problems Do “missed” problems
Make an outline Recite notes from recall cues
Summarize material Recite summary out loud
Make charts of related material Re-create chart from memory
List steps in a process Recite steps from memory
Predict essay questions Answer essay questions
Answer questions at the end of the chapter Practice reciting main points
Prepare material for study group Explain material to study group

(Figure 1 Adapted from Texas A&M Academic Success Center)

Exam Taking Tips

Concentration

#1. Maintain regular sleeping, eating, and exercise habits.

  • Remember to stay hydrated.
  • Do not skip meals (no skipping breakfast).
  • Get a good amount of sleep each night and do not pull all-nighters (especially night before a test).
  • Exercise regularly. Try a 20-30 min. walk per day.

#2 Create a comfortable and productive environment. Study somewhere you will not be interrupted and where the noise level and lighting is to your liking.

#3 Study when you are most alert and awake (are you a morning person or night person?). 

#4 Focus on one task at a time.

#5 Take regular breaks while studying to give your brain and body a rest (get up and move around every hour).  

 

Reflection Questions:

Describe a time you tried to concentrate but just could’t. What were you working on?

What did your environment look like?

What were your distractions?

5-Day Study Plan

Tips for Finals

Finals Study Plan

Plan ahead and study early.  Check out this finals study plan. With this plan you can identify your overall standing in the course, identify what to review, and also create a plan for weeks 9 - finals week. 

Finals Prep Tips

Looking for some tips in approaching your finals?  Take a look at this sheet with finals prep tips.  Where you will find test strategies, study tips, ways to ease stress/anxiety, and more. 

Finals Week Guide

Need additional tips for studying for your finals or tips for the days of your finals.  Check out this Finals Week Guide. 

 

How to Study When You Have ZERO Motivation

Time Management

Weekly Time Finder

Weekly Time Finder [download your copy]

Time Management Tips

#1 Don’t try to remember everything. Try creating to-do lists and prioritize them by importance. 

2.  Get organized. Try using a paper or electronic planner, or mapping out your time using time management tools (quarter at a glance/ time finder).

#3 Eliminate distractions that may make you procrastinate (phone, TV, Netflix, etc.).

#4 Avoid cramming. Create a structured study plan and stick to it! You can include items like: dates you will study, times you will study, location you will study, what material you will study, and how you will study.  

5 Know when to say “no” to avoid over committing yourself (especially when you have a test coming up).

Time Management Video

Check-out this video on some time management tips. 

Overcome Procrastination

Overcoming Procrastination:

#1 Schedule Ahead. Decide when you are going to start a task and figure out how much time you will need to complete it. Stick to this timeline. 

#2 Recognize when you are procrastinating. Sometimes we think we are doing something productive but in reality we are doing everything except the task we need to accomplish.

#3 Remove distractions. When you are ready to begin your task remove distractions and reduce interruptions. You may need to remove yourself from your environment and move to another if it is too distracting.

#4 Eat an Elephant. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. If you feel overwhelmed by a task, break it into bite size pieces.

#5 Realize that done is better than perfect. Perfectionism may cause you to delay a task for so long that you can’t finish it. Accept that a task will never be perfect and that’s ok. Focus on progress rather than perfection. Done is better than unfinished.

 

Additional Reflection Questions:

  • When will you begin the task? How long with it take?
  • What is your deadline?
    What resources do you need to complete the task?
  • Who can you turn to for help?
  • What are your distractions or challenges?
  • How will you reward yourself when you complete the task?

 

Stop Procrastinating Video

Faculty Interaction

Talking to Professor Tips

Office Hours

Technological Tools

Canvas Overview

*Adapted from Teaching and Learning Commons Website

Canvas Overview

Canvas  is the official campus learning management system.    Courses that are provided through Canvas make it possible to access assignments, discussions, quizzes, and grades via your laptop, desktop, phone, and/or tablet. 

Accessing Canvas

You can access your courses using Canvas by logging in directly through a desktop or laptop at   canvas.ucsd.edu. Log into Canvas using your UCSD SSO credentials (the same login as your UCSD email). 

If you wish to use Canvas on a mobile device, consult the  Canvas Mobile App Guide

Navigating Canvas

Canvas is highly customizable. The video tutorials linked below will show you how to personalize Canvas:

  1. Update Your Profile and consider  Adding a Profile Picture.
  2. Set Your Notification Preferences to direct Announcements and other messages from your instructor to your personal email.
  3. Communicate with Your Instructor and Peers.
  4. Check Your Grades.

View the   Canvas Overview for Students page  for a video overview of navigating Canvas.

Access your Course

When you first log in, you will see an overview of your courses in your Canvas dashboard. Select the course that you want to access to be taken to that course's homepage. From your course, you can view your course content, such as your syllabus, assignments, and discussions. Be sure to check in on your courses every day for new announcements and updates from your instructor!

Get Help with Canvas

If you have technical questions with Canvas, click on "?" ( Help)  in the outer-left NavBar of the Canvas window and select the Canvas Help option that best suits your situation.

For help with UCSD accounts, UCSD network, and technical issues:   Contact the UCSD ITS Service Desk .

 

VAC (Virtual Advising Center) Tutorial

Health & Wellness

Sleeping

sleeptips.jpg

Are you sleeping? This TED talk reminds why staying up to study, isn't always to most efficient way to learn.

Physical Activity

Physical Activity

Physical activity is one of the best things you can do in your daily routine to live a healthier lifestyle and improve your overall well-being! In addition to proper nutrition, physical activity can have many health benefits, including:

  • Prevent chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer and stroke
  • Promote strong bones and muscles
  • Improve sleep
  • Increase energy and self esteem
  • Relieve stress

GetUp Tritons

The news is out, sitting is not good for your health. It's easy to sit at your desk for hours without moving. Don't worry, UCSD Recreation has a solution! Subscribe to "Get Up Tritons!" for a reminder to get up and move! 

Daily emails are sent at 10am and PM to provide instructional exercise videos you can do from the comfort of your desk, lab or office. Fitness instructors will teach you how to reverse the negative effects of sitting--all for free! Subscribe

Fitness Guidelines

In 2018, the Department of Health and Human Services released the 2nd edition of Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. The key guidelines for adults include:

  • Move more and sit less throughout the day. Some physical activity is better than none.  Adults who sit less and perform any amount of moderate to vigorous physical activity gain some health benefits.
  • Try to do at least 150-300 minutes of moderate intensity, or 75-150 minutes of vigorous intensity, or a combination of moderate/vigorous activity each week. Preferably, this aerobic activity should be spread throughout the week.
  • Engage in physical activity beyond 300 minutes each week to gain additional health benefits.
  • Do muscle strengthening activities of moderate or greater intensity that involve all major muscle groups on 2 or more days each week for additional health benefits. 

*Adapted from Health Promotion Services.  More information, on the Health Promotion Services site. 

Stress Management

Stress Management:

#1. Practice self-care to maintain physical and emotional well-being. Take care of basic needs such as sleeping, eating, and exercise. Make time for things you enjoy and for connecting with loved ones and friends. 

  •  Remember to stay hydrated.

  •  Do not skip meals (no skipping breakfast).

  • Get a good amount of sleep each night and do not pull all-nighters (especially night before a test).

  • Exercise regularly. Try a 20-30 min. walk per day.

2 Avoid worry and stress caused by cramming and procrastination by planning ahead and staying on top of assigned readings, homework, and studying. 

#3 Take regular breaks while working on long tasks to give your brain and body a rest (get up and move around every hour).

#4 Reach out to a qualified health professional. CAPS offers FREE counseling, support groups, and workshops.
https://caps.ucsd.edu/

 

Motivation

Motivation:

#1 Talk to your family and friends about your goals. This will make you excited about achieving your goals, will make your goals feel more realistic, and help you cultivate a support system for yourself. 

#2 If you have peers that have the same goals as you, become each other’s accountability partners and keep each other on track!

#3 Practice positive thinking. Be aware of times when you begin to have negative thoughts so you can turn them around.

4 Practice goal setting by using the SMART goal format (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound). 

#5 Envision successful outcomes for yourself.

Flourishing at UCSD

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