Midterms are hard enough — add some snow and freezing rain and it may feel like a perfect storm.
While we can’t do much about the weather, you can check out these U of T Scarborough resources to give yourself an edge this midterm season.
SPACEPLUSU
As the campus gets busier, finding study space can be a serious gamble. This was something alum Jingzhi Kevin Li struggled with.
“Sometimes, I would come across a vacant computer station in the library and find the space within the minute,” Li says. “Other times, I traveled back and forth between the computer labs and the library multiple times and wouldn’t find a place to study.”
But Li has created an app for that, called SPACEPLUSU, which he estimates could cut five to 15 minutes of travel time for students.
SPACEPLUSU uses real-time data to update lists and colour-coded maps of study spaces based on how busy they are. Green means the space is empty, yellow means there is a lot of space, orange means there is some space and red means crowded.
Students can also specify their study space needs, like finding bookable group study rooms or spaces with power outlets.
The Mindfulness Space
Take a moment to appreciate the here and now with the new U of T Scarborough Library Mindfulness Space.
Located beneath the library staircase, the spot is “a place to take a moment to breathe and re-centre yourself,” says Angela Hamilton, interim chief librarian.
Mindfulness is the practice of bringing your focus to the present moment. In doing this, you let go of lingering thoughts about the past or anxious thoughts about the future.
“We know that being a successful student is not only about access to books and journal articles to complete assignments,” Hamilton says. “Student success also includes student health and well-being.”
The space includes yoga mats, meditation cushions, comfortable seating, sound-cancelling headphones (available to sign out at the front desk) along with books and DVDs on wellness.
If your reading week is less productive than you hoped, the library is also hosting an event to help.
On Feb. 28, the Long Night Against Procrastination will be held in the library’s Makerspace. Students can spend time getting work done in a supportive study space between 4 p.m. and midnight. Breaks will be held through the night, with therapy dogs and free food. There will also be support from the Writing Centre and the Academic Advising and Career Centre (AA&CC).
The Assignment Calculator
Hamilton says while students often need to address what they need now with resources like the Mindfulness Space, they also need to remember to plan ahead.
If you have several midterms, it can be easy to forget that you may be about halfway to deadlines for final assignments. Keep yourself on track with the Assignment Calculator from the library and The Writing Centre.
Input your start and due dates, and the type of assignment(s) you have. The software will break your assignment into steps with key dates. It will also direct you to specific campus resources that may help with a particular step, such as links to help with research and citations, or information about in-person resources.
If you provide your email, you will receive a message to remind you one week before your assignment is due.
resources that work for you
Seeking out and using resources can make a massive difference in studying.
“Students who use campus supports earlier in their degree have a higher GPA,” says Jennifer Tigno, manager of advising and learning skills services in the AA&CC.
“Students that do this also demonstrate increased persistence towards graduation.”
Use resources that align with your learning style. For those who learn best by reading, online books on study skills, careers and employment are available for free on the AA&CC’s eBooks page.
In-person learners can also access individualized coaching on study skills with the centre’s Study Skills Peer Coach program. Coaches are upper-year students hired and trained by the centre to help students develop effective study skills through one-on-one appointments.
For those who learn mathematically (and/or want to learn math), the Math and Stats Learning Centre is now providing online tutoring for students in first- or second-year math and statistics courses. Students can look for math homework, exam help and can connect with a professional tutor with a live chat room.
Dispel misconceptions about studying
Have you developed some bad habits as a student? If so, midterms are a great time to address these habits and start to break them — especially with exam season only a month and a half away.
Check out our article on common misconceptions about studying. Use faculty and staff advice if you’re convinced you can only study by cramming, or that you’ll blank no matter what.