SmartStart: Learning

    Image of a laptop showing SmartStart page with student hands at the keyboard

    This self-guided series will help you develop and enhance learning skills and strategies.

    The Modules 

    Learning at university draws on many of the skills you already have, but even so, it takes some time to learn how you will best learn while at Western. These modules are short and are designed to set you up to thrive once classes start.

    THE THRIVING ADVANTAGE



    About this Module

    Welcome to our thriving campus! This introductory module will introduce you to our 6 Learning Goals for Student Thriving and discuss how Western is equipped to help you thrive throughout your academic journey.

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    LEARNING SELF-ASSESSMENT

    Module 2: Learning Self-Assessment

    About this Module

    Do you know what skills are needed to be successful at university? Assess your skills to find out your areas of strength and areas that you might want to focus on for improvement.

    10 TIPS FOR LEARNING AT UNIVERSITY

    About this Module

    Getting ready to enter university is a time of great anticipation, excitement, and expectation of change. Of course, this time may also be one filled with questions and uncertainty about exactly what learning at university is going to be like. We’ve gathered 10 top tips to help you better understand what you can do as a student to set yourself up for academic success.

    Overview



    Tip 1 - Location


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    Tip 1 Handout

    Tip 2 - Building Work Habits


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    Tip 2 Handout

    Tip 3 - Seeking Help


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    Tip 3 Handout

    Tip 4 - Write it Down


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    Tip 4 Handout

    Tip 5 - Getting Energized


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    Tip 5 Handout

    Tip 6 - Perform Like a Pro


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    Tip 6 Handout

    Tip 7 - Textbooks


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    Tip 7 Handout

    Tip 8 - Remembering Key Information


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    Tip 8 Handout

    Tip 9 - Remembering Key Points


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    Tip 9 Handout

    Tip 10 - Be Test Smart


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    Tip 10 Handout

    Conclusion

    INDEPENDENT LEARNING

    SmartStart 4 - Independent Learning

    About this Module

    It's important to cultivate and enhance your independent learning skills to tackle the variety of academic tasks you will encounter at Western. Discover how the process of independent learning can help you to plan, take action and evaluate your effectiveness as a student.

    READING IN UNIVERSITY

    Learning Module 5 - Reading in University

    About this Module

    Understanding how to effectively read will contribute immensely to your success at university. Strong reading skills will help you to not only remember information, but help you to build a solid knowledge base. Discover strategies that will help you improve your confidence in your reading skills and more!

    LEARNING IN STEM AT UNIVERSITY

    About this Module

    The SmartStart: Learning STEM module will help you better understand the unique aspects of what is required for STEM learning at university. You will hear about different learning strategies you can use in your university STEM courses to feel more confident and positive about your studies.

    WHAT IS A LECTURE LIKE?




    About this Module

    Successful students know how to get the most out of their time spent in lectures. This module will provide critical information on how to prepare, engage and excel in your lecture learning opportunities.

    MANAGING A UNIVERSITY WORKLOAD



    Activity - Make a Weekly Plan



    About this Module

    Understanding how to manage a university workload is key to your success at Western. This module will introduce you to ideas and strategies to help you manage your time effectively, achieve balance and take control over accomplishing your academic goals.

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    SEEKING HELP IN UNIVERSITY

    SmartStart Module 8 - Seeking Help in University

    About this Module

    It’s essential to know that there are many services on campus to support your academic journey. This module will help you understand the importance of help seeking, common reasons for seeking help and what supports are available to help you thrive academically.

    ADVICE FROM YOUR WESTERN PEERS

    About this Module

    Starting university can feel a bit overwhelming at first. Your Western Peers have a lot of great advice that can make your first year at university a positive experience. During this module, you will hear about common challenges experienced by your Western Peers as they adjusted to first year university and how they overcame these challenges. We’ve gathered their feedback to help you discover strategies to use and resources you can access to help you have a successful transition to your first year at Western.







    Module 9 Activity - Letter to My First-Year Self

    ESTABLISHING A POSITIVE MINDSET FOR LEARNING

    About this Module

    Mindset makes a difference! This final module will explore how your outlook on learning can effectively contribute to your academic success.


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    Optimistic Mindset Worksheet
    Mindset Continuum Worksheet
    Gratitude Journal Worksheet


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    At the end of this series, you will be able to...

    1. Recognize what thriving as a student means.

    2. Identify and practice learning strategies that can enhance your academic performance.

    3. Decide when and how to seek help throughout your studies.

    4. Evaluate how your mindset can impact your learning.