Procrastination is a common problem amongst university students. The symptoms include random searches on Google, the inherent need to obtain really unnecessary information from Wikipedia, the undying urge to publicly address your procrastination on your Twitter, and lastly, the strange desire to watch fails of all sorts on Youtube. There is no natural remedy to procrastination and perhaps that is the reason as to why we university students have a hard time overcoming these habitual internet practices, but there is a way to divert yourself from this serious problem; ORGANIZATION, TIME-MANAGEMENT, and a little bit of SELF-DISCIPLINE, will be your tools of success for the rest of your life.
That is why midterms don’t scare me as much as they did when I was in first year. University opened my eyes to the word “reinvention.” In high school, teachers reminded us when something was due. University, however, is quite a different story. It is your responsibility to know those important dates. Those dates will be your mantra for the rest of the semester. Well, you’re not totally left out on your own. The syllabus will be your best friend for the next four months (or eight for a full year course): use it wisely. With this simple document, I was able to create weekly schedules for readings, assignments and tests. This is what helped me fight off procrastination. I had to be willing to throw aside the unnecessary “breaks” that dictated my life and had to teach myself to stick to my schedule and finish the things that needed to be done. Other useful resources included The Robert Gillespie Academic Skills Centre, which provided me with some valuable tips for time management and effective studying methods. You can also take advantage of Office Hours, which is a great way to interact with your professors and get one-on-one advice or feedback about major assignments or tests. In university, it is not to up to the professors to tell you that you are doing something wrong and offer you some help. It’s up to you, the student, to take advantage of all those sources that can you give you the help you need to succeed. At UTM, there are a lot of places that you can get help from, even with little things like organization. It’s the key to help you get over the dread with midterms and it also becomes beneficial later on in the work place.
Even when organized, there will also be some stress! But don’t worry! UTM’s got your back with the Health and Counselling Center and its tips for overcoming stress during busy times like these. Or if you’d like, you could always visit the RAWC (our gym) to get some exercise to boost your energy levels and to get your mind off all those assignments. For every concern, UTM has a slew of solutions, but it is up to you to take advantage of them! After exploring all these opportunities, the midterm season doesn’t stress me out as much.
Before I know it, midterms will be over. But for now, I will be focusing my time with readings, perfecting essays, and studying for tests. Not to worry though, with the glimmering hope of reading week on my mind, a large cup of coffee in hand and instrumental music in the background…it will all be over soon.
Maria is a third-year English Major, French and History Minor
student here at UTM. She grew up in Oakville, Ontario and went to St. Ignatius of
Loyola. In her spare time she enjoys reading, writing, painting, drawing and
volunteering. Why UofT? I chose this school because education has always been
an important aspect of my life, and why not go to a school that's world
renowned for their research and their exceptional education, right?
