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Steps to success

By Andy Gregory on January 24, 2014

Students studying together

By Andy Chen and Humaira Hamid, UBC students

Many new students struggle with questions such as, “How tough are my courses going to be? Will I be able to keep up? What if I need extra help?” Good news. UBC has resources for students to build exceptional study and learning skills.

1. Use available resources

  • Professors and teaching assistants (TAs) are available after class and during office hours to help with assignments and difficult material. Don’t be afraid to ask.
  • UBC Chapman Learning Commons has additional resources and tools to help you learn more effectively.

2. Rethink lectures

Professors have limited time to cover course material in lectures, so they tend to focus on what’s most important. Stay on top of your reading and assignments, and consider lectures as an opportunity to review material you’ve already covered on your own. Most professors recommend studying 2-3 hours outside class for every hour you’re in class.

3. Make peace with exams

They’re unavoidable. Exams are part of university life. Prepare the best you can but don’t get discouraged by lower-than-expected grades at first. Many students need time to adjust to university life.

4. Connect and engage

Try connecting with people in your classes. Making friends or forming study groups with like-minded students is a great way to stay motivated.

5. Manage your time

When scheduling classes, consider this:

  • Is your course load manageable? Many courses include labs, discussions or tutorials on top of lecture hours.
  • Have you left time for breaks? It can be tempting to schedule courses back-to-back to get them over with. But you’ll need time to eat, socialize, and chill. Breaks are also a great study catch up time.

6. Understand plagiarism

Plagiarism means using the thoughts or words of another author and passing them off as your own. Plagiarism is not tolerated at UBC and can quickly end your university career.

  • Plagiarism
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  • Home
  • Getting Started
    ▼
    • Prospective Students
    • Returning Students
    • Graduate Students
    • Parents/Guardians
    • Important Dates
    • Useful Resources
  • Residences
    ▼
    • At a Glance
    • Residences
      ▼
      • Place Vanier
      • Totem Park
      • Orchard Commons
      • Ritsumeikan-UBC House
      • Walter Gage
      • Fairview Crescent
      • Marine Drive
      • Fraser Hall
      • Ponderosa Commons
      • Thunderbird
      • Iona House
      • Brock Commons – Tallwood House
      • Exchange
      • Student Family Residence
      • Graduate Colleges
    • Rooms & Suites
      ▼
      • Shared Room
      • Connected Single Room
      • Single Traditional Room
      • Six Bedroom Suite
      • Four Bedroom Suite
      • Three Bedroom Suite
      • Two Bedroom Suite
      • One Bedroom Suite
      • Studio Suite
      • Nano Suite
      • Townhouse
      • Student Families
    • Residence Map
  • Applications
    ▼
    • Essential Application Facts
    • Important Dates
    • How To Apply
    • Fees & Payments
    • Eligibility
    • How We Assign Rooms
    • Residence Contracts
    • Cancellations & Refunds
    • Subletting
  • Dining
    ▼
    • Meal Plans
      ▼
      • Totem Park, Place Vanier & Orchard Commons
      • Suite-style Residences
    • Places To Eat
  • Residence Life
    ▼
    • Community Living
      ▼
      • Rights and Responsibilities
      • Solving Problems
      • Living With Roommates
    • Residence Standards
    • Health & Safety
      ▼
      • Safety & Security
      • Health & Wellness
      • Counsellor in Residence
      • Fitness in Residence
      • Emergency Preparedness
      • COVID-19 Residence Rules
    • Services & Amenities
    • Moving In
      ▼
      • Before You Leave Home
      • What Should I Pack?
      • Move In Day
      • Move In Day Volunteer Registration
    • Get Involved
    • Grad Student Programs
    • Events
    • Student Family Housing
      ▼
      • Get Involved at Acadia Park
      • Moving In & Out of Acadia Park
    • Mindful Move Out
      ▼
      • Cleaning & Checkout
  • Other Housing
    ▼
    • Living Off Campus
    • More Campus Housing
    • Visitor Housing
    • Commuter Student Hostel
    • Self-Isolation Accommodation
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