Academic Support and Resources Outside the Classroom

November is a time of accumulating assignments and when a lot of students start to get their marks back from midterms and other course work. If your marks are lower than expected or if you find your class material confusing, the University of Toronto Scarborough has many academic resources to offer for you.

During this hectic time in the term, the UTSC Library extends its study space hours until 2 a.m. (12 a.m. on the weekends).There are also many study spots on campus year-round with group, quiet and silent study options available.

A great resource to boost your academic skills is the Academic Advising & Career Centre, which is a team of professionals who advise, counsel and coach individuals with their learning and career development. The Centre offers individual appointments, workshops and a range of online resources that boost students’ academic confidence and let them explore strategies to improve their academic performance.

You can attend drop-in study skills sessions with academic & learning strategists and study skills peer coaches. They are trained to help the students with how to study for multiple choice tests and essay questions; how to manage their time; how to improve memory and concentration; and how to read and take effective notes. You can drop in at AC254 (inside the UTSC Library) on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. until November 30.

There are a variety of academic and study skills tip sheets available to students. Students can learn more about how to plan their daily tasks, set SMART goals and notetaking skills – all of which are helpful for academic performance.

On top of that, the Centre posts engaging study hack videos where students can explore new methods of studying, possible academic challenges that other students face and how to deal with them, as well as good ways to stay motivated during the semester.

If you are on the run without time to make an appointment, the Academic Advising & Career Centre offers drop-in hours: Monday – Thursday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Friday 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. These appointments are on first come, first serve basis and last 20 minutes each. Students can discuss topics like academics, degree planning, career and employment, CV/resume and cover letter review.

Another great resource for students is the Centre for Teaching & Learning. The Centre offers additional intellectual support to students with their academics and programs such as workshops on presentation skills and facilitated study groups.

The Writing Centre offers free workshops and programs that improve students’ communication skills, build confidence and expand their vocabulary. The Centre has writing support with one-on-one consultations or drop-in sessions that work with students at all stages of assignment development and the writing process.

English Development Centre offers programs and workshops that focus on communication skills, such as improving confidence during class discussions and active participation in the academic community. The Centre has a reading and writing excellence program where the students can expand their academic vocabulary while studying their program material.

Math & Stats Learning Centre provides free seminars, workshops, virtual tutoring, individual appointments, and small-group consultations that improve students’ proficiency in various subjects of mathematics and statistics. With collective tutoring, such as the Math & Stats Help Centre, students can get math and statistics help on a drop-in basis.

Regardless of what your academic struggles are as a student, the Academic Advising & Career Centre and the Centre for Teaching & Learning offer a range of programs and services to support your success.

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This article originally appeared on University of Toronto Student Affairs website.