Student Life 101 - December 2009

101STUDENT LIFE

DECEMBER 2009

DECEMBER 2009 | VOLUME 25

CALENDARDecember | 3

HEADLINESProcrastination | 4Tips On Writing Exams | 5

2 | STUDENT LIFE 101 | December 2009

EVENTS

LETTERS TO YOU

Events | 7

Letter on Mumps | 6Happy Holidays | 6

STUDENT LIFE101

December 2009 | STUDENT LIFE 101 | 3

DECEMBER 2009 | VOLUME 25

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DECEMBER 2009

Last day of classes

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World AIDS DayUP COMING EVENTS!!!

January 2010

Warrior Weekends is a student-run event which provides a diverse assortment of activities to all students in an effort to increase student night life at UW! Most events take place in the SLC. Event information can be found at www.warriorweekends.uwaterloo.ca.

Exam PeriodDecember 9-22 2009

Warrior WeekendsJanuary 29-30, 2010

New Year’s

Classes Starts

24 The University of Waterloo ClosedDecember 24-January 1 2009

Diversity Town HallThe Diversity Town Hall is in the SLC at 12pm.

Work Term Ends December 24 2009

First Day to Pick Up OSAP

15 Open Enrolment Ends

Last Day to Make Fee Arrangements

HEADLINES


Procrastination It’s a new term! Procrastination may have become a habit during the Fall term. You may be delaying starting on new assignments. This is a good time to check out the following Top 10 Ways to Deal with Procrastination Now, and save yourself from unnecessary pressure and stress for the rest of the term.

Top 10 Ways to Deal with Procrastination Now:

10. Note where you are starting from, and set small, realistic goals from there. Chunk large projects and tasks into very small 15 minute pieces of work and just do the next step.

9.Don’t keep doing the same ineffective things. What you have tried in the past? - what helped and didn’t help?

8.Identify what energizes and motivates you into action (music, calling a friend, getting organized, going for a run, studying in a variety of different places) and combine this with trying to work.

7.Work in your ‘high energy’ time of day. Do you know how to use your circadian rhythm?

6.Be assertive and set limits on distractions from friends. Reduce interruptions of phone, email, MSN, or having an open door.

5.Ask yourself: “If I can only get one thing done today what would it be?

4.Jot down distracting thoughts. Don’t try to continue concentrating when distracted. Set aside time to focus on these concerns after getting something done.

3.Get something/anything down on paper when beginning a task. Editing comes later! Try writing quickly so the “inner-critic” can’t interfere.

2.Just start! Action leads to action… – pick anything and do it!

1.Challenge self-defeating perfectionistic beliefs: they slow you down. Use realistic statements to help your perspective (e.g., “Doing something is better than nothing”, or “Things get done one step at a time” ).

Forgetperfection,finesse,therightmoment,needingtofeelmotivatedorinthemood–eventhesmallestaccomplish ment is forward motion, and forward motion leads to momentum! Don’t procrastinate on dealing with procrastination!

For Additional Information:


By: Monica Mansilla

MULTIPLE CHOICE

Remember to:

Find out if points are lost for wrong answers

Cover gives answers First thoughts are best Don’t double check

TIPS ON WRITING AN EXAM

It is this time of the year again. The rush between the overwhelming amount of assignments due,

studying for final exams, somehow still writing midterms and realising that the end of the year

holidays are just around the corner.

According to 3 Study Skills programs focused on University and College students, there are a few

basic rules that you can follow to increase your chances of success at writing exams. Check them

out:

University of Waterloo Common Suggestions Imperial College of London

• Arrive in good time and with the right equipment and materials where appropriate

• Using a crib sheet to study, even if none is allowed during the exam

• Answering the questions as asked.

• Showing you understand the question, know the relevant material, and can present it in an organized manner.

• Arriving just on time an avoiding the “cramming crowd”

• Read carefully (some exams give reading time)

• Reading all questions (except multiple choice) before beginning

• Multiple choice: Anticipate the answer to the question, then go looking for it

• Check your answers before handing in your paper.

• After the exam -don't indulge in post-mortems and comparisons with others. Review what went well in your overall approach, before and during the exam including the way you handled anxiety.

* If you are really worried about exams or have had difficulty with them in the past, contact Counselling Services for help as soon as possible

Victoria University

On Wellington

• Scan the whole paper • Read all questions: compulsory, type, number, marks • Choose your battles: questions you want to do • Answer all required questions • Write neatly, be concise

• Choose your questions and allocate time for each one according to marks per question. (Allow 10 minutes for checking at the end)

• For essay type questions, make a brief plan for each answer while your brain is fresh, and make sure you answer the question rather than just writing everything you know about a topic.

• Answer your best question first but stick to the time you have allocated

• It is better to attempt all the required questions than to do one very well and not have time for the last one

MATH Include in your exam:

A statement of what you are trying to do

All relevant formulae, facts, numbers

All Steps Space for readability Highlighted answers If you can’t finish write all

you know

LETTERS TO

YOU

Dear Waterloo Student,

“AclusterofstudentswithmumpshasbeenidentifiedwithinthepastfewweeksattheuniversitiesinWaterloo.Public health informs us that there is a recent increase in mumps cases in the province. This communication provides information and guidance for our university community about mumps symptoms, vaccination recom-mendations and availability of vaccine. People for whom these messages are especially important: · anyone who has had a friend, classmate, roommate or someone they may casually know who has had mumps in this last school term. · people born after 1970 and before 1992 because this cohort may have missed the second dose to complete immunization against mumps.·peopleimmunizedoutsideofCanadawhomayhavereceivedthefirstdoseofmumpsvaccinationbefore the age of 12 months or vaccine which was not properly refrigerated.

For information about mumps and vaccination recommendations please see:http://www.health.gov.on.ca/cs/mumps/english/resources/docs/mumps_fact_sheet.pdfhttp://www.health.gov.on.ca/cs/mumps/english/resources/docs/brochure.pdf

Health Services has vaccine available and will offer it to anyone who has never been immunized for mumps or needs a second dose of vaccine. If you are unsure please contact your family physician or the public health department where you attended high school for your immunization records. The clinic welcomes all students, faculty, staff and union members for mumps immunization between the hours of 9:30 -11:00 and 2:00 - 4:00 Monday to Friday beginning today until Dec. 22nd.” Thank you once again for your assistance in publishing health information. We really appreciate your support. Barbara Barbara Schumacher MDDirector, Health ServicesUniversity of WaterlooWaterloo, ON N2L 3G1Sincerely,

Letter Concerning Mumps


Happy HolidaysDear First-year student, HappyHolidaysfromtheStudentLifeOffice!Bestofluckonyourexams,andwehopethatyourholidayissafeandrefreshingfor when you return to classes this winter. While you’re on campus, be sure to read about the Mumps Vaccine available to you. If you’rehavingtroublefinishingupthoselastminuteprojects,checkoutthearticleformCounselingServicesonprocrastinationand read about some tools to get you through. Until January, Happy Reading! Cora DupuisStudent Life Coordinator:First-year [email protected]

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Student Life 101 - December 2009