We still have spaces available for Spring 2010 contact Housing Services to Apply!
Breezeway February 18, 2010
With Reading week over, we hope you all had a great break from classes and are refreshed and ready to get back to school.
We are still accepting applications for Resident Assistant positions until March 1, 2010. This is an excellent opportunity for you to expand your horizons and become leaders of tomorrow. The Conference Services department is also accepting applications for their Summer Resident Assistance positions as well. Please see the Postings on the bulletin boards outside Housing Services for more detail.
There is a seminar on conflict resolution on February 22, 2010 in C.J.s, at 5:00 p.m. with instructions on how to “Fight Nice”. There will be a guest speaker and FREE ice cream! So come out and learn how to resolve conflict.
We will be posting more ads as summer gets closer so please keep an eye on the boards.
The semester is almost half over so students should be thinking of summer residence and/or returning home. If you know you are going home, you might want to consider starting to send of your things home so you don’t have such a big task at the end of the semester. We are also accepting applications for Summer Residence. Please see the website for information on Summer Housing.
Please remember if you have overnight guests, you are required to complete a guest registration form, so in the event of an emergency, Security Services knows who is in the buildings. As well, non-residents are not permitted to have their ID cards activated for residence, or be given keys/fobs or combinations to rooms.
The Breezeway, January 2010 Edition
Welcome to a new Decade!
We hope you all had an enjoyable holiday season and are now geared up to tackle the new semester.
Housing fees are now due, and to find out your amount owing, you can log onto the bridge and see your balances.
We have received several parcels over the holidays, so if you were expecting one, please check your mailbox for a white or blue parcel card.
The cut off for Returning Student applications is January 15 at 4:00 to be eligible for the lottery. So if you are going to apply for housing next year, get your application in prior to the deadline. We are also accepting applications for summer housing as well. Please note you are not required to be attending classes to live in housing over the summer months.
If you are planning on going home during reading week, you might want to consider bringing home a few things you know you aren’t going to or haven’t been using (eg. Your textbooks from 1st semester etc).
There are few new residents moving in over the break, so thank you for making them feel welcome.
Good Luck with all your new classes and welcome back home!!
Breezeway, December 15, 2009
Well Classes are over and finals are underway, we just wanted to remind Residents that the Housing Office will be closed between December 24, at 4:00 and January 4, 2010.
We need to know who is staying on campus during this time so we can notify security and they will be aware of you during their daily rounds, so please email us or come into the Housing Office and let us know.
There will be no Food Services on campus during this time as well, so for those of you in U-Hall, please make other arrangements.
We want to take this time to wish everybody a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
If you are leaving campus permanently, please remember all contracts end at 12:00 noon on December 23, 2009.
For all emergencies please remember to contact Security at 329-2345.
Best of luck on exams, and Happy Holidays!
- Housing Services
The Breezeway November 4, 2009
Remembrance Day
Take some time to remember the people who have helped you get to where you are today, and remember to help others. It can be as small of a gesture as holding a door for someone, or as grand as your budget and time allow for. We all at times take for granted the freedoms and privileges we are allowed as University students.
MIDTERM STRESS
There are many resources available to you if you are having difficulty with gearing up for writing tests, exams, handing in assignments and making it to class, you can contact your RA who has been through this before, your academic advisor and Instructors. There are also various resources on campus such as Counselling Services, and the Library which are sometimes overlooked.
Remember to eat, and get fresh air. Go for a short walk and remember you are not alone.
ROOMMATE ISSUES
As the end of the semester approaches and final exams loom, little arguments and annoying habits you share with your room mates or suite mates have the potential to blow up. The key to living peacefully with your roommates during this stressful time is to negotiate conflict effectively. This means not shrinking away from the things that annoy you, but being assertive and productive in your conflict resolution.
The Do’s of Negotiating Roommate Conflict |
The Don’ts of Negotiating Roommate Conflict |
Get Ready
• Express interest in coming up with a solution that works for you both. |
|
References
Used with permission from University of Lethbridge Counseling Services
TH 218
(403) 329 2845,
www.uleth.ca/reg-cou
Texas Women’s University, Some Rules for Fair Fighting www.twu.edu/oal/counselling/SelfHelp03.html
University of Buffalo, “Fighting the Fair way” www.ub-counselling.buffalo.edu/Fighting.shtml
Massey University, Conflict Resolution, www.massey.ac.nz/massey/study/servicesforstudents/health/resources/conflictresoloution
The Breezway October 14, 2009
Ongoing Items
With Midterms well underway and stress levels at a high, this can make us all more susceptible to illness.
The signs of H1N1 infection, which are similar to other forms of influenza, include:
- fever
- coughing
- headaches
- muscle or joint pain
- sore throat
- chills
- fatigue
- runny nose
- diarrhea and vomiting (in some cases)
As a reminder, if you are feeling unwell, please phone the health centre at 403-329-2484 to discuss your situation. Health Centre staff will ask you to use hand sanitizer and wear a mask before entering the Health Centre.
New Items
There is a Sexual Assault Awareness Seminar Coming up:
Yes there is free food at this event!!
When: Thursday Oct 15th 2009, 5:00 PM
Where: Airport Lounge C4
Who- All residents
Topic- Information on how to prevent,
respond and be informed about
Sexual Assault
Suite Inspections Reminder
There will be a campus wide Inspection done of ALL University Housing Suites next week, so please take a few minutes to pick up your garbage and deliver it to the garbage room, as well as do a general clean up of your suite. Otherwise you may encounter a few unwanted guests, which carry with them germs and bugs and all kinds of little parasites which I’m sure you don’t want to encounter. If you do have mice, please contact the housing office and we can provide you with traps. DO NOT try to make these little fellows into pets – STUART LITTLE, they are not.
Breezeway September 24, 2009
Now that everybody is starting to settle in and get used to their class schedule, we want you to be Fluless not Clueless! As this may be your first time living apart from your parents a few things you need to know are:
Call the Health Centre at 403-329-2484 BEFORE coming in with influenza symptoms.
Centre for Disease Control recommends:
If you become ill with influenza-type symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, cough, nausea or vomiting, you should stay home (except to seek medical care) and avoid contact with other people.
CDC recommends staying home for at least 24 hours after your fever has subsided - typically this is 6 to 7 days after your initial symptoms. If you have taken an over-the counter medication to reduce your fever, you should wait 24 to 48 hours AFTER your fever is naturally gone with OTC meds.
If you have mild influenza-type symptoms, the typical course of the illness is 3 days of aches and pains, leading up to sore throat, cough and fever. On approximately the 4th day, the immune system begins to recognize the virus and begins the process of eliminating it. At this point, you should start feeling a little better. For mild cases, you would report your illness to your supervisor/professor/school and then return 24 to 48 hours after your fever has subsided. If you need to see a doctor, call the University of Lethbridge Health Centre at 403-329-2484 to discuss your situation. Health Centre staff will ask you to use hand sanitizer and wear a mask before entering the Health Centre.
Housing Fees
Fall 2009 Housing Fees are NOW Due!! If not paid for by September 30th, Interest will start to accrue – so save yourself some money.
2010 Applications
We are now Accepting applications for the Fall 2010/Spring 2011 School year. The applications can be filled out online and brought to the housing office.
UHALL Residents living in Suites
The schedules for housing inspections are posted in your Suite Bathroom. So check your bathroom mirrors for the schedule. Please remember to clean your suite prior to the inspection.
Heather’s Welcome
Welcome to the U of L! And to those returning students welcome back!
Thank you for making the choice to come live with us! We’re looking forward to a great year with all of you. Terri Thomas, Housing Manager, and Steve Brodrick, Assistant Manager, have been working diligently to ensure that you receive interesting and fun programming as well as excellent Housing facilities. This year we have expanded our offerings to include both outdoor basketball and volleyball courts as well as pathway and patio seating. We hope you enjoy them.
Our Residence Assistants have been working and studying attentively to ensure they can be of the most help to you in the coming year. Remember they are here for guidance and you should feel free to ask them anything. In return, we ask that you study the Handbook and familiarize yourself with the information therein.
At the University of Lethbridge, we do not view our Housing as strictly accommodation. The role of our team is to assist you in making your stay with us enjoyable and successful. Over the years, students keep telling us that staying in Residence provided the best opportunities to make life-long friendships. Our Residence Assistants and the Organization of Residence Students, through their effort and dedication, are credited with making the Rez Life experience enjoyable. We strive to create a positive community life for all to enjoy. By making the choice to live with us, you are making a choice to develop a neighbourhood that you and others can enjoy. This means actively working to better your neighbourhood by understanding and getting to know your neighbours. We focus on the health and well-being of the total community.
Please take advantage of all the activities offered through the Residence and the University in general. This is your opportunity to expand your horizons. University is about who you are about to become, not who you were. It has been proven that students living in residence integrate into the community better than non-residence students, achieve higher grades and have greater persistence rates to graduation. I think we can all agree this is good news!
I encourage and invite you to let us know how we can be of help, ask questions of us when you aren’t sure of something, and above all, please feel free to make suggestions or comments on how we can best serve you. Campus Housing is a very dynamic place that is continuously evolving and improving. With your input, we can develop goals and make operational changes within our resources that fit with your needs, likes, and dislikes. Drop by and let us know how we’re doing.
I wish you well and lots of success in the upcoming year.
Heather Mirau
Director Food, Housing,
Conference & Event Services
Breezeway Edition August 21, 2009
Welcome New and Welcome Back Returning Res Students!!
If you are new to the University and are still working on finding your way around, the attached link will show you the interactive University Map giving you the names of the buildings and their corresponding parking maps. http://www.uleth.ca/campusmap (Please note the Parking Lots still have their old names on the maps). They have changed and their new names are posted in each lot.
https://discover.ulethbridge.ca will take you to the New Student Orientation options and guide you through where you need to be and a schedule and location of events.
We are very excited about the changes we have made over the summer.
While you were gone there were new VOIP phones assigned to every bed in residence. These are the Emergency Contact Phones as well as “in-house” phones that can be used to call anywhere on campus or make local outgoing calls. With the purchase of the enhanced service, they can also be used to receive incoming calls from off-campus. They also have an attached cable for internet access hook up.
Things to do when you get here! Here is the link to the University’s leisure guide, filled with classes, courses, events and groups you can join on and off campus.
http://www.uleth.ca/sportrec/ActivityGuide/fall09winter10/FINAL%20ActivityGuide.pdf
FOOD events!!
September 3 and 4th Lunch on Thursday, and Breakfast and Lunch on Friday at the 1st choice saving centre and in the atrium
Welcome Back Pancake Breakfast on the 7th hosted by Alumni -
Tuesday , Sept 8th Barbeque New Student Welcome - at the 1st choice saving’s centre.
Sept 9 to 12th Fresh and Breezy Fest with Student’s Union and ORS $50.00 for 4 days of fun!
Wednesday, Sept 9 – Afternoon 3pm
Fresh n’ Breezy Luau
• Free BBQ
• 100 foot slip-n-slide
• A giant obstacle course
- Fresh Fest Sign up opportunity
Thursday, Sept 10 – Evening 7pm
Fresh Flix
• Watch a movie on a 70 foot outdoor movie screen
• Comfortable sloped on-campus grass seating
• Great atmosphere
- Two Short films screened by the U of L Film Club
Friday, Sept 11 - Evening, Night 5pm
Fresh Fiesta
• Mexican themed party at our campus pub, the Zoo!
• A night of games and entertainment
• Socializing with new friends
- Pinatas
Saturday, Sept 12 - All day, All night 8am
Fresh Factor
• A free pancake breakfast
• Frisbee Golf action around campus
• Pronghorns Women’s soccer game in the new Stadium
Fresh U Jamboree (Fresh U all night. No regrets in the morning) 3:30pm
• 6 hours of live music
• Concert grounds complete with beer gardens , food stands, and other activities
• Featuring Canadian hip-hop artist K-OS as the headlining act and four other up and coming local and non-local bands
Tuesday, Sept 15 - Evening
Fresh recognition night, Cocktails, Dinner at 6pm, awards and lectures at 7pm
• Volunteers and outstanding Freshies will be treated to dinner courtesy of the University, followed by prizes and awards.
- Professors giving lectures
- A bar will also be available.
Fresh Fest
The fresh experience can be purchased online at www.ulsu.ca and includes a concert ticket, access to all events, and a swag bag.
Fresh U Jamboree – Saturday, Sept 12 - Night
THIS EVENT IS FOR ALL UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE STUDENTS.
We encourage everyone to come out and enjoy the live show, beverages and atmosphere.
Concert tickets will $25 and be available a week before at the Service Center (Convenience store in the SU) or can be purchased online @ http://www.ulsu.ca.
Tickets will also be sold the day of the concert.
Freshies will have tickets included in their Fresh Fest package.
Breezeway Edition July 20, 2009
What to do in the summer Off Campus in Lethbridge :
Hello All Summer residents and Visitors!
Local Sports: The Lethbridge Bulls are our local Western Minor League Baseball team.
Tickets are $7.00 for adults and $4.00 for children. Come out for an evening of fun,
7th inning stretch, popcorn!! Fun for the whole family.
Here’s the link to their website for more information: http://www.bullsbaseball.com/home.html
Local Theatre: The New West Theatre has been entertaining Southern Alberta for 20 years and provides a great entertaining 
show for young and old alike.
Tickets are approximately $24.00 each and there are two
different shows performed throughout the summer: www.lethbridge.ca/tickets
Local History:
The Galt museum is a great place to educate yourself on the History in and around Lethbridge, They’re open 7 days a week and have some great displays ongoing and rotating throughout the summer. Student prices are $4.00 and children under 6 are free!! www.galtmuseum.com
Local Beauty: 
Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden is a tranquil get away from the everyday rush.It’s a great place to come and decompress. www.nikkayuko.com . Prices for adults are $7.00 and children between 6 and 17 years of age are $4.00 and children 5 and under are free!!
On Campus
VOIP PHONES: We are almost complete with the installation of our new VOIP Communication system. These phones will provide instant access to all single students who live on campus and to each family residence in the family townhome units. You will be able to use these phones to talk to anyone on campus and make local outgoing calls. With the purchase of the enhanced package, you will also be able to receive and send local and long distance calls. The phones will also have a cable attached to them that will provide you with your internet access.
CONSTRUCTION: The construction of the new Daycare facilities behind the townhome units continues, and we would like to remind everybody to use caution when in this area. The installation of the beach volleyball court is well underway and the new permanent space for the firepit behind Patterson centre will be starting shortly. They will be ready in the next few weeks!
Breezeway Edition Friday July 3, 2009
If you have been around campus this summer you have probably noticed the constant construction going on. One of the new additions to come from all this work will be new recreational spaces on campus for Residence Students. Keep your eyes peeled for a new outdoor beach volleyball court on campus to be located by Patterson Center. Crews broke ground on the court last week and it will be playable in a few weeks.
Other improvements to that area will include some new benches to admire the river valley and a fire pit.
Breezeway Edition Monday, June 1, 2009
Congratulations to Graduates!
Housing Services wishes to congratulate all of our students who convocated on May 28th-29th this year. Research shows that students who lived in Residence graduate in higher proportions than their counterparts off campus. Best of luck in all your future endeavors and thank you for staying with us and allowing us to be part of your success.
Caution - Snakes around UofL Campus
Warning!
Lethbridge is home to a small and likely dwindling population of prairie rattlesnakes, restricted mainly to southwest Lethbridge.
Please exercise caution when walking around campus, particularly in the coulees, as snakes are occasionally sighted. Rattlesnakes are not aggressive and given a choice will retreat rather than strike.
Although some people may find them loathsome, rattlesnakes are a naturally occurring species in a properly functioning prairie ecosystem such as we have around Lethbridge. They are practically harmless and will only strike if extremely provoked or stepped on. They play a very important role in the control of rodents and thus reduce the spread of diseases such as hanta virus.
Rattlesnakes are the color of dry prairie grass and have a very well-defined, triangular-shaped head. They may or may not possess rattles. Lethbridge is also home to the bull snake which imitates the rattlesnake by coiling up and shaking its tail, but it does not actually have a rattle. Bull snakes are not poisonous.
If you see a rattlesnake, walk slowly away from it. Give the snake plenty of room to escape from you. Notify U of L Security at 329-2345.
In Alberta, rattlesnakes are blue-listed which means they have undergone declines in population or habitat and may be at risk.
Please remember, it is illegal to kill rattlesnakes, possess rattlesnakes or their parts or damage occupied denning areas. Many people do not realize that there are significant charges and fines for killing a rattlesnake in Alberta.
For more information on Rattlesnakes in Lethbridge, contact the Helen Schuler Coulee Centre at 320-3064 or check the City of Lethbridge website: www.lethbridge.ca
Home > City Hall > Departments
Breezeway Edition May 12, 2009
Are you staying in Lethbridge for the summer? Need a break from your studies? Why not see all that the City of Lethbridge and Southern Alberta have to offer over the summer months. Be a tourist in your own city! As the coulees green up and the temperature improves, go see all that sites that make this area of the world unique. There is a variety of parks and outdoor activities as well as cultural exhibits and summer fun.
Fort Whoop-Up
Located in the Old Man River valley and visible from the aptly named Whoop-Up Drive, this old trading post is a place where Southern Alberta history still lives. If you have never come to visit, you will be intrigued by the collection of artifacts and history that helped shape this city. Fort Whoop-Up follows the history of the North West Mounted Police, First Nation’s Battles, smuggling and the coal trade in the 19th and 20th centuries. Be sure to see it during Whoop – Up days in August.
Japanese Gardens
The Nikka Yuko Japanese Gardens is a symbol of the modern day multicultural City of Lethbridge and was built to recognize the significant contributions that citizens of Japanese ancestry have made to Alberta. This pristine garden is an “Oasis of Tranquility” located by Henderson Lake and golf course. Be sure to catch a traditional tea ceremony and walk by the waterfalls of the garden complex. Nikka Yuko offers a full range of calendar events throughout the summer season and is a great setting for a relaxing afternoon.
Waterton Lakes National Park
Waterton is located 1h 15minutes South West of Lethbridge on the Cardston highway and is a must see for anyone who has never been before. This National Park offers hiking camping, wildlife viewing as well as your choice of hotels and restaurants in the town site. Wateron is ideal for a day trip or for spending the whole weekend. It is also a hiker’s paradise with dozens of peaks to scramble and trails to explore. If you are short on time, climb the easy trek to Bear’s Hump on Mt. Crandell , for the 30 minute commitment , the view of the lakes and town site below is spectacular. You may be surprised to see, bison, grizzlies, elk and deer all wandering freely through the park. Make sure to bring your camera and don’t feed the wild life!
Head Smashed - in Buffalo Jump
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is located 18km West of Fort Macleod on highway 785. The Interpretive Centre here holds artifacts and exhibits that capture the history of the First Nations People of Southern Alberta who used this site for over 6000 years. Learn about how Buffalo were hunted by herding them over a cliff to the hunters waiting below. The multilevel Interpretive Center blends in to the surrounding cliff to provide a viewpoint to the lifestyle and customs of the Blackfoot people. Be sure to visit here any Wednesday in July for an authentic Drum and Dance performance.
The Frank Slide
On April 29, 1903, at 4:10 a.m., 82 million tonnes (30 million cubic metres) of limestone crashed from the summit of Turtle Mountain and buried a portion of the sleeping town of Frank. This slide covers an area more than a Kilometer wide and buried an entire town. Located just 1hour 30 minutes West of Lethbridge, the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre covers the rich history of the Crowsnest Pass area. Learn about how it came to be that the mountain collapsed and why it could happen again. No day to Frank Slide would be complete without walking amidst the rubble. You can follow one of the pathways through the boulder field and see up close the scale of the disaster.
Breezeway Edition April 27th Move Out
Thank you for choosing to stay with us this year, we hope it has been fun and successful experience. Best of luck on exams!
The Single Students Housing Lease Agreement is up on Wednesday April 29th 12:00 PM. You are required to vacate residence by this time. Any request to stay longer than the date indicated on the lease agreement needs to be expressly approved by Housing Services and additional nightly fees will apply. Please see the table below for additional nightly charges.
Before leaving please ensure that you close your window, lock your door and turn off your lights. Please take all your belongings, unclaimed items will be thrown out.
If you are staying for the summer months , you will be notified when your new room is ready. Please move your belongings within 24 hours.
Move Out Process
Step 1: Thoroughly clean your room and any bathrooms, kitchens, or common areas of suites that you may be responsible for.
Step 2: Lock your room and return your keys in the envelope provided to the Housing Office C420, to avoid being charged for missing keys. (If after hours, please use the mail slot)
Step 3: Maintenance staff will inspect your unit to determine cleaning and damages if applicable.
Step 4: Security Deposits less any charges will be released with appropriate interest.
Keys
Please remember to return your keys. You will be held financially responsible for any keys that aren’t returned to the office.
$75 Room / Building Keys
$30 Mail Keys
Note: An additional $10 administration fee will be charged to each item assessed
Cleaning
A cleaning charge will be assessed upon move out inspections for students who do not leave their rooms and suite areas in a reasonably clean state. Cleaning charges are levied only if time spent in the room is greater than 20 minutes. All charges are assessed in 15 minutes increments and are listed according to area i.e. bathroom, kitchen, bedroom etc.
See below for an itemized list of cleaning that needs to be performed prior to your departure.
Getting your security deposit back
All cleaning charges assessed will be applied against your security deposit. Maintenance staff will inspect a unit for cleaning and damages, then adjusted security deposits will be calculated accordingly. Security deposits will be released and mailed to your permanent mailing address after sixty (60) days of assessment.
Note: Family Town homes security deposits will be releases within ten (10) days of assessment.
Mail
Please make sure you check your mail box before moving out. Also please ensure than Housing Services has an up to date permanent mailing address for you. You can change your address through the Bridge.
** NOTE *** If you are planning on staying longer than your contract (after April 29,2009), please contact Housing Services and review this chart to see if any of these additional fees will apply.
| Housing Services | |||
| Student Contract Move-out Date Guidelines & Associated Charges | |||
| Move-Out Date | Action | Charges | |
| 1 | On or Before Last Day of Spring Contract | No Additional Fees | |
| 2 | After Last of Day of Contract | ||
| Final Exam on the Last Day of Contract | Student granted move-out at NOON one day post contract date. | No Additional Fees | |
| Subject to student producing a copy of final exam schedule. | |||
| Request for Extension Other Than Final Exams* | Reviewed case by case. | Nightly Rate Based on Room Type | |
| Factors to be considered: | |||
| - Reason for request. | |||
| - Date of student's last exam. | |||
| - Next scheduled move-in date for room and or suite. | |||
| Residence Assistant | Student Housing employee remaining in residence for continuation of RA duties. | No Additional Fees | |
| Student maybe required to change rooms for summer housing. | |||
| 3 | Student Remaining In Residence for: | ||
| Summer Session I | Student permitted to remain in residence until the last day of SS I contract. | Intersession Fees Apply | |
| Student maybe required to change rooms for summer housing. | |||
| Summer Session I / II | Student permitted to remain in residence until the last day of SS II contract. | Intersession Fees Apply | |
| Student maybe required to change rooms for summer housing. | |||
| Summer Session I / II / III | Student permitted to remain in residence until the last day of SS III contract. | No Intersession Fees | |
| Student maybe required to change rooms for summer housing. | |||
| Note: | |||
| * Not all move-out extension requests are granted. With the responsibility to ensure a room is ready for the next scheduled move-in, some requests are denied. | |||
| Once a student vacates their room the following events must take place to prepare for the next student or guest: |
|
||
| 1. Check to ensure room keys have been returned to the Housing Office. | |||
| 2. Room must be inspected for damages and general cleanliness. | |||
| 3. Room must be cleaned by a housekeeping crew if required. | |||
| 4. Damages to the unit or furniture must be repaired where applicable. | |||
Move Out Tips:
If you are going home for Easter, it may be a good opportunity to take some of your unneeded belongings back with you. Your room has a tendency to accumulate stuff over the year so there is a good chance that you have more with you now then when you arrived in September. Taking a few things with you at Easter will help make your move out that much easier. It may also help to go get all your cleaning supplies in advance. That way once you start you won’t be wasting time trying to track down supplies and materials. Planning ahead for move out is a great way to avoid losing your damage deposit.
Stress Buster of the Week:
As final exams approach, it is important to prepare yourself for the additional stress and time consumption. One of the best ways to deal with stress is so simple it is often overlooked, getting some exercise. Whether it is going to the gym or playing sports or as simple as going for a short walk, exercise is one of the most effective tools students have for dealing with the stress of post secondary education.
University of Lethbridge
Counseling Services
ACE IT: Exam Preparation Strategies that Work!
Exam success is largely dependent upon your ability to learn new information, store it in your long term memory and retrieve it on demand. An understanding of the following study principles, and the ways they can be applied to your study routine, will help you to acquire the skills you need to ace your tests.
6 Study Principles
1. Get Organized
• At the beginning of the semester, find out when your exams are and plan your schedule accordingly. Good exam preparation begins early. Remember: CRAM is a 4 letter word!
• Get into a study routine. Study in the same place, at the same time, everyday.
• Do all of your assignments and keep up with the reading.
• Make chapter summaries and organize your notes.
• Use a planning sheet to identify the areas that you need to focus on while you are preparing for your exam (These sheets are available in Counseling Services).
2. Chunk
Make studying more manageable by utilizing the following techniques.
• Break the information down into smaller parts and focus on what is most important.
• Vary your study activities.
• Study in 50 minute intervals, with 10 minute breaks in between.
3. Act
Active learning is your key to success in University. Simply reading information repeatedly is a passive activity and it is ineffective. In order to move information into your long term memory you have to act on that information in some way. Here are some suggestions:
• Rewrite the material in your own words.
• Recite the information aloud, in your own words.
• Discuss the concepts with your study group.
• Teach the material to your friends.
• Categorize your notes.
• Create concept maps.
• Make diagrams.
• Self-test to make sure you know what you think you know! Anticipate questions and practice them.
4. Personalize
If the material you are studying is meaningful to you, you will be more likely to remember it.
• Try to make connection between the information you are learning and things you already know.
• Use yourself as an example.
• Find personal relevance.
• Create imagery.
• Use mnemonics or number systems.
5. Repeat
Do steps 2 - 4 as many times as your schedule will allow or until you are satisfied that you know the information and you can retrieve it on demand. Self-test to find out for sure!
6. Review
• Conduct regular reviews throughout the semester.
o Review your notes after each class.
o Review what you’ve covered in your classes for 20 minutes each week.
• One week before the exam, review the material each day, using the active strategies listed above.
• Look for the big picture, key concepts and the important details.
• Do not try to learn or relearn any information 12-24 hours before your exam.
On exam day…
• Psych yourself up – be confident!
• Sleep, eat, exercise.
• Bring the correct materials.
• Glance at your notes.
• Avoid talking about the test.
• Practice relaxation strategies – breathe!
• Sit where there are minimal distractions.
• Do your best!
“The mind is slow in unlearning what it has been slow in learning.”
- Seneca
References: Used with Permission University of Lethbridge Counseling Services
Breezeway March 23, 2009 Edition
New Addition to Housing
In the month of March, Housing Services at the U of L is pleased to Welcome Steve Brodrick, our new Assistant Manager. A recent graduate from the Faculty of Management, Steve is familiar with residence. He looks forward to working with our residence students and the Organization of Residence Student’s Council. Please feel free to stop by with any questions or concerns in the Housing Services Office at C420.
Roommate Problems
As the end of the year approaches and final exams loom, little arguments and annoying habits you share with your room mates or suite mates have the potential to blow up. The key to living peacefully with your roommates during this stressful time is to negotiate conflict effectively. This means not shrinking away from the things that annoy you, but being assertive and productive in your conflict resolution.