Hey Lions! Reading Week is right around the corner, and it can be so easy to lose track of your coursework during this time. But we are here to make sure that you don’t! This #YUBlog post gives you four Rs to do during Reading Week that will help you stay on track and even get ahead!
Before we get started with the four Rs, the first thing you need to do (if you haven’t already) is to get a planner or some kind of calendar and schedule your time. If you are new to the planner world, here’s everything you need to know before buying a planner. Scheduling your time will help you stay focused and complete all your tasks.
Now let’s get into the four Rs!
Recap
Reading Week is a good time to prepare for your midterms. I know that exams are still a few weeks from now, but it can be really helpful if you recap everything that you’ve studied so far. This will also set you up and kick in those awesome critical thinking skills when you begin your next set of readings.
Success tip: Need a push to do these recaps? Here are five tips for staying motivated and productive. Need to track your productivity? Here are five productivity apps that will help you stay on track
Readings
Speaking of readings, this is a great time to catch up on the readings you may have missed. It is also a very good idea to start on some of the readings that are due in the weeks following Reading Week. Doing these ahead of time will not only allow you more time to complete them but also reduce your workload once the term resumes.
Success tip: If you love to read (outside of assigned readings), want to improve yourself, here are five useful books for every university student. If you have some time, feel free to check these out!
Research
You may not always have the time to do additional research on your coursework. Reading Week is a great time to expand your knowledge and get a better understanding of key concepts. This research may come in handy especially when you have a research assignment coming up—no more last-minute stress!
Success tip: You don’t need to go far to do your research. York’s Library website is an amazing resource that you can access from home. Find thousands of books, journal articles, newspapers and more in one place! Remember that each course has a designated librarian who can help you find the sources you need. The librarian’s details can be found under “Library Resources” in each course on eClass.
Refresh
Having said all that, while being productive during this break will keep the momentum going, it is also important to relax and refresh yourself. Get outside, enjoy the seasonal transition, and do some self-care. This will get you energized for the rest of the term. Remember that a good night’s sleep is also productive!
Success tip: If you need ideas for relaxing and refreshing, here’s what we recommend:
- DIY Self-Care Kit
- Five Activities That Will Help You Be Mindful
- Five Ways to Manage Stress at University
Have an awesome Reading Week!
To stay up to date on campus life and events, connect with York on social media. You can follow us on Facebook @YorkUStudents, Twitter @YorkUStudents, Instagram @studentlifeyu and with our weekly This Week @ York emails.
Deea Deb
Deea Deb is a third-year English and Professional Writing major at York University. She loves reading, travelling, being organized, and writing. She hopes to help York students succeed at university.
