The sections below outline various experiences you may go through as an Indigenous student in post secondary. You will find resources for further information and websites to expand your learning in the resource section. We hope these supports are helpful and guide you through the student experience.
Type of students
As you enter post-secondary as a student, you may be coming straight out of high school, transferring from another post-secondary institution, improving your knowledge for the workplace, or returning as a mature student. However you define yourself as a student, you bring your own unique experiences, background, and skillset to the classroom, campus, residence, etc.
Time management
Being a student, you will have to find balance between attending courses/lectures, completing assignments, and studying for exams while trying to have a social life with friends and family. Right now, this may feel overwhelming, and you don’t know where to begin.
Best practices and helpful tips (Jessie, n.d.; Robert Gillespie Academic Skills Centre, n.d.):
- Keep a calendar or agenda – To keep track of exam dates, times, classroom locations, assignment deadlines and/or campus events, a well-organized calendar or agenda can help with keeping track of upcoming tasks. You can find free online agenda/calendar apps, worksheets online and/or on your laptop/computer (ex. “mystudylife”, “Power Planner”, “Microsoft To Do”, and “Todoist”).
- Learn to say no – Be mindful when agreeing to do things or engage in extracurricular activities on campus. Over commitment may lead to limited time devoted to studying, writing, and completing course assignments. This can also lead to burnout, lack of sleep, rest and nutrition. Establishing boundaries into your routine can be beneficial to maintain energy, agency, and relationships with friends and family. For example, “I need some time alone, this week has been very busy with classes and work”. Please review CICMH’s “Boundaries” infosheet for more information found in the resource section.
- Do the most important things first – You want to make sure you prioritize your tasks based on urgency and importance. For example, completing your assignment that is worth 30 per cent of your grade that is due in four days will be considered more urgent and important compared to participation in an online discussion worth 10 per cent of your grade.
- Manage your tasks – You might want to break down larger tasks into smaller tasks that are more manageable. For example, a writing assignment may involve research, drafting an outline, multiple revisions, receiving feedback from peers, etc. Writing on a certain topic or argument one by one instead of the whole thing at once can reduce the anxiety and overwhelming feelings.
- Allow time to relax – Remember to take time for yourself. This can include taking a break, going for walk, drinking some water, listening to some music, or chatting with friends/family.
- Set out specific time for tasks – Setting a time to study, draft a paper, or work on a hobby can be effective for achieving better time management. For example, the pomodoro method which involves breaking down study/working sessions into 25-minute intervals integrating breaks in between. If you plan to study from 2 to 5 p.m., commit to that time frame. This may improve productivity and allow you to reward yourself for achieving your goal.
Please consult and review your learning services website for helpful resources on studying, and time management.
Content below is drawn from the IIC’s Pathway to Wellness Resource, Touchstone 3 “Seeking Direction”.
