Academic Skills Workshops
Looking for ways to be successful this term? Study smarter, not harder! Attend one of our sessions where you’ll learn practical strategies that you can put into action right away. We’ll introduce you to proven approaches that will help you to:
- improve time management and avoid procrastination
- more easily read and understand textbooks
- take good notes and study more effectively
- write academic papers and use source material properly
- prepare for tests and exams
On this page:
Fall Workshops
Creating a Study Schedule
Thursday, September 12, 2024; 3 PM - 4 PM | Online
Learn how to organize your whole academic term, create a weekly study schedule, and keep yourself on track with daily study sessions.
Getting Started on your Academic Writing
Wednesday, October 2, 2024; 3 PM - 4 PM | In-Person - 306 Tier
Writing at the university level is harder than you think! Learn strategies for getting started with your essays and other writing assignments—understanding assignment guidelines, idea gathering, thesis development, outlining.
Preparing for Midterms
Thursday, October 3, 2024; 3 PM - 4 PM | Online
Learn top study strategies that successful students use to prepare for tests and exams, as well as tips on time management and self-care so you can head into midterms feeling prepared and confident.
Finding, Evaluating and Citing Academic Sources
Wednesday, October 9, 2024; 3 PM - 4PM | Online
Learn how and where to look for sources. This workshop provides a structured approach to the research process and gives an introductory overview of the ways students can use library resources to help them through the process.
Academic Integrity and Artificial Intelligence
Wednesday, October 16, 2024; 11 AM - 12 PM | In-Person, Brown Lab, Elizabeth Dafoe Library
Learn to make good choices about using generative Artificial Intelligence tools (such as ChatGPT, Grammarly, QuillBot, Google Gemini, DALL·E, etc), while also following UM academic integrity policies. This workshop is aimed at undergraduate students.
Integrating Sources: Quoting, Paraphrasing and Summarizing
Wednesday, October 16, 2024; 3 PM - 4 PM | In-Person, Brown Lab, Elizabeth Dafoe Library
Clarify when and how to use sources when writing (APA style). This workshop is aimed at undergraduate students.
Revising, Editing, and Proofreading
Wednesday, October 30, 2024; 3 PM - 4 PM | In-Person, Brown Lab, Elizabeth Dafoe Library
Your first draft needs work! Learn strategies for reviewing your written drafts to be sure they are organized, coherent, and easy to understand.
Preventing Procrastination
Thursday, November 7, 2024; 3 PM - 4 PM | Online
Everyone struggles with the feeling of “I’ll do it tomorrow…” This workshop provides tools on how to break the cycle of procrastination and get stuff done.
Preparing for Finals
Tuesday, December 3, 2024; 3 PM - 4 PM | Online
Review effective learning strategies and time management tips introduced in earlier workshops. Discuss how to prioritize your health and well-being so that you feel well-rested and ready to tackle your final exam.
Winter Workshops
Creating a Study Schedule
Thursday January 9, 2025; 3 PM - 4 PM | Online
Learn how to organize your whole academic term, create a weekly study schedule, and keep yourself on track with daily study sessions.
Preparing for Midterms
Wednesday, January 29, 2025; 3 PM - 4 PM | Online
Learn top study strategies that successful students use to prepare for tests and exams, as well as tips on time management and self-care so you can head into midterms feeling prepared and confident.
Getting Started on your Academic Writing
Thursday, January 30, 2025 | 3 PM - 4 PM | In-Person
Writing at the university level is harder than you think! Learn strategies for getting started with your essays and other writing assignments—understanding assignment guidelines, idea gathering, thesis development, outlining.
Finding, Evaluating, and Citing Academic Sources
Wednesday, February 5, 2025; 3 PM - 4 PM | Online
Learn how and where to look for sources. This workshop provides a structured approach to the research process and gives an introductory overview of the ways students can use library resources to help them through the process.
Academic Integrity and Artificial Intelligence
Thursday, February 13, 2025; 3 PM - 4 PM | In-Person
Learn to make good choices about using generative Artificial Intelligence tools (such as ChatGPT, Grammarly, QuillBot, Google Gemini, DALL·E, etc), while also following UM academic integrity policies. This workshop is aimed at undergraduate students.
Integrating Sources: Quoting, Paraphrasing and Summarizing
Thursday, February 27, 2025; 3 PM - 4 PM | In-Person
Clarify when and how to use sources when writing (APA style). This workshop is aimed at undergraduate students.
Revising, Editing, and Proofreading
Thursday, March 6, 2025; 3 PM - 4 PM | In-Person
Your first draft needs work! Learn strategies for reviewing your written drafts to be sure they are organized, coherent, and easy to understand.
Preventing Procrastination
Thursday, March 13, 2025; 3 PM - 4 PM | Online
Everyone struggles with the feeling of “I’ll do it tomorrow…” This workshop provides tools on how to break the cycle of procrastination and get stuff done.
Preparing for Finals
Tuesday, March 25, 2025; 3 PM - 4 PM | Online
Review effective learning strategies and time management tips introduced in earlier workshops. Discuss how to prioritize your health and well-being so that you feel well-rested and ready to tackle your final exam
Graduate Student Workshops
Writing at the Graduate Level
Wednesday, January 15, 3:00–4:00PM | 206 Tier Building
This session aims to help students transition smoothly to graduate-level writing by exploring some of the differences between undergraduate and graduate-level writing, including the different expectations related to content (complexity of ideas, critical thinking), research (depth and breadth), organization and writing style (clarity and conciseness).
Citing Sources: Why, When, and How
Wednesday, January 29, 3:00–4:00PM | 206 Tier
Knowing when and where to cite is confusing for many students but citations are as important as good data and clarity in academic writing. This workshop will explain why we cite in academia, outline basic citation rules and style expectations, and how to incorporate citations correctly and effectively.
Integrating Sources: Summary, Paraphrase, and Quotations
Wednesday, February 12, 3:00–4:00PM | 206 Tier Building
This workshop will cover how to integrate quotations effectively, when to paraphrase or summarize, and how to paraphrase correctly. The focus of this workshop will be on how to paraphrase, and time will be spent creating a paraphrase together.
Writing a Literature Review
Wednesday, February 26, 3:00–4:00PM | 206 Tier Building
Wondering what is expected in a literature review? Not sure how to start? This session will address the purpose and objectives of a literature review and offer strategies for starting, tracking, and synthesizing the information you have gathered.
Managing Overwhelm and Procrastination for Busy Grad Students
Wednesday, March 12, 3:00–4:00PM | 206 Tier Building
Most graduate students are not just students. In addition to the heavy workload that comes with courses, exams, and theses, many graduate students also carry responsibilities in their jobs and families. This workshop provides strategies and tools that will help busy grad students tip the balance from overwhelm and procrastination to intentional and sustainable work habits.
Thesis: Structure and Organization
Wednesday, March 26, 3:00–4:00PM | 206 Tier Building
Completing a thesis requires a feat of sustained effort. To manage this feat, a student needs to have clear thesis structure and organization expectations. This workshop will cover strategies and tools to help you begin and complete your thesis. Attendees are encouraged to share their writing, organization, and time-management strategies.
Graduate Writing Retreat
The Academic Learning Centre, in partnership with the Faculty of Graduate Studies, hosts writing retreats designed to help graduate students progress toward completing their theses and dissertations. These writing retreats are based on the Australian National University “Thesis Bootcamp” model which focuses on:
- Skill building
- Support and guidance
- Focused environment
- Writing goals
The focus of this writing retreat is on producing text. Attendees are challenged to write as many words as possible throughout the bootcamp, with a pre-defined word count goal to aim for.
Reference
Australian National University. (n.d.). Boot Camps for Higher Degree Researchers. Retrieved September 12, 2024 from https://services.anu.edu.au/training/boot-camps-for-higher-degree-researchers
Graduate Thesis Writing Bootcamp
May 5 & May 6, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Application form due April 13, 2025 by 11:45 p.m.
Thesis Roadmap due April 20, 2025 (by midnight)
The Academic Learning Centre, in partnership with the Faculty of Graduate Studies, is hosting 2-day writing retreat designed to help graduate students progress in writing their theses/dissertations.
The focus of this writing bootcamp is on producing text. Attendees are challenged to write as many words as possible over the two days, with a stretch goal of 5,000 words.
We know that 5,000 words are a lot, but aiming big encourages commitment and focus. To increase the chance of success, attendees are asked to develop a focused writing plan (See: How to prepare a thesis "road map") and submit it via email to the Academic Learning Centre with the subject line “thesis roadmap” by midnight, April 20, 2025. We also encourage students to discuss their writing plans with their advisors or an ALC graduate tutor.
Submit your Thesis Roadmap by April 20
The Writing Bootcamp is Monday, May 5 and Tuesday, May 6. It starts at 9:00 a.m. and runs until 5:00 p.m. daily on the Bannatyne campus. It is NOT virtual, and attendees must commit to attending both days.* Each day starts with a short workshop on writing strategies, including some strategies for writing faster and strategies for dealing with procrastination and establishing a consistent writing routine. We provide quiet space, writing tutor support (as needed), beverages and snacks each day, and lunch for one of the days.
All graduate students are welcome to apply. Nevertheless, preference will be given to graduate students whose proposals have been accepted and who have started writing their theses/dissertations, are planning to graduate in 2025, and/or are approaching their degree deadline.
Apply by April 13, 2025 at 11:45 p.m.
*We know that childcare demands can complicate attending these retreats, so we are open to flex at the start and end of the day.