Looking for ways to be successful this term?  Study smarter, not harder!  Attend one 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 14, 2023; 3 PM - 4 PM

Learn how to organize your whole academic term, create a weekly study schedule, and keep yourself on track with daily study sessions.

Reading Academic Texts

Wednesday, October 4, 2023; 3 PM - 4 PM

Learn more from reading academic texts with the ACED method.

Preparing for Midterms

Thursday, October 5, 2023; 3 PM - 4 PM

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 11, 2023; 3 PM - 4PM

Learn how and where to look for sources using a structured approach to the research process.

Register on UMConnect

Quoting, Paraphrasing and Summarizing

Wednesday, October 18, 2023; 3 PM - 4 PM

Clarify when and how to use sources when writing (APA style).

Revising, Editing, and Proofreading

Wednesday, October 25, 2023; 3 PM - 4 PM

Learn strategies for crafting essays that are cohesive, coherent and easy to understand.

Register on UMConnect

Preventing Procrastination

Thursday, November 2, 2023; 3 PM - 4 PM

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 5, 2023; 3 PM - 4 PM

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 exams.

Winter Workshops

Creating a Study Schedule

Thursday January 11 | 3:00-4:00 PM | Online

This workshop will focus on learning how to organize your academic term, creating a weekly study schedule, and keeping yourself on track with daily study sessions.

Reading Academic Texts

Thursday, January 18 | 3:00 - 4:00 PM | Online

Learn more from reading academic texts with the ACED method.

Register on UM Connect

Preparing for Midterms

Thursday, February 1 | 3:00 - 4:00 PM | 403 Tier

This in-person workshop will introduce study strategies that successful students use to prepare for tests and exams, as well as tips on time management and self-care.

Register on UM Connect

Finding, Evaluating, and Citing Academic Sources

Wednesday, February 7 | 3:00 - 4:00 PM

Knowing how and where to look for sources is often half the battle when tackling an assignment. This workshop provides a structured approach to the research process and gives an overview of the ways students can use library resources to help them through the process.

Register on UM Connect

Quoting, Paraphrasing and Summarizing

Thursday, February 15 | 3:00 - 4:00 PM | Online

Clarify when and how to use sources when writing (APA style).

Register on UM Connect

Revising, Editing, and Proofreading

Thursday, February 29 | 3:00 - 4:00 PM | Online

Learn strategies for crafting essays that are cohesive, coherent, and easy to understand.

Register on UM Connect

Preventing Procrastination

Wednesday, March 6 | 3:00 - 4:00 PM | 403 Tier

In this in-person workshop, we will offer some strategies to help you get started on tasks, remain focused, and reduce distractions

Register on UM Connect

Preparing for Finals

Thursday, April 4 | 3:00 - 4:00 PM | Online

This workshop will offer some tips on effective strategies that will help you to prepare for final exams.

Register on UM Connect

Graduate Student Workshops

Writing at the Graduate Level (Fort Garry)

Friday, January 12, 2:00 – 3:00 pm | 306 Tier

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

Friday, January 26, 12:30 – 1:30 pm | Online

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.

Register Here

Integrating Sources: Summary, Paraphrase, and Quotations

Friday, February 9, 2:00 – 3:00 pm | 306 Tier

This workshop will cover how to effectively integrate quotations, 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.

Register Here

Thesis: Structure and Organization

Friday, March 1, 2:00 – 3:30 pm | 306 Tier

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. Seminar members are encouraged to share their writing, organization, and time-management strategies.

Register Here

Writing a Literature Review

Friday, March 15, 2:00 – 3:30 pm | 306 Tier

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.

Register Here

Graduate Thesis Writing Bootcamp

May 1-3, 2024, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Application form (due April 22, 2024)

Thesis Roadmap information (Roadmap due April 28, 2024)

The Academic Learning Centre, in partnership with the Faculty of Graduate Studies, is hosting  an intensive 3-day writing retreat designed to help graduate students progress in writing their theses/dissertations.  The bootcamp is based on the Australian National University's “Thesis Bootcamp .”

The focus of this writing bootcamp is on producing text. Attendees are challenged to write as many words as possible over the three days, with a stretch goal of 10,000 words. We know that 10,000 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 to academic_learning@umanitoba.ca with the subject line “thesis roadmap” by 4:00 pm on April 28.  We also encourage students to discuss their writing plans with their advisors or an ALC graduate tutor and attend an ALC workshop on developing a writing roadmap. Workshop dates and times are listed below.

The writing bootcamp is May 1, 2 and 3 (Wednesday - Friday). It starts at 9:00 am and runs until 5:00 pm  daily on the Bannatyne campus.  It is NOT virtual, and attendees must commit to attending all three 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 the Fall term, and/or are approaching their degree deadline.

*We know that childcare demands can complicate attending these retreats, so we are open to flex at the start and end of the day.

Apply here 

Applications close on April 22, 2024.

 

Planning what to write: Mapping your thesis/dissertation

Dates

  • March 19, 2024 @ 4:30 pm (90 minutes)
  • April 17, 2024 @ 12:00 pm (90 minutes)

Zoom links

March Registration

April Registration
 

Writer’s block is not caused by a lack of inspiration. Instead, it is caused by insufficient research, lack of organizational planning, and/or negative emotions writers may have about the writing process.  Developing an outline and a well-articulated writing plan can help to reduce all three. This hands-on workshop includes a demonstration of several planning techniques, including outlining and reverse outlining, thesis mapping, and the snowflake method. Students will work  on developing their own plan during the workshop.

Note: This workshop is designed for students who have already started writing their thesis and/or who are planning on attending the writing retreat in May 2024. Material covered in both workshops is the same; however, students are welcome to attend both.