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University isnāt just school with more reading.
Itās a mindset shiftāa move from receiving information to producing knowledge.
And if thereās one thing I hear over and over when I ask students, āWhat would you tell your first-year self?ā itās this:
āStart learning for yourself, not just for the course.ā
Below are 6 powerful mindset shifts to help any student build a more intentional, reflective, and effective approach to university learning:
1. Self-Care & Mindfulness = Academic Fuel
You donāt need another to-do list. You need clarity.
That starts with:
10 minutes of meditation or stillness
Knowing your peak energy hours
Treating your well-being as part of your study system
The best study routine is the one that doesnāt break you.
2. Build From What You Know
If youāre stuck, start with what makes sense.
Use:
Concept mapping to visualize connections
Progressive practice (from easy to complex)
Confidence as a strategy: success compounds.
Learning isnāt magic. Itās movement.
3. Learn by Teaching (Feynman Was Right)
Want to learn faster? Try explaining it to someone else.
Try:
A 10-minute āteach-backā to a peer
Recording yourself explaining a concept
Reviewing what felt unclear after teaching
Every great student becomes a teacher in disguise.
4. Manage Tasks Before They Manage You
Procrastination isnāt lazinessāitās friction.
Reduce it by:
Starting small (5 minutes = momentum)
Checking in daily on all courses
Tracking progress visibly (Notion, Google Sheets, pen & paper)
Studying with an accountability buddy
Your future self is counting on you. Start early.
5. Balance Depth and Consistency
Success in university doesnāt come from cramming. It comes from rhythm.
Try:
Touching each course every 2 days
Using spaced repetition for review
Blocking off fixed study times
Studying in 25-minute sprints (Pomodoro)
This isnāt hustle cultureāitās smart pacing.
6. Study for Yourself, Not Just the Course
This was the biggest insight from a student who leveled up fast:
āI realized I was only learning for the test, not for me. Once I switched, everything clicked.ā
Ask yourself:
What do you want to understand from this course?
How can this concept connect to something you care about?
What will still matter to you a year from now?
Learning becomes powerful when you own it.
š§ Your Move:
Pick one of the strategies above and try it today.
If it worksākeep going. If it doesnātāadjust. Thatās the mindset.
Free Q&A June 18 at 6:30pm Eastern Time via Zoom: https://uwaterloo.zoom.us/meeting/register/4HStBr6WQVGMN6yw4h83-Q
Want help applying this weekās Move to your studies?
š Grab the 5 Moves Starter Pack or check out the Student Dashboard.
You donāt need to be perfect.
Just intentional.
ā Greg
Leverage ā Study smarter. Think deeper. Create better.
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