The University Mindset

In partnership with

University isn’t just school with more reading.

It’s a mindset shift—a move from receiving information to producing knowledge.
And if there’s one thing I hear over and over when I ask students, “What would you tell your first-year self?” it’s this:

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 don’t 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 doesn’t break you.

2. Build From What You Know

If you’re 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 isn’t magic. It’s movement.

3. Learn by Teaching (Feynman Was Right)

Want to learn faster? Try explaining it to someone else.

Try:

• A 10-minute “teach-back” 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 isn’t laziness—it’s 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 doesn’t 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 isn’t hustle culture—it’s smart pacing.

6. Study for Yourself, Not Just the Course

This was the biggest insight from a student who leveled up fast:

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.

🧠 Your Move:

Pick one of the strategies above and try it today.
If it works—keep going. If it doesn’t—adjust. That’s 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 week’s Move to your studies?
👉 Grab the 5 Moves Starter Pack or check out the Student Dashboard.

You don’t need to be perfect.
Just intentional.

– Greg
Leverage — Study smarter. Think deeper. Create better.

Find out why 1M+ professionals read Superhuman AI daily.

In 2 years you will be working for AI

Or an AI will be working for you

Here's how you can future-proof yourself:

1. Join the Superhuman AI newsletter – read by 1M+ people at top companies

2. Master AI tools, tutorials, and news in just 3 minutes a day

3. Become 10X more productive using AI

Join 1,000,000+ pros at companies like Google, Meta, and Amazon that are using AI to get ahead.

Sign up and start learning AI