Academic Skills Certificate

Available to all students, the Academic Skills (ASk) Certificate is a collection of workshops and study skills appointments geared towards your academic success. To earn your ASk Certificate you must complete six ASk activities – a combination of study skills appointments and at least five different workshops within one semester.

By finishing the ASk Certificate, you are setting yourself up for success and gaining a new entry in your Laurier Experience Record.

2024 Summer ASk Workshops 

 

 I Failed, Now What? 

• When all else fails, think about your thinking!
• This workshop will walk you through a personal self-assessment of your outcome and provide self-regulated learning strategies to help recover from a fail, or a poor grade.
• Failure can be seen as part of the process towards success.
• Change your thinking, change your future!

Monday, May 13 from 3 - 4 p.m. on Zoom (Multicampus virtual)
Wednesday, May 29 from 4 - 5 p.m. in P224 (Waterloo campus)

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with details about how to join the workshop on Zoom. Any questions about this workshop can be directed to studentsuccess@wlu.ca

 

Ace Your Online Course

• Common Misconceptions of OC courses – how to excel in asynchronous content
• How to get organized, complete a time audit – how much time should you spend each day?
• Motivation –why are you taking online courses?
• Creating Community and finding passion
• Important Dates during the term

Tuesday, May 14 from 4 - 5 p.m. on Zoom (Multicampus virtual)
Wednesday, May 22 from 4 - 5 p.m. in P224 (Waterloo campus)

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with details about how to join the workshop on Zoom. Any questions about this workshop can be directed to studentsuccess@wlu.ca

 

Stop Procrastinating Now!

• Understand the reasons why and identify how you procrastinate.
• Learn methods that will help you avoid procrastination.
• Take a reflective look at your habits and consider the emotions and situations that cause you to procrastinate.

Wednesday, May 15 from 4 - 5 p.m. in P224 (Waterloo campus)
Monday, June 24 from 3 - 4 p.m. on Zoom (Multicampus virtual)
Tuesday, July 2 from 4 - 5 p.m. on Zoom (Multicampus virtual)

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with details about how to join the workshop on Zoom. Any questions about this workshop can be directed to studentsuccess@wlu.ca

 

Writing 101

• Learning to write academically is an important part of your journey as an undergraduate student.
• In this 60-minute skills lab, we will discuss the basics of university level writing across the different disciplines.
• This will include an overview of how to approach a range of academic writing assignments.
• It will also include an overview of some foundational academic writing skills including paraphrasing and citing.

Thursday, May 16 from 2 - 3 p.m. on Zoom (Multicampus virtual)

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with details about how to join the workshop on Zoom. Any questions about this workshop can be directed to studentsuccess@wlu.ca

 

Regular Review: Study Cycle

Build the essential skills required to identify what, when and how to study. Learn the Study Cycle!

• What to do before during, and after class
• Weekly Essentials - The value of Regular Review
• The Ebbinghaus (Forgetting) Curve

Tuesday, May 21 from 4 - 5 p.m. on Zoom (Multicampus virtual)
Monday, May 27 from 3 - 4 p.m. on Zoom (Multicampus virtual)

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with details about how to join the workshop on Zoom. Any questions about this workshop can be directed to studentsuccess@wlu.ca

 

Mastering Time Management

• Develop a calendar for the term, as well as detailed weekly schedules to help you complete all of your readings, assignments and studying throughout the term.
• Think about long term, mid-term and short term planning
• Everyone does time management differently – find what’s right for you!

Thursday, May 23 from 3 - 4 p.m. on Zoom (Multicampus virtual)
Monday, June 3 from 3 - 4 p.m. on Zoom (Multicampus virtual)

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with details about how to join the workshop on Zoom. Any questions about this workshop can be directed to studentsuccess@wlu.ca

Note Taking 101

• Learn about the strategies and goals of effective note-taking!
• This workshop will provide you with the opportunity to explore note-taking methods, and practice them in the moment.

Tuesday, May 28 from 4 - 5 p.m. on Zoom (Multicampus virtual)

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with details about how to join the workshop on Zoom. Any questions about this workshop can be directed to studentsuccess@wlu.ca

 

Silencing Digital Distractions

Have you heard of the rising trend of Digital Minimalism? 

• We’ll show you who is a digital minimalist. Learn new tools for when and how to begin a digital declutter. 
• Learn why tech sucks us in and keeps us scrolling.
• What are the academic and life benefits to minimizing our tech? Come to this workshop to find out! 

Monday, May 30 from 3 - 4 p.m. on Zoom (Multicampus virtual)
Tuesday, June 11 from 4 - 5 p.m. on Zoom (Multicampus virtual)
Wednesday, June 26 from 4 - 5 p.m. in P224 (Waterloo campus)

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with details about how to join the workshop on Zoom. Any questions about this workshop can be directed to studentsuccess@wlu.ca 

 

Goal Setting & Habit Forming

• Understand the science behind your habits and how habits are connected to goal setting.
• This workshop will review how to create positive learning habits and set effective goals!  
• Learn how to use various tools to keep track of your new habits.

Tuesday, June 4 from 4 - 5 p.m. on Zoom (Multicampus virtual)
Wednesday, June 12 from 4 - 5 p.m. in P224 (Waterloo campus)

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with details about how to join the workshop on Zoom. Any questions about this workshop can be directed to studentsuccess@wlu.ca

 

Optimize Your Brain Power

• Learn multiple ways to improve your thinking and cognitive processing. 
• Learn how sleep, eating, attention, and exercise will make your smarter and maybe even generate new brain cell growth! 
• Optimize your brain, optimize your life!

Wednesday, June 5 from 4 - 5 p.m. in P224 (Waterloo campus)
Tuesday, June 25 from 4 - 5 p.m. on Zoom (Multicampus virtal)

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with details about how to join the workshop on Zoom. Any questions about this workshop can be directed to studentsuccess@wlu.ca

 

Multiple Choice Mastery

• Develop an understanding of the different types of multiple choice questions and identify effective strategies for both studying and performing on multiple choice exams.
• Common multiple choice question styles, and strategies to understand/solve them
• The don’ts of multiple choice questions

Thursday, June 6 from 3 - 4 p.m. on Zoom (Multicampus virtual)
Monday, June 17 from 3 - 4 p.m. on Zoom (Multicampus virtual)
Wednesday, June 19 from 4 - 5 p.m. in P224 (Waterloo campus)

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with details about how to join the workshop on Zoom. Any questions about this workshop can be directed to studentsuccess@wlu.ca

 

Study Smarter, Not Longer

Identify more effective ways to study and put your new study techniques to practice. 

• Fundamentals of University learning – Bloom’s Taxonomy 
• Actually understand and apply content, not just memorize
• Try our strategies for the most efficient use of your study time 

Monday, June 10 from 3 - 4 p.m. on Zoom (Multicampus virtual)
Tuesday, June 18 from 4 - 5 p.m. on Zoom (Multicampus virtual)
Wednesday, July 3 from 4 - 5 p.m. in P224 (Waterloo campus)

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with details about how to join the workshop on Zoom. Any questions about this workshop can be directed to studentsuccess@wlu.ca

 

Preparing For Final Exams

• Create a final exam study plan
• Explore effective study methods
• Review stress management techniques
• Avoid procrastination triggers

Monday, July 8 from 3 - 4 p.m. on Zoom (Multicampus virtual)
Tuesday, July 9 from 4 - 5 p.m. on Zoom (Multicampus virtual)
Wednesday, July 10 from 4 - 5 p.m. in P224 (Waterloo campus)

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with details about how to join the workshop on Zoom. Any questions about this workshop can be directed to studentsuccess@wlu.ca