Learning

Concentration

Like riding a bike, learning a language or practising the piano, concentration can be learnt and improved.

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The Beginner's Guide to Noticing Achievements

Achievement: The action of achieving, completing, or attaining by exertion. (Oxford English Dictionary Definition)

For the purposes of this exercise, anything that requires effort and has an outcome is an achievement. Eg. getting out of bed on a cold morning; tidying your room; completing an assignment; swimming a lap of the pool; asking someone out; solving a problem; preparing a meal.

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Overcoming Exam Anxiety

What is exam anxiety?

Most people naturally feel some anxiety before an exam.

Some anxiety before and during an exam actually helps to enhance your performance. The extra adrenalin that stress releases can assist you in responding to demanding situations.

Sometimes, however, too much adrenalin is released and you may begin to feel distress. Then anxiety can get in the way of performing well.

It is most useful to keep your anxiety about exams at a level that allows your best performance - not so low that you lack motivation to study and not so high that it gets in the way of you performing well.  The goal is to find ways of managing your anxiety so it promotes alertness and performance.

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Procrastination Stoppers

1.     Make sure that this is a task that you actually want to do, ie. that there are real benefits for you in carrying out this task and that it accords with your priorities and goals.

2.     Think about procrastination as a primitive problem solving technique. Diagnose the problem that you’ve been trying to solve and focus on alternative solutions (eg. Exactly what worries me about this task? How can I manage these concerns?)

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Speaking With Confidence

At university there are many times when students have to speak in front of others – e.g. when giving a presentation, conducting a seminar, participating in group discussions, or answering questions in class.

While a bit of nervousness is sometimes unavoidable (and may even be helpful), too much nervousness can make speaking in front of others one of the most difficult situations a student has to face!

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Tips for Mature Age Students

Support Network:

As generally mature age students spend less time on campus, we encourage you to develop a network of fellow students who can support you and enhance your enjoyment of university life.

Share coffee, work together, and attend tutorials. Attend Faculty welcomes and activities. If appropriate make a list of fellow students’ contact numbers.

Explore:

This is more achievable in the early weeks of semester.

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While you’re waiting…

We are sorry if we can not give you an immediate appointment.

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