Canada boasts some of the best academic institutions in the world. If you are a grad student in Canada, then you are lucky to get access to top-notch education facilities. However, any graduation course is complex and competitive, and you have to work hard and smart if you want to get excellent grades.
That is why there is this 101 guide on how you can manage your studies in Canada. This guide will help both local and international students to study efficiently and get good grades.
1. Get Your Priorities Straight
Canadian universities have unique marking systems, and sometimes they are different in different provinces. Anyway, if you are a graduate student in Canada, you will realize that you always have something to work on — studies, assignments, projects and many more.
You need to understand which work has more importance and set the deadlines accordingly. You can create weekly lists, prioritize the tasks, set deadlines and tick them off as you complete all of them.
When you are looking for a university in Canada, you need to look at their marking systems and get an understanding of which tasks require more priority. Set your list and plan accordingly, and you will realize that completing the course will not be as difficult.
2. Focus on Your Studies
Your friends may help you understand certain concepts and cope with the pressure better but relying on someone who is experienced in this field yields even better results.
If you feel pressured by the course materials and have no clue what to do, you can always talk to your teachers present on campus. They can give advice as they are familiar with the university’s academic system.
If this does not work out, you can always hire tutors. They are experienced in that specific line of work and can give you not only proper guidance but also one-on-one sessions. Relying on private tutors can change your results drastically.
For example, many universities in Ottawa and other universities in Ontario have their unique education and grade systems and put a lot of focus on subjects related to computer and physical science. So, it is a good option to hire math tutors in Ottawa who can give you the support required to score an A in all these subjects.
3. Make Friends
A graduation course can be stressful with the course load universities put on you. But one thing you need to understand is that you are not alone as your classmates are facing the same thing as well. You should befriend them so that you can help each other complete any essays, assignments or projects. Having a good friend network is also helpful in studying as you will be able to strengthen each other’s understanding of the material at hand.
You don’t have to worry if you are an international student as Canadians are some of the friendliest people that you can find around the world.
Creating a network of friends will not only help you in your studies but will also help you go through issues you might face, like loneliness, homesickness, money issues, relationship issues, etc.
Join in with the right crowd, try online dating, and you will come out as not only a better student but a better person as well.
4. Don’t Forget To Play
Studying is good, but that does not mean you will dig into books all day. Go out and engage in other activities, play some games, do some exercises. Canadian universities are famous worldwide for their events, fests, extracurricular activities and clubs.
You should take part. It refreshes your mind and gives you energy. It also helps increase your social skills as you get to meet new people.
If you think you don’t have time to engage in extracurricular events, you can always go out for a walk, and Canada is a beautiful place.
Also, make sure that you get adequate rest. Having a good sleep schedule will keep your body and mind stay healthy, which will help you concentrate better.
5. Don’t Let Procrastination Play Tricks on You
Say you are studying a boring chapter in a textbook. Your mind may think that you have been reading for a long time, so you should take a break. However, in reality, you have just read for a few minutes. That’s the trick procrastination plays on you.
Make a daily schedule where you assign your study hours and strictly follow them. This will let you keep track of your efforts.
If you think social media is distracting you, you can deactivate them during busy hours. You can also use browser extensions and mobile apps, which keep an eye on your app and website usage and blocks them if you cross the limit. This is a great way to avoid bingeing.
6. Choose the Right Job
Canada offers students, both local and international, the opportunity to work for 20 hours every week during ongoing semesters. You will find a lot of job opportunities but choosing the right one is vital for managing both.
Jobs with flexible work hours look attractive but can backfire in case you have to work longer than you expected, which may mess up your schedule. That is why you should always look for jobs with fixed hours so that you can adjust your routine accordingly.
Any job related to work must remain in the workplace (unless it’s remote work), or else it can affect your self-study and leisure hours. Try to select jobs where you don’t need to bring your work home with you.
Wrapping Up
That’s all to say (for now) you about managing your studies in Canada. In a nutshell, study efficiently and rely on tutors if necessary. Make good friends so that they can help