APRN Toolkit

Become Self-Aware

You are a unique individual with competing priorities. How do you learn best? What type of information helps you best grasp new concepts? Where and when do you accomplish your best work? What conditions or practices help you focus? 

Be Proactive

UAA provides extensive academic supports for students, and these supports are there to let students achieve the academic success they are truly capable of. Take advantage of support resources linked on the menu in your Blackboard course including Student Help and Support, Library Resources, and more.

Carefully read each course syllabus, and save or print a copy to mark up with your own notes. Review all provided “getting started” resources. Take initiative by reading all provided materials as assigned. Use instructor feedback to inform future course work.

Make sure you have the technical capability and internet bandwidth to access online tools and resources. Practice navigating the Blackboard Learning Management System. Determine where you will take and keep notes so you can easily find, edit, and elaborate on them.  

Set up a Dedicated Workspace

Experiment to discover which type of setting boosts your productivity. To better process information and maintain focus, keep your learning environment clean and limit distractions, both physically and online. When you sit down to work on your course, silence your phone, turn off the TV, and turn on "do not disturb" settings. 

Get Organized

Create a schedule and establish a routine. Set goals at the beginning of the semester and check in with yourself weekly. 

Save and/or print the course schedule/calendar. Mark class meetings and due dates on your preferred calendar so you know what workload is coming in the weeks ahead. (UAA provides a powerful Google Calendar connected to your @alaska.edu account.) Factor in prior commitments that may interfere with your regular study schedule so you can give yourself enough extra time to complete assignments.

Set reminders for yourself to complete course tasks. Treat these blocks of time as seriously as you would a face-to-face meeting by showing up, letting others know you are unavailable, and consistently using your dedicated workspace. Set a timer and give yourself permission to move on when time is up.

Use Spaced Practice Technique to stretch learning over several short sessions on different days spread out over time. Use your Google Calendar to schedule time with audio reminders. Revisit concepts that have been taught in previous learning units (a week or month ago); recall information without having it in front of you.

Join the Community of Learners

Successful students take time to engage with their instructors and classmates. Make an effort to ask and answer questions to enhance your understanding of the course material and build a bond with fellow students. 

You are not on your own. Email your professor and be proactive in asking for help. Don’t hesitate to ask questions in group forums; often other students have the same questions. Not only does asking questions avoid frustration and wasted time, it also helps you fully engage with course content, broaden your knowledge, and deepen relationships with classmates.

Be Well

Take care of yourself. Stay mentally and physically healthy by taking breaks, getting enough sleep, and eating nourishing foods. Consider mindful practice.

Cognitive psychologists and neuroscientists have learned more about how people learn. 

• View Six Study Strategy Posters (The Learning Scientists)

• Read the FAQ (The Learning Scientists) 

• Watch videos on the Learning Scientists YouTube Channel

• Study smarter, not harder – books, blogs, and podcasts (Retrieval Practice)

• Powerful Tech Tools for Retrieval Practice (Retrieval Practice)

• PEN Principles (Psychology, Education, Neuroscience) 

All students are expected to act with civility, personal integrity, respect other students’ dignity, rights and property; and help create and maintain an environment in which all can succeed through the fruits of their own efforts. An environment of academic integrity is requisite to respect for self and others and a civil community.