Good Study Habits to Help You Study in Canada

Developing strong study habits can make a huge difference in university. Once you have developed these study habits you will not be cramming the last night before the exam. Here are some of the best ones:

1. Stay Organized

• Use a planner or digital calendar to track assignments, deadlines, and exams. Remember at university, your course is on a 3-month semester system so assignments and exams may seem to cram up together. If you are an international student used to year long courses, a 3-month study term is a major change.

• Break tasks into smaller chunks with clear deadlines.

• Keep your notes and materials organized by course.

2. Manage Your Time Wisely

• Follow the Pomodoro technique (study for 25-50 minutes, then take a short break).

• Set up a weekly study schedule and stick to it.

• Prioritize tasks using the Eisenhower Matrix (urgent vs. important tasks). Seems Eisenhower was more than just a US president!

3. Actively Engage with the Material

• Don’t just read—take notes, summarize, and teach the content to someone else. Or take advantage of a Buddy program at university such as the ones that are at UAlberta or the University of Waterloo. These are particularly helpful for international students who are studying in a totally new teaching environment.

• Use active recall (test yourself without looking at notes) and spaced repetition (reviewing over time).

• Form or join a study group to discuss and reinforce concepts. International students will be able to make great friends and in fact that is what dorm life is all about – having dorm peer study programs such as those at Western University or the University of Alberta.

4. Find Your Ideal Study Environment

• Choose a distraction-free location (library, quiet coffee shop, study room). All libraries at Canadian universities have study spaces or quiet corners to sneak away to and study.

• Experiment with background music (lofi beats, classical) or silence.

5. Take Care of Your Health

• Get at least 7-9 hours of sleep—memory consolidation happens while sleeping!

• Stay hydrated and eat brain-boosting foods (nuts, fish, blueberries).

• Exercise regularly to improve focus and mental health.

6. Seek Help When Needed

• Attend office hours and ask your professors for clarification. Teaching assistants are also available for most junior classes, and they have additional office hours on top of what the professor might have.

• Use campus resources like tutoring centers or writing labs such as the Academic Resource Centre at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC). Every Canadian university has such resource centres and as an international student, don’t be shy to get help.

• Don’t be afraid to reach out to classmates or mentors for support.

7. Practice Self-Discipline & Motivation

• Set realistic goals and reward yourself when you achieve them.

• Keep a growth mindset—mistakes are learning opportunities.

• Remember your why (your long-term goals and aspirations).

Do any of these strategies resonate with you? Let me know if you’d like more tips tailored to your specific courses! 😊