The University Workload: What to Expect
As a general rule, full-time students should treat their studies like a full-time job, spending 40-50 hours per week in class, doing lab work, reading, reviewing, writing, and thinking. Some weeks, the workload may be light, while in others, you may have multiple assignments or tests. It is important to plan by day, week and month to manage the ebb and flow of the term.
The course syllabus will tell you a lot about your professor’s expectations and the time and work you will need to commit to the course. What the syllabus may or may not say is this: for students to be successful, they must engage with the course material. You are expected to analyse materials, not consume them. So, what does this look like and how can you accomplish this? Try following the Study Cycle!
The Study Cycle
Adapted from Frank Christ’s PLRS system, the Study Cycle demonstrates five key tasks to include as part of your weekly routine to learn effectively and efficiently.
- Preview: Prior to class, skim new material and note main ideas.
- Attend: Go to class, take notes, ask questions.
- Review: Read your notes, fill in gaps, form questions you would like answered.
- Study: Repetition is key! Schedule short 30-60 minute active study sessions: create practice questions, make a study chart or mind map, use the spew method, teach it or explain it to someone. Explore our How-to-Study Guide for more information.
- Assess: Check in with yourself and evaluate: Are my study methods effective? Do I understand material well enough to teach it to others?