Use Your Commute: Ways to take care of yourself and finish coursework in transit
Though commuting can be stressful, you can build valuable problem-solving and time management skills in the process. Here are a few ways to benefit from travel time:
Get organized and practice self-care
- Prepare lunch and lay out your clothes the night before class
- Turn off your screens and go to bed at a reasonable time
- Get up early and eat something for breakfast
- Consider traveling with a friend or carpooling to stay on schedule
Rest and relax on the bus
- Listen to music or meditation podcasts
- Read and/or write in a journal
- Make a list of the day’s tasks
- Meet and travel with a friend to catch up
Do micro-studying tasks in transit
- Create a table to collate concepts and ideas from class
- Draw a mind-map to connect ideas from within the same course and between courses
- Draw Venn diagrams to explore similarities and differences between concepts
- Test yourself or challenge a friend to recall facts over messenger
- Write study questions that force you to think (not just remember). Here are examples:
|
Level 1: Summary / Definition / Fact Questions
- What is the definition of…?
- Who did…?
- When did… occur?
- How much/many?
Level 2: Analysis / Interpretation Questions
- Why does… occur?
- How does… function?
- What are types or examples of…?
- What are the results when… occurs?
|
Level 3: Hypothesis / Prediction Questions
- If… occurs, then what would happen?
- If… changed, then what would change?
- What does Theory X predict will happen?
- What hypothesis or theory explains this data or given information?
Level 4: Critical Analysis / Evaluation / Opinion Questions
- Is… correct or incorrect and why?
- Is… effective or ineffective and why?
- Is… applicable or not applicable and why?
- Is… proven or not proven and why?
- Is… ethical or unethical and why?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of… and why?
- What is the best solution to the problem, conflict, or issue and why?
- What is my opinion? What is the support for my opinion?
|
Improve your writing and study skills! Book an appointment with a writing advisor and/or academic coach on OSCARplus. Questions? Email skills@mcmaster.ca.