Why is this important?

Because we spend about half of our waking life working or studying!

This module focuses on study and stress management tools. In general, self-management is fundamental to effective professional development. Accordingly, this module (in addition to the previous modules), may be extremely relevant to you. The tools are evidence-based, which means that for the majority of people, they are helpful if properly applied.

What's in this module?

1. STUDY STRATEGIES

This video introduces you to some misconceptions about effective study behaviour.  Note that this is just one (evidence-based) approach to better working and learning in a university context. You may have already seen this video in class.

Click here to watch all five Stephen Chew videos. They are worth it, because they cover study strategies that have been shown to be effective (ie are evidence-based).

Also, see the videos on report-writing and note-taking in MORE.

2. STRESS MANAGEMENT TOOLS

Our life is full of stressors. How we REACT to the stressors often determines whether we (a) RISE to the challenge or (b) feel PARALYSED by DIStress. Indeed, a lot of our stressors are created by ourselves! Therefore, tools that can help us manage the stressors in our work and study lives are invaluable. The video below demonstrates some evidence-based approaches to acquiring those tools. 

3. ATTENTION TRAINING WITH MINDFULNESS MEDITATION

This video introduces you to the science of mindfulness meditation. What the video does NOT explicitly cover is the research showing that mindfulness meditation leads to increased attention and increased academic performance, as well as decreased DIStress. You may have already seen this video in class. Information regarding the science of mindfulness meditation is found in MORE.

Reflection

Here is a useful video on how to take great notes:

Here is a useful video (from UNSW Learning Centre) on report-writing techniques:

This TED talk “How to Make Stress Your Friend” elaborates on the difference between stressors, and DIStress:

Here is a TED talk that introduces you to the science of mindfulness meditation:

And if you are interested in trying it out, here is Jon Kabat-Zinn’s mindfulness taster:

UNSW Services

The Hub

The Hub is a welcoming space set up by Student Life and Learning for students to study, access support, and explore development opportunities.

The Learning Centre

The Learning Centre offers academic support services to students UNSW such as adjusting to academic culture, new approaches to learning, and a range of learning and language assistance programs.

Counselling and Psychological Services [CAPS]

CAPS provides a free and confidential service to all students enrolled at UNSW. CAPS sometimes holds mindfulness meditation workshops—check their website.

Other Services

For other services for students visit the University Student Success, Resilience and Well-being website