The University will be closed for the winter break from December 24, 2024 to January 3, 2025 inclusive. Happy Holidays!

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Learning Strategies and Skills

Choose from a lineup of workshops led by an Accessibility Services Learning Strategist, and designed to empower you with practical tools and strategies for a successful learning experience.

Register for sessions through the Folio links within each workshop description.

All U of T students who self-identify as having a disability are eligible.

In this workshop, learn strategies that aim to enhance an open mind for tackling the mental processing and cognitive function required for university. You will also learn tips to improve mindfulness and resilience, while recognizing signs of stress and impaired concentration. Topics covered in this workshop include:

  • Explore the science behind growth mindset and visualizing our brain’s plasticity.
  • Learn about positive coping mechanisms to build mental strength.
  • Discover multimodal learning strategies and how this can enhance your overall learning experience.
Winter 2025

How can you make the most of readings to supplement your learning? With limited time and so many obligations, taking the time to do readings for class can be overwhelming. In this workshop, an Accessibility Services Learning Strategist will cover strategies for effective reading. This session will cover topics such as:

  • Strategies you can use before reading and during your reading.
  • Note-taking tips.
  • What you can do if you don’t have enough time to do all the readings or feel the need to do all the readings in depth.
Winter 2025

Are you interested in adding gamification to your current study toolbox? Games, badges and points can introduce motivation and consistency to learning in a new way. Whether you’ve always enjoyed trivia night, memory games or video games, learn some gamification methods to change up habits and add novelty to your study routine.

  • Explore game elements suitable for online and in person courses.
  • Learn about different habit trackers and game-based learning for increased motivation and engagement.
  • Discover creative ways to personalize games for breaking down problem sets and essays.
Winter 2025
  • Monday, February 10, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, March 11, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.

Learn memory-related strategies for tests and exams, including chunking, dual coding and the memory palace. You will also learn how you can integrate these strategies as part of your studying for upcoming assessments. Topics covered in this workshop include:

  • Executive Functioning and Working Memory
  • Memory Strategies
  • Putting the Strategies into Practice
Winter 2025

In this workshop, learn strategies for tackling in-person tests and exams, including multiple choice, short answer, and essay exams. You will also learn how to create an inventory of material covered on your upcoming assessments. Topics covered in this workshop include:

  • Identifying what to study, how to study, and when to study.
  • Recognizing your strengths and discover how to use them to your advantage.
  • Managing your time and staying calm and focused during your tests and assessments.
Winter 2025

Speaking in public can be a daunting experience for most of us. It’s completely natural to feel anxious at the thought of giving a seminar or presentation, even if you’re generally comfortable speaking in front of a group. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to enhance both the quality of your presentation skills and your overall confidence. You’ll gain a valuable toolbox filled with useful tips, techniques and strategies.

  • Apply techniques to effectively manage presentation anxiety.
  • Learn to develop interpersonal skills and increase confidence.
  • Learn performance and communication strategies.
  • Practice skills in an inclusive, safer space.

This workshop is for anyone who:

  • Feels uncomfortable or avoids speaking in front of groups.
  • Struggles with perfectionism or imposter syndrome.
  • Wishes to strengthen their presentation skills and control their nervousness.

Each workshop is 90 minutes (50 minutes of learning strategy instruction, 10-minute break, optional 30-minute practice component) and available virtually and in person.

Winter 2025
  • Tuesday, March 4, 2 – 3:30 p.m. (Online)
  • Thursday, March 13, 2 – 3:30 p.m. (In-person)

Making a request for accommodations or consideration from your professors, teaching assistants or supervisors can be an intimidating process. You may struggle to know what to say, maintain your sense of competence as a student or assess if their response is reasonable or not. This workshop will use free writing to explore the areas in which you feel hesitant in asking for what you need. The workshop will also give you practical tools to support you standing in the power of your request.

Winter 2025

Are you interested in learning about a variety of effective methods to take notes during class? In this 60-minute workshop, connect with an Accessibility Services Learning Strategist to learn new skills, ask questions and discuss your current strategies for note-taking. Discover active studying strategies that will help with taking notes during online and in-person classes.

  • Learn strategies to take notes by hand or on your computer for online or in-person courses.
  • Discover ways to incorporate active review into your weekly schedule.
  • Discover strategies to get the most out of your courses, through annotating digital slides, taking digital notes, reviewing supplemental or copied notes.
Winter 2025
  • Friday, January 10, 2 – 3 p.m. (Online)
  • Tuesday, January 14, 2 – 3 p.m. (Online)
  • Thursday, February 27, 1 – 2 p.m. (Online)

When you’re behind on your work or feeling overwhelmed, how can you use Reading Week to catch up? With assignments, essays, and exams on the horizon, the middle of the semester can be overwhelming. In this workshop, learn how to create an inventory of upcoming assessments and make a realistic plan to use reading week effectively.

  • Learn to prioritize your urgent and important tasks.
  • Break down your work into smaller academic tasks.
  • Create a schedule to complete your work.
Winter 2025
  • Thursday, February 13, 1 – 2 p.m. (Online)
  • Tuesday, February 18, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. (Online)

These online group sessions foster community while offering strategies and tips to help you navigate common challenge areas.

Eligibility

Any student who is currently registered with Accessibility Services.

Sessions

Each session is led by a learning strategist and limited to a maximum of six participants. We ask that you register in advance on Clockwork to secure your spot. Please email us at as.learning@utoronto.ca if you need to cancel.

Topics
Perfectionism: Moving Towards Progress

Perfectionism can enter at life’s key moments. Understand the ‘why’ behind perfectionism, and how to manage challenges and perfectionistic tendencies. Practice reflection on current projects, the cultivation of self-awareness and learn strategies that can be applied to perceived challenges. Done is better than perfect!

Overcoming Procrastination and Building Motivation

Procrastination is often misinterpreted as a challenge in managing time, but it actually serves as a coping mechanism for dealing with difficult emotions and negative moods. It is common for us to prioritize immediate needs over long-term ones. Learn strategies to build momentum and motivation through self-encouragement, goal setting and task initiation.

Realistic Time Management

Are you experiencing challenges with creating a time management system that is tailored to your needs? Connect with peers and learn practical strategies to identify what is realistic, establish a routine and navigate situations when things don’t go as planned.

Winter 2025 Schedule
January
  • Friday, January 10 at 11 a.m. Perfectionism: Moving Towards Progress
  • Wednesday, January 15 at 2 p.m. Overcoming Procrastination and Building Motivation
  • Friday, January 24 at 11 a.m. Realistic Time Management
  • Wednesday, January 29 at 11 a.m. Perfectionism: Moving Towards Progress
February
  • Friday, February 7 at 11 a.m. Overcoming Procrastination and Building Motivation
  • Wednesday, February 12 at 11 a.m. Realistic Time Management
  • Friday, February 21 at 11 a.m. Perfectionism: Moving Towards Progress
  • Wednesday, February 26 at 11 a.m. Overcoming Procrastination and Building Motivation
March
  • Friday, March 7 at 11 a.m. Realistic Time Management
  • Wednesday, March 12 at 2 p.m. Perfectionism: Moving Towards Progress
  • Friday, March 21 at 11 a.m. Overcoming Procrastination and Building Motivation
  • Wednesday, March 26 at 2 p.m. Realistic Time Management
April
  • Friday, April 4 at 11 a.m. Perfectionism: Moving Towards Progress
  • Wednesday, April 9 at 2 p.m. Overcoming Procrastination and Building Motivation
Registration

Registration for each session opens on Monday the week before the session.
Register in advance on the Accessibility Services Online Student Services Portal to secure your spot. Use the “Group Coaching Registration” or the “Group Learning Strategy Registration” icon.

Registration is required to receive the link to join. You will receive a confirmation email and a Microsoft Teams invite the day before the session.
Email us at as.learning@utoronto.ca if you need to cancel.

Virtual Accountability Check-ins offer the opportunity to connect with Accessibility Services staff and your peers two times a week. These check-ins help you stay on track, increase accountability and allow you to celebrate your weekly successes!

Eligibility

All U of T students who are registered with Accessibility Services.

Schedule

Join us on Mondays from 12 – 12:30 p.m. to set goals and create a weekly schedule and on Fridays from 3 – 3:30 p.m. to reflect on the week and celebrate successes.

Check-ins Format

On Mondays, join a learning strategist and peer facilitator to review your week ahead. Come back on Fridays to review how your week went and what you achieved. Each check-in will include a learning strategy and helpful tips to make the most of your productivity.

Registration

Registration is required to receive the link to join.

Go to Folio to sign up for a session that works for you.

Workshops Format

Each learning skills workshop is led by a learning strategist. Students will learn different learning strategies about a specific academic skill (e.g. time-management). You will also have opportunities to ask questions about learning strategies and listen in on discussions.

Participation

In online workshops, being on camera, using your mic, or participating in the chat are all optional. We welcome you to participate in a way that works for you. You are welcome to ask your own questions or simply observe these sessions to learn from ongoing discussions.

Materials

You are not required to bring any materials to these sessions, but we encourage you to come prepared with questions. Recordings of these sessions will not be provided to encourage the participation of all student attendees.

Platform access information

Online sessions will be delivered using MS Teams. Information on how to access live captions, and all other accessibility information for MS Teams, can be found on this MS Teams accessibility page.

Questions

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at as.learning@utoronto.ca.