Learning Tips & Tools
These tips and tools are proven strategies for student success, including managing your time, acing your tests, reducing stress, and most importantly they will help you take charge of your learning. Explore strategies by the topics below to meet your unique learning needs. For more in-depth and personal discovery of your learning needs, schedule an appointment with an Academic Peer Tutor.
Reading Efficacy
Art of Reading a Journal Article: Methodically and Effectively
This method helps you understand scientific papers by reading them in a clear, step-by-step order, starting with the abstract and focusing on key sections.
SQ3R (Survey, Questions, Read, Recite, Review)
This method improves reading comprehension by guiding you to survey, question, read, recite, and review so you actively engage with and retain what you read.
Study Plans and Methods
The Study Cycle (Preview, Attend class, Review, Study, Check)
This method helps you learn more effectively by spreading studying over time through previewing, attending class, reviewing, studying actively, and regularly checking what’s working.
The Five-Day Study Plan (Spaced repetition study plan)
This method helps you avoid cramming by starting early and using active preparation and review, spaced over several days, to build mastery and check what you actually know.
Feynman Technique (Learning technique involving teaching others)
This method helps you deeply understand a topic by studying it, teaching it to expose gaps, fixing those gaps, and then simplifying the idea so it’s easy to explain.
You can also explore our Digital Resource Library. The Digital Resource Library is a compilation of student resources that can provide targeted support for their coursework as well as motivational content and strategies for student success. These resources are divided by media types: Texts, Videos, and Webpages. If you have a suggestion for a resource to add to the resource library, feel free to complete our Digital Resource Library recommendation form. Suggestions will be reviewed by the Coordinator of University Tutoring.
Texts
The following texts are meant to provide students with resources on managing student life, including finding motivation, adjusting habits, and developing the “why” that will help sustain your success during the difficult times of your academic career. These resources are intended for any and all students at all stages of their academic career.
Videos
These videos include lectures given at Truman, TED Talks, books reviews, and videos applying techniques to enhance study skills, motivation, and other keys to student success. Many of the texts mentioned in these videos are also featured in our ‘Texts’ section of the Digital Resource Library.
Webpages
Many of our academic departments house helpful discipline-specific resources on their internal webpages for current students. Below is a digital library of the links to those resources as well as other sites and links that would be helpful in your success.
Apps
These apps provide practical, easy-to-use tools that support focus, productivity, and executive functioning. They include timers, habit-building aids, and task-management supports designed to help students stay organized, reduce distractions, and build effective study routines. These resources are helpful for students at any stage of their academic journey.