How to keep your studies on track

This checklist will guide you through some important periods at the beginning of your academic career. You will find activities linked to these times. Read through them, and when you have completed each one, put a tick under the "DONE" column. If you have only a few ticks, you may be missing out on important activities which could affect your success. Determine which activities these are and reorganise your planning and daily schedule to include them.

TIME FRAMES	CRITICAL ACTIVITIES	FOLLOW UP OR ACTION
Pre-registration and early part of career as a student	Career/ course choice	Explore your career in the my careers section
	Organise finances	Apply for study finance
	Do you have a place to study?	Organise a space for you to study at home or at another venue
Registration	Attend an orientation programme when available.	Enquire at your closest regional centre.
First week	Sort out your study material received into courses - keep them all together	Use the codes on the fron of the tutorial letters/ study guides to sort
	Check study material (inventory list)	See Unisa website for contact details or to submit an online enquiry.
	Start with your tutorial letter 101 for each module	Check assignment dates and which textbooks to buy
	Organise yourself	Make a list of important phone numbers Fill in important dates on your year planner
	Skim read each study guide	1-2 hours per study guide
	Set specigic goals	Write down goals for each course
	Time management/ planning	Draw up a weekly schedule
	Identify skills you need to develop	Attend workshops Find out what resources are available on campus
	Develop support systems	Join tutorial programme Attend academic literacy workshops Form study groups Talk to a counsellor
	Start your studies immediately	Attend an orientation programme at your nearest regional centre Visit the library Register on myUnisa
2-3 weeks after registration	Settle into a regular work programme	Do something each day
	Study and make notes	Do this daily
	Do assignments	Submit them at least a week before the due date
	Cancel or add courses	Note the deadlines
	Re-evaluate your plans	Check your career/ course choice
	Review your lifestyle
	Get help if needed	Contact tutors, lecturers, counsellors, peer helpers
	Read feedback on assignments	Correct the problem areas, ask lecturers or tutors for help
	Review study programme	Adapt study timetable
	Focus on exam planning	Attend workshops Read about exam prep techniques
Two months before exams	Plan and carry out an effective preparation programme	Devise timetable Stress management Exam strategies Memory techniques Read more about exam prep techniques
Exams	Keep calm	Practice relaxation techniques

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