Study skills

Academic Integrity 

Get to know academic integrity at UniSQ and learn about the role we all play in creating a fair and honest learning environment.

Artificial Intelligence 

Find out how university students can use Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) ethically and effectively in their assessments. 

Our Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) presentation will tell you about responsible, transparent, and skillful use of AI in academic work, ensuring compliance with integrity standards while leveraging AI for learning and productivity. It emphasises:

• What Gen AI is
• Benefits for students
• Academic integrity and ethical use
• AI use levels and what they mean on assessment task sheets
• Key skills required
• Important warnings
• Resources and support. 

Check out the Generative Artificial Intelligence PDF for more information.

At university, you’ll read more than ever before including textbooks, articles, research papers, and lecture notes. The key is to read with purpose. Knowing why you’re reading helps you choose the right strategy and stay focused.

Types of Reading at Uni

1. Weekly content: Pre-read before lectures to understand core concepts.
2. Targeted reading: Find answers for quizzes or tutorial activities.
3. Assignment research: Evaluate sources critically for assessments.
4. Exam prep: Revise regularly to build memory and confidence.

Top tips for effective reading

• Know your purpose - decide if you’re skimming, scanning, or reading in detail.
• Minimise distractions by choosing a quiet space and turning off notifications.
• Break it up - read in 50-minute blocks with short breaks.
• Stay actively engaged by highlighting, making notes, and turning headings into questions.
• Plan ahead and schedule your reading time in your calendar and set goals for what you want to achieve before you start.

Active reading strategies

• Highlight key ideas and concepts.
• Use margin notes or sticky notes to connect ideas.
• Write as you read - create summaries or concept maps.
• Link new information to what you already know.

For more detailed strategies, download the Reading Strategies PDF.

Note-taking and reading are interconnected skills that help you understand and organise unfamiliar content. Effectively crafted notes can aid in organising your thoughts, improving your memory, facilitating participation in class discussions, and preparing you for successful exam responses.  

You'll find tips and tricks about techniques and how to take effective notes via the notetaking PDF.

Developing critical thinking skills is essential for your university studies. Critical thinking allows you to recognise, construct and present logical, well-reasoned arguments and explanations, supported by credible evidence.

The following resources are intended to help you understand the importance of critical thinking in all aspects of your study, such as reading and notetaking, research, and writing. 

• The Academic Success chapter on thinking covers different types of thinking, such as critical, creative, and reflective thinking.
• Explore the critical thinking PDF to learn how critical thinking differs from criticism.

Managing your time well is essential when you’re juggling classes, assignments, deadlines, and personal commitments. Good time management doesn’t just happen—it takes planning, focus, and action. When you get it right, you’ll feel less stressed, more satisfied, and better equipped to reach your goals.

Finding Balance

Time management is all about planning your schedule so you know what needs to be done and when you’ll do it.

Start by prioritising your wellbeing - make time for rest, exercise, and social connections first. Once you’ve looked after yourself, you can focus on study and work. When you put your wellbeing first, you’ll find your productivity and motivation improve too.

Check out our time management PDF for practical tips and strategies to help you stay organised and balance study, work, and life. 

Planners and resources for study success

• Block study planner
• Trimester study planner
• Trimester weekly planner - template
• Daily planner - template

Motivation gives us energy and drive to get things done, but it doesn’t always come easily.

Everyone has times when motivation feels low, making it tough to attend classes, finish assignments, or prepare for exams.

There are plenty of practical ways to boost and maintain your motivation so you can stay on track and achieve your goals at uni. Find tips and tricks for goal setting and self-care strategies in our motivation PDF. 

Procrastination happens to everyone, even when we plan well, feel motivated, and have the best intentions. It can slow you down, knock your confidence, and keep you from reaching your goals. The good news? You’re not stuck with it.

By understanding what procrastination is, noticing how it shows up for you, and taking small, intentional steps to tackle it, you can break free. With the right strategies, you can take back control and keep moving toward the success you want.

• Dive deeper into this topic by reading the chapter about combatting procrastination in our Academic Success resource.
• Discover practical strategies for overcoming procrastination in our PDF resource.