Queen's University Student Academic Success Services

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Transitioning from undergraduate to graduate writing: what’s different?

A minimalist’s approach to effective learning

Writing lab reports: A TA’s perspective (Part 2)

Writing lab reports: A TA’s perspective (Part 1)

Adjusting to Canadian academics: Tips for international and exchange students.

Graduate students, SASS can help you succeed!

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Upcoming Events

Grad Writing Lab

February 24 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Write Nights: Listening in Academic Situations

February 25 @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Drop-in EAL Support

February 26 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Grad Writing Lab

February 27 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Drop-in Learning Strategies Support

February 27 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

View All Events

queensusass

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We are open during reading week! We have writing appointments and learning strategies appointments available. If you have gone out of town for reading week and you need academic help, you can book an online appointment!

Book an appointment with one of our professionals to get the help you need to make your writing look polished and to stay on top of your course work! Book online on our website.
#queenu #classof2023

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Making academic goals for reading week is easy, but achieving them is the hard part. Brigid, Biochemistry, class of 2017 says, “if you are a first year or upper-year student, you may have had the disappointing experience of making an ambitious list of academic goals for reading week only to achieve few (or none)”. Brigid is here to provide useful strategies so you don’t feel the post-reading week regret and achieve your reading week goals!
How do you determine how your reading week should be spent? The first step is understanding what the rest of your semester looks like by using a term calendar. Find out when all of your deadlines and test dates are so you have a visual of your term. Next, make a to-do list and prioritize. Make a list of all of tasks you need to do in order to succeed in the winter term. Now, you rank these tasks from most urgent, most important, to least important.
Most importantly, set REALISTIC goals for yourself. Brigid says, “Take into account the amount of time you really have available – are you going on a trip? Are you expected to spend a lot of time with family? During this time, decide what you can realistically achieve and write down your goals”. Once you have identified your goals, make a weekly schedule so you can stay on track.
Lastly, Brigid says to keep a positive attitude: “Focus on what a great opportunity reading week can be to get caught up or ahead on schoolwork while you have fun!” Read more of Brigid’s blog to help you stay on track and focused during reading week (link in bio). #queensu

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LAST CHANCE! Are you looking to be a part of a volunteer program that will help you prepare for teacher’s college, medical school, law school, or other graduate programs? Apply to be a volunteer with SASS! We are hiring Peer Learning Assistants (PLAs), Peer Writing Assistants (PWAs), and Science Peer Writing Assistants for 2020-2021!

As a PLA, you will get the opportunity to help students learn how to be more productive and effective learners by facilitating learning strategy workshops and providing drop-in academic coaching.

As a PWA or Science PWA, you will get the opportunity to help students develop their writing skills through workshops and one-on-one consultations.

The rewards of becoming a PWA or PLA include excellent experience, reinforcement of your own knowledge, and the satisfaction of helping others.

Our hiring deadline is February 17 (TODAY). Email your application, cover letter and any questions to ian.garner@queensu.ca

Visit our website to learn more about us and our programs.

#queensu

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Meet Andrew (History, Class of 2020), who has been a proud Peer Learning Assistant (PLA) at SASS for 3 years. Andrew became a Peer Assistant because he wanted to become a more effective student and learn to help his students when he becomes a teacher. According to Andrew, “In my first year as a PLA, my academic average increased 8%, earning me a scholarship and transcript commendation.” Andrew says, “Upper-years should definitely become part of SASS! They can add invaluable interpersonal skills that will help them develop in whichever career they choose.” Apply to be a volunteer with us! We are hiring Peer Learning Assistants (PLAs), Peer Writing Assistants (PWAs), and Science Peer Writing Assistants for 2020-2021!

Our hiring deadline is February 17. Email your application, cover letter and any questions to ian.garner@queensu.ca

Visit our website to learn more about us and our programs.

#queensu

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What are your TA’s or prof’s expectation of editing and proofreading your own work? Join this workshop and learn how to edit and proofread your work like a pro and impress your marker! We will work on how to skim read, analyze structure, assess argumentation, and understand style.
Join us for this workshop tomorrow, in Stauffer 121 at 1:30pm to discover how to edit and rewrite your work in any subject.
Can’t make it to this workshop? Check out our online writing resources on our website or DM us!

#queensu #classof2023

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Meet Kate (MSc Psychology, Class of 2020), who has been a Science Peer Writing Assistant (PWA) with SASS for 3 years. Kate explains, “I became a Science PWA as soon as the program was available for science students because I really struggled writing those initial lab reports in my first year as an undergrad and would have absolutely LOVED the opportunity to meet with older students who had (1) shared experiences as a new student coming to a new school and (2) a plethora of knowledge in academic writing. Since being on this team my own writing skills are constantly improving because of all of the different fields of writing that I get to see. I recently had the revelation that you don’t need to be an English Major to appreciate good writing.” Kate says, “I would recommend this program not only to upper year students but also to other graduate students in any field! The work is gratifying, the students are great, and the coordinator is da bomb.” Apply to be a volunteer with us! We are hiring Peer Learning Assistants (PLAs), Peer Writing Assistants (PWAs), and Science Peer Writing Assistants for 2020-2021!

Our hiring deadline is February 17. Email your application, cover letter and any questions to ian.garner@queensu.ca

Visit our website to learn more about us and our programs.

#queensu

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Feeling like you can’t get started? Are you struggling to maintain motivation? Join our workshop and we will help you develop strategies so you can regain your motivation for schoolwork. Join us on Thursday, Feb 13 at 1:30pm in Stauffer 121 to develop a plan that will help you take control of your coursework.
Can’t make this workshop? Book an appointment with one of our learning strategists on our website . They will help you develop strategies to beat procrastination. You can also use our online resources to find the strategies that work for you.
All students are welcome!
#queensu #classof2023

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Meet Joanne (Biology, Class of 2022), who has been a Peer Learning Assistant (PLA) at SASS for the past academic year. Joanne explains, “I became a PLA because I believe that the information and resources that SASS can provide to all learners are genuine game changers to improve academic success. Since becoming a PLA with SASS, my performance as an academic has drastically improved. I used to struggle significantly with procrastination, but I have now learned simple steps that help me to start an assignment before the stress of a very near impending deadline becomes too much!” Joanna emphasizes, “I recommend that all students think about becoming a Peer Assistant with SASS, because the skills you acquire go well beyond your years at university.” Apply to be a volunteer with us! We are hiring Peer Learning Assistants (PLAs), Peer Writing Assistants (PWAs), and Science Peer Writing Assistants for 2020-2021!

Our hiring deadline is February 17. Email your application, cover letter and any questions to ian.garner@queensu.ca

Visit our website to learn more about us and our programs.

#queensu

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How do I effectively use English expressions in my writing? Join us this Tuesday and we will review common idioms, what they mean, and how they can be used appropriately in writing.
Improve your English writing with our workshop series every week. Our EAL experts are there to guide you and support you.

Join us every Tuesday at 5:30pm at the Queen's University International Centre (QUIC)

#queensu #classof2023

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Do you want to be a part of a kind and dynamic team whose goal is to help students excel in university? Apply to be a volunteer with SASS! We are hiring Peer Learning Assistants (PLAs), Peer Writing Assistants (PWAs), and Science Peer Writing Assistants!

Are are looking for the opportunity to help students be more productive and effective learners or want to help students develop their writing skills? Are you looking to be a part of a volunteer program that will help you prepare for teacher’s college, medical school, law school, or other graduate programs?
You will get first hand experience facilitating workshops, provide drop-in coaching, and one-on-one consultations.
The rewards of becoming a PWA, Science PWA, and PLA include excellent experience, reinforcement of your own knowledge, and the satisfaction of helping others.

Our hiring deadline is February 17. Email your application, cover letter and any questions to ian.garner@queensu.ca

Visit our website to learn more about us and our programs.

#queensu

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In undergrad, Francesca, 2nd year MA student in Classics, was a great writer. When she got into grad school, Francesca thought she could continue writing the same way with few issues. But, as she explains, “I was incredibly, immensely wrong. But don’t worry: I got a lot better, so you can too!” Francesca quickly discovered that the habits and conventions she had learned as an undergrad would need significant changes. When Francesca had to write longer papers for graduate seminars, she began to struggle.
She realized that she was missing the most important part of any essay: a voice. Francesca had to re-learn how to write for academia. She had to acknowledge that graduate writing - whether for coursework, a major research project, or a thesis - requires creating your own content. In turn, this meant Francesca changing her approach toward her writing process. She encourages new grad students to question their approaches to writing: “First, why are you writing? In graduate school you're not simply reading a lot of theorists and re-hashing old arguments, you’re generating new ideas and creating new content. Second, who are you writing for? At graduate level your main focus should be writing to contribute to the wider academic discussion in your field. For the Master's thesis or PhD dissertation, your writing may even be published with the intent of reaching a wider audience in your field. Lastly, what’s expected in my discipline? In grad school there are specific expectations in each discipline and they impact your writing style. If you're unsure, discussing it with your supervisor or graduate coordinator is the best way to learn about discipline specific requirements.” If you’re a grad school writer, read Francesca’s blog on our website.
Looking for more help? Visit our website and check out all of the services we offer for grad students!
#queensu

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Are you looking to be a part of a volunteer program that will help you prepare for teacher’s college, medical school, law school, or other graduate programs? Apply to be a volunteer with SASS! We are hiring Peer Learning Assistants (PLAs), Peer Writing Assistants (PWAs), and Science Peer Writing Assistants!

As a PLA, you will get the opportunity to help students learn how to be more productive and effective learners by facilitating learning strategy workshops and providing drop-in academic coaching.
As a PWA or Science PWA, you will get the opportunity to help students develop their writing skills through workshops and one-on-one consultations.

The rewards of becoming a PWA or PLA include excellent experience, reinforcement of your own knowledge, and the satisfaction of helping others.

Our hiring deadline is February 17. Email your application, cover letter and any questions to ian.garner@queensu.ca

Visit our website to learn more about us and our programs.

#queensu

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Joseph S. Stauffer Library
Queen’s University
101 Union Street
Kingston, ON K7L 5C4

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Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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Kingston, Ontario, Canada | Queen's University is situated on traditional Anishnaabe and Haudenosaunee Territory.