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Academic Success Toolkit

Our Academic Success Toolkit has a variety of resources that offer techniques and strategies for improving academic learning.


Time Management

Calendarpedia

 offers customizable calendar templates that can be used for time management.

Overcoming Procrastination

Become familiar with helpful information about identifying and overcoming procrastination.

Pomodoro

is a time management technique that uses a timer to break down work into intervals traditionally 25 minutes in length, separated by short breaks. Available as a desktop or Phone application.

The 1-3-5 Rule:

Every day, pick 1 big task, 3 medium tasks, and 5 smaller tasks to work on. The focus for picking these tasks can be less on full completion and more on the dedication of time on that day to those specific tasks!

The Eisenhower Matrix:

into different quadrants of what to do first, what to schedule, what to delegate, and what to delete. 

Location Ranking and Assigning:

List and rank your favorite study spots on campus to either help with efficiency in getting started on your work or to assign specific work to be done only at each of those locations. 

My Study Life

is a cross-platform planner that allows users to store classes, homework and exams in the cloud, and making it available on any device. Free to download.

ToDoist

is a productivity app that helps users organize personal, school and work responsibilities. Free to download with premium features available for purchase.

MyHomework

The app is a digital student planner that allows users to track classes, homework, tests, and projects. Free to download with premium features available for purchase.

Syllabus Worksheet

This worksheet was created by the AADR staff to assist students keep track of important class information, major assignments, and essential information about each class.

Syllabus Worksheet (PDF)

StayFocusd

 is an extension available on the Google Chrome web browser. Users enter the maximum amount of time they would like to spend on specific websites before being blocked.

Pause

is a simple extension that challenges you to momentarily pause and reflect before visiting a distracting website. In doing so, Pause breaks the cycle of distraction and helps you be more focused, productive, and intentional with your technology use.

Freedom

 (available for Mac or Windows) is an all-in-one distraction blocker, whether your distractions are websites, desktop apps, or the entire internet. With Freedom Premium you can add unlimited devices and custom blocklists.

Natural Resets

Work until motivation runs out, then set a 10 or 15-minute timer to take a break. Repeat as needed and adjust your future study sessions to the average time you can fully focus.  

Time Blocking

Treat tasks like meetings or classes; schedule them in blocks and focus on nothing else but that given task in that block of time. 

2-Minute Rule

If it can be done in 2 minutes or less, do it right away. 

Cornell Note Taking System

Learn about the  and explore different note taking strategies for improving academic learning.

Evernote

 is a note-taking application that is available on Android, iOS, macOS, the web, and Windows.

Microsoft OneNote

 is a note-taking application that is available on Android, iOS, macOS, the web, and Windows.

Noteability

allows users to draw, write, and annotate documents and photos in a single note to bring projects to life. It is compatible with iOS and ideal for tablet users. Cost is $9.99/individual.

Learning Skills 

Access a variety of  that offer techniques and strategies for improving academic learning.

Quizlet

is an online learning tool that trains students via flashcards and various games and tests.

MindMeister

is an online mind mapping tool that lets users capture, develop, and share ideas visually. It is completely web-based, which means there is no download and no updating required.

StudyBlue

is an online studying platform that allows users to upload class study materials, create electronic flashcards to study and share with others, and practice quizzes. Free to download with premium features available for purchase.

Reading Comprehension Guide

Reading and fully understanding the complex texts you are assigned in college is a skill you can learn. This provides actionable strategies for improving your reading comprehension in college.

Test Taking Strategies 

Read some suggestions for preparing and taking tests.

Coping with Test Anxiety

Anxious about tests? Read some suggestions for overcoming test anxiety. 

Reducing Test Anxiety and Anxiety While Studying

Explore study tips to reduce anxiety while studying as well as strategies for how to reduce test anxiety before and during an exam. 

Grammarly

is a software program that helps deter writing mistakes, contextual errors, spelling errors, and poor vocabulary usage. Free to download with premium features available for purchase.

Hemingway Editor

assists with writing clarity, passive voice editing, and readability. Itʳɫ¹ÙÍø™s compatible with both Windows and Mac and free for web browser users.

FocusWriter

is a simple, distraction-free writing environment that is free to download and features features such as timers, alarms, daily goals, and customizable themes.

Panorama

Panorama is a new Moodle-integrated feature that allows all Davidson students to download their course materials into alternative formats (e.g., audio podcasts, PDFs, EPUBs, adjustable font sizes, and more). It also assists faculty in proactively creating accessible course materials by providing an accessibility report for each uploaded document and giving tutorials on fixing inaccessibility issues. For more information, please log on to Moodle and visit the announcements section. 

Read & Write

(R&W) is a text-to-speech program that provides visual and auditory feedback of text. It works with Word documents, PDFs, and web pages. Other features include a screen masking tool, color coding, a highlight collector, an MP3 converter, a translator, and more. The premium version is free to all Davidson students. For more information or assistance with initial setup, please contact, Mariana Gomez-Brayboy

Guided Mind

is an iPhone and iPad application with guided meditations that address specific challenges and helps users relax and deal with the stresses of day-to-day life. Free to download.

Calm

is a website and app with relaxing nature videos and guided meditations for stress management. Free to download with premium features available for purchase.

Breathe

is an app that guides users through a series of deep breaths and reminds them to take time to breathe every day. Free to download.