Getting Started
Successful students manage their time efficiently and are active learners.
Get organised by creating your own weekly and semester study plans, and discover the active learning strategies to assist you with your studies.
Managing your time
Weekly and semester planners
Weekly study planner
- Create a weekly study planner (PDF, 1419.78 KB)
- Download 2016 weekly study planner template (DOCX, 96.65 KB)
Semester study planner
- During the semester (PDF, 121.56 KB)
- Create a semester study planner (PDF, 116.95 KB)
- Download SP1 2016 semester study planner template (DOCX, 281.78 KB)
- Download SP2 2016 semester study planner template (DOCX, 281.89 KB)
7 Step Plan for Assessment Tasks
- 7 Step Plan for Assessment Tasks (PDF, 247.16 KB)
- Example subject assessment planner (PDF, 333.64 KB)
- Download SP1 2016 subject assessment planner template (DOCX, 281.42 KB)
- Download SP2 2016 subject assessment planner template (DOCX, 281.14 KB)
Active learning
Critical thinking
Note-taking
Effective reading
Getting online
JCU Mobile App
Lost on campus? The free JCU Mobile App was developed to help you make the most of your university experience, both on and off campus. The app is available for iPhone, iPad and Android, and a web-based version is accessible to all smart phones with internet connectivity. Features include campus maps, events calendar, contacts, news, LearnJCU access, Ask Us and email access. Get the app now - visit the JCU Mobile App webpage to download the latest version!
LearnJCU
LearnJCU is JCU's online teaching and learning environment, built on the Blackboard Learning Management System.
'YourTutor'
YourTutor is an online after-hours academic assistance service available through LearnJCU subject sites in first year Bachelor subjects and Diploma of Higher Education subjects. Just click on the YourTutor link in your LearnJCU subject site. It’s FREE to JCU (Australia) students.
Lynda.com
Lynda.com is an online education company offering thousands of video courses in software, creative, and business skills.
Group work
Resources for postgraduate students
Learning advice and support
JCU students in all locations have access to learning and peer support services, including:
- A drop-in help desk service at the Cairns and Townsville libraries, and for external students via our contact form
- Pre-semester workshops to help you prepare for university study, including writing and maths help, and
- Online resources for refreshing your strategies for learning, reading, writing, maths and statistics.
Drop-in learning advice desks
JCU students can access the Learning Centre’s Learning Advice Desk, a drop-in service located on the ground floor of the Townsville and Cairns libraries. A Peer Advisor will be available for a 15-20 minute consultation. This service is available to external students by using our Contact Us form.
Peer Advisors can help with developing strategies for time management, unpacking an assessment task, understanding how to meet assessment criteria, academic reading and writing.
Students are required to bring their student ID, assessment task description and criteria, as well as a working draft when accessing a drop-in consultation.
The Learning Advice Desks are open Monday to Friday during Study Period 1 and Study Period 2 at the following times:
Cairns: 10:00AM to 12:00PM (midday) and 1:00PM to 3:00PM
Townsville: 10:00AM to 4:00PM
Learning advisors
Learning Advisors deliver a range of programs at JCU including workshops and seminars throughout the academic year. JCU students can contact a Learning Advisor by completing the Contact Us form.
Learning Advisors support the development of students’ academic language and learning strategies in specific subjects across the University. They also support academic staff in various ways to ensure students develop discipline specific and professional written communication in their subjects.
JCU staff may refer students for one-on-one consultations with a Learning Advisor. To make a referral, please complete and submit a Learning Advisor Consulation Request.
Student Mentor Program
The Student Mentor Program is available to all JCU students during their first year of university. Mentors are second or third year students in a similar course to you, who can answer your questions and help you settle in to university life - whether you are studying on or off campus.
InfoHelp
InfoHelp is your first point of contact for assistance with library and IT questions. Staff can help resolve laptop and mobile device issues, locate information for assignments and assist with referencing.
Staff work at the InfoHelp desks located in the Townsville and Cairns libraries. You can also look out for InfoHelp Rovers, or get in touch via live chat, the online help form, or by phone.
Liaison librarians
JCU's Liaison Librarians will work with you to provide assistance in developing your assignment research skills. They provide assistance with finding quality academic sources for assignments, and provide referencing advice.
Get in touch with your discipline librarian or see staff at the InfoHelp Desk at your campus library.
Off-campus library service
An off-campus library service is available for students who live 50 kilometres or more from the Cairns or Townsville campuses. Items can be posted to you, along with pre-paid postage bags for returns.
