Reading Week and Study Cheat Sheet: Advice from a 4B Student

An open notebook for Reading Week study tips sits on a desk with a laptop, smartphone, glasses, pencil, and a plant.

Reading week goes by fast like summer breaks in high school. You promised yourself that you were going to tackle a long list of goals done. But suddenly, it’s Sunday, your next exam is in two days, and you only crossed off 2 items in your to-do list.  

After 5 years of undergrad at UW, here’s my tips to get the most out of your reading week!  

Tips for Wellbeing  

You can’t run on half a tank of gas. It is important to take a break first to prioritize your wellbeing before jumping back into studying.  

  • Reconnect with home. Spend a few days to recharge and reconnect with friends and family, or wherever home is for you. If you prefer quiet time instead, go on a solo daytrip to explore a new nearby city because new scenery can do wonders.  
  • Staying on Campus? Treat Yourself! I would recommend dropping by Smarty Pants in SLC for a celebratory ice cream for getting through the first half of the term! You deserve it!  
  • Explore St. Jacobs Market. If you have extra time, use the unlimited GRT bus pass to the St Jacobs market for some fresh products while supporting farmers. It is the perfect way to spend a fall morning.  

Study Tips for Every Class Types  

Studying is a skill that takes time to develop. Here are some of my favorite techniques that carried me through undergrad.  

  • Blurting – For memorization heavy classes. After you read a section, close your notes, and write down everything you remember or teach your stuffed animal about information systems. Then, go back and check what you missed. It forces active recall and shows you exactly what you don’t know.  
  • Mindmaps – For interconnected concepts. After you go through the class notes, try to understand where the class concepts interlink. I like to grab a large whiteboard, write down the concepts, and draw where they interlink. This is especially helpful for case-based courses, like corporate and personal tax.  
  • Spaced Repetition – For application-heavy courses. Try to review material over increasing intervals of days or weeks rather than cramming all in one sitting. Sometimes, I find myself memorizing the answers to my accounting problems rather than actually the process of getting there. This method forces me to step back and re-evaluate the situation again instead of crunching numbers blindly.  

Want more tips? Check out additional study advice from another fourth year here!  

Best Kept Secret Study Spots  

The library has reduced hours and you’re probably tired of going to your usual lecture halls to study – let’s change it up! Here are the best kept secrets on campus.  

  • SLC Third Floor – Looking for quiet, cozy vibes with plenty of sunlight? There is a quiet lounge on the third floor with comfy, cushioned chairs, a study pocket called “the nest” by the floor-to-ceiling windows, and even treadmills desks to get your steps in.  
  • EV1 Courtyard – This is a bright, indoor, glass-roofed atrium located on the first floor of EV1. The open, sunlit space features filtered natural sunlight, and a living plant wall. It is a great place to get creative. There are also three bike desks in the EV1 Courtyard to help you fit daily activity into your study.  
  • QNC Basement – If you like the floor to ceiling whiteboards of QNC but want to get away from the busyness of the upper floor, the QNC basement will be your next favourite. It has the same whiteboard walls, but in a secluded, distraction free environment.   
  • South Side Marketplace – If you go up the stairs of SCH, you will find yourself in a cafeteria style space. The Marketplace opened adjacent to the Velocity Start entrepreneurship space, serving as a food and gathering option for students and community members. It has plenty of tables and couches for studying, and you can conveniently grab a quick bite.  

Things to do During Reading Week  

Your reading week should not just be about studying, interweave some fun into it too. After all, it will be your only long break until your final exams are over.  

  • Join a WUSA Club – Got a new hobby or passion? There are over 200 WUSA’s Clubs for you to explore, connect with like-minded peers, and dive into activities that spark your interest.  
  • Try a New Recipe – Feeling homesick or wanting to try something new? Our Global Kitchen: Tastes from Home cookbook is full of recipes that hold a special place in Waterloo students’ hearts.  

Ella Wang
Copywriter

Published: Monday, October 5, 2026