Appendix 7: Accessible text versions of the Planning your study prompts and outputs
Prompt:
Act as an academic skills advisor. I am an RMIT student studying a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) over four years. What should be my short-term, mid-term and long-term goals?
Output:
As an AI, I can provide some general advice on setting academic goals, but remember that everyone’s journey is unique and your goals should align with your personal interests, strengths, and career aspirations. Here’s a general guideline:
Short-term goals (1 year or less):
Understand the course structure: Familiarise yourself with the course modules, assessment methods, and grading criteria.
Improve study habits: Develop a consistent study schedule, learn effective note-taking strategies, and improve time management skills.
Build a strong foundation: Aim to achieve a solid understanding of the fundamental concepts in your first-year subjects.
Get involved: Participate in relevant clubs, societies, or student groups to enhance your university experience and network.
Mid-term goals (1-2 years):
Specialise: Identify areas of engineering that interest you most and consider focusing your studies in these areas.
Gain practical experience: Look for internships, co-op positions, or part-time jobs in your field of interest to gain practical experience.
Develop soft skills: Improve communication, teamwork, and leadership skills, which are crucial in the engineering field.
Academic achievement: Aim to maintain or improve your GPA.
Long-term goals (3-4 years):
Complete your degree: The ultimate goal is to successfully complete your Bachelor of Engineering (Honours).
Professional development: Attend seminars, workshops, and conferences to stay updated with the latest advancements in your field.
Plan for the future: Consider whether you want to enter the workforce immediately after graduation, or pursue further studies or research.
Network: Establish connections with professors, peers, and industry professionals. These relationships can open up opportunities for future collaborations or job prospects.
Remember to regularly review and adjust your goals as needed. For more personalised advice, I recommend reaching out to RMIT’s academic skills advisors or your course coordinator. They can provide guidance based on your specific circumstances and the requirements of your course. Text created by generative AI: RMIT (2024). Val [Large language model]. https://val.rmit.edu.au The text copied to the clipboard is current as of 06 February 2024.
Prompt:
Act as an academic skills advisor. I have the following assignments coming up: Digital Fundamentals on the 26th of April, Engineering Science on the 29th of April, and Engineering Mathematics on 7th of May. I have full-day commitments on the 27th of April and the 6th of May. Create a study plan for me to follow to work on these assignments. Please include a lunch break on each day and display the plan in a table format.
Output:
I’m happy to help you create a study plan. Please note that this is a general plan and you may need to adjust it based on your own pace of study and understanding of the subjects. Here’s a suggested plan:
Date 9:00-11:00 11:00-13:00 14:00-16:00 16:00-18:00
20th April Digital Fundamentals Digital Fundamentals Lunch Break Engineering Science
21st April Engineering Science Engineering Science Lunch Break Engineering Mathematics
22nd April Engineering Mathematics Engineering Mathematics Lunch Break Digital Fundamentals
23rd April Digital Fundamentals Digital Fundamentals Lunch Break Engineering Science
24th April Engineering Science Engineering Science Lunch Break Engineering Mathematics
25th April Engineering Mathematics Engineering Mathematics Lunch Break Digital Fundamentals
26th April Digital Fundamentals Assignment Due Engineering Science Lunch Break Engineering Science
27th April Full Day Commitment Full Day Commitment Full Day Commitment Full Day Commitment
28th April Engineering Science Engineering Science Lunch Break Engineering Mathematics
29th April Engineering Science Assignment Due Engineering Mathematics Lunch Break Engineering Mathematics
30th April Engineering Mathematics Engineering Mathematics Lunch Break Review and Rest
1st May Review and Rest Review and Rest Lunch Break Review and Rest
2nd May Review and Rest Review and Rest Lunch Break Review and Rest
3rd May Engineering Mathematics Engineering Mathematics Lunch Break Engineering Mathematics
4th May Engineering Mathematics Engineering Mathematics Lunch Break Review and Rest
5th May Review and Rest Review and Rest Lunch Break Review and Rest
6th May Full Day Commitment Full Day Commitment Full Day Commitment Full Day Commitment
7th May Engineering Mathematics Assignment Due Rest Lunch Break Rest
Remember, this is just a guide. You should adjust it based on your understanding of the subjects and your own pace of study. Also, don’t forget to take short breaks during your study sessions to avoid burnout. Good luck with your assignments! Text created by generative AI: RMIT (2024). Val [Large language model]. https://val.rmit.edu.au The text copied to the clipboard is current as of 06 February 2024.
Prompt:
What are some effective strategies for me to maximise my study time?
Output:
There are several strategies that can help you maximise your study time:
Set Clear Goals: Before you start studying, set a clear goal for what you want to achieve in that session. This could be understanding a particular concept, reading a certain number of pages, or completing a set of problems.
Create a Study Schedule: Plan your study time in advance. This will help you avoid last-minute cramming and ensure that you have enough time to cover all the material.
Use Active Learning Techniques: Instead of just passively reading or listening, engage with the material. This could involve summarising information in your own words, teaching the material to someone else, or applying what you’ve learned to solve problems.
Take Regular Breaks: Studies have shown that taking regular breaks can actually improve focus and productivity. The Pomodoro Technique, which involves studying for 25 minutes and then taking a 5-minute break, is a popular method.
Stay Organised: Keep your study materials organised. This will save you time searching for notes or resources and help you stay focused on your study.
Practice Self-Care: Make sure you’re getting enough sleep, eating healthy, and taking time to relax and do things you enjoy. This will help you stay energised and focused when you are studying.
Remember, what works best can vary from person to person. It’s important to try different strategies and see what works best for you. For more specific advice tailored to your situation, I would recommend reaching out to the RMIT Study Support team or visiting the official RMIT website. Please note that my training only includes information up to September 2021, and I don’t have access to RMIT-specific data or real-time internet data. Text created by generative AI: RMIT (2024). Val [Large language model]. https://val.rmit.edu.au The text copied to the clipboard is current as of 06 February 2024.
Follow-up prompt:
Can you explain more about the Pomodoro technique?
Output:
Certainly, the Pomodoro Technique is a time management method developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. The technique uses a timer to break work into intervals, traditionally 25 minutes in length, separated by short breaks. Here’s a basic step-by-step guide on how to implement it:
Choose a Task: Decide on the task that you want to work on.
Set the Pomodoro Timer: Traditionally, this is set to 25 minutes, but you can adjust this to suit your needs.
Work on the Task: Work on the task until the timer goes off. If a distraction pops into your head, write it down, but immediately get back on task.
End Work When the Timer Rings and Put a Checkmark on a Piece of Paper: This checkmark represents one “Pomodoro”.
Take a Short Break: This could be a 5-minute break where you do something not work-related like stretching or grabbing a cup of tea.
Repeat the Process: After every fourth Pomodoro, take a longer break, around 15-30 minutes.
The idea behind the technique is that the timer creates a sense of urgency, which could make you more efficient while the regular breaks can help keep your mind fresh and focused.
Please remember that everyone is different, and while the Pomodoro Technique works well for many, it might not be the best approach for everyone. It’s important to experiment with different techniques and find what works best for you. Text created by generative AI: RMIT (2024). Val [Large language model]. https://val.rmit.edu.au The text copied to the clipboard is current as of 06 February 2024.
