By Aylin Aarhus
A small group of University of Maryland students honed their study skills and learned productivity techniques at “Time Starts Now: Effective Approaches to Study that Maximize Your Time” – a workshop held Thursday, March 6 at the Edward St. John Learning and Teaching Center.
Dr. Yvette Motley, Learning Skills Specialist with the Teaching and Learning Transformation Center’s Learning Success team, hosted the session.
While ambient music played in the background, Motley gave advice on prioritizing tasks and time management.The workshop included skills like the “Two-Minute Rule,” which focuses on is choosing a task that takes less than two minutes to complete, such as sending an email, stretching or taking a few deep breaths.
Motley also encouraged students to balance academics with self care, and to prioritize their mental health.
“Being an educator, I have always been dedicated to empowering students to be active partners in their learning process,” Motley said. She explained that these workshops help her learn more about students and what study strategies work for them.
Sarah Kistner, a graduate assistant who helped run the workshop, has worked with the Learning Success team for almost three years. She sees her role as building students’ confidence in the skills they already have.
“The students that visit our programs come with so much valuable experience and skills,” Kistner said, “and it is my goal to create an environment where they feel supported and encouraged to keep enhancing those skills.”
Sophomore neuroscience major Deisy Vasquez says the Teaching and Learning Center helped her get back on top of her studies while she was recovering from surgery, improving her time management skills.
“I really needed help with my time blocking. Even my sleep was messed up,” Vasquez said.
Benjamin White, a junior accounting major, was attending his second workshop through the Teaching and Learning Transformation Center, and wants to go to more sessions in the future
“It’s nice being exposed to a ton of different kinds of techniques, just to be able to find which one works for you best,” White said.
The Teaching and Learning Transformation Center hosts workshops for both students and instructors. Students can also sign up for group tutoring sessions and individual academic coaching.
You can register for TLTC Learning Success workshops at go.umd.edu/learn, or follow @TLTCterps on Instagram for updates.
Featured Image: Dr. Yvette Motley high-fives a student at the “Time Starts Now” workshop on March 6, 2025. Photo by Aylin Aarhus.