Learning Strategies and Skills
Choose from a lineup of workshops led by an Accessibility Services Learning Strategist, and designed to empower you with practical tools and strategies for a successful learning experience.
Register for sessions through the Folio links within each workshop description.
All U of T students who self-identify as having a disability are eligible.
Prepare for tests and exams with strategies that take disability-related learning needs into account. Learn approaches for multiple-choice, short-answer and essay assessments, and create an inventory of course material to help you focus your study time where it matters most. These strategies can be adapted to fit your strengths and learning preferences.
Upcoming workshops
Registration is required. Register using the Folio links* on this page.
*The Folio link is only accessible to people who are eligible to register for the Learning Strategies and Skills program. This program is open to University of Toronto students who self-identify as having a disability.
Stay on track with your academic goals by connecting with Accessibility Services staff and other students twice a week. Accountability Check-Ins help you plan your week, reflect on your progress, and celebrate your successes.
Join us:
- Mondays, 12 – 12:30 p.m. to set goals and create a plan for the week ahead.
- Fridays, 12 – 12:30 p.m. to reflect on your week and celebrate what you’ve accomplished.
Join a Learning Strategist and Peer Facilitator to learn practical strategies for managing your academic work.
Students from all three campuses who self-identify as living with a disability are welcome to attend.
Registration
Registration is required. Register using the Folio links* on this page.
*The Folio link is only accessible to people who are eligible to register for the Learning Strategies and Skills program. This program is open to University of Toronto students who self-identify as having a disability.
Build memory strategies that work for your learning needs. Learn practical approaches for studying, retaining information, and recalling material during tests and exams. Explore strategies such as chunking, dual coding, and memory palaces that can help address common disability-related challenges with memory, learning, and executive functioning. These strategies can be adapted to fit your strengths and learning preference.
Upcoming workshops
Registration is required. Register using the Folio links* on this page.
*The Folio link is only accessible to people who are eligible to register for the Learning Strategies and Skills program. This program is open to University of Toronto students who self-identify as having a disability.
Group Learning Strategy Sessions – Fall 2026
These sessions combine discussion, strategy-building and peer connection. Each session is led by a learning strategist and limited to six participants.
Topics and descriptions are as follows:
Read Actively & Learn Effectively
Get strategies that can help you stay focused, identify key ideas and make assigned readings more manageable. In this small online group session, you’ll learn how to:
- Use your course learning outcomes and syllabus to guide your reading.
- Apply the SQ4R strategy to improve comprehension, note-taking and review.
- Use practical techniques to stay focused and engaged with challenging readings.
Notes that Stick: Strategies for Note-taking & Memory
Get strategies that can help you remember what you learn, make your notes more useful and build a review routine that works for you. In this small online group session, you’ll learn how to:
- Use note-taking strategies that help you engage with and retain information.
- Create realistic plans for review, retrieval practice and spaced repetition.
- Apply memory strategies that strengthen connections between concepts and support recall.
Make Progress: Strategies for Procrastination, Perfectionism, & Motivation
Get strategies that can help you get started, stay engaged and move your work forward without getting stuck chasing perfection. In this small online group session, you’ll learn how to:
- Break large tasks into manageable steps with clear checkpoints
- Set realistic, process-focused goals that support progress over perfection
- Use practical strategies to reduce procrastination and build a sustainable daily plan
September
- Friday, September 11 at 11 a.m.: Read Actively & Learn Effectively
- Thursday, September 17 at 1 p.m.: Notes That Stick: Strategies for Note-taking & Memory
- Friday, September 25 at 11 a.m.: Make Progress: Strategies for Procrastination, Perfectionism, & Motivation
October
- Thursday, October 1 at 1 p.m.: Read Actively & Learn Effectively
- Friday, October 9 at 11 a.m.: Notes That Stick: Strategies for Note-taking & Memory
- Thursday, October 15 at 1 p.m.: Make Progress: Strategies for Procrastination, Perfectionism, & Motivation
- Friday, October 23 at 11 a.m.: Read Actively & Learn Effectively
- Thursday, October 29 at 1 p.m.: Notes That Stick: Strategies for Note-taking & Memory
November
- Friday, November 6 at 11 a.m.: Make Progress: Strategies for Procrastination, Perfectionism, & Motivation
- Thursday, November 12 at 1 p.m.: Read Actively & Learn Effectively
- Thursday, November 26 at 1 p.m.: Make Progress: Strategies for Procrastination, Perfectionism, & Motivation
- Friday, November 27 at 11 a.m.: Notes That Stick: Strategies for Note-taking & Memory
December
- Friday, December 4 at 11 a.m.: Read Actively & Learn Effectively
- Thursday, December 10 at 1 p.m.: Notes That Stick: Strategies for Note-taking & Memory
- Friday, December 18 at 11 a.m.: Make Progress: Strategies for Procrastination, Perfectionism, & Motivation
Registration
Register in advance on Folio to secure your spot:
- Read Actively & Learn Effectively
- Notes that Stick: Strategies for Note-taking & Memory
- Make Progress: Strategies for Procrastination, Perfectionism, & Motivation
Email us at as.learning@utoronto.ca if you need to cancel.
*The Folio link is only accessible to people who are eligible to register for the Learning Strategies and Skills program. This program is open to University of Toronto students who self-identify as having a disability.
Are you interested in adding gamification to your current study toolbox? Games, badges and points can introduce motivation and consistency to learning in a new way. Whether you’ve always enjoyed trivia night, memory games or video games, learn some gamification methods to change up habits and add novelty to your study routine.
- Explore game elements suitable for online and in person courses.
- Learn about different habit trackers and game-based learning for increased motivation and engagement.
- Discover creative ways to personalize games for breaking down problem sets and essays.
Upcoming workshops
Registration is required. Register using the Folio links* on this page.
*The Folio link is only accessible to people who are eligible to register for the Learning Strategies and Skills program. This program is open to University of Toronto students who self-identify as having a disability.
Reading Week can give you time to catch up, get ahead or reset your approach to the rest of the term. Learn how to build a realistic plan that helps you use the week intentionally without feeling overwhelmed. In this workshop, you’ll create an inventory of upcoming assignments, tests and deadlines, then develop a plan that works for your schedule, priorities and energy.
Upcoming workshops
Registration is required. Register using the Folio links* on this page.
*The Folio link is only accessible to people who are eligible to register for the Learning Strategies and Skills program. This program is open to University of Toronto students who self-identify as having a disability.
The Navigating life and learning with a new diagnosis series, created for students who are adjusting to new diagnoses and accommodations. Across three interactive sessions, you’ll explore how your diagnosis affects learning, discover strategies to support time management and executive functioning, and build skills to advocate for your needs through formal requests. Attend one workshop or join all three.
Navigating Your Diagnosis and Academic Success
Learn how your diagnosis can affect the way you learn, manage your time and use your energy, and explore strategies that can help you succeed at university. Whether you’re adjusting to a recent diagnosis of anxiety, ADHD, depression, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or another condition, this interactive workshop will help you understand your learning patterns and identify practical approaches that work for you.
Registration is required. Register using the Folio links* on this page.
Time Management and Executive Functioning Strategies
Learn practical strategies to manage your time, stay organized and build routines that support your academic success. If you’re adjusting to a new diagnosis and exploring how it affects focus, productivity or emotional regulation, this interactive workshop will help you better understand your executive functioning skills and discover approaches that work for you.
Registration is required. Register using the Folio links* on this page.
Self-Advocacy and Writing Formal Requests
Build the skills to communicate your needs clearly, advocate for yourself with confidence and write effective requests for support. If you’re adjusting to a new diagnosis, you may find yourself communicating with professors, advisors or campus services in new ways. This interactive workshop will help you understand your rights, choose the right approach for different situations and develop writing strategies that support effective self-advocacy.
Registration is required. Register using the Folio links* on this page.
*The Folio link is only accessible to people who are eligible to register for the Learning Strategies and Skills program. This program is open to University of Toronto students who self-identify as having a disability.
Burnout can result in decreased productivity, lack of energy and focus, increased conflicts, frequent illnesses, and the need for time off from our responsibilities. In this workshop, learn strategies that aim to enhance an open mind for tackling the mental processing and cognitive function required for university. You will also learn tips to improve mindfulness and resiliency, while recognizing signs of stress and impaired concentration.
Upcoming workshops
Registration is required. Register using the Folio links* on this page.
*The Folio link is only accessible to people who are eligible to register for the Learning Strategies and Skills program. This program is open to University of Toronto students who self-identify as having a disability.
Get practical strategies to manage procrastination, perfectionism and long-term planning in graduate school. This workshop explores common challenges that can slow progress and offers tools to help you move forward with more clarity and consistency. You’ll learn approaches for managing competing priorities, breaking large projects into manageable steps and building habits that support your academic goals over time.
Upcoming workshops
Registration is required. Register using the Folio links* on this page.
*The Folio link is only accessible to people who are eligible to register for the Learning Strategies and Skills program. This program is open to University of Toronto students who self-identify as having a disability.
Presentations, seminars and class discussions can feel challenging, especially when you’re managing nerves, self-doubt or pressure to perform. Learn practical strategies to communicate clearly, manage presentation anxiety and build confidence in academic settings. This workshop explores techniques you can use before, during and after a presentation. You’ll learn how to prepare effectively, manage nervousness and develop communication skills that support successful presentations.
Upcoming workshops
Registration is required. Register using the Folio links* on this page.
*The Folio link is only accessible to people who are eligible to register for the Learning Strategies and Skills program. This program is open to University of Toronto students who self-identify as having a disability.
Learn practical ways to take notes during online and in-person courses, whether you prefer handwriting, typing or annotating course materials. In this 60-minute online workshop, you’ll connect with a Learning Strategist to explore different approaches, reflect on your current note-taking habits and discover strategies you can use right away.
Upcoming workshops
Registration is required. Register using the Folio links* on this page.
*The Folio link is only accessible to people who are eligible to register for the Learning Strategies and Skills program. This program is open to University of Toronto students who self-identify as having a disability.
Workshops Format
Each learning skills workshop is led by a learning strategist. Students will learn different learning strategies about a specific academic skill (e.g. time-management). You will also have opportunities to ask questions about learning strategies and listen in on discussions.
Participation
In online workshops, being on camera, using your mic, or participating in the chat are all optional. We welcome you to participate in a way that works for you. You are welcome to ask your own questions or simply observe these sessions to learn from ongoing discussions.
Materials
You are not required to bring any materials to these sessions, but we encourage you to come prepared with questions. Recordings of these sessions will not be provided to encourage the participation of all student attendees.
Platform access information
Online sessions will be delivered using MS Teams. Information on how to access live captions, and all other accessibility information for MS Teams, can be found on this MS Teams accessibility page.
Questions
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at as.learning@utoronto.ca.
