Top study tips from our Study Support Hub

Feeling overwhelmed by assignments or revision? You’re not alone. Whether you’re staring down a maths test, decoding a tricky essay question, or wondering what to do with that mysterious rubric — our Study Support Hub is here to help!

Tip 1: Don’t start with past exams — start with your lectures

When studying, it’s tempting to jump straight into past exams to guess what might be coming up. But that’s not always the best move — especially in maths.

“Students sometimes try to jump in and try old tests as part of their revision,” Dr Peter Kennedy, Academic Skills Advisor for Maths and Science explains, “but I recommend they go through the problems done in lectures before attempting old tests.”

Lectures introduce the core concepts. If you skip them, you might miss the logic behind the methods.

Tip 2: Crack the question before you write a word

Ever opened an assignment and thought, “What the heck does this even mean?” You’re not alone — and “figuring out what your task is really asking can be a quarter of the assignment done,” says Dr Nhân Phan, Academic Skills Advisor at RMIT Library.

Start by spotting the action words — verbs like analyse, evaluate, or compare. For example, “words like analyse ask you to break the topic into parts and explain how they fit together,” Nhân explains.

Big, broad questions can feel overwhelming. “Take a closer look at the question along with the grading criteria or other instructional materials,” Nhân suggests. “Then turn it into smaller guiding questions — this can help form the skeleton of your assignment.”

And don’t forget to check the scope. For example, are you writing about education in general, or higher education in Australia over the past five years? Getting the scope right can make or break your argument.

Tip 3: Use your rubric — but don’t let it write your assignment

Rubrics can feel like a mystery — or worse, a trap. But they’re one of the most useful tools you have.

“A rubric is not the task,” says Karen Dellar, Academic Writing Skills Adviser. “To find out what to do, look first at the task description in the Assessment Task document.”

Think of the rubric as your marker’s checklist. It shows what good (and not-so-good) assignments look like, but it doesn’t explain every detail.

Karen recommends checking the rubric once you’ve started writing. “Check the rubric in detail only after you have started your assessment and have something to meaningfully evaluate,” she says. “It’s a good way to check you are on the right path.”

So don’t treat the rubric like a script. Use it like a compass — something to guide your direction, not dictate every step.

Tip 4: Know your supports

If you get stuck, don’t wait it out. “See your tutor or lecturer as soon as you can,” advises Peter Kennedy.

And don’t come empty-handed. “Your consultation will be more efficient if you can bring along specific questions and lecture notes,” he adds.

Peter also recommends using RMIT Learning Lab, Khan Academy, and Paul’s Online Notes for extra practice and explanations. These platforms are especially helpful if you’re revisiting core concepts or want to see worked examples explained clearly — particularly for maths and science.

If you’re still scratching your head, ask someone. “Post a question on the Canvas course forum… or even a classmate how they read the question,” Nhân says. And as all our advisors emphasise — ask Academic Skills Advisors and Peer Mentors from the RMIT Library.

“A fresh set of eyes often clears up the confusion fast,” Nhân explains.

30 September 2025

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