GCU 7-Week Course Study Guide
A guide for GCU students on the 7-week accelerated online format.
Get Study HelpThe 7-Week Sprint: Stay Organized
My first 7-week GCU course was a shock. By Wednesday, I was behind with a discussion post, readings, a lecture, and a quiz all due. The accelerated online format is a sprint, not a marathon. You can’t fall behind. Old study habits from 15-week semesters will fail.
Effective study strategies for a 7-week course are not about studying harder; they are about studying smarter. You must be efficient and organized. This guide is for GCU students overwhelmed by the pace. We’ll break down essential time management, note-taking, and retention strategies. This is a crucial skill we coach at our academic writing help.
Strategy 1: Master Your Time
In a 7-week course, time management is critical. Procrastination is not an option. The GCU online format has a predictable weekly rhythm. Use this “Read-Watch-Do” method.
Plan Your Week in Advance
On Monday, log in, open the “Announcements” and “Module,” and create a checklist of every task and due date. This research on time management (PDF) confirms that structured schedules reduce stress and improve grades.
Block Scheduling for the GCU Week
Don’t just “study.” Assign specific tasks to time blocks. Here is a sample plan:
- Monday (Read): Complete all readings. Take initial notes.
- Tuesday (Watch & Do): Watch the lecture. Write the first draft of your main discussion post (DQ1).
- Wednesday (Do): Post your DQ1 by the deadline.
- Thursday (Do): Begin the main weekly assignment.
- Friday (Engage): Write required peer responses.
- Saturday (Do & Review): Complete and edit the main assignment. Review notes.
- Sunday (Submit): Submit the assignment and take the quiz.
Strategy 2: Active Note-Taking
Why Highlighting Fails
Most students study by re-reading and highlighting. This is one of the least effective ways to learn. It’s passive and tricks your brain into confusing familiarity with knowledge. In a 7-week course, you must engage in active note-taking.
Method 1: The Cornell Method
This is a powerful method. Divide a paper into three sections:
- Right Column (Notes): Take notes from readings or lectures.
- Left Column (Cues): After, pull out key terms and potential test questions from your notes.
- Bottom Section (Summary): Write a 1-2 sentence summary in your own words.
How to Study: Cover the right column and use the “Cues” to quiz yourself. This is active recall.
Method 2: SQ3R for Readings
SQ3R turns passive reading into an active hunt for information.
- Survey: Skim the chapter. Look at headings and summaries.
- Question: Turn headings into questions. (e.g., “Maslow’s Hierarchy” becomes “What is Maslow’s Hierarchy?”).
- Read: Read to answer your question.
- Recite: Look away and recite the answer in your own words.
- Review: Review your questions and see if you can still answer them.
Strategy 3: Retention Strategies
Active Recall: The Gold Standard
Active recall is the most effective study strategy. It means retrieving information, not just re-reading. Research on active recall confirms testing yourself is superior to re-reading. In a 7-week course, do this from Week 1.
Practice: Don’t re-read. Create flashcards. Do end-of-chapter questions. Make your own quiz. Forcing your brain to pull out information strengthens the memory.
The Feynman Technique: Teach It
This method helps you master complex topics.
- Take a blank piece of paper.
- Write the concept at the top (e.g., “Transtheoretical Model”).
- Explain it in simple terms, as if teaching a 12-year-old.
- If you get stuck or use jargon, that’s a knowledge gap. Go back, relearn, and simplify.
Applying Strategies to GCU Work
Mastering the GCU Discussion Question (DQ)
Your DQs are mini-essays. Use your notes. Your main post must have a thesis, evidence, and an APA citation. Your replies must be “substantive.” Use the Validate + Build + Ask model: “I agree… (Validate). It also connects to [theory]… (Build). How do you see…?” (Ask).
Surviving the CLC Group Project
The CLC is a major stressor. You must be hyper-organized.
- Meet Immediately: Set up a group chat and hold a kick-off meeting in Week 1.
- Create a Charter: Assign roles and set internal deadlines.
- Work in a Shared Doc: Use Google Docs or Office 365.
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GCU Study FAQs
How many hours a week should I study?
For a 7-week GCU course, plan for 15-20 hours of work *per class*. This accelerated pace condenses 15 weeks of work into 7.
Best way to read a textbook chapter quickly?
Use the SQ3R Method. Survey headings/summaries. Turn headings into questions. Read to *answer* those questions. This makes you an active, focused reader.
How do I study for an open-book quiz?
Do not fall into the “open book” trap. You won’t have time to look up every answer. Study as if it were closed-book. The best way is active recall: create flashcards and quiz yourself *before* you take the real quiz.
How do I keep my CLC group on track?
Create a Project Charter in the first 48 hours. This document should define all roles, set clear internal deadlines for each part, and be posted in the CLC forum for accountability.
What is the “Read, Watch, Do” model?
This is the typical GCU weekly module structure. You have Readings (textbook), a Lecture (to watch), and Assignments (to do, like DQs/papers). Plan your week by blocking time for each component.
How do I integrate the Christian Worldview (CWV)?
Don’t just add a Bible verse. Connect your topic to core CWV values like human dignity, servant leadership, or stewardship. Explain how these values inform your professional practice.
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