What do I want from my education?

Our imaginations are incredibly powerful and can be used to help you study more productively. Picture
yourself in five years' time. What would you like to be saying about the time you spent studying?
Consider the following list of achievements and decide which are priorities for you.

 I made good friends

 I got a qualification that was useful and meaningful to me
 I made use of the facilities and developed new interests
 I developed skills that helped me to find a job I wanted
 I learnt to work better with other people
 I learnt to express myself better
 I found out more about who I was as a person
 I learnt to think and reason better
 I developed my creativity
 I took care of my health and managed stress effectively
 I took on positions of responsibility
 I challenged myself intellectually
 I learnt how to balance work, friendship and family
Most colleges and universities offer opportunities for students to develop responsibilities and gain
experience and knowledge in a wide range of areas. It's in your interests to make the most of these
opportunities. When you apply for jobs, potential employers will be interested to see how well you
used them. Look at your list of priorities - how will these priorities influence the way you approach life
as a student?

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Teaching methods at college and university

Teaching staff are there to facilitate your learning, and to help you to find things out for yourself. This
means that they design programmes, activities and assessments , and guide you towards appropriate
resources. Their aim is to ensure that you learn strategies so that you can study the subject
independently.
The diagram below shows some of the teaching methods you might come across. Some are more
common than others, but most students can expect to encounter several of the examples represented
here.
 Lectures

Lectures are used to give an overview of a topic. They are a common feature of most modules, units
or options within a course. Students are usually expected to listen and make notes while the lecturer
speaks. However, in some courses lectures may be interactive.

Seminars

Seminars usually involve a group discussion of material presented in a lecture or in set reading. Often
a student, or a small group of students, will be asked to begin the seminar by giving a presentation. It's
important to prepare for seminars in advance by reading through lecture notes or set materials, even if
you are not asked to give a presentation.

Tutorials

Tutorials are used to give personal feedback on your work and to discuss general progress. This may
be the only time a lecturer is able to help you with study problems so it's important to come prepared.

Workshops

Workshops offer an informal environment for discussing a specific topic or problems with an expert.

Demonstrations

Demonstrations are a useful way to learn a practical skill, such as using computer software, by
watching someone else perform it. If you have the opportunity to try the activity yourself, have a go
while guidance and supervision are available.

Groupwork

Groupwork could involve working on a joint project as part of your course, or you may wish to form
your own study groups for revision and support.

Group projects enable you to practise working with others and develop communication and co-
operation skills that will be useful throughout life.

Practical work

Depending on your course, practical work can take a number of different forms including:

 lab work for science students

 studio work for art students
 field work, such as interviewing people, for social science subjects.
VLE
 Many institutions use Virtual Learning Environments such as WebCT, Blackboard or Moodle to provide
additional opportunities for interactive learning. As well as being useful for distance-learning
programmes, VLEs are often used to supplement face-to-face teaching.
Blended learning

Blended learning combines conventional face-to-face learning with electronic learning technology. This
can provide a personalised approach to learning, as these technologies can be used to enable
participation, communication, active feedback and sharing in a user-friendly way.

Online resources

Online resources, such as skills4studycampus, can provide guidance at any time - day or night.
Online resources available to you might include library resources, online journals, podcasts of lectures,
lecture notes, reading lists, self-assessment material and much more. These may be accessible
through your university's VLE.
Mobile learning

Some tutors use text messages to remind students that essays are due or to communicate about
changes to teaching rooms or cancelled classes. As technology improves, mobile learning is
becoming more commonplace.
Podcasts

A podcast is an audio or video file that can be downloaded from the internet onto your computer or a
portable device. Lecturers may make their lectures or other study resources available as podcasts.

Social networking

Social networking refers to a particular set of web-based resources that encourage the user to
participate. This creates an online space for people to communicate, and share feedback and
resources as part of a community. This is used increasingly to encourage students to discuss course
topics and offer support to each other.

Online support

e-communications such as emails, message boards, instant messaging and social networking have
many features that make them potentially useful for online support. They:

 enable communication in spare moments

 save you having to travel
 afford you some time to gather your thoughts and compose responses
 are relatively informal, so that you can express yourself in your own way.
Work-based learning
Foundation degrees and vocational courses require students to be employed or to undertake work-
based learning. During this time, you will be supervised by a lecturer, by somebody at the workplace -
or a mixture of the two.
Arranging work-experience placements can be a good way to gain first hand knowledge of a job and
the skills it requires.
Independent study

Universities and colleges expect students to work on their own, outside of lectures, tutorials and
seminars. Most independent study is spent researching the
subject, reading and thinking critically about the material, making notes, preparing for
seminars, planning, and writingassignments for assessment.

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What's expected of me as a student?

Your education offers many opportunities to develop valuable skills and self-knowledge that will be
helpful during your academic career, employment and in life. You will be treated as a partner in this
experience, and expected to take responsibility for your own development.
The following attributes are important life skills that will be useful during your studies.

Independence

You must be able to think and work independently. This means being resourceful and working things
out for yourself when possible. However, help will be available when you need it. Your Student Union
and Student Services will have details.

Organisation

It's easier to study if you are well organised. You'll need to find or create a dedicated study space
that's pleasant to work in, and will be expected to organise your own time.

Make sure that you're aware of your priorities and have the resources that you need.

Self-motivation

You will be studying on your own for much of the time, so you have to be able to motivate yourself
even when the task is difficult or you have doubts.

The ability to work with others

 You are part of a learning community that thrives on the exchange of knowledge and ideas. Being an
effective group member means working co-operatively with others, offering contributions and being
receptive to their perspectives.

Self-reflection

Putting time aside to reflect on your study habits can help you:

 work out when, how and where you learn best

 recognise areas where you could improve
 devise strategies that work for you
 set goals to work towards
 keep track of your progress.
Effective time management

Keep a diary with you and write every commitment down, whether it's related to your studies, personal
life or work. You should:

 arrive on time for classes, events and exams

 know when work has to be handed in and keep to deadlines
 manage your workload so that you can cope when the deadlines fall at the same time.
Willingness to get involved

Make the most of the opportunities on offer, such as sports, volunteering, work experience and
positions of responsibility. Such personal and professional development will help your curriculum vitae
when applying for jobs

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Independent study
Independent study is a key feature of all university and college courses. You will have much more
responsibility for your own learning than will have been expected for previous courses.
A different approach to learning

It's expected that you'll be able to work on your own for longer periods, without a tutor in the room to
guide you.

You are given a great deal more responsibility for your own success than you may have experienced
in the past. This can feel as if your study lacks structure. However, it can also be very liberating - you'll
have more freedom to study in ways that suit you.

Making choices
 It's your responsibility to make sensible choices within your programme and to decide on and plan
extra-curricular activity. This can feel daunting, as these choices will influence your studies and future
career, but it is often exciting to be in control of your education.

The information you receive about the course usually tells you clearly how to make choices and find
help. Guidance will be available but it is up to you to seek it.

Finding resources and support

You will receive recommendations for reading, information on equipment and suggestions for sources
of support. These recommendations are only part of what you need to know. Finding out for yourself
what additional reading, resources and support are available will help to enhance your knowledge of
your subject and develop valuable skills.

Keeping going

Working on your own requires high levels of motivation and good time management skills. These are
skills that you can develop with practice as you progress through your course.

Most students find that it is useful to have the support of other people to help maintain their motivation
and when managing their time. You can draw on support and understanding from your tutors and from
your fellow students.

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Managing anxieties about student life

It's quite natural to feel some anxiety when you start something new and many students have
concerns about starting life as a student at university or college.

Managing your anxieties is easier if you have:

 sorted out in your mind what your worries are
 considered how serious they really are
 realised that many other people feel the same way.
The following are examples of common anxieties experienced by some students and the techniques
that can be used to manage them.
Keeping up with other people

Focus on planning your own activities rather than on worrying about how well other students are
doing. Some people claim that they do no work and write an essay overnight. Very few people actually
do this; it is not expected of you and is not a sensible way to study.
Finding the time to do everything

It's important to plan your time out in advance so that you know how much time you have available
and whether your commitments clash.

Maintaining a diary, planner or calendar with all of your study, work and social activities will help you
balance your responsibilities and stay on top of deadlines.

Understanding academic language

Being around any new language is a good way to start to learn it. The terms used on your programme
will become familiar to you before too long. Many students can be anxious about some aspect of their
study and it helps to share concerns.

Having the confidence to speak

Make time to meet other students from your classes. Once you have formed a bond with your fellow
students, you'll have more confidence about joining in.

Developing confidence in myself

Focus on your motivation for study and be determined to enjoy your course. Think of yourself as being
on an adventure - not a trial.

Coping with student life

In many universities and colleges, Student Services or the Student Union offer advice on managing
finance, finding work, childcare, healthcare, counselling, disability and many other issues that arise for
students.

Seek support early on as advisers can help more successfully if problems are tackled before they
become emergencies.

Meeting deadlines

It's important that you keep to deadlines, though extensions may be given if you ask in advance and
for a good reason.
 A good way of finding out how long a task will take to complete is to 'work backwards' from your
deadline, imagining how long each step of the process will take and when it should be started.

Making friends with other students

The people you meet in the first few weeks at university or college can be a great source of support
during the course. Induction events provide opportunities to build a network for study support and
friendship, try to attend as many as you can.

Coping with other responsibilities

There is pressure on students to juggle family and work commitments in ways that were not expected
in the past. Developing good study skills, especially good time management skills, can help with this.

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What resources do I have to help me study?

We are often surrounded by sources of help and encouragement without realising it. These personal
resources are useful in times of difficulty but they can also help you to do your best, day by day.

These resources could be:

 people, places or things
 facilities at college or university
 features of your home life
 abilities, experience and attitudes you have within yourself.
If you feel you have few resources, it may help to speak to a student counsellor.
Take a moment to note down some of the resources that are available to you in the following areas:

Self

This might include experiences, abilities and attitudes.

College

Your college or university might include places, such as the library; people in the counselling service;
or things such as computers.

Home

You may have friends at home that can offer support during your studies. Think about other people,
places and things that might be available to you.

Online resources
 Skills4studycampus is one example of an online learning environment that can help you during your
studies, you college or university may have other resources. An example of a basic service might be
your university email account, and you may have found websites that offer useful advice or resources.
Other sources

There may be other resources available to you, such as your local bookshop, or other places, people
and things.

https://www.skills4studycampus.com/taster/What_are_my_personal_resources.html#

How can I prepare for academic study?

Your chances of success at college or university depend on how well prepared you are for the course.
Even if you have been studying for a while, you can still benefit from making a fresh start.
There are a number of steps you can take to make yourself ready.

Familiarise yourself with this resource

skills4studycampus is designed to help you develop your confidence and skills in key areas. It also
offers advice on how to become an effective learner and encourages you to reflect on your
experiences.
Useful advice can also be found in The Study Skills Handbook, by Stella Cottrell, which inspired
skills4studycampus.
Read the literature you are sent

Read the literature you are sent and familiarise yourself with your university or college website.

Look out for:

 details of course texts you are expected to read
 dates for registration, enrolment, inductions and other essential dates
 information on sources of help and support.
Set up a general information file

Gather together all the general information you have about your college or university and keep it all in
the same place.

Familiarise yourself with this information before term begins. Keep it in a box file and label it so it will
be easy to find it when you need it.

Know your bookshops

Find out where you can find the books that are relevant to your course and browse through the
authors and titles for your subject area.
Find out how long it might take to order the books you need and check regularly for new titles. This will
give you an idea of what is topical in your subject area.

Familiarise yourself with libraries

If you are not a regular library user, spend time in your local library or a college library.

Many students are fearful of appearing foolish when using library technology such as online
catalogues, consulting special collections or working out the numbering system.

It is best to overcome these fears before term starts. Library staff are there to help you - all you have
to do is ask.

Get organised

Find out what items you may be expected to buy before you start. Get a good student planner, such as
the Palgrave Student Planner, and enter all your term dates, lectures, deadlines and other
commitments in it.
If you are in doubt about enrolment or start dates contact your university or college. Make sure you are
free to attend induction activities and events. If you have children or other dependants make sure care
arrangements are in place before term begins.

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Practise learning from your past

Most people respond more effectively to challenges when they approach them with a positive attitude.
Considering the factors that shaped your learning experiences in the past can lead you to useful
approaches in the future.

Reflect on your attitude to learning by thinking through the questions below:

Question 1

Think back to a time when you found something easy or enjoyable to learn. This might have been
something at school, at work or at home. What made this such a good experience for you? Was it the
teaching or the instructions you were given? Was it your approach to the task?

Question 2
Now think about a time when learning was difficult or unpleasant. What happened on that occasion
that was different? What made the experience difficult or unpleasant? What could have made it more
manageable?

Question 3

Look carefully at the responses you entered for the first two questions. What can you learn from these
experiences? How can this influence the way you approach your first term at college or university?

https://www.skills4studycampus.com/taster/Practise_learning_from_your_past.html#

Homework Task online: https://www.macmillanihe.com/companion/Cottrell-Study-Skills-

Handbook/resources/Developing-Your-Skills/