Introduction to Study Practices Feel free to change department title for Welsh language, or add it as a collaborative work Session 1: Learning Strategies and Learning Support Student Learning Support & International English Centre

Why am I here? Degree Critical thinking Learning Professional skills and employability Making friends Degree: overarching objective and final outcome of all following processes Critical thinking: look into logical relationships and go into depth on specialist issues; challenge yourself and others to justify opinions and ideas; argue a point with rational and focused support Learning: development of academic and personal learning strategies Professional skills and employability: connecting your studies with future interests Making friends: finding a balance between studies, work and life

Who are we and what do we offer? Help with study skills, including academic writing, presentation skills, referencing, etc. Free weekly seminars UG modules – writing skills One to one sessions with a professional writer (RLF) One to one sessions for language support (IEC) Online study skills materials and advice though AberSkills Provided by Student Learning Support / International English Centre https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/student-learning-support/ https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/international-english/ For English, Students can take all non-modular programmes in any combination in Semester 1 and Semester 2 Confirm arrangements for Welsh Carries credits Blackboard Study Skills top right corner

Planning your studies

Short term planning Have a routine Fill gaps constructively Break up study into tasks Balance work with your social life Add or elicit information on further issues and relevance for discussion: ”how do you manage these things?”, etc. Consider, student societies, sports, domestic things, study tours, social obligations

Manage your workload Know your deadlines well in advance Familiarise yourself with module information and assessments Break up tasks into long, medium and short term Allow for unexpected events and conflicting schedules (illness, social events, etc.) Check departmental extensions policy Knowing deadlines: are students familiar with university policy on late submission and/or extensions? Module information guide coming in following slides, including how to predict content and assessments (from this students can also identify gaps where they need to ask questions) What kind of tasks fall into the long, medium and short term categories: elicit ideas on essays/reports, presentations, preparing for seminars, etc. Look at marking schemes/criteria where applicable and work out how valuable a task may be and how much planning needs to go into that as a result. Not possible to predict all future activities, even where plans are clear. 6 or more modules for an academic year. Manage overlapping submission schedules and workloads. Make sure you read extensions policy: not granted for social or work related issues (zero tolerance on late subs, extensions for genuine circumstances, must be requested at least three days before deadline). In emergency, inside three days, talk to department and/or tutor.

Know your degree Study schemes http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/study-schemes/ Modules information http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/modules/ Past exam papers http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/past-papers/ Open university home page Study with us (top line)  Current Students Useful Study Info block: Study schemes Modules Past exam papers

Study schemes and modules Identify your study scheme Title Code Module identifiers: all modules have a unique code, which is known as the module identifier, e.g. MM10210: Marketing Principles First two letters = degree scheme or department. First number = year of study Final two numbers = number of credits (mostly 20, but could also be 10, 30 or 40)

Identify the following for each of your modules (inc. examples) Identifier Type of delivery Lectures, seminars, etc.   Type of assessment Essays, reports, presentations, exams, dissertations, etc. Words/length Deadline (need to refer to module handbooks for dates)  Supplementary assessment (what happens if you need to resit) IP12420 Lectures/ seminars Critical review Essay Article review 1,500 2,000 1,000 ? Repeat failed assessment MM10120 Coursework/ seminar participation 2 hr unseen exam FM10620 10 x lecture/seminar Assignment 1 Assignment 2 3,000 Supplementary assessments are held in late July – September, essays will have a time range; exams will have specific dates

Create a summary for each semester   Number of Word count/length Essays Reports Exams Presentations Other Total number of assignments Total word count (essays, reports) Total time (exams, presentations) Volume of Assessment recommendations form AQRO (Academic Office) Year 1, 10 credit modules, minimum 1500 words, 20 credit modules minimum 3000 words Year 2 & 3, 10 credit modules, minimum 2500 words, 20 credit modules minimum 5000 words 1 semester = 60 credits = 9000 words (or equivalent) minimum 1 year = 120 credits = 18000 words (or equivalent) minimum

Full document for “Know your degree” Blackboard: https://blackboard.aber.ac.uk AberSkills Tab on top line OR AberSkills: https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/aberskills/ Learning Strategies: https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/aberskills/learning/ Learning strategies link goes directly to the page.

Wednesdays 16th Oct – 4th Dec 14:00 – 15:00: Writing and Study Skills Free Undergraduate course in Academic Writing and Information Skills Hugh Owen D5 Interpreting essay questions Clarity and focus Planning and writing introductions Paraphrasing and citation Quotation and citation Essay structures: the nature of argument Drawing conclusions and writing conclusions Revision and exam skills These topics may not necessarily appear in this order Example of actual course: For more details see links in next slide

Courses and services for Learning Support Student Learning Support / International English Centre Free Undergraduate course in Academic Writing and Information Skills Undergraduate modules One to one writing support (RLF) or request appointment via writers@aber.ac.uk One to one language support or request appointment via tesol@aber.ac.uk AberSkills: online study resources (Blackboard or web) Update for Welsh language

Inclusive learning and productivity For students with specific learning differences, such as dyslexia, or for students with long standing health conditions, contact Student Support: Student Support disability@aber.ac.uk Tel: 01970 621761 If you start to struggle after starting studies, get in touch as some students are not aware of specific learning issues through the way things were processed at school. Mentors, drop-ins and screening available. Also check weekly bulletin (this from 21st September) Surviving Student Life Drop In The first few weeks in university can be tough, maybe it’s the first time you’ve lived away from home.  If you are finding it hard to settle in to university life, why not come along to one of our drop in sessions held at The Student Welcome Centre. 28th/30th Sept: 2-4pm / 5th Oct: 11-1pm

Questions Thank you for attending Any questions? The next session will be on Good Academic Practice Wednesday 9th October 14:00 – 15:00 and 15:00 – 16:00