1. THE UNIVERSITY OF STIRLING
WELCOME TO
THE UNIVERSITY OF STIRLING
SWAP STUDY SKILLS DAY

2. MOVING FROM COLLEGE TO UNIVERSITY

3. PERSONAL REFLECTIONS

4. PERSONAL REFLECTIONS MY INITIAL THOUGHTS
Excited, nervous, anxious, glad – a huge mix of emotions
Lost, confused, small, ‘out of place’
Not confident – what am I doing here, what makes me think I can do this
A totally different life
THE REALITY
Students come in all shapes, sizes and types.
Mature students do fit in, don’t stick out, and are often sought after / out
By other students
By staff

5. THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY
Cultural Differences
more direct teaching
smaller classes
more use of continuous assessment
Skills Gaps
Practical skills – taking lecture notes, researching, etc
conceptual notions - critical thought
independent learner more emphasis on private study, own ideas
essays and reports – more discursive, more analytical, more independent

6. HOW TO SURVIVE Involve family and friends
Do be realistic, don’t be too proud or too scared - ASK for help and advice
Keep sight of why you started this
Be positive about being a mature student
Prioritise – both your university and private life
Give yourself time to settle in

7. The Future of SWAP – from access student to: -
Secondary school teacher – French / Spanish
Secondary school teacher – History
Translator in Chinese – Harper Collins
Owner of Language School in Spain
English Language Teacher in Italy
Scottish Tourist Guide
Web Designer
Working in Media sector
Research Associate at CELCIS
Widening Participation Manager in HE
FE Lecturer in charge of Access to Languages course
Sector Marketing and Proposal Manager – Skanska (UAE)

8. LOOK AFTER YOURSELF!