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Your personality will dictate the best way for you to study. But there are things you can do to help you best achieve your goals.

Contents

1. Introduction to study skills
2. Resources: websites, books, etc
3. Organising your time
4. Gathering information from lectures and seminars
5. Reading and note taking
6. Writing essays
7. Preparing for exams

Introduction

Starting to study can be difficult if you don’t know where to begin.ÌýDeveloping some kind of system is the key otherwise you can start tasks and never getting round to finishing them.Ìý

Being a student involves taking responsibility for how you organise yourself and for independent learning.Ìý It is up to you to decide when and how to do your work, and how much time and effort to put into it.Ìý

There is no right way to study, revise, write essays or take and pass examinations, but you can develop skills that are effective and suit you personally.

Study skills can be learnt gradually through trial and error, through repeated practice, and through stopping to reflect on your experience.Ìý

Departmental Resources

• Departments will often have their own handbooks on study skills.
• Read all handouts and instructions and ask for clarification if you do not understand anything.
• Check your notice boards and pigeonholes regularly.
• Lecturers and tutors should provide you with the general outline for your subject area.
• Many courses will include a detailed reading list to back up the formal sessions. These enable you to clarify what you want from the course.ÌýLook at the curriculum and make sure you have a understand what is involved and what is expected from you.
• Keep in touch with your personal tutor, make sure you know how to contact them and what their office hours are.

Warwick University website has information on writing skills, giving presentations, IT and working with others.

Cambridge University website has information on coping with exams, procrastination and workblock.

This University of Central England website has information on study skills, including essay writing, definitions of words in essay titles, time management.

The Centre for English Language Teacher Education at Warwick University has information on study skills, courses and also improving your accuracy if English is not your first language.

Kingston University website has information on revision and exam techniques.

Bibliography/further reading

The Open University has a section on study guides at:

Cambridge University has a self-help booklist on:

One of the great things about university is the amount of time you may seem to have to get things done. But this can be misleading and before you know it there are only a couple of weeks to go before three assessed essays need to be in!

Get together with friends and exchange ideas

As a student it's easy for your study time to be interrupted so when you begin to think about organising your time it is vital to include study, fun and sleep!

Remember - deadlines are your responsibility - it is unlikely that you will receive many reminders.Ìý

If it is obvious that you cannot meet a deadline go and see your tutor and explain why.ÌýIt may be possible to get an extension.

The right attitude

Good time management involves having the right attitude and good methodical practice.Ìý In order to develop these skills you should:

• Schedule, identifying realistic and manageable goals weekly.
• Start with your most important work
• Begin at a time that suits you, but make it a regular time
• Try to work on at least one major task a day
• Periodically review goals and re-prioritise if necessary
• Reward yourself with time off
• Avoid interruptions e.g. take the phone off the hook, let people know you are busy.
• Be aware when your concentration has gone, and take a break when it has.

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