It’s exam time. Cue sleepless nights, cramming and stress. How long should an exam essay be? How do I choose which exam question to do and which should I do first? How long should I spend on each question? How … Read More
‘Help! I have to choose a research topic!’ Students often email me with very open questions when they’re stressed and I am their last resort so I’m guessing this may be something along those lines. I feel for you. It … Read More
I can’t ask that question – my tutor will think I’m stupid Then ask me! I may regret this 🙂 but in an effort to find out how to help you all better I’m going to answer the top 5 … Read More
Freshers’ or Induction Week is most students’ introduction to University. Most people anticipate a fun-filled week of partying, getting to know what clubs are available and generally celebrating new-found freedom. There is an element of this but after the adrenalin-filled … Read More
What can students do? Breathe. Eat as well as you can, sleep and exercise daily, preferably in fresh air. Take a few minutes to listen to your favourite music, go for a brisk walk. This is basic advice which you … Read More
‘Will my lecturer check all my references?’ I have never yet met a lecturer who has the time to check all the references for every essay. Have you any idea how many essays they have to mark? 🙂 Seriously… NB … Read More
Ever felt breathless, sick, heart pounding and racing, dizzy just before an exam or a presentation? That’s adrenalin (I’m not the right sort of doctor to pronounce on medical issues so I’m assuming that you will visit your GP if … Read More
My search for advice for students starting University came up with little to do with study, much to do with alcohol, partying etc. While it may be fun to read such stuff it can also stress students out because they … Read More
‘I’m lost. It’s like the texts are written in a foreign language. All I can do right now is panic.’ What do you do? You probably know instinctively what works for you as a learner and you will know if … Read More
‘I don’t really know what’s relevant – I just get lost and the set texts don’t help because they’re too complicated’. There are two issues here: you find the set texts difficult to read and you’re not sure how to … Read More
‘I don’t really know what’s relevant – I just get lost and the set texts don’t help because they’re too complicated’. There are two issues here: you find the set texts difficult to read and you’re not sure how to … Read More
‘I’m hitting a text wall – I read a page over and over and the words just swim in front of me – nothing goes in.’ Sounds like you’re having to mark too many exam scripts :-). If you’re a … Read More
This one is for those of you who like bullet points to break text down. 🙂 Ways to make using journals easier: Ask your tutor if s/he can recommend journal articles. Use the index!! Journals usually have a table of … Read More
Journals are excellent sources for up to date research but on a practical level they are usually highly specialised, with a natural focus on research rather than teaching and are written with academics rather than students in mind. The language … Read More
Many first year students are starting to panic a bit now that the glow of the welcome parties has faded a bit and they’re faced with what seems like mountains of work. Take a breath. Seriously. You’ve only been at … Read More
I’m tempted to say “Man up and get on with it” but that’s not very helpful. 🙂 There are 2 kinds of texts: primary texts are the ones you’re studying and you should be reading the whole thing unless told … Read More
Why wouldn’t you? They are the best place to gain information on what the course requires and to get help to do well in your assessments. No-one’s going to arrest you for not attending (although some courses do have minimum … Read More
I know some of you are finding it rather tough at University at the moment so I’ll share some well known Churchillian motivational comments with you. Churchill suffered from depression or ‘the black dog’ as he called it so he … Read More
You are responsible for getting to class on time. You are responsible for buying and reading course books. You are responsible for taking notes in lectures and seminars (you may be lucky and have a lecturer who provides handouts but … Read More
Everyone else is smarter than me I’m the only one who doesn’t understand this I don’t belong here I’ll never get the hang of this I’m the only one with problems I can’t ask that question – my tutor will … Read More