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University Library Services

Study Skills- Transitioning to University

A guide to some skills to develop when transitioning to university study.

Your module guide

Your module guide is the first place to look for information on your module.

It explains how many lectures/seminars are included, how/where the module will be taught, how many hours of independent study are expected, any specific module requirements, upcoming assignments and so on. This can help you plan effectively to leave yourself enough time to prepare, read literature and complete your assignments. 

The module guide should also include your reading list. You can find this on the module Canvas page and the library website too - simply go to the Library homepage, select reading list from the right hand menu and search using your module code(s).

Although the module guide contains a lot of information, it's important to ask if there's something you don't understand. The guide should contain contact details for your tutors and the module code. You can also contact the Study Skills Team - we can help you to develop your study skills.

Understanding the assessment criteria

Understanding your assignment

Your module guide gives you an overview of course content, learning outcomes, the knowledge and skills to be achieved and the assessment methods used to test your learning.

Assessments are either formative (designed to generate feedback on your performance, they don't contribute to your final module mark) or summative (designed to provide your tutors with an understanding of your overall learning - usually assignments, exams, presentations or projects - and do contribute to your final module marks). A percentage (%) weight is usually alongside the assignment title to help you understand how the grade from this task contributes to the overall subject/unit grade. 

Understanding how your work is marked and how each submission contributes to your overall grade can help you to manage your preparation and workload.

Example 1 shows that there's one task making up 100% of the unit mark.

Table stating that the module is assessed through one portfolio that is 100% of the module mark.

Example 2 shows a unit where there are two assessments - each has a percentage score to the overall subject/unit grade.

Table indicating that the assessment has two parts an essay worth 60% and a presentation worth 40% of the module.

 

Study Skills Development

You can make an appointment with the Study Skills Team to support you with your studies or you can access up to 10 minutes of guidance at our daily online drop-in sessions - these are perfect for short Study Skills queries or referencing help!

  • Monday: 11:30 - 1pm
  • Tuesday: 3:30 - 4:30pm
  • Wednesday: 3:30 - 4:30pm
  • Thursday: 3:30 - 4:30pm we're also in person at the Murray Health drop-in space for this session! 
  • Friday: 11:30 - 1pm

To access the online drop-in sessions, simply go to the Library homepage and use the pop out chatbox on the right to ask your question.

 

To develop your study skills further, why not book onto a Study Skills Masterclass?

Run by Study Skills Advisors and focusing on specific study skills in each session, we can help you hone your academic and critical writing skills. Keep an eye out for our masterclasses - they're open to all students!

We also offer Numeracy Support with a dedicated Study Skills Advisor for Numeracy. You can get all the info you need using the links below.