Academic Success Centre – Getting support with your studies at St George’s

This blogpost was written by Olga Rodriguez Falcon, Lecturer in Learning Development.

Whether this is your first year at St George’s or you’re now continuing your studies, there are always lots of uncertainties and worries when starting a new academic year. This year particularly so, since you’ll probably need to adapt again to new ways of learning after a long period of mostly online study. Having ambivalent feelings on this, at the same time excited and worried, is very normal. We’re all feeling them, and it definitely helps to know you’re not alone in feeling this way. These are some of the questions that might be going through your head right now:

• Is there anything I need to be doing to make sure I’m on top of things from day one?
• Should I change the way I usually take notes and revise this year?
• Is my academic writing good enough for the type of assignments I’ll have this year?
• How can I know whether I’m on the right track with my studies?

Getting together with your peers to have honest discussions on these questions will make them less daunting, and you might end up going away with some very useful tips. At St George’s, there is also a dedicated team of Learning Developers that can offer you support and advice on how to maximise your learning and explore any study issues.

First, have a look at our Canvas page: Study+. You should be automatically enrolled as a St George’s student. There you will find lots of very useful self-directed resources that will help with your studies. For example, there is a whole section dedicated to ‘Effective Study and Revision’. This section is very popular with students and can offer ideas on how to approach the material differently, so that you understand it and can apply it to different contexts – instead of just remembering it to pass exams. There are also sections on ‘Academic writing’, ‘Referencing’ and other relevant topics to university study. Try to spend some time going through some of them.

Our team also offers one-to-one appointments. During these appointments, you can discuss in confidentiality any issues you’re having with your studies. We can offer support and advice on a variety of topics, including effective study strategies, writing academic assignments and English language help. And the good news is, this year we can offer both in-person and online appointments so we can accommodate the needs of your specific circumstances. You can book an appointment via Study + (Click on ‘Academic Success’) or directly using this link: https://10to8.com/book/sgul/

Finally, if you have a quick enquiry for us that might not require a one-to-one appointment, or you’re not able to find a date and time that suits you, you can contact us directly using this email address: AS@sgul.ac.uk. We check this email regularly and try to respond as soon as possible.

We look forward to meeting you!

Making the most of your Winter Break

This week we have a guest post by DrRosie MacLachlan, Lecturer in Learning Development

---

You’ve reached the end of a very busy term, and are looking forward to some much needed rest and relaxation. But for many courses, January means not just short-lived resolutions and depleted bank balances, but also assessment deadlines and exams. So how can you make the most of the winter break, taking well-deserved time off to recharge, while also making sure you come back ready to smash those January deadlines? Here are some top tips that we think may help:

Think about your environment

After several hectic months, you may feel you’ve finally settled into an effective study routine. Maybe you’ve found your perfect library desk – distraction-free, and not too noisy – or achieved domestic harmony with housemates keeping you well fed during study sessions. Suddenly, at the end of term, everything changes. If you’re going to be elsewhere during the holidays, don’t let the new environment disrupt your flow; make sure you take some time to think about where you can study. Even if you’re only staying somewhere for a couple of days, choose a space and make it your study zone. Find a table you can work at with no distractions, whether in a local coffee shop or a corner of your bedroom, and train yourself to associate this space with work.

Library Tip: The Library is closed from Friday 23 December 3pm and re-open Monday 2 Jan 9am-9pm (self-service). Computer rooms are accessible throughout this period with a valid ID card.

Make a plan

Let’s be honest, this really has been a busy term. You probably don’t remember everything you’ve heard in every lecture, and the temptation for studying over the holiday may be to plunge straight back into those notes. However, you’ll find you can study much more effectively if you use the extra time to take a step back and consider the long view. How do topics you’ve studied this term connect to each other? Where are there gaps in your knowledge, and can you best fill them? Use your first study sessions of the holidays to review what you’ve achieved so far, and be strategic about what you need to cover next: study smarter, not harder.

Library Tip: For help in organising your study time check out Exam & Essay Survival Hacks book display. Our Wakelet also links to the catalogue records for the books.

Reduce distractions

For lots of people, this time of year is all about catching up with old friends – and renewing family tensions. While you may not be able to control any noisy relatives staying in your house (see tip 1, about finding a good study environment), just as many social distractions are likely to come from your tablet or smart phone. Having a productive break is all about achieving balance: spend time with those you love, and spread the online cheer, but make sure you can focus when you need to. If you struggle with online distractions, programs like Cold Turkey and FocusMe allow you to block certain sites and notifications for a set period of time – turn them on for an hour’s study, and then reward yourself with 15 minutes of social media.

Library Tip:  MBBS student and Learning Advcocate Ele Clancey tried the Forest: Stay Focus app and recommends it as a way of keeping focussed.

Make the most of those around you

If you do have a full house this holiday season, make the most of it. For those preparing written assignments over the break, getting your ideas down in words can be made much easier by first talking them through with someone. This doesn’t need to be someone who knows much about the topic at hand, just someone who is prepared to listen to what you say, and question you on anything that isn’t clear. Equally, if you need to revise for a multiple choice exam, prepare flashcards with all your key definitions and ask somebody else to test you on them. So, next time somebody at home politely asks how your course is going, grab them!

Relax

Finally, make sure you do take time to relax over the next few weeks. Holidays are great for spending time with loved ones, and if you have something special planned give yourself time to switch off and enjoy it. Remember too that short mid-winter days affect energy levels – it’s important to listen to your body and rest when you need it. Make sure you spend some time outside during daylight every day, and don’t forget that (much as we may hate to admit it) there’s life outside your course and St George’s.

---

Dr Rosie McLachlan runs the Academic Skills Centre in the Library Foyer

The Academic Skills Centre drop in is now closed for Christmas, and will re-open on Monday 9th January.

Please email Rosie at rmaclach@sgul.ac.uk for a booked appointment or alternative support during this period.

The most up-to-date information will be available on www.vle.sgul.ac.uk (login required) – search for Study+

Benjamin Woolley: Royal Literary Fund Fellow at St George’s

Ben Woolley is the Royal Literary Fund Fellow at  St George’s, University of London.  He is here to help staff and students with their writing skills.  Find out more in his words:

Writing skills are essential to all the courses here at St George’s, and as the university’s Royal Literary Fund Fellow for 2013-14, I am here to help you improve them. I am an experienced author, broadcaster and academic, providing free, confidential, one-to-one advice on all aspects of academic writing, from structuring an essay to polishing your prose.

To book a 45-minute consultation, simply email bwoolley@sgul.ac.uk, giving me an idea of what you would like to talk about and your availability. Feel free to send a sample of your work in advance, and I will do my best to read it before we meet.

I am available on Mondays and Tuesdays during term time. Slots start on the hour, the first at 10am, the last at 4pm.