UK Study Skills: Postgraduate Students

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UK Study Skills Postgraduate Students

• Marion Bowman

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This presentation can be found at

• www.leeds.ac.uk/international/studentsupport.htm
  l

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Expectations

• As a postgraduate student, you will be expected
  to be an
• independent learner
• and a
• critical thinker

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But this doesnt mean you have to do all this
alone!

• 1. The benefits of networking
• Your wellbeing depends on it and it is a valuable
  resource.
• People who have good networks are
• More likely to have a better experience of
  studying
• more likely to feel they belong
• Less likely to feel stressed
• less likely to drop out
• 2. Start networking
• Introduce yourself to at least 2 people sitting
  near you
• that you dont yet know.

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How I feel about my studies right now
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As an independent learner you will be expected to

• Take responsibility for your own learning.
• 2. Be proactive
• - Find your own resources (internet /
  library),
• - Manage your own time
• - Have opinions based on evidence
• - Participate actively in class
• - Make your own notes
• - Get support if you need it
• Avoid repeating sections of text
• (Beware of plagiarism)

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As a critical thinker you will be expected to

• Critically evaluate the source texts that you
  find
• Identify the authors viewpoint and arguments
• Evaluate the evidence given for this point of
  view
• Make a judgement on whether this is a valid
  argument
• Make links between source texts evaluate them
  against
• each other
• Choose your own point of view in your writing
  and
• support this with evidence

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Critical thinking in your writing Example
The floods of 2007 were primarily the
result of ineffective government policy.
Discuss.
Introduction Your interpretation of the
question Key issues and arguments How will you
explore these
Central theme Developing your line of argument
Logical flow of ideas Linking ideas /
themes Support with evidence
Conclusion No new material! Logical conclusion of
what has gone before Summary of your main themes
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As a critical thinker, you will be expected to
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Different teaching methods

• - Lectures
• - Seminars
• - Tutorials
• - Practical workshops
• - Study groups
• - Small group projects
• - Online or web based learning
• - Private study

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Different methods of assessment

• - Assignments / Essays
• - Exam
• - Viva
• - Case study
• - Reflective journal
• - Multiple choice questions
• - Practical / lab report
• - Peer / group / self assessment
• - Presentations

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What I am comfortable with

• (True / False) Independent
  Learning
• I am able to find relevant information quickly.
• I am good at doing internet searches.
• I know how to reference correctly.
• I know how to avoid plagiarism.
• I know about different research methods.
• I have designed and conducted my own research
  before.
• I have a good reading speed and can find main
  ideas in texts quickly.

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What I am comfortable with

• (True / False)
  In class
• I am used to asking questions and making comments
  in class.
• I am good at taking my own notes in lectures.
• My language skills are good enough to be able to
  understand native speaker lecturers all the time.
  
• I am used to working in groups with class mates.
  
• I am good at time management and meeting
  deadlines.
• I am good at writing essays and supporting my
  argument with evidence.

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Set some SMART goals

• S Specific
• M Measurable
• A Achievable
• R Realistic
• T Time bound
• Examples
• I will attend the SDDU workshop on Effective
  Research Writing on 27 November 2008.
• I will find out about courses to improve my
  academic writing skills at the Language Centre by
  the end of next week.
• I will take the first draft of my first
  assignment to the drop in service at
  Skills_at_Library for feedback.

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Your network in Leeds

• Your network can be
• family
• friends
• people on your course
• flatmates
• tutors
• departmental student support
• administrative/secretarial support
• the Library or Skills_at_Library
• student union representatives/societies
• staff of the student support network

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You are not alone! How to find us
Contact us Skills_at_Library 15 Blenheim
Terrace University of Leeds Tel No 0113 343
4096 http//skills.library.leeds.ac.uk email
skills_at_library.leeds.ac.uk We are just down the
road from the banks, opposite Halo, next door to
the School of Education
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What we offer

• An extensive workshop programme on a wide variety
  of topics to help with academic skills, e.g
• writing
• reading
• presentations
• preparing for exams
• and more

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Online resources

• If you cannot attend a
• training workshop or prefer to
• use online resources you can
• explore the interactive
• materials on our web site

http//skills.library.leeds.ac.uk
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One to one advice

• For further support, you can see a skills adviser
  at a drop-in session at Skills_at_Library on
  Blenheim Terrace
• Or for advice about finding information for your
  subject, referencing, or any subject enquiries,
  you can see your Faculty Team Librarian
• http//www.leeds.ac.uk/library/subjects

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Group working rooms

• If you need space to work
• in groups or to prepare
• and practice your
• presentations you can
• book group working rooms
• at Skills_at_Library at 15
• Blenheim Terrace or use
• the Library group working
• study areas

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Struggling with your studies?Dont drop
out....drop in for help and advice

• Tuesday 4-6
• Wednesday 2-4
• Friday 10-12
• Bring your work, your essay title, your feedback,
  your
• notes, your problems and your ideas.

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If it just doesnt add up..

• Maths drop in sessions
• Monday 2-4 mechanics and general maths
• Tuesday 1-3 general maths
• Wednesday 2-4 general maths
• Thursday 2-4 statistics and general maths
• Friday 12.30-1.30 mechanics and general maths
• Online support
• - Improve your maths page at http//skills.libra
  ry.leeds.ac.uk
• www.mathtutor.ac.uk

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Workshops for PHD students through the SDDU
http//www.leeds.ac.uk/sddu/gts/pg_research_home.p
hp

• - Orientation sessions
• - Managing your supervisor
• - Writing proposals
• - Presentation Skills

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Support from the Language Centre
http//www.leeds.ac.uk/languages/facility/intl_inf
.html
- In-sessional courses - Language adviser -
Online materials
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Set some SMART goals

• S Specific
• M Measurable
• A Achievable
• R Realistic
• T Time bound
• Examples
• I will attend the SDDU workshop on Effective
  Research Writing on 27 November 2008.
• I will find out about courses to improve my
  academic writing skills at the Language Centre by
  the end of next week.
• I will take the first draft of my first
  assignment to the drop in service at
  Skills_at_Library for feedback.