Effective Learning: Lecture 1

Learning Strategies

With thanks to David Smith

Why Am I here!?!?

Social Interaction Critical Thinking Learning

What Are You Trying to Achieve? Friends Personal growth Degree

Planning Your Time

Short-Term Planning

Have a Routine Fill Gaps Constructively Break-up Study into Tasks Balance Work… With FUN!

Re-Evaluate Your Plan

Be flexibleEssay DeadlinesExam RevisionReading Weeks

Know YourselfBe Honest….and Realistic!

Workload and Deadlines

Know your deadlines well in advance Familiarise yourself with module information and

assessments http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/study-schemes/

Break up tasks into long, medium and short term Allow time for preparation Allow for the unexpected (illness, hangovers etc.) If you can’t meet a deadline, request an extension via

your department office (not automatically granted)

What to do if it’s all going wrong.

PersonalStudent Advice and CounselingResidential Support Team

(Wardens)FriendsNightline (contact Students’

Union for details)

Personal Tutor, Module Coordinators, Part One Coordinator

Effective Study Collection Study Practices Programme (Student Support):

• Classes for writing, seminar/lecture skills, information skills

• Individual consultations with RLF Writing fellows

http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/student-support/study-skills/ Students Union for equal opportunities advice Health Services (contact Student Welcome

Centre)

Approaching Difficult Study Material

Find more general sources to lead you in Check your lecture notes Form a study group

Pool your readingExplain things to each other

Ask your tutor Ask in the relevant libraries (specialist

librarians can advise)

Why go to lectures?

Provide a frame of reference

Good introduction to the topic

Give clues as to what is important for essays and exams

Focus on aims of modules

Taking Notes

Familiarise yourself with the topic before the lecture Is there a handout? It might be easier to annotate

that Are handouts available through AberLearn

Blackboard? Develop a personal shorthand Go over your notes afterwards

Correct errors and illegibility Add more detail Mindmaps may help

Have a system for organising and filing your notes

Taking Good Notes

Leave lots of space for later thoughts and analysis

Mark Key ConceptsColourIcons Highlighting

Categories and Hierarchies Number the pages!

Reading

Why? Greater depth of knowledge

Selection Understand the library Know why you are reading

Organisation Reading lists Checking availability through

libraries and online resources Prioritising reading

Seminars

Take the opportunity to share ideas and find out what others think

Support your position with reasoned argument

Take notes Be prepared to make presentations Don’t be shy – everyone is nervous Be tolerant too!

Summary…

Goals Time management Sources of assistance Lectures Note-taking Reading Seminars

The End

Any questions?

The next lecture will be on essays and assignments.