How to Study
Organise!
Planning ahead is half the battle. Missing essay deadlines can mean you lose marks, which may effect what degree you end up with! Buy a diary and make sure you note all of your important dates including terms and semesters, tutorials, work deadlines and exam dates. Include a copy of your timetable and schedule ‘study sessions’ where you can catch up on compulsory reading. Doing small amounts through the week is much easier than last minute cramming.
Lectures
The thing they don’t tell you about lectures is that it’s where your lecturers reveal major insights into the course. They are designed to ignite ideas and give you pointers on your own research. Therefore, while some lectures are optional, you can really give yourself a leg up by attending them. And what else might you be doing at 9am on a Monday?!!
TIP! It's always best to check with your school or department what is compulsory to attend. There is also an official Attendence Policy.
Note taking
You don’t need a word for word transcription from your lectures, it’s more important to make sure you are paying attention and following what the lecturer is saying. Take down key words, dates, names and phrases that you can back up with your own research later on. If you are a slow note-taker use a dictaphone or contact the Disability office to find out what support they can offer you if you have a visual or hearing impairment.
TIP! When reading or researching try to take notes as you go along, this will help you stay focused and allow you to form your own ideas to use later.
Write up your notes
Not the most exciting of tasks but you’ll be laughing when it’s time to write an essay or revise. Try to phrase things in your own voice and be succinct. Try and organize them according to subject or module. Stationary, folders and dividers will save you time and stress later on.
Tutorials and Seminars
Tutorials are small groups where students have the chance to ask questions, receive feedback and discuss topics. They can really help further your understanding of the subject and will help you prepare for essays and exams.
Seminars are more like taught classes and you will be expected to prepare for them, usually background reading or presentations.
Both seminars and tutorials are usually compulsory, so if you don’t want a narky letter from your personal tutor it’s a good idea to turn up. Also if you miss three or more you can be reported to your Head of School or worse, disciplined!