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Writing critically and structuring your essay - Academic Study Skills

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Cardiff University offer a wide range of online tutorials and other study-skills support aimed at undergraduate and postgraduate taught students. These include tips on how to study more effectively, time management, what is meant by critical thinking, as well as specific guidance on writing to a university standard.

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Essay and dissertation writing skills

Planning your essay

Writing your introduction

Structuring your essay

• Writing essays in science subjects
• Brief video guides to support essay planning and writing
• Writing extended essays and dissertations
• Planning your dissertation writing time

Structuring your dissertation

• Top tips for writing longer pieces of work

Advice on planning and writing essays and dissertations

University essays differ from school essays in that they are less concerned with what you know and more concerned with how you construct an argument to answer the question. This means that the starting point for writing a strong essay is to first unpick the question and to then use this to plan your essay before you start putting pen to paper (or finger to keyboard).

A really good starting point for you are these short, downloadable Tips for Successful Essay Writing and Answering the Question resources. Both resources will help you to plan your essay, as well as giving you guidance on how to distinguish between different sorts of essay questions. 

You may find it helpful to watch this seven-minute video on six tips for essay writing which outlines how to interpret essay questions, as well as giving advice on planning and structuring your writing:

Different disciplines will have different expectations for essay structure and you should always refer to your Faculty or Department student handbook or course Canvas site for more specific guidance.

However, broadly speaking, all essays share the following features:

Essays need an introduction to establish and focus the parameters of the discussion that will follow. You may find it helpful to divide the introduction into areas to demonstrate your breadth and engagement with the essay question. You might define specific terms in the introduction to show your engagement with the essay question; for example, ‘This is a large topic which has been variously discussed by many scientists and commentators. The principal tension is between the views of X and Y who define the main issues as…’ Breadth might be demonstrated by showing the range of viewpoints from which the essay question could be considered; for example, ‘A variety of factors including economic, social and political, influence A and B. This essay will focus on the social and economic aspects, with particular emphasis on…..’

Watch this two-minute video to learn more about how to plan and structure an introduction:

The main body of the essay should elaborate on the issues raised in the introduction and develop an argument(s) that answers the question. It should consist of a number of self-contained paragraphs each of which makes a specific point and provides some form of evidence to support the argument being made. Remember that a clear argument requires that each paragraph explicitly relates back to the essay question or the developing argument.

• Conclusion: An essay should end with a conclusion that reiterates the argument in light of the evidence you have provided; you shouldn’t use the conclusion to introduce new information.
• References: You need to include references to the materials you’ve used to write your essay. These might be in the form of footnotes, in-text citations, or a bibliography at the end. Different systems exist for citing references and different disciplines will use various approaches to citation. Ask your tutor which method(s) you should be using for your essay and also consult your Department or Faculty webpages for specific guidance in your discipline. 

Essay writing in science subjects

If you are writing an essay for a science subject you may need to consider additional areas, such as how to present data or diagrams. This five-minute video gives you some advice on how to approach your reading list, planning which information to include in your answer and how to write for your scientific audience – the video is available here:

A PDF providing further guidance on writing science essays for tutorials is available to download.

Short videos to support your essay writing skills

There are many other resources at Oxford that can help support your essay writing skills and if you are short on time, the Oxford Study Skills Centre has produced a number of short (2-minute) videos covering different aspects of essay writing, including:

• Approaching different types of essay questions  
• Structuring your essay  
• Writing an introduction  
• Making use of evidence in your essay writing  
• Writing your conclusion

Extended essays and dissertations

Longer pieces of writing like extended essays and dissertations may seem like quite a challenge from your regular essay writing. The important point is to start with a plan and to focus on what the question is asking. A PDF providing further guidance on planning Humanities and Social Science dissertations is available to download.

Planning your time effectively

Try not to leave the writing until close to your deadline, instead start as soon as you have some ideas to put down onto paper. Your early drafts may never end up in the final work, but the work of committing your ideas to paper helps to formulate not only your ideas, but the method of structuring your writing to read well and conclude firmly.

Although many students and tutors will say that the introduction is often written last, it is a good idea to begin to think about what will go into it early on. For example, the first draft of your introduction should set out your argument, the information you have, and your methods, and it should give a structure to the chapters and sections you will write. Your introduction will probably change as time goes on but it will stand as a guide to your entire extended essay or dissertation and it will help you to keep focused.

The structure of  extended essays or dissertations will vary depending on the question and discipline, but may include some or all of the following:

• The background information to - and context for - your research. This often takes the form of a literature review.
• Explanation of the focus of your work.
• Explanation of the value of this work to scholarship on the topic.
• List of the aims and objectives of the work and also the issues which will not be covered because they are outside its scope.

The main body of your extended essay or dissertation will probably include your methodology, the results of research, and your argument(s) based on your findings.

The conclusion is to summarise the value your research has added to the topic, and any further lines of research you would undertake given more time or resources. 

Tips on writing longer pieces of work

Approaching each chapter of a dissertation as a shorter essay can make the task of writing a dissertation seem less overwhelming. Each chapter will have an introduction, a main body where the argument is developed and substantiated with evidence, and a conclusion to tie things together. Unlike in a regular essay, chapter conclusions may also introduce the chapter that will follow, indicating how the chapters are connected to one another and how the argument will develop through your dissertation.

For further guidance, watch this two-minute video on writing longer pieces of work . 

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Using Academic Skills to Improve Teaching

• First Online: 01 January 2024

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• Sally Ashton-Hay 4 &
• Naomi Doncaster 4  

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Student success and retention in higher education are becoming increasingly important and the need for learning support for diverse students is also crucial. This chapter reports on a study investigating whether attendance at Academic Skills consultations over a 3-year period made any difference in student performance, success, Grade Point Average (GPA) and attrition within the context of a regional university in Australia. Over 13,000 student consultations with Academic Skills in 2017, 2018 and 2019 were matched in the University Management Information System to allow derivation of metrics. Study findings reveal that students who consulted with Academic Skills performed better than those who did not attend consultations and the difference was greater for those who attended more consultations. Student GPA was also higher and significantly more students were retained and completed their studies as a result of individual academic language and learning support consultations. These results demonstrate a positive and significant impact from individualised assessment consultations, although many other factors may also be influential so the results are interpreted with some caution. This chapter nonetheless supports the positive impact of focused academic language and learning support on student outcomes, especially for new students, via an enhanced learning experience. Although one-on-one consultations can be an effective approach, more collaborative team teaching with content lecturers and language and learning specialists could further contribute to improving teaching practice, student success and retention at the tertiary level of learning.

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Acknowledgements

Thank you to the University Office of Planning, Quality and Review for assistance with tracking students and following up with derivation of metrics.

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Sally Ashton-Hay & Naomi Doncaster

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Ashton-Hay, S., Doncaster, N. (2023). Using Academic Skills to Improve Teaching. In: Lynch, D., Yeigh, T., Boyd, W. (eds) Re-imagining Teaching Improvement. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-7746-8_11

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The importance of study skills in HE for learners to enhance and develop their studies further

B y   Giedrius   Zilionis ,   Senior  Business  Lecturer   and  Alexander Kaiser ,   Health  Lecturer

Study skills are some of the most essential academic tools in Higher Education. All learners have different skills and sometimes these are not fully recognised or developed – simply because, ironically, study skills are not implemented.  By effectively using study skills, learners can discover hidden talents and how well these can be of benefit to them during their studies and beyond.

Benefits of academic skills

There are discussions as to whether or not academic skills should be prioritised in the teaching of undergraduate students, since employers argue that many students are not equipped with the job-related skills that are needed, even after 3 years of degree education (Menz, 2021).  However, according to Hermida (2009) most first-year students lack necessary basic academic skills such as reading, because academic reading differs greatly from the reading that is undertaken in Secondary Education.  Students need to learn academic language and familiarise themselves with the key contributors to their respective fields. Others such as Blades and Gibb (2012) argue that academic skills such as taking responsibility, undertaking research and communicating findings are important when it comes to employability.

Why do we need skills?

Skills are necessary for every aspect of human life. These skills allow us to do something right and well. Skills are learned and developed in academia and work practices. Simply, if a student develops skills well in a particular field they can become an expert in it. Students start learning some key skills at the beginning of their degree which will help them later in their professional life, career and opportunities. Students will have more confidence, motivation, engagement and achieve goals. Therefore, using a skill-based approach can help students grasp concepts faster and strengthen what they already know (Podareducation, 2021.)

Below are additional essential skills that will help students thrive instead of ‘survive’ at LSST.

Transferable skills

In general, transferrable skills are referred to as skills that can be used in a variety of situations. Transferrable skills include basic skills such as literacy and numeracy skills but also extend to what some authors call “employability skills”. These skills are those which provide students with the skills to enhance their chances of getting employed. This includes skills that are non-job-specific (Blades and Gibb, 2012). A large part of employability depends on language efficiency, digital competence as well as social skills and social awareness (Nägele, Stadler, 2017).

This is why at LSST, students are encouraged to begin their development of these skills from the start of their programme where respective modules allow students to develop their academic skills while focusing on a range of challenges that help develop employability skills. For example, students need to familiarise themselves with IT systems, work in multi-cultural groups and come to know about how to learn efficiently. Particularly, group work allows students to explore their leadership skills, time-management skills and sometimes conflict management is needed. Further, students are supported by the academic team to do all these things in a stimulating and safe environment. They are constantly instructed to attempt tasks that lie just outside their abilities before they are assisted to hone their skills.

Digital skills

This digital and technology-driven world requires students to learn digital skills. Degrees are one of the starting points where learners can start or improve their digital skills intensely. Students must use some digital skills during their studies, such as information/data literacy (browsing, searching, and evaluating data); communication and collaboration (interaction via ICT, emails, chats, blogs); digital content creation (programming and copyrights licensing); and problem-solving (technical problems identifying and solving). See CEDEFOP (2021).

Developing and maintaining digital skills is vital in today’s teaching and learning process. Students can enhance their digital skills through learning – online and activities in class. It is essential to learn digital skills from L3 at LSST digital skills usage will lead learners throughout their studies and personal lives.

As educators, we have to support students to recognise the importance of digital skills in the classroom to assister their learning and their employability - and encourage them to build the confidence to transfer their skills to multiple contexts.  Digital skills enable educators and learners to move forward in their professional careers. The importance of skills is necessary for every aspect of human being life. The skills allow us to do something right and well.

Students that start learning and practising key study skills at the beginning of their degree will have more confidence, motivation, engagement and achieve more goals. Therefore, using a skill-based approach can help students grasp concepts faster and strengthen what they already know (Podareducation, 2021.) Learning and improving current skills makes students better communicators too.

Computer skills

Unlike digital skills, computer user skills are those basic skills that are needed to use computers generally.  Computer skills are needed at LSST to assess course material, search for information and access online libraries. Basic computer skills are also needed to write assignments and can be beneficial to stay in touch with lecturers and other students, for example for sharing ideas and formulating opinions. Efficient use of email is essential in today’s world. Some students, may not have all of the required skills yet. Further, research shows that non-traditional students often tend to put in more effort to compensate for this initial lack of skills (Henson, 2013).

All modern businesses are reliant on the efficient computer skills of their employees. Computers are not only used by businesses around the world to complete tasks but are also essential in a fast-moving world as they can be used to plan and organise a variety of tasks more efficiently in a world in which job tasks become more and more versatile. At LSST students have access to IT equipment and can make use of academic support services which may help with the development of IT skills.

Literacy skills

Literacy is the ability to read, write, speak, and listen in a way that lets us communicate effectively and make sense of the world. According to Unesco (2020), 14% of adults still lack basic literacy skills globally.

In England, 1 in 7 adults, roughly 5.1 million, lack basic literacy skills. England is the only developed country where the literacy and numeracy levels of 16-24 years old are worse than those at 55-65 years old.  43% of adults 16-years and older read at or below the basic level . Their skills are limited to understanding short, simple texts and one-step math problems. (Seedsofliteracy.org, 2015).

Many adults want to improve their literacy skills to get higher-paying jobs. Acquiring stronger literacy skills can open up new careers and often lead to work promotions. Sometimes motivation comes from children who are learning to read themselves.

Improving literacy skills is vital. At LSST, we have several modules such as Preparing for Success, Knowledge and Creativity; Self-development and Responsibility, and Inquiry Based Learning, where students learn the literacy skills to enhance their academic performance further and progress to the next level. Students learn, read, write, present, communicate, and reflect skills during their studies. Regardless of the skills students are needed, lacking  literacy skills  holds a person back at every stage of their life.

Self-development skills

To best support students, it is imperative to understand their motivation to study in Higher Education. More students than ever are beginning to study after a prolonged period of employment (Rozvadska, Novotny, 2019). As opposed to traditional students, non-traditional students more often state financial concerns as motivating factors for studying. They also often are more concerned about academic issues than their traditional counterparts. Further, social issues, such as lack of confidence appear to be more prevalent with non-traditional students (Taylor, House, 2010). In practice, it is important to support students at LSST in a variety of ways. They should be confident that they receive necessary financial support before commencing their studies but it is also important to teach skills that increase self-confidence, such as time-management skills and organisational skills. It has been shown that positive teaching is effective in student empowerment (e.g. Joseph, Murphy, Holford, 2020). As a result, LSST adopts a facility of teachers as facilitators rather than directional teachers, where possible. Students are supported in class but also have access to resources that are designed to support students with social issues as well as financial issues. For example, students are assigned a personal academic tutor, can receive guidance on mental health and can be supported by a dedicated academic support team.

In conclusion, study skills are a fundamental part of academic, professional and personal development. Furthermore, learners can develop these skills at LSST in conjunction with their experience. Additionally, enthusiasm to study and learn skills enhances student confidence and self-assurance. We must all work together to further improve student study skills and learning strategies by making our teaching and learning even more effective and successful.

How to reference this article

Zilionis, G. and Kaiser, A. G.  (2022). The importance of study skills in HE for learners to enhance and develop their studies further in academia . Available at:  https://www.lsst.ac/blogs/ [Note: Please add accessed date here].

Blades, R., Fauth, B., Gibb, J. (2012). ‘ Measuring employability skills. A rapid review to inform development of tools for project evaluation’ . National Children’s Bureau. London.

CEDEFOP. (2021).  Digital skills: Challenges and opportunities . [online] Available at: https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/en/data-insights/digital-skills-challenges-and-opportunities . [Accessed 7 Feb. 2022].

Henson, A.R. (2013). ‘The impact of Computer Efficacy on the Success of the Nontraditional Community College Student’. Dissertations , 301.

Hermida, J. (2009). ‘ The Importance of Teaching Academic Reading Skills in First-Year University Courses . Available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1419247 [Accessed 7 Feb. 2022].

Menz, M. (2020). ‘Integrating Academic Skills and Employability’. Journal of Research in Higher Education . 4(2), 5-17 doi: 10.24193/JRHE.2020.2.1

Joseph, S., Murphy, D., Holford, J. (2020). ‘Positive education: A new look at Freedom to Learn. Oxford Review of Education , 46(5). 549-562

Nägele, C., Stadler, B.E. (2017). ‘Competence and the Need for Transferable Skills’ in Competence- based Vocational and Professional Education, Springer International Publishing, Switzerland

Rozvadská, K., Novotný, P. (2019). The Structure of non-traditional students’ motives for entering higher education. Open Journal per la formazione in rete . 19(2). 133-148

Seedsofliteracy.org, (2015). The Importance of Adult Literacy | Seeds of Literacy . [online] Available at: https://www.seedsofliteracy.org/the-importance-of-adult-literacy/ [Accessed 7 Feb. 2022].

Podareducation.org. (2021).  Importance of Skill Development Curriculum in School | Podar Blogs . [online] Available at: https://www.podareducation.org/blog-importance-of-skill-development-curriculum-in-school [Accessed 1 Feb. 2022].

Taylor, J., House, B. (2010). ‘An Exploration of Identity, Motivations and Concerns of Non-Traditional Students at Different Stages of Higher Education’ Psychology Teaching Review . 16(1). 46-57

Unesco.org. (2020). 14 per cent of adults worldwide still lack basic literacy skills, UNESCO report finds | UIL . [online] Available at: https://uil.unesco.org/literacy/14-cent-adults-worldwide-still-lack-basic-literacy-skills-unesco-report-finds . [Accessed 7 Feb. 2022].

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• LEARNING SKILLS

Study Skills

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What are Study Skills?

Study skills are the skills you need to enable you to study and learn efficiently – they are an important set of transferable life skills.

Our pages provide generic study skills advice – appropriate to learners across all disciplines and in different life circumstances: full and part-time students, those returning to education later in life, those engaged in professional development and anybody who wants to learn how to learn effectively. 

Key points about study skills:

You will develop your own personal approach to study and learning in a way that meets your own individual needs. As you develop your study skills you will discover what works for you, and what doesn’t.

Study skills are not subject specific - they are generic and can be used when studying any area. You will, of course, need to understand the concepts, theories and ideas surrounding your specific subject area. To get the most out of your studies, however, you’ll want to develop your study skills.

You need to practise and develop your study skills.   This will increase your awareness of how you study and you’ll become more confident.  Once mastered, study skills will be beneficial throughout your life.

Study skills are not just for students.   Study skills are transferable - you will take them with you beyond your education into new contexts. For example, organisational skills, time management, prioritising, learning how to analyse, problem solving, and the self-discipline that is required to remain motivated.  Study skills relate closely to the type of skills that employers look for.  (See Transferable Skills and Employability Skills for more.)

At SkillsYouNeed we provide quality content on many life skills – and many of these are relevant to studying.

You’ll find two types of study skills pages – pages that directly relate to skills you need for study (such as How to Write an Essay ) and pages that are more general life skills but which are also important to studying (like Active Listening ).

Our Study Skills Pages Include:

Getting Organised to Study

Getting organised is an important first step to effective study.  Our page covers the basic organisation skills you need to consider – fundamentals such as where and when to study and the importance of developing a network of contacts who can help you when you need it.

This page covers some of the basic principles of time management – with reference to study. If you manage your time badly then you will be less productive, which can lead to stress and anxiety. This page will help you by outlining the importance of a personal study timetable and how to set goals and prioritise your time.

Sources of Information for Study

Learn what is meant by, and the importance of, primary, secondary and tertiary documents and how you may source such information in a library or online.

By understanding different writing styles you can put what you read into perspective. This page covers the main writing styles that you are likely to come across, including academic, journal, and journalistic styles.

When studying, it is likely that you will need to read a lot of information – and you will wish to use this time effectively as possible by developing your reading skills. Discover ways that you can engage with your reading, form links, understand opinions and put ideas and research into perspective. In short, develop your reading skills.

Critical Reading and Reading Strategies

This page explains what is meant by critical reading and critical thinking – skills which are fundamental to true learning, personal development and advancement. The page also covers how to develop a personal reading strategy and use SQ3R to help you manage your reading.

Note-Taking

Learning to take notes effectively is not only important to study but also in many other situations, at work and in your personal life.  Develop your note-taking skills with our pages: Note-Taking for Verbal Exchanges and Note-Taking for Reading .

It pays to carefully think about and plan an essay or other piece of written work before you start writing.  This page provides you with a framework for planning which will help ensure your work is relevant, well-constructed and produced efficiently.

Essay Writing

Learn about the processes involved in writing an essay, or other piece of assessed work.  Avoid common mistakes and follow best practice to help ensure that the work you produce is of a high quality.

How to Write a Dissertation or Thesis

Working on a dissertation, thesis or other research project can be the most challenging part of study. Our guide offers practical advice and explains how to work on each part of a research document, including:

• How to Write a Research Proposal
• Ethical Issues in Research
• Researching and Writing a Literature Review
• Writing your Methodology
• Writing up your Results and Discussion

Learning how to reference correctly is vital if you are a student. This page not only covers why you should reference, and what may happen if you don’t, but also includes some detailed guidelines on how to reference different types of materials.

As a learner you will be required to engage with theory, but exactly what is a theory?  A theory is an attempt to provide understanding - theories attempt to answer the question, 'why?' and therefore satisfy our curiosity.  Learn more about theories and how they are usually developed.

Before you submit your assignment for school, university or work, run through a series of final checks.  Avoid potentially embarrassing or costly mistakes and increase the credibility of your work.

Reflecting On Marked Work

This page, for students, encourages you to engage in the feedback you receive from a marker when your work is returned.  Don’t just look at the bottom line, the mark, but understand the comments and feedback and learn from any mistakes.

Revision Skills

Revising for examinations can be a real challenge for many people. Learn and practice some key skills to make your revision time as productive and effective as possible, leaving you better prepared for exams and tests.

Further Reading from Skills You Need

The Skills You Need Guide for Students

Develop the skills you need to make the most of your time as a student.

Our eBooks are ideal for students at all stages of education, school, college and university. They are full of easy-to-follow practical information that will help you to learn more effectively and get better grades.

Other Areas Related to Study

Writing Skills

The writing skills section of SkillsYouNeed includes many other pages that we hope you’ll find useful.

Our pages: Spelling , Grammar and Punctuation for example can help with assignment writing.  You may also find information on our pages: Gender Neutral Writing and Clichés to Avoid useful.

Interpersonal Skills

Interpersonal skills are the skills we use every day to interact with others and many are relevant to effective study.

For example see:  Listening Skills , Problem Solving and Decision Making , Questioning and Types of Questions , Verbal Communication and Effective Speaking .

Personal Skills

Our Personal Skills section covers areas of personal development . 

Useful pages for study include:  Building Confidence and Self-Esteem , Tips for Dealing with Stress , Relaxation Techniques , and Self-Motivation .

Start with: Getting Organised to Study

See also: Employability Skills for Graduates How to Systemize Your Study Develop Your Online Learning Skills and Get More from Your Online Classes

Study skills for students

Support for students

Whether you are studying for pleasure, to further your career, to increase your knowledge of a subject, to acquire new skills, or to gain a qualification, we hope that you will take advantage of the study skills support we offer at the Department for Continuing Education. Reviewing and developing your study skills will not only boost your confidence and help you succeed, but will also enable you to work more effectively in the time available to you for study.

Developing and improving study skills is a gradual and long-term process. It is also an individual process. If you are new to higher education or have not studied for some time, you may feel worried about tackling your first assignment; taking an exam; or juggling study, family, and work commitments. If you are part- way through a course, or are progressing to a new course, you may feel that it would be useful to brush up your note-taking or writing skills, to acquire some tips on spelling or grammar, or to acquire and practise presentation skills. Whatever your study skills needs, we hope that you will find the support and guidance we provide helpful and that you will enjoy the opportunity to get to know and work with students with similar goals and concerns.

Study Skills Programme

The Study Skills Programme provides guidance across the range of study skills needed at undergraduate level including:

• Managing your time and developing learning strategies
• Reading academic texts critically and effectively
• Taking notes in lectures and from hard or electronic copy
• Planning and writing essays and reports
• Constructing and presenting bibliographies and references
• Developing an academic writing style
• Improving spelling and grammar
• Preparing and delivering presentations
• Revising and sitting examinations

Guidance on using and searching Oxford University’s online library catalogue OLIS and electronic research resources OxLIP using the search and discovery tool SOLO is provided by Rewley House Library .

Workshops and courses

The programme is delivered through:

• A range of half or full day study skills workshops. See our course listings for available education and study skills workshops and courses. 
• Academic Literacy , a ten-week online introductory study skills course. 

Both the study skills workshops and the online introductory academic literacy course are fully supported with handouts and practice exercises. Students are encouraged to discuss study skills problems and solutions and to practise new skills with fellow participants. There is no single formula for successful study. What works for other students may not necessarily work for you. It is important to build upon your own existing skills and abilities but you also need to experiment with tried and tested strategies and techniques in order to find your own preferred and successful methods of study.

Postgraduate students are welcome to attend the workshops or undertake the introductory academic literacy course if they want to refresh their general study skills, but guidance on general and subject-specific postgraduate study skills is provided on individual postgraduate courses.

Further ways to obtain study skills guidance

If you are unable to attend the workshops or register for the online programme, or if you prefer to read about study techniques or merely want to find out about a particular aspect of study, you might like to consult one of our study skills guides, borrow a book from the library or access study skills material online.

Continuing Education study skills guides

The Department has developed a range of study skills guides for students offering advice on tried and tested ways to study effectively.

A copy of our Weekly Classes student handbook, which includes a mini-guide to preparing and writing a range of assignments for our open access courses, can be downloaded as a PDF document by following the link below (please see pages 5-6 ):

• Guide to Producing Coursework  (PDF)

We use the following bespoke guides to support our workshops:

• Introduction to Study Skills
• Building Assignment Writing Skills
• Developing Further Assignment Writing Skills
• Revision and Examination Skills

These are available to current students, either on request from your tutor or from the Rewley House Library reception desk.

There are a large number of books you can consult to find out more about study skills at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Some cover a range of study skills; others focus on specific skills or on individual subject disciplines. The Rewley House Library holds multiple copies of a large selection of study skills publications. You will also find study skills books in your local public library. You may download our list of   recommended study skills texts .

Teaching and learning in Continuing Education

All of our courses are designed to provide a high quality and enjoyable learning experience for part-time adult students. The range of teaching methods and activities varies from course to course, and, depending on the subject taught, may include site visits to archaeological digs, museums, art galleries and heritage buildings in addition to classroom-based teaching.

All courses include seminars, lectures and tutorials in some form. Seminars and lectures are often delivered in a composite form in a single extended session, for example in a two-hour weekly class or six-hour day school. If you would like to find out more about lectures, seminars and tutorials and how best to prepare for them please click for  further information (PDF).

Guidance for students whose first language is not English

If English is not your first language you may have concerns whether you will be able to cope with study at undergraduate level. All of our courses are taught in English and you need to be sufficiently fluent in the English language to work without disadvantage. It is our experience that students require a level of fluency in written and spoken English equivalent to at least the British Council’s IELTS level 7 in order to study effectively and successfully on all courses at the Department for Continuing Education. This level is specified as an entrance requirement for courses which result in the achievement of an Oxford University qualification and is an advisory requirement for all other courses.

For further information about the Department’s English Language Requirement and for links to IELTS and TEFL websites please see the guidance for International Students .

If you require advice and information about language proficiency please contact the Student Support Officer .

Increasing your English language proficiency

If you would like to improve your command of English there are a number of useful web sites which provide useful guidance on increasing language proficiency and preparing for the IELTS and other examinations, including:

www.learnenglish.org.uk This is a British Council website. It provides language advice and a wide range of reading and listening activities in academic, professional/business and leisure subjects.

You can also access a large selection of self-study quizzes focusing on vocabulary, grammar and British culture from the following external website:

www.aitech.ac.jp/~iteslj/quizzes

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We’re dedicated to offering you a wide range of classes, online tutorials and other support to help you improve your study techniques and write to a university standard.

We want you to gain and develop academic study skills, so you get the most out of your studies while you’re at Cardiff University.

Assess your academic skills

Our self-assessment tool will help you to identify the study skills you might need to focus on and point you to additional support.

Around 100 classes a year

There are around 100 classes held in the Centre for Student Life for you to choose from, to meet your needs.

Academic Study Skills module

We’ve created an online module to keep all our resources in one place. You can access it anywhere, at any time.

Our friendly team will help you develop your academic study skills, including essay writing, critical reading and thinking, note taking, and managing your assignments effectively. In a supportive yet challenging environment, we’re dedicated to encouraging you to become an independent learner, with the skills you need to succeed.

“The classes I have been on (five in total) have been fabulous and I have gained a lot of insight and knowledge from them that has aided me to stop panicking as much on my workload!”

Get the best out of your studies

Our study skills support will help you to:

• discover practical tips to improve your study skills
• become more confident with your assignments
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“The trainer was excellent in her delivery. She created a happy and comfortable environment for learning. The content of the session was relevant, easily understood and very reflective.” 

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All first-year undergraduate students can have access to a student mentor , a student who’s been in your shoes. They can provide you with a student perspective on university life and learning, your academic school and how to get the most out of your studies and time in Cardiff.

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9 10 Academic Goals Examples to Supercharge Your Student Success

Becoming a successful student involves more than just going to classes and remembering facts for the test. It is about establishing a mentality of learning and evolving continuously, and distinct academic goals are a key aspect of that. These are the lights that lead the way and help you stay on track as you navigate through the trials and tribulations of your studies, whether it’s the demands of testing or the stuff that life throws at you. But, just as importantly, by clearly defining and outlining your academic objectives, you give your study a sense of intention and purpose. Whether it’s achieving a particular GPA, mastering a challenging topic, or participating in enriching extracurricular, strong academic Goals are the foundation of both short- and long-term academic success.  

Establishing concrete goals and the quest of excellence are frequently linked in the academic sphere. Before delving into these Academic Goals Examples, it is important to recognize services like Scholarly Help that provide workable ways to handle several Tasks. With options like pay someone to do my online class , Scholarly Help ensures you stay on track without compromising other responsibilities. This comprehensive guide explores ten powerful academic goals examples designed to elevate your student success to unprecedented heights. Whether your academic goals are designed to improve your critical thinking habits, advance your time management skills, or explore interdisciplinary thinking to further your academic career, they should provide students with a path toward overall intellectual and personal development. Rounding up different students through carefully structured college academic goals. All must necessarily form the basis of individual reality and opportunities.

Mastering Time Management

One of the building blocks for academic achievement is the effective management of time. The ability allows students to combine studies with other activities, namely work, daily life, or personal life. To manage time effectively, learners are recommended to:

• Plan a Weekly Schedule: set certain hours and days to work, study, and engage in other activities; 
• Set Priorities: determine poses that are urgent and important, then focus on a solution; 
• Do not Get Distracted: if some activities or processes are distracting, generate disadvantages.

Enhancing Study Skills

Improving study abilities might result in better comprehension and recall of course material. Students should focus on:

• Active Learning Techniques: Engage with the material such as holding discussions, teaching others, and transforming what one learned to real-life application. 
• Effective Note-Taking: Employ methods like Cornell Note-taking System to organize and refresh notes. 
• Regular Review Sessions: Set regular study dates to refresh one’s memory and prepare for exams.

Setting Specific Academic Targets

Setting clear, specific targets helps students stay motivated and measure progress. Examples of specific academic goals include:

• Achieve Specific GPA:   Aim to reach or maintain a specific grade point average each semester.
• Improving Grades in Challenging Subjects: Identify subjects where improvement is needed and set goals accordingly.
• Completing Assignments Ahead of Deadlines: Plan to finish assignments before the due date to allow time for revisions.

Expanding Knowledge beyond the Classroom

Gaining knowledge outside the classroom can enhance academic performance and provide a broader perspective. Students can achieve this by:

• Reading Extensively: Explore Books, Journals, and articles related to their field of Study.
• Attending Seminars and Workshops: Participate in events offering additional insights and networking opportunities.
• Engaging in Research Projects: Collaborate with professors or peers on research projects to deepen understanding of specific topics.

Developing Critical Thinking Skills

Critical thinking is vital for problem-solving and making informed decisions. Students can cultivate these skills by:

• Questioning Assumptions: Always ask why and consider alternative viewpoints.
• Analyzing Arguments: Evaluate the evidence and logic in different arguments.
• Reflecting on Learning: Regularly review what has been learned and how it applies to real-world situations.

Building Effective Communication Skills

Strong communication skills are essential for academic and professional success. Students can enhance these skills by:

• Participating in Class Discussions: Engage actively in discussions to practice articulating thoughts clearly.
• Writing Regularly: Practice writing essays, reports, and articles to improve writing abilities.
• Presenting Projects: Take opportunities to present work in front of an audience to build confidence and clarity.

Fostering Collaboration and Teamwork

Collaboration with peers can lead to better understanding and innovative solutions. Students should focus on:

• Joining Study Groups: Collaborate with classmates to discuss topics and solve problems together.
• Participating in Group Projects: Develop teamwork and leadership skills by working on group assignments.
• Engaging in Extracurricular Activities: Join clubs and organizations that encourage teamwork and collective problem-solving.

Seeking Feedback and Continuous Improvement

Constructive feedback helps identify areas for improvement and guide academic growth. Students should:

• Ask for Feedback: Request feedback from professors and peers on assignments and presentations.
• Reflect on Criticism: Use feedback to identify strengths and weaknesses, developing action plans for improvement.
• Commit to Lifelong Learning: Embrace continuous learning and improvement in all aspects of life.

Utilizing Academic Resources

Taking full advantage of available academic resources can enhance learning and performance. Students should:

• Visit the Library Regularly: Utilize resources for research and study.
• Use Online Databases: Access academic journals and articles online to support studies.
• Seek Academic Support Services: Utilize tutoring, writing centers, and academic advising offered by the institution.

Preparing for Future Careers with Academic Goals

Setting academic goals with future careers in mind provides direction and motivation. Students should:

• Identify Career Goals: Determine career aspirations and align academic goals accordingly.
• Gain Relevant Experience: Pursue internships, part-time jobs, and volunteer opportunities related to the field of study.
• Develop Professional Skills: Focus on skills like resume writing, interviewing, and networking to prepare for the job market.

Setting and meeting academic goals necessitates dedication, strategic planning, and consistent effort. By focusing on these ten academic goal examples, students can improve their learning experience, and performance, and set themselves up for future success. Remember that the key to academic success is to set specific, attainable goals and work hard to meet them.

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5 Ways to Teach Students the Skill of Active Studying

Explicit instruction on studying is invaluable for students, who often choose ineffective methods of reviewing material.

As students progress through their schooling, they are exposed to concepts that vary significantly in the content and skills needed for comprehension. A student first learning fractions, another in middle school English language arts, and an AP Biology student are all undergoing quite different educational experiences. While these classes will ask different things of the students, they all require the development of study skills. Unfortunately, while all teachers recognize the importance of these skills, they are rarely, if ever, explicitly taught.

This is something that I have taken more seriously in recent years, and I have explicitly worked to teach all of my students better ways to study. In order to properly teach this, I think it’s helpful to understand why certain strategies work. If you want to learn the basics of the neuroscience of learning and memory, you might take a look at an article I wrote on that for my students . In essence, there are two general types of thinking: System 1 (which uses long-term memory and is easier) and System 2 (which uses working memory and requires more effort). Strategies that center on using System 2 thinking result in stronger neuron ensemble formation, meaning better recall and learning.

Active studying is the name of practices that involve more System 2 thinking. A lot of people think of studying as simply reading over one’s notes, which is a passive form and results in minimal learning. Active studying includes retrieval, synthesis, and analysis of the material. As these methods take longer, students are often resistant to using or attempting them. However, research has shown that these techniques result in greater recall of the studied material . As such, I believe that, along with teaching strategies for active studying, you should design lessons around their incorporation.

5 Active Studying Practices

1. Teaching others: It’s as simple as it sounds. When students work to teach others, they are coming up with information from memory (rather than just reading it), and they often need to think of new ways to explain something. This not only helps students figure out what they do or don’t know but strengthens and reinforces the memories.

2. Pure retrieval practice: This is when students retrieve the information from their memory. It can be something simple like using flash cards, but my personal favorite method is when students use a whiteboard, a piece of paper, or a tablet to write out and draw everything they can about the topic. They should then check their notes to see what they missed or got wrong before trying again later.

I like to combine the above two in class by having students work in small groups. Students take turns, with one student having a small whiteboard and teaching the others a topic, while the other students use their notes to correct their classmate or ask clarifying questions about missed aspects. We call these “whiteboard days,” and students have reported finding these days to be very helpful as a review before tests, and many use these strategies at home now.

3. Study guides: Study guides are a common form of studying and a lot of times are given to students by their teachers. Students often fall into a pit of copying definitions word-for-word from their notes, which might aid in memorization of certain terms or facts but limits understanding and the ability to apply the information.

I teach my students how to make a good study guide , where they synthesize and summarize the information into their own words. I don’t require these every unit, but once students have developed the skill, they are able to apply it to any course, and some choose to make them even if not required because they find them helpful.

4. Concept maps: These are visual representations of the connections and relationships between concepts. Although not as helpful for some subjects or topics, these cause students to think more deeply about the material and strengthen their memory of the topics, as they have to think more deeply to come up with connections they may not have otherwise thought of.

While you can assign specific words and require everyone to form maps with the same list as an in-class or homework assignment, my personal favorite way to do this is to gamify it—students draw random cards with vocabulary words on them and compete to develop the most connections.

5. Practice questions: Practice questions are a tried-and-true and very helpful way to study, especially in certain classes. The most helpful practice questions are application-based and allow students to test how well they truly understand the material, as opposed to having just memorized certain facts or definitions. I like to have students study sometimes by making their own and then trading those questions and trying to answer each other’s. By developing their own application-style questions, the students are thinking about the material in a deeper manner to put it into new contexts. They can study both by developing their own questions, attempting to answer another’s, and explaining the right answer for the other students.

There are a variety of ways to work these methods into your course, with some of my ways mentioned above. Whichever you choose, make sure you also emphasize the importance of getting enough sleep and having shorter but more frequent study sessions, as these both are necessary for maximizing retainment of concepts. By teaching these techniques, and also requiring their use, you will help to reinforce and build good study habits within students that can help them in all their future academic endeavors.

Do you teach your students strategies for active studying? Let us know what they are in the comments!

Academic support

Looking for help with your learning?

Academic skills are essential for success at university, but many students need help to develop these skills.

Academic Learning Support can help you with skills such as planning your study, reading and notetaking for assignments, or academic writing.

We also help students to improve their maths and stats skills.

You can get expert advice from a Learning Advisor, study with other students in PASS, or get help any time with your assignments from Studiosity.

Learning Advisors

Learning advisors are here to help with Study Skills, Writing Skills, Maths and Stats, as well as Research Writing for Postgraduate PhD and MPhil students. This team of dedicated Learning Advisors provide free services to all University of Newcastle students.

Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) are weekly sessions that provide the opportunity for you to review weekly material with other students and a PASS Leader. No bookings needed!

Studiosity is an Online Study Help platform available 24/7. Free for all University of Newcastle students, providing fast feedback on your academic studies from real experts, anytime, anywhere.

Academic Learning Support

• Phone: (02) 4921 5350
• [email protected]

Not sure where to start?

Student Progress Advisors are experts in connecting you to support services

Call 1300-ASKUON

Ask a question

• International Student Support
• New Students
• Colleges and Schools

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The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.

Are you visiting our site from South Asia ? Head to our dedicated page with all the information you need to study at the University of Newcastle. Close

您是否在中国访问我们的网址？ 前往 专属页面 ，查询你在纽卡斯尔大学学习所需的所有信息。 Close

Study Skills

What is available, study skills support @ exeter, ask @ cornwall.

• Exams and assessments
• Library Support
• English Language Skills

A wide range of study skills support is available to help you develop the learning skills that are required for success as a student at the University.  You can attend workshops and/or drop in sessions to help build your skills, or take advantage of the wide range of online support material that is available to you.  You can 'pick and mix' from the available materials to focus on those areas that suit your purpose - e.g. you may want advice on getting the best out of lectures, or some hints on tips on exam and revision techniques.

Study Zone supports student learning at the University of Exeter.  This includes learning resources, drop-ins and workshops on a range of study skills topics, including academic writing, referencing, time management, exams and revision, and digital skills.

Find out all about academic skills support at the Cornwall campus . Take advantage of the online support materials available through the Study Hub

• Next: Exams and assessments >>
• Last Updated: Apr 25, 2024 2:45 PM
• URL: https://libguides.exeter.ac.uk/ASK

Current students

Study skills.

Whether you're new to university, haven't studied for a while, or are part way through your degree, there is a set of skills that are essential to your success.

There is a range of resources available to help you develop your study skills, from online, interactive learning modules to drop-in tutorials and small group workshops.

All of our study skills services are inclusive. Everybody studying at the University is welcome.

Study skills drop-in hub

Book a tutorial, ask a question.

Bookings for tutorials and workshops are for current University of Bristol students only. 

Effective study

• Welcome to study
• Study from home
• Time management
• Upgrade to university

Using AI at university

About study skills.

• About our tutors
• Frequently asked questions

Email us:  [email protected]

• Study groups

Our study groups provide a space for you to work alongside your peers, discuss your work, and simply connect with other students.

• Wordsmiths Writing Group
• The Coding Club  (term time only)

Reading and writing skills

• Academic reading
• Academic writing
• Critical writing
• Essay verbs
• Grammar and punctuation
• Making and using notes
• Mind mapping
• Planning and structuring academic work
• Report writing
• Stepwise guide to essays
• Using feedback effectively  

Exam and assessment preparation

• Exam papers and questions
• Exams and wellbeing
• Online open book exams
• Revision planning
• Revision techniques

Data skills

• Maths skills
• Reading charts and tables
• Statistics and research methods

Library Events

View the Library's events page to book yourself into events covering topics such as to sourcing literature, evaluating sources and referencing.

Connect with us

UoBristolStudy

UoBristolStudySkills

[email protected]

Study skills blog

Check out the University's study skills blog .

Resource list

Useful study skills books. Explore our study skills resource list . 

This new online resource looks at:

• when you can use generative AIs (including ChatGPT and Claude)
• how to write good prompts to help you study
• using AI as a tutor
• the grey areas around academic integrity.

Find out more