Skills for Study - Contents list

Getting ready for academic study
- Module introduction
- Diagnostic test
- What to expect
  - What to expect: an introduction
  - What do I want?
  - How will I be taught?
  - What's expected of me?
  - Independent study
  - Managing life as a student
  - Managing anxieties
  - What resources do I have?
  - How can I prepare?
  - Technology enhanced study
  - Start developing your study skills
  - Learn from other students
  - Frequently asked questions
  - Skills self-assessment
  - Summary
- Developing your skills
  - Developing your skills: an introduction
  - Success as a student: what lecturers say
  - What are study skills?
  - The APT-S study skills framework
  - Self: managing yourself for study
  - Academic skills
  - People skills
  - Task management skills
  - Resilience as a student
  - Your current skills and qualities
  - Using personal skills in academic study
  - Study skills: my priorities
  - Study skills: action plan
  - Recording achievement
  - Learn from other students
  - Frequently asked questions
  - Skills self-assessment
  - Summary
- Studying effectively
  - Studying effectively: an introduction
  - Five study skills components
  - Your skills and qualities
  - How do we learn?
  - Different kinds of intelligence
  - How does learning happen?
  - What kind of learner am I?
  - Learn from other students
  - Frequently asked questions
  - Skills self-assessment
  - Summary
- Strategies for learning
  - Strategies for learning: an introduction
  - SHAPE: Style, habit, attitude, preference and experience
  - The C.R.E.A.M strategy
  - Creative learning
  - Reflective learning
  - Effective learning
  - Active learning
  - Motivated learning
  - Learn from other students
  - Frequently asked questions
  - Skills self-assessment
  - Summary
- Module assessment
- Documents
  - Current skills and qualities - a self-evaluation activity
  - Effective learning - a checklist
  - How well am I doing? - a self-evaluation
  - Independent study - a worksheet
  - Personalise your learning style - a worksheet
  - Strategies for learning - Frequently Asked Questions
  - Study skills - action plan
  - Studying effectively - Frequently Asked Questions
  - What to expect - Frequently Asked Questions

Reading and note-making
- Module introduction
- Diagnostic test
- Reading effectively
  - Reading effectively: an introduction
  - Individual approaches to reading
  - Reading efficiently
  - Active reading strategies
  - Varying your reading strategies
  - Selecting what to read
  - Using a reading list
  - Check your reading speed
  - Increase your reading speed
  - Frequently asked questions
  - Skills self-assessment
  - Summary
- Making notes while reading
  - Making notes while reading: an introduction
  - Making notes
  - How helpful are your notes?
  - How do you make your notes now?
  - Making better notes
  - Linear notes
  - Nuclear notes
  - Pattern notes
  - Making your notes memorable and useful
  - Shortcuts in making notes
  - Keeping your notes organised
  - Learn from other students
  - Frequently asked questions
  - Skills self-assessment
  - Summary
- Making notes during lectures
  - Making notes during lectures: an introduction
  - Preparing for lectures
  - Using lecturers' notes
  - Listening to lectures
  - After the lecture
  - Filing your notes
  - Tips from other students
  - Frequently asked questions
  - Skills self-assessment
  - Summary
- Module assessment
- Documents
  - Abbreviations
  - Activities to practise getting information quickly
  - Audio for the 'Making notes during lectures' section
  - Audio for the 'Making notes while reading' section
  - Audio for the 'Reading effectively' section
  - Lecture notes cover sheet
  - Listening to lectures
  - Making notes during lectures FAQ
  - Making notes while reading FAQ
- More resources
  - A collection of helpful resources compiled from the web.

Critical thinking skills
- Module introduction
- Diagnostic test
- What is critical thinking?
  - What is critical thinking? An introduction
  - Critical thinking as a student
  - Reading, listening and writing critically
  - Benefits of critical thinking
  - How do you currently think?
  - Foundations for critical thinking
  - Develop a detective-like mind
  - Learn from your tutor
  - Frequently asked questions
  - Skills self-assessment
  - Summary
- Critical reading and writing
  - Critical reading and writing: an introduction
  - What is an argument?
  - What is the writer's position?
  - Examining a line of reasoning
  - What are the writer's propositions?
  - Evaluating propositions
  - Is there a logical progression?
  - Identifying false premises
  - Identifying flawed reasoning
  - Drawing conclusions
  - Implicit and explicit conclusions
  - Critically reading your own writing
  - What do other students do?
  - Frequently asked questions
  - Skills self-assessment
  - Summary
- Evaluating evidence
  - Evaluating evidence: an introduction
  - Finding and evaluating evidence
  - Evaluating sources of evidence
  - Checking for bias
  - Evaluating statistics and numbers
  - Evaluating samples
  - Persuasive language
  - Emotive language
  - Does the evidence support the conclusion?
  - Tips from other students
  - Frequently asked questions
  - Skills self-assessment
  - Summary
- Module assessment
- Documents
  - Assess your thinking skills
  - Audio for the 'Critical thinking and writing' section
  - Audio for the 'Evaluating evidence' section
  - Critical analytical thinking: A checklist
  - Critical reading and writing FAQs
  - Drawing tentative conclusions
  - Structuring a line of reasoning: words and phrases
  - What is critical thinking? FAQs
- More resources
  - A collection of helpful resources compiled from the web.

Writing skills
- Module introduction
- Diagnostic test
- Academic writing
  - Academic writing: An introduction
  - Types of academic writing
  - The benefits of academic writing
  - Features of academic writing
  - A framework for academic writing
  - Assignment titles
  - Getting started
  - Frequently asked questions
  - Skills self-assessment
  - Summary
- Planning your writing
  - Planning your writing: an introduction
  - Developing a plan
  - Organising your information
  - Structuring your essay
  - Spatial planning
  - Concept pyramids
  - Linear plans
  - What do other students do?
  - Frequently asked questions
  - Skills self-assessment
  - Summary
- Developing your writing
  - Developing your writing: an introduction
  - Writing drafts
  - Writer's block?
  - Using paragraphs
  - Paragraphs in practice
  - Linking ideas together
  - Editing and refining
  - Style matters
  - Learn from another student
  - When is an assignment finished?
  - Frequently asked questions
  - Skills self-assessment
  - Summary
- Improving your writing
  - Improving your writing: an introduction
  - Aim higher
  - Enjoying the challenge
  - Understanding what is expected
  - What gets good marks?
  - Setting high standards and expectations
  - Managing your time
  - Checking and fine-tuning
  - Evaluating work objectively
  - Using tutors' feedback
  - Frequently asked questions
  - Skills self-assessment
  - Summary
- Writing for different subjects
  - Writing for different subjects: an introduction
  - Writing styles
  - Subjectivity and objectivity
  - Recognising subjectivity and objectivity
  - Scientific and non-scientific approaches
  - Academic writing styles
  - Personal writing
  - Argumentative writing
  - Evaluative writing
  - Comparing and contrasting
  - Descriptive writing
  - Critical writing
  - Frequently asked questions
  - Skills self-assessment
  - Summary
- Module assessment
- Documents
  - Academic keywords in titles
  - Academic writing FAQs
  - Audio for the 'Academic writing' section
  - Audio for the 'Developing your writing' section
  - Audio for the 'Improving your writing' section
  - Audio for the 'Writing for different subjects' section
  - Checking your paragraphs
  - Developing your writing FAQs
  - Editing checklist
  - Evaluating your work
  - Framework for a compare and contrast essay
  - Framework for an argumentative essay
  - Improving your writing FAQs
  - Planning your writing FAQs
  - Polar opposites in academic approaches
  - Priority organiser
  - The scientific model
  - Working backwards from deadlines
  - Writing for different subjects FAQs
- More resources
  - A collection of helpful resources compiled from the web.

Referencing and understanding plagiarism
- Module introduction
- Diagnostic test
- Referencing
  - Referencing: an introduction
  - Citations and references
  - Why are citations needed?
  - Guidelines for writing references
  - What to include in a reference
  - Recording source details
  - Ways of using sources in your writing
  - Introducing cited sources
  - Writing your reference list
  - Matching citations to references
  - Learn from other students
  - Frequently asked questions
  - Skills self-assessment
  - Summary
- Understanding plagiarism
  - Understanding plagiarism: an introduction
  - What is plagiarism?
  - How to avoid plagiarism
  - Quoting without plagiarising
  - Choosing how much to quote
  - Using or plagiarising?
  - Ways of using other writers' texts
  - Tutors' attitude to plagiarism
  - Avoiding plagiarism while working with other students
  - Collaborating or copying?
  - Guidelines for collaborative work
  - Frequently asked questions
  - Skills self-assessment
  - Summary
- Module assessment
- Documents
  - Audio for the 'Referencing' section
  - Audio for the 'Understanding plagiarism'
  - Guidelines for collaborating
  - Guidelines for using the Harvard referencing system
  - Guidelines for using the Vancouver referencing system
  - Plagiarism FAQs
  - Referencing FAQs
  - Review your current skills with this checklist

Groupwork and presentations
- Module introduction
- Diagnostic test
- Working with others
  - Working with others: an introduction
  - Situations and benefits
  - Ways of working with others
  - Tasks that can be shared
  - In your own words
  - Listening skills
  - Making your point
  - Helping the group to work
  - Dealing with difficult moments
  - Learn from other students
  - Frequently asked questions
  - Skills self-assessment
  - Summary
- Presentation skills
  - Presentation skills: an introduction
  - The value of presentations
  - Your potential as a presenter
  - The first attempt
  - Know your audience
  - Practice and preparation
  - Visual aids
  - Overcoming nerves
  - Giving the talk
  - Making a successful presentation
  - Learn from other students
  - Frequently asked questions
  - Skills self-assessment
  - Summary
- Module assessment
- Documents
  - Getting the most out of discussions - an info sheet
  - How effective am I at giving a talk? - a self-evaluation activity
  - How well do I contribute to groups and seminars - a self-evaluation activity
  - Imaging techniques - a worksheet
  - Presentation skills - Frequently Asked Questions
  - Working with others - Frequently Asked Questions
- More resources
  - A collection of helpful resources compiled from the web.

Exam skills
- Module introduction
- Diagnostic test
- Performing well in exams
  - Performing well in exams: an introduction
  - The key to success
  - The benefits of exams
  - Exam myths and realities
  - Peak performance
  - How do I feel about exams?
  - Taking charge of your attitude
  - Managing exam stress
  - How do other students manage exams?
  - Frequently asked questions
  - Skills self-assessment
  - Summary
- Revision
  - Revision: an introduction
  - Revision strategies
  - How much is enough?
  - Know your exam
  - Train your brain
  - Preparation through past exam papers
  - Practise using past exam papers
  - Revising with others
  - Revision timetables
  - Avoiding common mistakes
  - Last-minute revision
  - Your revision action plan
  - How do other students revise?
  - Frequently asked questions
  - Skills self-assessment
  - Summary
- Sitting an exam
  - Sitting an exam: an introduction
  - Take control
  - The day of the exam
  - Selecting exam questions
  - Managing your time
  - Creating a positive impression
  - Short-answer and technical questions
  - Exam essays
  - Interpreting exam essay questions
  - The importance of critical analysis
  - Avoiding common mistakes
  - How do other students approach exams?
  - Frequently asked questions
  - Skills self-assessment
  - Summary
- Module assessment
- Documents
  - A brief guide to the types of things you can discuss in a revision group
  - A glossary of terms and definitions to help you to understand what the examiner expects of you
  - A planning checklist which can help you to organise your preparations on the day of your exams
  - A planning checklist which can help you to plan the day before an exam
  - A self-reflection activity which may help you to explore your attitude to exams
  - A worksheet that will allow you to reflect on your performance when working through past exam papers
  - A worksheet that will help you to explore how your memory works for you
  - A worksheet that will introduce you to a variety of approaches that can help to make revision enjoyable and interesting
  - An action plan that will introduce you to techniques that may help you to manage your stress levels
  - Audio for the 'Revision' section
  - Audio for the 'Sitting an exam' section
  - Common revision mistakes and solutions
  - Notes to help you to understand what examiners look for when marking essays
  - Performing well in exams FAQs
  - Revision FAQs
  - Sitting an exam FAQs
- More resources
  - A collection of helpful resources compiled from the web.

Research principles
- Module introduction
- Diagnostic test
- Managing information for study
  - Managing information for study: an introduction
  - What is meant by research?
  - Purpose and challenge
  - Checklist: do I have the right skills?
  - Managing information for academic study
  - Defining your research task
  - Making the most of the library
  - Finding information: getting started
  - Conducting an online search
  - Using material of suitable quality and content
  - Identifying and selecting relevant information
  - Learn from other students
  - Frequently asked questions
  - Skills self-assessment
  - Summary
  - Practise selecting relevant information
- Principles of good research
  - Principles of good research: an introduction
  - What makes good research?
  - Research design
  - Fitness for purpose
  - Objectivity and subjectivity
  - Quantitative and qualitative approaches
  - Validity
  - Checklist: my subject discipline
  - Attention to process and detail
  - Journal articles: methodology and methods
  - Good research assignments
  - Learn from other students
  - Frequently asked questions
  - Skills self-assessment
  - Summary
  - Practise identifying objectivity and subjectivity
- Module assessment

Projects, dissertations and reports
- Module introduction
- Diagnostic test
- Research projects
  - Research projects: an introduction
  - What are research projects?
  - Why are research projects set?
  - Case studies
  - Dissertations
  - Managing projects and dissertations
  - Choosing your subject
  - Dissertation action plan
  - Learn from other students
  - Frequently asked questions
  - Skills self-assessment
  - Summary
  - Practise choosing an appropriate topic
- Conducting your research
  - Conducting your research: an introduction
  - Literature search
  - The research hypothesis
  - Literature review
  - Research design
  - Designing questionnaires
  - Quantitative questions
  - Qualitative questions
  - Preparing for research interviews
  - Conducting a research interview
  - Presenting and analysing data
  - Learn form other students
  - Frequently asked questions
  - Skills self-assessment
  - Summary
  - Practise evaluating questions for strengths and weaknesses
- Reporting your findings
  - Reporting your findings: an introduction
  - Reports
  - What should my report include?
  - The opening section
  - Methodology and results
  - Discussion and analysis
  - Conclusions and recommendations
  - Abstracts and summaries
  - Presentation and style
  - Structuring a case study
  - Writing style
  - Project and dissertation checklist
  - Learn from other students
  - Frequently asked questions
  - Skills self-assessment
  - Summary
- Module assessment

Employability and personal development
- Module introduction
- Diagnostic test
- Create your own horizons
  - Create your own horizons: an introduction
  - Personal development planning
  - Different view of success
  - Your attitude to success
  - What do I want to achieve?
  - Motivation
  - What motivates me?
  - Making the most of your opportunities
  - What type of job do I want?
  - Learn from students
  - FAQs
  - Personal development self-assessment
  - Summary
  - Practise prioritising what you want
- Planning your future
  - Planning your future: an introduction
  - Career planning
  - What do employers want?
  - Employability skills
  - What have I got to offer?
  - Transferable skills
  - Recording your reflections
  - What information do employers want?
  - Portfolios and progress files
  - Resource bank
  - Learn from other students
  - FAQs
  - Personal development self-assessment
  - Summary
  - Practise building a personal profile
- Successful job applications
  - Successful job applications: an introduction
  - Understanding the application process
  - Curriculum vitae
  - Writing a CV
  - Competence-based applications
  - Personal statements
  - Covering letters and emails
  - Preparing for interviews
  - During the interview
  - Answering questions
  - After the interview
  - Assessment centres
  - Learn from other students
  - FAQs
  - Personal development self-assessment
  - Summary
  - Practise answering interview questions
- Module assessment

Confidence with numbers
- Confidence with numbers
  - Map overview
  - Confidence with numbers: an introduction
  - What do I need to know?
  - Can you trust numbers?
  - Questioning numbers and statistics
  - Rounding up and down
  - Fractions
  - Using fractions
  - Understanding percentages
  - Calculating percentages from fractions
  - What are 'averages'?
  - Calculating averages: the mean ('equal share')
  - Calculating averages: the median ('the middle number')
  - Calculating averages: the mode (most frequent)
  - Using tables, charts and graphs
  - Interpreting graphs
  - Learn from other students
  - Frequently asked questions
  - Skills self-assessment
  - Summary

Time management
- Module introduction
- Diagnostic test
- Planning and prioritising
  - Planning and prioritising: an introduction
  - Why time management matters to students
  - Ten steps to effective time management
  - How much time should I study for?
  - How should I use my study time?
  - Where does the time go?
  - Set your priorities
  - Effective planning and diary-keeping
  - Make your planning work for you
  - Using a 'To do' list
  - Working backwards from deadlines
  - Learn from other students
  - Skills self-assessment
  - Summary
  - Practise prioritising your tasks
- Time management techniques
  - Time management techniques: an introduction
  - Using time blocks
  - Apply time management techniques
  - Manage online study
  - Managing procrastination and distraction
  - Getting down to study
  - Ten time-saving strategies
  - Identifying and managing distractions
  - Staying on task
  - Activate your time management strategy
  - Learn from other students
  - Frequently asked questions
  - Skills self-assessment
  - Summary
  - Practise staying on task
- Module assessment