Scholars School System

0201833647
SHN3113:Academic Skills and Studying with Confidence

Larisa Pavel Dr Benjamin Hunt Kafayat Agboola

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
https://calendly.com/
 Important Information
(Semester One Teaching)
Teaching breakdown
10 am to 12pm – Introduction to Effective Caring
Break – 30 minutes
12:30 pm to 1:30 pm – Academic Skills and Studying with Confidence

Teaching weeks for semester 1

 On-campus Monday’s 04/10/2021 10 am to 1:30 pm, 25/10/2021 from 10 am to 1:30 pm,
15/11/2021 from 10 am to 1:30 pm, 06/12/2021 from 10 am to 1:30 pm.
 Online Monday’s 11/10/2021 10 am to 1:30 pm, 18/10/2021 10 am to 1:30 pm, 01/11/2021 10 am
to 1:30 pm, 08/11/2021 10 am to 1:30 pm, 22/11/2021 10 am to 1:30 pm and 29/11/2021 10 am to
1:30 pm.
 Larisa Pavel and Dr Benjamin Hunt are teaching Academic Skills module on alternate weeks.
 Lesson Outline

 Introduction to the module

 Assignment launch
 Weaknesses and strengths that may impact on
approaches to study
 Study strategies
 Note-taking
 Class Rules

All students will uphold the Think before you

British Values during the communicate verbally or in
online session (Democracy, Treat your class fellows and the chat/message board,
Welcome and value the
Rule of Law, Individual lecturer with courtesy and there is zero tolerance on
diversity of your class.
Liberty, mutual respect and respect. derogatory, dismissive or
tolerance for those off overly critical comments
different faiths and beliefs). towards students and staff.

No Phones unless asked to participate in an activity!

 Module Learning Outcomes
Learning outcomes

Number On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

1 Use effective search techniques to find relevant, reliable information.

2 Reference sources in the appropriate referencing style for their subject area.

3 Demonstrate effective oral presentational skills.

4 Identify and describe key support services within the University.

 Academic Skills and Studying with Confidence
Module Assignments
Component form Magnitude Weighting Timing Learning
(e.g. 2,000 words and/or (Which semester and Outcomes
or 2 hours) approximate timing
Pass/Fail within it, eg. mid- /
assessed
end) (e.g. 1, 2)

1. Portfolio 1,000 words Pass 04/01/2022 1 and 4

2. Short Literature review 1,500 words Pass 31/03/2022 1, 2 and 4

3. Group presentation 15 minutes Pass 24/04/2022 1, 2 and 3

Sem 1 & 2 30 credits

 Portfolio Guidance

The portfolio will require students to gather information about key university services
that can offer them support whilst they are students. They will be asked to reflect upon
when they and/or their peers might access these sources of support – 1000 words ±10%.

Learning Outcomes:
1. Use effective search techniques to find relevant, reliable information.
4. Identify and describe key support services
within the University.
 Group Discussion

Perceived weaknesses and strengths that may impact your study?

Can you think of any study strategies?
How do you take notes in a teaching session, interview or conference?
 Student’s attitudes to learning
• Students attitudes coming into study at this point will shape the whole of their experience while here.
If they believe in themselves and choose to dedicate themselves to their studies, they have a good
chance of success. If they fear too much, they will fail or are unwilling to put in the effort. Then there
is the serious risk of failure. Therefore, it is vital to explore our feelings and attitudes now, to unpick
any unhelpful ones and develop more helpful beliefs that will aid success.

“Our belief at the beginning of a doubtful undertaking is the one thing that assures the successful
outcome of any venture” (William James, ND).
 Starting our Learning Journey
Take a minute to think about your feelings (positive and negative) on starting a new programme of
study, i.e., HSC.
 How do I feel about the academic challenges involved?
 How will I cope with the demands of the work/assignments?
 Where can I go to get the support and resources I will need to be successful?
 Do you have a particular career path in mind? If you do not have a career in mind, are you
hoping that coming to University will help you choose a specific path?
 What do you hope to get out of your time at University (apart from a qualification)?
 Hopes and Fears

This module aims to help guide you towards

fulfilling your study hopes and overcoming your study fears.
Moreover, you will learn valuable skills that will help you in your daily
activities, such as time management, reflection, and enriching your English
vocabulary and critical thinking skills.
 What fears do you have? What may prevent you fulfilling your
hopes?
Common Fears
• Not being able to cope with the workload
• Not being able to manage time
• Not possessing the necessary academic skills
• Not understanding what is expected of you
• Not understanding academic jargon
• Not knowing where to go for help
 Understanding fears
 Individuals are unique; thus, you need to find the learning strategy and style that suits you the best
as what suits you might not serve the others and vice versa.
 Feelings make a difference in your learning journey. Consequently, your emotional and
psychological health is essential in your learning journey. Example?
 Learning is a social process as most of the jobs you are going into. Generally, you are likely to do
better when you feel part of a group and supported by that group.
 Research shows that to learn well, you will probably going to encounter difficult, uncomfortable
and even stressful challenges.
 There are no shortcuts to high-quality learning. It is essential to immerse yourself as much as you
can, to work hard no matter the job. There will be times when the challenges feel very daunting,
but committing to working hard and sticking to your schedule will reap the rewards .
 What resources could help overcome
barriers to effective study?

Internal (Strengths)
External (Opportunities)
• What skills do you have that others do not?
• What positive praise have you received? What people could be of aid to you?

• What achievements are you proud of? What What services in College could help you?
helped you succeed? What new skills could you learn?
• What values do you hold dear?

Group discussion
 Note taking while studying
Note-taking is the practice of recording information from different sources and platforms. By taking
notes, the writer records the essence of the information, freeing their minds from recalling everything.
There are many ways to take notes; this one, ‘The Cornell System for Taking Notes’, works best for me.
However, it is helpful to try out different methods and determine which work best for you in different
situations. Whether you are learning online or in person, the physical act of writing can help you
remember better than just listening or reading.

Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEsBd_Rgzfs&t=19s
 Resources that could help you in your learning journey

1. Weekly Study Schedule - https://www.developgoodhabits.com/study-plan-template/

2. Library resources - SSS Library Resource Guide (panopto.eu) ; Google Scholar ;
Google Books
3. Smart Goals - SMART Goals - Time Management Training From MindTools.com
4. Grammarly – http://www.Grammarly.com
5. Transition words - https://www.smart-words.org/linking-words/transition-words.html
6. Synonyms - https://www.thesaurus.com/browse/synonym
7. Cite This For Me - https://www.citethisforme.com/
8. Note taking -
https://live-learning-strategies-center.pantheonsite.io/how-to-study/taking-notes/cornell-n
ote-taking-system/
 Suggestive reading
(for this module)

Core texts
• Burns, T. and Sinfield, S. (2016). Essential study skills: The complete guide to success at
university. London: SAGE.
• Cottrell, S. (2013). The study skills handbook. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

Recommended texts
• Piscitelli, S. (2014). Study skills: Do I really need this stuff? London: Pearson
International.
• Bedford, D. and Wilson, E. (2013). Study skills for foundation degrees. London:
Routledge.
• McMillan, K. and Weyers, A. (2012). The study skills handbook. Harlow: Pearson.
Any Questions?
 Reference list

Cottrell, S. (2013). The study skills handbook. Palgrave Macmillan.

Moore, S., Neville, C., Murphy, M. and Connolly, S (2010). The Ultimate Study Skills Handbook. Open
University Press.

Payne, E. and Whittaker, L. (2000). Developing Essential Study Skills. Prentice Hall.

Cotrll, N. (2021, September 30). The Cornell Note Taking System – Learning Strategies Center.
https://live-learning-strategies-center.pantheonsite.io/how-to-study/taking-notes/cornell-note-taking-
system/