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Independent Learning

Independent Learning Videos

Self Motivation and Independent Learning - 15 mins

In this video recorded live during the Introduction to the Key Skills Workshop on the 22nd September 2020, Alex from the Skills team outlines tips and advice for independent learning, beating procrastination and self-motivation at University.

Settling in and Excelling as an International Student Video Podcast with Sam Chikowore - 23 mins

In this episode, Alex interviews recent first class graduate Sam Chikowore about how he found his feet as an international following moving 6000 miles from Zimbabwe to study at Derby. Sam discusses how he made friends, and how his experiences as a Marketing Representative helped him to develop his skills and find success as a student.

Finding Your Feet at University with Katie Harrod Video Podcast - 41 mins

Recent foundation year Law student Katie Harrod and host Alexander Wood discuss their experiences in finding their feet at the start of university. We discuss our reflections from our first year, how you can settle in and make friends, and how you aren't alone if you are feeling overwhelmed in your first few weeks.

Advice for Starting University Livestream - 57 mins

In this livestream Alexander and Naomi discuss starting university. We give advice for how you can settle into the student life at the University of Derby, and share resources that you can use in your own time to help you be prepared for studying.

Getting Organised Videos

Getting Organised Skills Short - 2 mins

Alex discusses how to get organised with your studies.

Organising and Planning for the New Semester Livestream - 1 hour

Join the Skills Team for our livestream about how getting organised and planning for the next semester. In this livestream we will discuss our advice for preparing to ace the new semester. We will also be covering another way of improving your grammar in grammar topic of the week.

Why Successful Students Get Organised with Caroline Ball Video Podcast - 1 hour

Alex interviews Academic Librarian and Wikimedian of the Year 2020 Caroline Ball to discuss the useful skill of organisation. Being organised allows you to be prepared to take opportunities and to be more efficient in the tasks that you do. It is a very broad skill and so we will be discussing advice for different types of organisation including organising your time, organising your research and organising projects. We are also going to be discussing how organisation can help your mental health.

Studying at Home Videos

5 Tips for Studying at Home - 5 mins

Alex from the Skills team outlines his 5 top tips for studying at home.

Returning to Study with Ian Danton Video Podcast - 32 mins

In this episode, Alex interviews the award winning University of Derby Online Learning student Ian Danton about returning to education after a break. Ian graduated from his first degree 30 years ago and discusses what helped him to find his feet.

Time Management Videos

Time Management Planning Your Day - 8 mins

Naomi from the Skills team explores planning your day with the help of student tips and advice.

Taking Effective Breaks Whilst Studying Video Podcast - 25 mins

Alex and Naomi from the University of Derby Skills team discuss how you can take breaks without crossing into procrastination. They talk discuss the benefits of breaking, how you can plan breaks, how long your breaks should be and give some examples of things you can do when having a break.

Mindset Videos

Self Motivation and Independent Learning - 15 mins

Alex from the Skills team outlines tips and advice for independent learning, beating procrastination and self-motivation at University.

The Mindset of a Successful Student with Eliza Patrascu Video Podcast - 36 mins

Alex interviews Eliza Patrascu about her reflections from her time at university. Eliza discusses her mindset that she held at the start of university and her mindset towards university now that she has graduated. We also discuss learning your limits, and going to the world with an open mind

From A-Level 'Failure' to University Success with Joel Boulter Video Podcast - 40 mins

In the final success as a student podcast, Alex and Joel Boulter discuss how they found success after underperforming at A Level. They also discuss how to you can get the most out of your student experience to turn A Level disappointment into university success.

Failure is an Opportunity to Grow with Dr David Robertshaw Video Podcast - 42 mins

David Robertshaw and Alexander Wood give our own examples of where we have failed in the past and how we have used these failures to shape our future successes. We will discuss how failure is part of the journey, why you should aim high and how we overcome imposter syndrome.

Boldness and Taking Opportunities with Sue Jennings Video Podcast - 55 mins

Alex and Sue Jennings (Head of the Law School) discuss how you can take opportunities and learn to be bold. Throughout the series a consistent theme of the advice given by other staff has been to take the opportunities that come your way and in this episode dedicated to the topic, we will discuss how you can evaluate the opportunities that come your way, how to find opportunities and how to be confident and bold enough to take them.

Creativity and Problem Solving with Professor Ian Turner Video Podcast - 55 mins

Professor Ian Turner discusses how you can develop a creative mindset, problem solving under pressure and advice for being successful as a student.

'Believing that you can Improve' - Growth Mindset with Dr Fiona Shelton Video Podcast - 25 mins

In this episode Alex discusses how to develop a growth mindset with Dr Fiona Shelton. A growth mindset means believing that you can develop in a certain area rather than your abilities being fixed. It is a skill that will help you develop other skills, particularly ones that you are not as strong with. We will discuss, what a growth mindset is, how you can grow through perseverance, and the relationship between growth mindset and feedback.

'Are Geniuses Born or Made?' Growth Mindset with Associate Professor Melanie Pope Video Podcast - 41 mins

In this episode Alex further discusses how you can develop your growth mindset in an insightful interview with Associate Professor Melanie Pope. In this interview we discuss topics including are geniuses born or made, how you can develop through failure, and much more. This interview builds upon the discussion that I had with Dr Fiona Shelton in Growth Mindset Part 1 but can be watched as a stand alone episode.

Beating Procrastination Video Podcast - 32 mins

Alex, Naomi and Diana from the University of Derby Skills team discuss how you can beat procrastination, sharing their methods, tips and tricks.

Finding Your Passion and Purpose with Anisha Johal Video Podcast

In this episode, Alex interviews recent first class graduate Anisha Johal about her experiences as a student. Anisha got involved throughout her time at university to develop her skills and find her passions.

Finding Your Feet at University with Katie Harrod Video Podcast - 42 mins

Recent foundation year Law student Katie Harrod and host Alexander Wood discuss their experiences in finding their feet at the start of university. We discuss our reflections from our first year, how you can settle in and make friends, and how you aren't alone if you are feeling overwhelmed in your first few weeks.