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Preparing for University

Independent Learning

Studying at university means there will be some learning that takes place formally - these might be attending lectures, seminars or tutorials in person, or reading online content from your lecturer and engaging with discussion boards online.  Alongside this, there will be lots of learning that you do independently, for example undertaking wider reading, finding new sources of information, completing assignments and revising for exams.  For some students, this is a very different way of learning than their previous experiences.

Independent learning is an amazing opportunity to make things truly unique and personal for you.  You will often be told what you need to do - read an article, write an essay, sit an exam.  But how you do it is generally up to you!  Imagine that you have an article that you need to read.  How many different ways of reading that article can you think of?

Here are a few ideas:

  • Read it all in one go or divide it up and read it bit by bit
  • Read it first thing in the morning or read it last thing at night (or any time of day in between)
  • Read it in your head or read it out loud
  • Read it yourself or use text-to-speech software to read it to you
  • Read it at home or read it at the University (or in a cafe, on the bus, in the park...)

Independent learning means that you can choose how to read the article depending on what suits you best. This will be influenced by your learning preferences and also each individual situation.  For example, you might find it suits you best to read a short article all in one go, whereas for a long article it might suit you better to divide it up and read it bit by bit.  If you are attending an on-campus lecture, it might make sense to do that day's reading in a learning space or library.  However the next day it might make more sense to do your reading at home.  You might generally find it preferable to read articles out loud, but on the occasions when you are reading on the bus it is better to listen to the article using text-to-speech software (don't forget your headphones!)

Activity

As you prepare for university study, take some time to think about the ways that you learn currently.  Are there any different ways you'd like to explore?  Look through the tabs below for some more ideas to try out!

Notetaking can be really useful when you are studying. It can help you to remember key information, gives you something to refer back to, and helps you to develop your ideas and opinions on what you are learning. Here are some ways that you can make your note taking unique to you:

  • Make a list of key points
  • Summarise a point in your own words
  • Draw pictures that represent key ideas, or that will jog your memory later
  • Use a mind map to show how different concepts relate to each other
  • Use voice notes
  • Use pen and paper
  • Write notes on your laptop, 'phone or other device
  • Experiment with different colours
  • Use symbols and abbreviations for recurring concepts
  • Read/watch all the way through and then note down key points
  • Take notes as you go

There's lots of ways you can make your reading bespoke:

  • Choose what to read from a book by looking at the contents page
  • Choose what to read by finding key terms in the index
  • With a partner, each read out loud in turn - you could discuss the text as you go
  • Read from paper (a physical book, or print out an article)
  • Read online
  • Focus solely on reading with minimal distractions
  • Read alongside another activity like drawing or listening to music

Plus, don't forget these ideas from further up the page:

  • Read it all in one go or divide it up and read it bit by bit
  • Read it first thing in the morning or read it last thing at night (or any time of day in between)
  • Read it in your head or read it out loud
  • Read it yourself or use text-to-speech software to read it to you
  • Read it at home or read it at the University (or in a cafe, on the bus, in the park...

You may have been told before that it's really important to plan your work before you start.  At university, it is important that your work has a strong, logical structure (this is part of what you need to produce), but as with the other aspects of learning, how you achieve that is up to you.  You could:

  • Write a detailed plan that sets out the different sections of your work, and different points within those sections
  • Write a general plan of various sections you are going to cover
  • Write a first draft without planning, then go back through and pull a structure out of your writing

If you do make a plan, remember that it doesn't have to be done in a fixed way.  You could:

  • Write your plan using pen and paper
  • Type your plan in a digital document
  • Keep your plan as a separate document to refer back to
  • Use your plan as the basis of your final document
  • Use voice notes to record your plan
  • Use a mind map to draw links between your ideas
  • Create a diagram that shows how your argument develops

There are lots of ways that you can develop your arguments - the points that you will make in your group discussions and assessed work.  Why not try:

  • Completing a wide range of further reading, making sure to read differing opinions, theories and perspectives
  • Discussing module topics with your fellow students - what do you agree on?  What differing opinions do you have?
  • Explaining your argument to someone who has no previous knowledge of the subject, then answer any questions that they have
  • Organising your notes into points that support your argument, and points that challenge it
  • Reading your draft assignment as if you are someone who disagrees - what are the weak points in the argument? Then go back and strengthen them.
  • Taking a break from a topic and returning to it later, potentially with a fresh perspective