Have you ever taken the time to think about the considerable investment you are making by choosing to study at university? We’re not just talking about the money (although we know that’s significant) – it’s also the time, energy and effort that you are putting into your degree.
We want you to focus on really maximising that investment, and make some choices which will help you get the most out of your time here at UWE.
What simple things can you do?
- Attendance. Your course is the main reason you are here, right? And you are spending a lot of money for this teaching, so it doesn’t make sense to regularly skip classes. We know there might sometimes be reasons why you can’t make it onto campus, but try to plan your week to give you the best possible chance of attending those lectures.
- Engagement. It’s not enough to just turn up to lectures or teaching sessions, you need to really BE there. Be an active participant on your course and you really will see the benefits. What does this look like? Ask questions. Get involved in discussions. Do extra reading. Reply to emails. All of this will drastically improve your learning and help you get more out of your studies.
Next steps?
Even the most engaged students can always find more ways to improve their studies and expand their learning while they are at uni.
- Study support – Independent study can feel hard sometimes, and it’s completely normal to feel stretched and challenged by your course. There’s so much support available to you – reading and writing skills, tips on referencing, how to prepare for assessments. Whatever you need, you will be able to find someone who can help.
- Academic personal tutor – Your tutor is there to support and guide you through your course. Make the most of this contact and talk to them about any struggles you are having or any areas where you want to improve.
- PAL – Peer-assisted learning is a great opportunity to get help from someone who has been in your shoes. It’s usually a student on the same course as you, but in the year above, and they can mentor you and help with any bits of your studies you feel unsure of.
- Student Experience Coaches – If you are feeling overwhelmed, or you want help getting better at managing your workload or being more productive, then why not contact a Student Experience Coach? Book your free appointment on Infohub.
Hopefully all that info has given you something to think about. Remember, you only get out of something what you put in (it sounds like a cliche, but it’s so true).
You’ve made a huge investment to be here – make the most of it!
