The study skills book

About the AuthorsPrefaceAcknowledgements1.  How to use this book Part A - A toolkit for understanding what university involves2.   Preparing for university - what you and you family need to consider3.   Starting out how to get the most out of Freshers' Week4.   General expectations - how the university system works and how this impacts on students5.   What makes university education different - how to get off to a good start6.   Graduate skills and attributes - how to learn what employers expect you to gain from being at universityPart B - A toolkit for managing yourself 7.   Personal development planning - how to reflect on your achievements and set yourself future goals8.   Time management - how to balance study, family, work and leisure9.   Financial tips - how to balance your budget10.  Campus orientation - how to identify the key facilities at your university11.  Social life at university - how to create new social networks and support existing ones12.  Contributing to the academic and outside community - how you can benefit and give something back by participating in extra curricular activities13.  Dealing with stress - how to cope with the pressures of university lifePart C - A toolkit for developing your learning skills14.  Your learning personality - how to identify and capitalise on your preferred learning style15.  Studying independently - how to organise yourself and develop good study habits16.  Lectures - how to learn effectively from this teaching method17.  Listening skills - how to understand what lecturers say and how they say it18.  Note-taking in lectures - how to refine what you hear into note form19.  Co-operative learning - how to study successfully with others20.  Participating in a team - how to make a contribution when working with others 21.  Laboratory sessions and field visits - how to gain hands-on experience and skills 22.  Tutorials - how to prepare and participate23.  Thinking critically - how to develop a logical approach to analysis and problem-solving24.  The library as a resource - how to make the best use of the facilities25.  Analysing and evaluating information - how to filter and select reliable material and discuss it properly26.  Effective academic reading - how to efficiently and with understanding27.  Note-making from texts - how to create effective notes for later reference28.  Computing literacy - how to make the best use of computers and software in your learning29.  E-learning - how to make the most of online teaching30.  Number crunching - how to solve problems in arithmetic and algebra31.  Interpreting and presenting data - how to understand and produce graphs, tables and basic statistics 32.  Shaping up in maths - how to use basic geometry and trigonometry to solve spatial problemsPart D - A toolkit for improving your academic writing33.  Tackling writing assignments - how to get started34.  Academic writing format - how to organise your writing within a standard format35.  Planning writing assignments - how to respond to the task36.  Citing and listing references - how to refer appropriately to the work of others37.  Plagiarism and copyright - how to avoid being accused of 'stealing' the ideas and work of others infringement 38.  Academic writing style - how to adopt appropriate language conventions39.  Shaping your text - how to create effective sentences and paragraphs40.  Improving your grammar - how to avoid some common errors41.  Better punctuation - how to use punctuation marks appropriately42.  better spelling - how to spell competently43.  Enhancing your vocabulary - how to develop your word power 44.  Editing and proof-reading - how to make sure that your writing makes sense45.  Presentation of assignments - how to follow the appropriate academic conventionsPart E - A toolkit for performing well in assessed coursework46.  Assessment at university - how tests and examinations work47.  Multiple-choice and short-answer questions - how to tackle short answer formats48.  Numerical questions - how to approach quantitative problems49.  Essay-style assessments - how to maximise your marks50.  Tutorial assessment - how to make your contribution count51.  Assessment of practical and laboratory work - how to improve your marks52.  Tackling a dissertation or project - how to make the best possible start 53.  Choosing a dissertation or research topic - how to decide on a them for your investigation 54.  Writing a proposal - how to structure a successful dissertation or research proposal55.  Principles of quantitative research - how to obtain and analyse numerical information 56.  Principles of qualitative research - how to obtain and analyse descriptive information 57.  Ethics in researching and reporting - how to follow good research practice58.  Report-writing - how to select and shape your content appropriately59. Literature Surveys - how to conduct and write up a literature survey62.   Exploiting feedback - how to understand and learn from what lecturers write on your work and exam scriptsPart F - A toolkit for succeeding in exams63. Physical and mental preparation - how to gear up for exams64. Creating a revision timetable - how to get yourself organised for exam study65. Revision tips - how to build understanding through active learning66. Memory tips and techniques - how to develop tools and strategies for remembering information and ideas67. Focussing your revision - how to make full use of learning objectives, past papers and other assessment information68. Study buddies - how to work with fellow students to improve the revision experience69. Improving your exam performance - how to avoid common pitfalls70. Exam strategies how to ensure you have the appropriate tactics71. Combating exam nerves - how to reduce anxiety and perform well under pressurePart G - A toolkit for the future72. Planning for a career - how to focus on your future73. Assessing yourself - how to evaluate your skills, qualities, motivations and values74. Your curriculum vitae - how to describe yourself to potential employers75. Kick-starting your career - how to find suitable job vacancies and apply for them