* THIS IS AN ONLINE SESSION *
Getting ready to study at university
Studying at university not only offers you an opportunity to get a really good understanding of your subject, but also to develop new skills and ways of thinking. Getting to grips with the some of the practicalities of study, particularly in understanding the processes of preparing to write an assignment, is an important part of this new experience.
With this in mind, the team at Student Learning and Achievement (previously known as the Learning Development Unit) provides two types of 'Headstart' workshops before the start of the academic year in September, developed specifically to meet the needs of new students. These will help you to develop your academic skills and start thinking like a university student. One will be held on-campus and two will be online.
Headstart
These Headstart workshops are suitable for all students, whether you’re coming straight from A-Levels or other qualifications, or if it has been a long time since you last studied. It is suitable for both UK and international students, however it is not available for with Foundation Year students. Nursing students are welcome although you should give priority to attending the Growing in Confidence course offered. A maximum of 40 students can attend these Headstart sessions, whether online or on-campus.
The on-campus workshop is structured around the process of engaging with a university assignment, from understanding the assessed task, through to research, planning and writing. You’ll discuss and interpret an assignment brief and explore how to plan your essay and paragraph structure. You will be provided with a range of texts as part of your research activity, culminating in being provided the opportunity to write a draft of a short essay in one of the computer rooms, receiving advice and support as you do so and then gaining formative feedback for it. The workshop also gives you the opportunity to meet other students and explore some of the campus facilities.
The online workshops are shorter, but nevertheless similar, to the on-campus ones apart from the research element and writing of your draft which will be in your own time after the session, but still being able to submit and receive formative feedback on it. The workshops will also provide you with the opportunity to experience engaging with our Virtual Learning Environment, Blackboard Collaborate, which we use for our virtual, real-time lectures and seminars.
Two of our highly experienced Student Learning and Achievement tutors will deliver these Headstart sessions.
The Headstart workshops are free to attend (only one session available per person).
Contact Us
To book one of these sessions, email headstart@bucks.ac.uk and please provide your full name, the course for which you have been offered a place at Bucks New University and your preferred day.
You can also email LDU@bucks.ac.uk for more information as to the support we provide to enrolled students at Bucks New University.