Introduction to studying at University

1. Introduction to studying at University Study support Language and learning advisers Deakin university

2. Study support Provide resources and programs to all students throughout their course • General study tips and strategies • Using IT for study • Where to get help • Clubs and social activities • Time management • Understanding assignment questions • Reading and writing strategies • English language development • Guide to Referencing Study support home page: http://www.deakin.edu.au/students/study-support SHS drop in times and LLA appointments: http://www.deakin.edu.au/students/study-support/ask-us

3. Deakin tools and IT help Deakin Sync Your personal hub for easy access to everything you need at Deakin. http://www.deakin.edu.au/deakinsync/ Deakin software library Access to software downloads. Accessibility software, office applications etc. http://www.deakin.edu.au/software/ IT Help http://www.deakin.edu.au/about-deakin/administrative-divisions/esolutions/it-help

4. CloudDeakin Deakin’s cloud learning environment • Access your units and course materials • Use tools – e.g. discussion forums • Submit assignments • Use portfolio • Check for plagiarism using Turnitin • CloudDeakin help guides for students • http://www.deakin.edu.au/students/clouddeakin/help-guides

5. Unistart All students are automatically enrolled in Unistart. A CloudDeakin site for all students • Prepare for university study • Practise using CloudDeakin tools (discussion forums, Turnitin, submitting an assignment) • Learn about IT support • Prepare for a job • Learn how to use the Deakin Library http://www.deakin.edu.au/students/study-support/new-students

6. Your expectations, your goals • What do you expect to learn from the unit(s) you are studying? • What is a reasonable amount of time to spend on one unit? • How much time will you devote to your studies? • Do you intend to do Honours / a Masters / a PhD in the future? • After you have been awarded your degree, what’s next?

7. What concerns you the most? Do you feel like this? (Rank in order from 1 to 7, with 1 being your biggest concern) • I worry about the amount of reading I will have to do! • I don’t know who to ask! • I’m not sure what to do and don’t know where to start! • I have information overload! • There is a lot of new technology! • I don’t understand the lectures! • I am not sure what is meant by academic writing!

8. Time management and diary • 15 • 10 • 7 How many hours of study are expected per unit (subject) per week? • Start from week 1 • Use time planners • Keep a ‘to do’ list • Be specific • Give time frames • Schedule planning time • Start assignments early Download your weekly and trimester planners here!

9. The unit guide • Learning outcomes • Unit chair, staff and contact details • Weekly topics • Materials for the unit • Unit aims • Assessment tasks: dates and weighting • Referencing style required (sometimes)

10. Academic requirements • Reading and writing at university Academic requirements – Overview • Reading skills • Referencing • Academic writing http://www.deakin.edu.au/students/study-support/academic-resources

11. Reading an academic text Strategies Critical reading Read broadly Use reputable writers State your position Draw comparisons Develop themes Read critically Respond to a text • Plan your reading • Knowing what to read and notto read (i.e. thepurpose of reading, understanding the task) • Knowing how texts are organised • Develop a note-taking system that works for you!

12. Planning to read

13. Note taking template Active Reading = Effective Reading = Quality over Quantity

14. Deakin guide to referencing • Up to date examples and sources • Plagiarism and collusion quiz • Summarising and paraphrasing • PDF or online Why reference? • To support and strengthen your argument • To show that you have read • To show what you have read • To enable the reader to locate the sources mentioned in your paper • To acknowledge your sources and avoid plagiarism http://www.deakin.edu.au/students/study-support/referencing

15. Referencing styles • Example • Author-date (Harvard) • In-text citations • Reference list

16. Reference list author’s family name initial year article title Cincotta, K 2003, ‘Red, hot branding: riding the colour wave’, Professional Marketing, May/June, pp. 21-5. journal title issue page numbers

17. Academic writing • answer a specific question • presents a reasoned answer • critically evaluate texts to get answers. No matter what the task is (essay, report, literature review, reflection, presentation), your response should: http://www.deakin.edu.au/students/study-support/academic-resources/writing-an-academic-assignment

18. The writing process

19. Analyse the question

20. Analyse the question ‘An essay is essentially a written argument.’ Discuss in terms of the implications for studentsandlecturers.

21. Essay structure • Introduction • General statement • Specific topic/issue • Viewpoint on the topic/issue • Plan of coverage – ideas A, B, C Topic sentence: idea A • Gives an explanation of an idea • Provides examples to illustrate the point • Expands the discussion • Uses a reference! • Tidies up the paragraph with a summarising or concluding sentence Topic sentence: idea B • Etc. • Ideas B and C in new separate paragraphs • Conclusion • Re-statement or summary of main points and viewpoint on the topic/issue • Optional: implications/future directions Support Examples usually taken from a variety of readings with references.

22. Remember • Good luck with your studies! There is a lot of support available, so make the most of it – just ask.  And remember: the earlier the better! http://www.deakin.edu.au/students/study-support/ask-us