Making friends at University (Uni) when an external student is a little more difficult than if you are attending lectures on campus. You are not likely to see fellow students face to face unless you attend an Intensive School (where you attend a few days on campus with other external students) or have an examination with other students from your area.However, you can get to know people quite well through online communication.
Here are my tips to getting to know others in your course.
1. Introduce yourself in your online unit and read fellow students introductions – comment if someone has a similar interest to you or lives in a nearby location.
2. Find out who lives in your area that is studying your units. Usually a list of names and locations are made available to students studying the same units.
3. If attending an Intensive school, organise to meet with someone you have been chatting to within the unit.
4. If group work is required within a unit, join early, introduce yourself and make regular contributions.
5. Contribute to forum discussions and comment on fellow students posts. It is a great way to learn more about a person.
Your time at University is not only about learning but it also has an important social aspect. You never know, you might just find a lifelong friend!
Showing posts with label learning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label learning. Show all posts
Monday, April 12, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Study – what is it and how do I do it?
Study involves learning about a particular topic so that you may retain that information and use it at a later date.
There are many different ways to study. Some people prefer background music, others must have complete silence. Work out the environment that works best for you so that you may get the most out of your study.
Ways of studying include;
- Study notes – a collation of ideas, summaries and general notes made throughout the unit of work.
-Discussion – talk about your topic in person or online with friends, family and fellow students. It doesn’t matter if you go off on a tangent as long as you are talking about and making connections.
-Reading – this could be text books, relevant articles, newspaper reports, online forum posts and anything related to your topic.
-Note taking – take notes of your lectures, text book chapters, interesting articles and any ideas that will be of use
-Self testing – use your study notes to make up your own questions and self test. Give your study notes to a friend or family member to ask you questions. If available, do past exams for practice.
-Ask questions – if you are unsure on a sub – topic, ask your lecturer, fellow students or others knowledgeable in the area of question.
-Investigating – explore further areas of the topic that you find of particular interest or need further explanation.
-Experimenting – especially helpful in the area of science, doing hands on activities may help you make connections.
-Researching – extend your study through wider reading. Find other relevant text books or use the internet for further information on sub-topics.
- Mind mapping - there are many concept maps that can help you show how sub-topics connect
- Brain storming – particularly helpful when preparing for an essay
- Jotting down ideas – anytime ideas may come into your head for that next assignment or exam– make note of these so you can come back to it later.
Ensure you have a tidy desk to do study and to keep your notes. You may choose to be in different environments when you are studying for an exam. For example, you may take your study notes down to the beach for the afternoon or you may take them on the bus to work with you. Wherever you are, make sure you are relaxed and have the concentration you need to make the most of your study.
There are many different ways to study. Some people prefer background music, others must have complete silence. Work out the environment that works best for you so that you may get the most out of your study.
Ways of studying include;
- Study notes – a collation of ideas, summaries and general notes made throughout the unit of work.
-Discussion – talk about your topic in person or online with friends, family and fellow students. It doesn’t matter if you go off on a tangent as long as you are talking about and making connections.
-Reading – this could be text books, relevant articles, newspaper reports, online forum posts and anything related to your topic.
-Note taking – take notes of your lectures, text book chapters, interesting articles and any ideas that will be of use
-Self testing – use your study notes to make up your own questions and self test. Give your study notes to a friend or family member to ask you questions. If available, do past exams for practice.
-Ask questions – if you are unsure on a sub – topic, ask your lecturer, fellow students or others knowledgeable in the area of question.
-Investigating – explore further areas of the topic that you find of particular interest or need further explanation.
-Experimenting – especially helpful in the area of science, doing hands on activities may help you make connections.
-Researching – extend your study through wider reading. Find other relevant text books or use the internet for further information on sub-topics.
- Mind mapping - there are many concept maps that can help you show how sub-topics connect
- Brain storming – particularly helpful when preparing for an essay
- Jotting down ideas – anytime ideas may come into your head for that next assignment or exam– make note of these so you can come back to it later.
Ensure you have a tidy desk to do study and to keep your notes. You may choose to be in different environments when you are studying for an exam. For example, you may take your study notes down to the beach for the afternoon or you may take them on the bus to work with you. Wherever you are, make sure you are relaxed and have the concentration you need to make the most of your study.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
10 ways to beat study stress
10 ways to beat study stress
1. Deep breathing
Deep breathing provides fresh oxygen to your brain allowing you to feel more calm and alert.
2. Exercise
30 minutes of exercise a day will make your body and mind feel more energised and take your mind off that next assignment that is due. It will help you burn not only calories but any frustrations.
3. Herbal tea
Have a cup of your favourite herbal tea and sit back and relax.
4. Yoga
Try out some yoga poses – yoga stretches and relaxes your body. Great for both men and women
5. Take a break
Read a chapter of a non-text book, ring a friend for a chat, walk outside and spend time with your pet. Whatever you choose make sure it is away from your computer and your study space.
6. Discuss your topic
Discuss your topic with a friend who has a good ear to listen or with a fellow student to exchange ideas. Just talking out aloud about any problems you have with a topic can help find the answers.
7. Schedule Time
Put extra time aside for any work you need to catch up on. This may mean you have to say ‘no’ to helping out a friend or Friday drinks. Remember you want to reduce your stress levels so catching up on or getting ahead with study will help do this.
8. Ask for help
If you are struggling with an assignment – email or ring your lecturer. You will find they will be happy to help you. Ensure you have specific questions to ask and let them know where you are up to in your study.
9. Sleep
Are you getting enough sleep every night? If you are tired everyday you will find it difficult to concentrate. If you have young children this may be a tough task, but do the best you can to get adequate sleep.
10. Music
Bring music back into your life. Turn on your iPod and dance around the lounge or go for a walk. If you have music downloaded on your computer – turn them on! You will be amazed how your favourite music can put you in a good mood.
1. Deep breathing
Deep breathing provides fresh oxygen to your brain allowing you to feel more calm and alert.
2. Exercise
30 minutes of exercise a day will make your body and mind feel more energised and take your mind off that next assignment that is due. It will help you burn not only calories but any frustrations.
3. Herbal tea
Have a cup of your favourite herbal tea and sit back and relax.
4. Yoga
Try out some yoga poses – yoga stretches and relaxes your body. Great for both men and women
5. Take a break
Read a chapter of a non-text book, ring a friend for a chat, walk outside and spend time with your pet. Whatever you choose make sure it is away from your computer and your study space.
6. Discuss your topic
Discuss your topic with a friend who has a good ear to listen or with a fellow student to exchange ideas. Just talking out aloud about any problems you have with a topic can help find the answers.
7. Schedule Time
Put extra time aside for any work you need to catch up on. This may mean you have to say ‘no’ to helping out a friend or Friday drinks. Remember you want to reduce your stress levels so catching up on or getting ahead with study will help do this.
8. Ask for help
If you are struggling with an assignment – email or ring your lecturer. You will find they will be happy to help you. Ensure you have specific questions to ask and let them know where you are up to in your study.
9. Sleep
Are you getting enough sleep every night? If you are tired everyday you will find it difficult to concentrate. If you have young children this may be a tough task, but do the best you can to get adequate sleep.
10. Music
Bring music back into your life. Turn on your iPod and dance around the lounge or go for a walk. If you have music downloaded on your computer – turn them on! You will be amazed how your favourite music can put you in a good mood.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
10 Tips To Kick-Start Your New Study Year
10 Tips to kick start your new study year
It is the start of the New Year and many are first year University students studying via distance for the first time. Elearning is a great way to further your education and get to exactly where you want to be. Receiving all your University material at once can be quite overwhelming. It is best to take small steps and ease yourself into your new study year. Here are ten tips to kick start your new elearning year;
1. Ease yourself into the new semester
- start with navigating your way around the university site
- read through your assignments and study topics
- work out what you will need to read first
2. Organise Yourself
-De-clutter your study space
-Refill your black and colour ink cartridges
-schedule study times
- have plenty of printer paper and pens on hand
3. Order Your Textbooks
- you will need them by the first day of the teaching period.
-order second hand textbooks to reduce costs
4. Prepare your diary
-schedule in important events ie: weddings, birthdays
-write in your assignment due dates
-write in the exam period
5. Introduce yourself to your fellow students
- most of your communication will be online so introduce yourself on the online forum
- include your name, year of study, location and something interesting about yourself
-join online study groups if available
6. Eat well
- eat plenty of fruit and vegetables everyday
-get adequate sleep every night
- you need to have an alert mind
7. Exercise everyday
- even if you only have time for 15 minutes!
- try yoga and stretching
- vary your routine so you don’t get bored
- alert body = alert mind
8. Get into good habits now
- stick to your study schedule
- check your University email regularly
- log on to University forums daily
- use your diary
9. Write down your goals
- have long term and short term goals
- write down what you need to accomplish each study session ie: read article xyz
- reward yourself regularly
10. Remind Yourself
- the overwhelming feeling will go away
- take one day at a time, take one week at a time
- tick of the study schedule as you go
- the more you use online tools , the easier they will become to use
No longer do you have to think ‘where do I start?’ – you have already started. You have taken the first steps to further your education – well done!
It is the start of the New Year and many are first year University students studying via distance for the first time. Elearning is a great way to further your education and get to exactly where you want to be. Receiving all your University material at once can be quite overwhelming. It is best to take small steps and ease yourself into your new study year. Here are ten tips to kick start your new elearning year;
1. Ease yourself into the new semester
- start with navigating your way around the university site
- read through your assignments and study topics
- work out what you will need to read first
2. Organise Yourself
-De-clutter your study space
-Refill your black and colour ink cartridges
-schedule study times
- have plenty of printer paper and pens on hand
3. Order Your Textbooks
- you will need them by the first day of the teaching period.
-order second hand textbooks to reduce costs
4. Prepare your diary
-schedule in important events ie: weddings, birthdays
-write in your assignment due dates
-write in the exam period
5. Introduce yourself to your fellow students
- most of your communication will be online so introduce yourself on the online forum
- include your name, year of study, location and something interesting about yourself
-join online study groups if available
6. Eat well
- eat plenty of fruit and vegetables everyday
-get adequate sleep every night
- you need to have an alert mind
7. Exercise everyday
- even if you only have time for 15 minutes!
- try yoga and stretching
- vary your routine so you don’t get bored
- alert body = alert mind
8. Get into good habits now
- stick to your study schedule
- check your University email regularly
- log on to University forums daily
- use your diary
9. Write down your goals
- have long term and short term goals
- write down what you need to accomplish each study session ie: read article xyz
- reward yourself regularly
10. Remind Yourself
- the overwhelming feeling will go away
- take one day at a time, take one week at a time
- tick of the study schedule as you go
- the more you use online tools , the easier they will become to use
No longer do you have to think ‘where do I start?’ – you have already started. You have taken the first steps to further your education – well done!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
What's your learning style?
Welcome to the new University year! Many are students starting their first year of their degree others are continuing students. Whichever you are - are you prepared? By now you will have enrolled in your units, received your textbooks or just waiting on the final couple to arrive in the post and begun looking through unit information to see what assignments you will have to do over the semester.
Do you know your learning style?
A popular theory into learning styles is Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences. Professor Gardner suggests that there are eight kinds of intelligences. These are Logical, Visual, Kinaesthetic, Musical, Naturalist, Interpersonal, Intrapersonal and Verbal. Think about which category you most likely would fall in to by reading the attributes of each intelligence below. You will find that you will have strengths in most areas, however you will most likely be more prominent in one or two of the intelligences.
Logical people are usually good at:
-computer games
-problem solving
-can compute number in your head
-patterns and sequences
-conducting experiments
You learning style will most likely include doing all your work using the computer and using diagrams to structure your assignments.
Visual people are usually good at:
-see clear images when you close your eyes
-like to use a camera or video camera
- puzzles and other visual games
-creating web page and powerpoint presentations
-using colour and shape
Your learning style will most likely include designing mind maps and online lectures with video.
Kinaesthetic people are usually good at:
-engaging in sport or physical activity
-making things with their hands
-thinking of ideas during physical activity
-using body gestures
-role playing
Your learning style will most likely include constructing models and using pen and paper or the keyboard.
Musical people are usually good at:
-holding a tune
-knowing if a musical note is off-key
-listening to music regularly
-playing an instrument
-remembering jingles
Your learning style will most likely include listening to music whilst you study and using music to remember unit content.
Naturalistic people are usually good at:
-backpacking, hiking or walking in nature
-volunteering for nature related groups
-looking after animals
-finding and researching local and global environmental concerns
-collecting natural objects
Your learning style will most likely include a serene study space including as alternative study setting close to nature.
Interpersonal people are usually good at:
-intuiting other’s feelings
-person-to-person communication
-group sports
-getting involved in social activities
-being surrounded by people
Your learning style will most likely include using forums, chat rooms and wikis as the main mode of studying.
Intrapersonal people are usually good at:
-meditating on their own
-keeping a journal or diary
-creating their own schedule for completing work
-setting short term and long term goals
-carrying out an independent project
Your learning style will most likely include a blog and an well-organised diary system.
Verbal people are usually good at:
-reading books regularly
-listening to the radio or to spoken words
-word games like Scrabble and Boggle
-leading an oral discussion or debate
-giving an oral presentation
Your learning style will most likely include using forums to lead a discussion of interest and word processors to type notes.
So, what's your learning style?
This has been excerpted from Jilly Stansfields book 'eDegree' due to be released in December 2010.
Do you know your learning style?
A popular theory into learning styles is Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences. Professor Gardner suggests that there are eight kinds of intelligences. These are Logical, Visual, Kinaesthetic, Musical, Naturalist, Interpersonal, Intrapersonal and Verbal. Think about which category you most likely would fall in to by reading the attributes of each intelligence below. You will find that you will have strengths in most areas, however you will most likely be more prominent in one or two of the intelligences.
Logical people are usually good at:
-computer games
-problem solving
-can compute number in your head
-patterns and sequences
-conducting experiments
You learning style will most likely include doing all your work using the computer and using diagrams to structure your assignments.
Visual people are usually good at:
-see clear images when you close your eyes
-like to use a camera or video camera
- puzzles and other visual games
-creating web page and powerpoint presentations
-using colour and shape
Your learning style will most likely include designing mind maps and online lectures with video.
Kinaesthetic people are usually good at:
-engaging in sport or physical activity
-making things with their hands
-thinking of ideas during physical activity
-using body gestures
-role playing
Your learning style will most likely include constructing models and using pen and paper or the keyboard.
Musical people are usually good at:
-holding a tune
-knowing if a musical note is off-key
-listening to music regularly
-playing an instrument
-remembering jingles
Your learning style will most likely include listening to music whilst you study and using music to remember unit content.
Naturalistic people are usually good at:
-backpacking, hiking or walking in nature
-volunteering for nature related groups
-looking after animals
-finding and researching local and global environmental concerns
-collecting natural objects
Your learning style will most likely include a serene study space including as alternative study setting close to nature.
Interpersonal people are usually good at:
-intuiting other’s feelings
-person-to-person communication
-group sports
-getting involved in social activities
-being surrounded by people
Your learning style will most likely include using forums, chat rooms and wikis as the main mode of studying.
Intrapersonal people are usually good at:
-meditating on their own
-keeping a journal or diary
-creating their own schedule for completing work
-setting short term and long term goals
-carrying out an independent project
Your learning style will most likely include a blog and an well-organised diary system.
Verbal people are usually good at:
-reading books regularly
-listening to the radio or to spoken words
-word games like Scrabble and Boggle
-leading an oral discussion or debate
-giving an oral presentation
Your learning style will most likely include using forums to lead a discussion of interest and word processors to type notes.
So, what's your learning style?
This has been excerpted from Jilly Stansfields book 'eDegree' due to be released in December 2010.
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