What was the title of your last assignment?

After finally deciding on a title for an article I'm writing (see blog post here), I realised that I've marked University assignments without a title or even a cover page. Even this blog post has a title!

Writing an assignment and ensuring that all criteria is covered is brain draining enough so any old title will do, right? For a University assignment - add a title. It doesn't have to be exciting but it does have to relate to the topic of the assignment.

For instance, if you are taking the unit EDSP400 Inclusive and Special Education at the University of New England, assignment one is based on a case study. The assignment title could be:

Classroom Case Study

Pretty boring, right? But acceptable. Let's try:

Largetown Public School: A Case Study

Hmmm, not bad. How about:

Inclusive Strategies: A Grade Four Case Study

You probably get the picture!

Being creative with an assignment title won't get you any extra marks but it is something to think about next time you write an assignment.

What was the title of your last assignment?

Should you apply for postgraduate study?

Are you unsure whether you should undertake post graduate study?

Has it been a while since you studied? You've most likely completed a Bachelor Degree and are currently in the workforce so you are an excellent candidate for further study in your field of knowledge and expertise. 

A recent conversation with a friend led me to write this post. My friend wasn't sure whether she should study again, especially seeing as it had been a long time since she had last attended University. She had completed her undergraduate before online learning had come about. These days, enrolling in subjects, signing up for tutorials, searching for journal articles, participating in discussions with other students and submission of assignments can all be done online.

Learning has never been easier. Whether you decide to be an on campus student, an online learner or a mixture of both, studying has never been so accessible and flexible! 

Here are five tips for enrolling in postgraduate studies:

1) Choose your postgraduate study

There are postgraduate certificates and degrees or if you have completed a degree with honours, you may want to look at undertaking research for a Doctorate. Research courses at different Universities as many have studying by distance options. This opens up the choice of available courses.

2) Choose your area of study 

Ask yourself is there anything you would like to specialise in. Carefully check the pre-requisites for entry into the course as some require the area of study to be in the same stream as your undergraduate degree. Many courses can be tailored to meet your learning needs.

3) Choose your mode of study

If you're working full-time, enrolling in 1-2 subjects per semester would be doable. Take into consideration that postgraduate studies are typically shorter than undergraduate degrees. Even if you are an on campus student, there will still most likely be an online component.

4) Fitting Uni in with your life

With your life busy with work, family and social commitments, how do you fit in Uni? Think of your postgraduate studies as a hobby. You know how to learn, you are just having fun in a field that's already familiar. Organise yourself so that you find the balance in your life.  Use a calendar and schedule in the weekends when study is a must and include important birthdays, events etc to work around. 

5) Embrace the new way of studying at University

Teaching and learning at University has changed a lot especially over the last decade. It's okay to feel overwhelmed at first. You will have tech staff at the Univeristy to help you with logging on and email etc. As a postgraduate student, there will be a smaller number of students than in an undergraduate course therefore you'll be able to get to know the lecturers better- even online! They are there to help you! And join a study support network like eDegree for some great study tips  ( yep shameless plug!).

Holiday time - time for a break and to enrol!

Time to enrol

You may be enrolling in units for the first time as a new student or you may be a continuing student. It is most likely that your University has opened their enrolments for you to select the units you would like to study over the coming session/trimester/semester.

Most University courses will have a set outline of core units that you need to complete each year. Alongside these core units, you may be required to choose ‘electives’ from a selection of additional non-core units. These non-core units may build into specialising in a stream within your study area.

 If you are short on time due to work commitments and/or have children, you may wish to look at the unit information to check for

1) any residential schools if a distance student and

2) the required work load of assignments, online work and exams. 

 The most important factor when choosing an elective unit is to choose an area that you will enjoy. Choosing an area that you have a general interest in will motivate you throughout the semester and you will most likely produce better work.

How many units should I enrol in?

This is dependent on a number of things and you will need to consider the following;

1) work commitments,

2) the number of children you look after

 3) the amount of support you have from friends and family and

4) other commitments.

 

As Confucius said;

 

“It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.”

Remember if you do decide at a later date that your course load is too much, there is time to drop a unit before a penalty applies.

Check your University for further details and enjoy your break!

University Student Etiquette

Don’t be seen as the rude student who thinks of themselves as above everyone else. Here are some tips for some common student etiquette:

Don’t
- make a habit of arriving to tutorials or lectures late -
besides being rude, the lecturer will know you for the wrong reasons

- put your feet up on the seat in front of you – especially if someone is sitting there

- make out you know more than the lecturer – no one likes a ‘know it all’

- be too critical of another’s work especially if you haven’t done any yourself

- be the loafer when working on the group assignment – this is a quick way to lose friends

- put negative comments about lecturers or fellow students on your online social network page- anyone can access the internet and it will only reflect negatively on you

- ignore people – network and you will probably learn a thing or two

- forget who will be marking your assignment – ask questions and if you get a grade you are unhappy about – approach the marker sensibly and preferably after you have had a day to think about it.

- Write on the online Uni forum anything you may regret as it is not easily deleted

University is a fun time of learning. Don’t let poor student etiquette get in the way of making new friends, learning and generally enjoying University life.

Feel free to add your own tips!

Studying and parenting

Studying while you have young children can be done! It just requires some organisation and routine. Depending on how young your children are, I recommend using child care two days per week. These will become your study days. If money is a problem or your child/ren are too young to attend child care, focus on their sleep times to get your study done.

First, get yourself a diary. Schedule in all family events, extracurricular activities and assignment due dates. Work out the regular days you can do study and write ‘study’ on those days. Aim to set aside two full days.

From your unit information and study schedule provided by your tertiary institution you will see what is required for the first week. So, if it is article XYZ and chapter 1 and 2 of your text for unit EDNE then write that down under your first ‘study’ day. As you complete your study, tick off what you achieve. If you don’t get it done the first day transfer the work to your next study day.

Work study in around your life. Print off and read articles before you go to bed, take your text book to the hairdresser or when you take your child to their gymnastics class. That’s an extra hour of work you can tick off your study schedule that week! Look for opportunities to do a little bit of extra study.

If you have an assignment due or an examination coming up, ensure you have organised time without your children so you can get the assignment polished and your pre-prepared to sit your examination – even if it is online you will need peace and quiet!

There will be days that you will think ‘this is all too hard’ but think about the final outcome and what that will provide for you and your family. Reward yourself when you finish an assignment or you have done extra study and take regular break to walk the dog or do something one on one with your child. Keep yourself motivated because you can do this!

Don’t be the loafer.

When studying either externally or on campus, at some stage you may be required to do a group assignment as part of your assessment.

This can be a frustrating type of assignment especially if you have a loafer in your group. A loafer is one that doesn’t do the work required but expects the credit at the end.

Join an online group as soon as possible as I find those who join first are usually on the ball and ready to work. A wiki is usually where online group work will take place. If there are topics where you are assigned as a leader, ask questions for the others to answer.

Remember the due date is there for a reason but don’t leave your answers and ideas until the last day as the topic leader needs to summarise and most likely post a group response in the forums. Don’t use ‘I work all week’ or ‘it’s not due until tomorrow’ as an excuse not to check the wiki and provide your input. It is better to be up-to-date and involved with the discussion than to whinge that you didn’t get your input posted.

If you are unfortunate enough to have a loafer in your group, you may need to send them a private email along the lines of ‘I hope you are okay, such and such is due tomorrow’. If they do not respond to the group by the deadlines, keep moving along with the topic. The lecturer will read the wiki posts and ascertain who participated actively within the group and who did not respond enough.

You may have the opportunity to do an individual reflective essay on the group assignment where you can talk about participation within the group including the positives and negatives.

Ensuring that you take accountability for your participation in the group will mean an enriched learning experience for you.

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.

I’m behind in my study – what do I do?

First of all, don’t stress and don't give up! Stress will only make you procrastinate and unlikely to complete any work to your best ability. Remind yourself, that you can do this. Take a breath and focus on one subject today. Take this subject and look at what needs to be completed. Are there articles to read? Do you need to start an assignment? Do you need to contribute to online discussion? Are there five chapters to read in your text book? Work out what you need to do next. Write the list which may look like this;

‘Science
1. Read chapter 2, 4 and 8 of Skamp text
2. Read articles by Keys, Novak and Gunstone
3. Contribute to online discussion on the past 3 weeks topics (approximately three contributing posts)’

Set time aside to complete this work. This may be two hours this afternoon and one hour tonight. You will need to make study your priority in the next two to three days to catch up.
Write notes for the articles you read in your notebook or type in a word document or online blog. This will help the information you read, stick in your mind. It will also be there for future reference in your study notes – particularly helpful if you have an examination at the end of semester.
Tick off your list as you complete your study. Once you have done these, it is time to move onto another subject you are behind in. Make another list of things and tick off as you complete them. Once again, you will need to immediately put aside three to four hours of time where you can do solid work.
To avoid getting behind in your study again, use your diary effectively. Write in important events outside of study, assignment due dates and weekly tasks. Tick off each day what you complete. If you do not complete a task on a set day, transfer it to your next study day. By keeping on top of your study, you will reduce the stress caused from a heavy work load. Study will be easier and you will be more productive in your work.

5 ways to conquer procrastination

Tired looking at the same white page? Looking and taking any out possible so you don’t have to complete an assignment that is due next Monday?
If you are a procrastinator or experience writer’s block, try these tips to help you get that assignment done and dusted.

1. Just write! It doesn’t have to have referencing, correct spelling and punctuation, just your ideas either written or typed.

2. Jump on to your University forum for inspiration from fellow students who are studying the same topic

3. Talk to your friend, sister, brother, neighbour about the topic your assignment is about. Bouncing ideas off others can sometimes help get your head around what you are going to write.

4. Give yourself a mini reward if you write 100 words. This could be check your email, grab a snack or check your phone. Give yourself a bigger reward if you write your first draft such as read a magazine or take the dog for a walk.

5. Reread your assessment information and write down the key words including words relating to the topic and words on how to write the assignment. This can help with getting a plan of attack to write your assignment.

What is Emotional Intelligence (EI)? And how can it help with my study?

Emotional Intelligence(EI) is about using your emotions constructively for yourself and with others. It is not about your academic intelligence it is about being aware of your own emotions and the emotions of others around you.

Studying can actually increase your EI as you are developing relationships with new people. You are using your EI when writing about your learning and when you are probably seeking help from peers or lecturers to help with your study. You will have the opportunity to increase your EI when you join study groups, join in on forum discussions and identify group dynamics. By being self-aware of your own emotions and how you react to others and vice versa you can increase positive communication and enhance your learning.

EI can help you lead a successful life. Working on your EI can decrease your stress levels and aid in dealing with challenges – which you will probably come across a few whilst studying! Studying provides the opportunity to set boundaries, make decisions and communicate.

There are many Emotional Intelligence tests on the internet available and they only take a few minutes. I highly recommend taking one as it will help you get to know YOU!

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.

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!

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.