Commencing Students

Are you ready to study at ACPE?

Tools of the trade

Every university student requires a home environment that is conducive to study.  A study area that is comfortable, well-lit, well-ventilated, free of clutter, and without the distractions of television and telephones is essential – as is the capacity to study in 1–2 hour blocks. It is best to have access to a computer and the internet.  It is important to reserve this space solely for study.

Organise a folder for every subject you undertake, as well as a year planner that allows you to set out assessment tasks across the semester.  Make sure you have a suitable diary in which you can compile To Do lists and keep track of Important Dates.

You will also need a range of stationery and other tools such as a dictionary and a thesaurus.

A word about time management

University is a relatively unstructured learning environment. Classes are only scheduled for part of your day; the rest of the time is yours to manage. You should expect to study for approximately 40 hours per week for a full-time course. Self-direction is vital.

Homework requirements shift. At school we may have done approximately 1 hour of homework for every 2 hours of school; at university, you can expect 2 hours of required study for every one hour of lecture or tutorial.

Assessment can be different

Many students find that assignments are longer and more involved than at school, where pupils generally have many small assignments and receive feedback on an almost daily basis. It is not unusual for university students to be overwhelmed by the sheer volume of required work, especially during peak assessment periods. Planning and organisation is essential.

Self-responsibility and self-management is required

University students are generally required to take greater responsibility for their own learning. Below are some examples –

• Lecture groups can be large and students need to initiate contact with the lecturer
• Students are given a reading list and expected to independently source and read the articles on it
• Note-taking in class is essential. Class notes are not always given out

Know your priorities and work out what you want to achieve

Some people experience the comparative freedom of university and take too many extra commitments and responsibilities. Socialising is often high on the agenda, but needs to be balanced with requirements for study. The capacity to prioritise is indispensable. You will need to make intelligent, thoughtful, informed decisions about what tasks to do and when it is most productive to do them.

Have self-development goals

Be prepared to accept feedback and constructive criticism, and work to accelerate your own development in your chosen field. Flexibility and a positive attitude can help you maximise your learning experience.