Get ready for the new semester

Student in the library reaching for a book

9 February 2023

The start of a new semester is a good opportunity to reflect on your previous assignments and identify opportunities to make improvements. However, it is important to not overwhelm yourself by trying to make too many changes at once, but rather choose a few areas to focus on.

Here are some ideas to help you start the new semester, ready to aim higher.

Engage with your feedback

If you haven't achieved the grade you were hoping for on an assignment, it can be tempting to ignore the feedback. It can be helpful to go through the comments your tutor has left and create a checklist of guidance to help you check future assignments.

If there are any comments which you don’t understand, we suggest contacting your module tutor directly or you can book an appointment with the Study Support Team who will be happy to work through the comments with you.

Check your module study guide (MSG) early

By checking your module study guide early, you will make yourself aware of what the module will cover, the skills and knowledge that will be assessed and will give you information about how and when you will be assessed.

This information will help you to plan your time and hopefully give you the encouragement to start preparing for your assessments earlier.

Check your reading list

If you haven't done so before, we recommend to check your reading list at the beginning of your module. Some of the books on there are likely to offer suggestions for how to build your foundation knowledge or give good definitions for the key vocabulary used in the module.

Take time to go through these resources, as they will no doubt help with the assignments you have coming up.

Plan your structure before you start writing

If you feel under time pressure, it can feel tempting to skip the planning stage and get started with writing straight away. However, this can lead to work that is poorly structured, can result in repetition of ideas and the process can end up taking more time.

Take time, once you have carried out your research, to decide upon a suitable structure for your essay, report or presentation. In what order should your information appear? Does this match up with the assignment guidelines? Think about your reader when deciding upon the structure of your work.

Trying new things and adapting your approach to your assignments can make a difference to your overall grades. If you would like support in making some changes to your study this semester, feel free to book an appointment with the Study Support Team.

Current students

We have a dedicated support network on hand to help you throughout your student journey. From our student services, personal tutors, to our Study Support team and Students’ Union.