Academic Skills

Academic skills

Academic Skills Advisers help you to take an active role in developing the skills you need for success. Our emphasis is on enhancement of learning to assist you in achieving your full potential.

Our programme is designed to support the needs of all students from all levels and disciplines. Whether you are an undergraduate learning to write your first academic essay, or a postgraduate about to embark on a Master’s degree or postgraduate research, you can make use of our accessible, tailored materials and support.

Our skills programme includes a wide range of workshops including Essay Writing, Academic Referencing, Dissertation Planning, Exam Revision and Presentation Skills. We also run tailored workshops within the academic curriculum. Mature students or postgraduate students who have been away from education for a while and wish to refresh their academic skills can attend a ‘Back to Study’ day before the start of the academic year.

In addition, we offer a one-to-one service, allowing students to discuss their current work with one of our Academic Skills Advisers. For distance learners, or those on part-time courses, we can offer these appointments over Skype or by phone. We also hold weekly drop-ins for students who want to come with any quick queries. Finally, we keep a huge number of card resources in our office, which all students are welcome to take away, including vocabulary cards, essay structuring tips and more.

Study Mentoring

Academic Skills run the SMART Buddy (Academic Skills Student Mentoring) scheme. This scheme is primarily for first year undergraduate and PGCE students from the UK and EU, and undergraduate and Masters International (non-EU) students. SMART Buddies are specially-selected second and third year students, trained to help their mentees excel in their academic studies. Buddies meet with mentees one-to-one on a weekly basis, giving guidance on time-management, writing skills, and how to get the most out of academic study.

SkillsNet

Winchester has also developed SkillsNet, an online resource bank that offers tips and information, all designed to boost your academic performance. Good academic skills are critical to success at University, both in acquiring good grades, and proving useful for learning throughout one’s life.

SkillsNet provides easily accessible, relevant online materials, including digital versions of all our Academic Skills resources. Whether you are preparing ahead, or working to a deadline, SkillsNet is there to help you.

Logged-in users can access the full SkillsNet site here on the intranet or on Canvas here.

To enquire about the SMART Buddies student mentoring scheme, email:

Study Mentoring