Study Zone Blog

Just a quick reminder that the Study Zone will be open during the summer to help with any study skill queries. 

Failed an exam?  Come to the Study Zone for guidance on revision and exam techniques.

Need to re-submit an essay?  A Study Zone Adviser can support you throughout the re-submission process.  An adviser can help you plan, re-draft and check your essay.

Want to improve your grades next year?  Bring your past essays to the Study Zone and an adviser can look through these with you and see if you are losing marks on your referencing, grammar, structure etc.  An adviser can then work with you to improve these areas in time for next year.

Please note – the Study Zone cannot offer subject specific advice. 

Email - rebecca.wilding@newport.ac.uk

            angela.morelli@newport.ac.uk

Phone - 01633 432357  (Allt-yr-yn)

            01633 432109 (Caerleon)

Remember to visit the Study Zone's website for further information and study skill guides

www.newport.ac.uk/studyzone  

During the summer, the Study Zone will be open as usual for any study skill queries.

If you need any help with dissertations, essay writing, English language, exam skills or any other study skill areas, then please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Someone will be available on both campuses but it is advisable that you make an appointment rather than turn up in order to avoid a wasted journey!

To book your appointment, contact:

                     Rebecca Wilding rebecca.wilding@newport.ac.uk

                     Angela Morelli angela.morelli@newport.ac.uk

                     Caerleon campus -  01633 432109

                     Allt-yr-yn campus -   01633 432357

                     Minicom -  01633 432245

As dissertation hand-in dates draw closer, make sure you get the support you need before it is too late.  We will answer any study skills questions you may have regarding structure, punctuation, grammar and Harvard referencing. 

Make an appointment sooner rather than later!

For individual chapters we will look at up to 2 pages or selected areas that you consider needs further work on.  If the dissertation is complete, we will look at up to 10 pages only (cut off date for submission is 7 days before your final hand-in date).  Alternatively, you could bring a list of study skills questions related to your dissertation.

The Study Zone Advisers will not proof read your work, but will work with you to develop your proof reading skills. 

Due to an increasing demand for appointments, Study Zone policies relating to proof reading have been updated to accommodate the needs of students.

We can help you with various study skills areas such as planning, structure, spelling, grammar, punctuation and Harvard referencing. 

For essays, reports, letters, other written documents:

   We ask that these should be submitted 3 days in advance.  

   We offer general comments on the whole document, however, we will only close read 2 pages of your work or selected areas that you consider needs further work.   

   Alternatively, you could bring a list of study skills questions related to your assignment. 

Dissertations

   For individual chapters we will look at up to 2 pages of your work or selected areas that you    

   consider needs further on. 

   If the dissertation is complete we will look at up to 10 pages only.

   Alternatively, you could bring a list of study skills questions related to your dissertation. 

The Study Zone Advisers will not proof read your work, but will work with you to develop your proof reading skills. 

 English Language Support

A drop-in for English language support is also available on Wednesday afternoons 2pm-4pm at the Study Zone in Caerleon, with Claire Lovell (claire.lovell@newport.ac.uk).  

For any queries please contact the Study Zone:

studyzone@newport.ac.uk

When the sun is blazing and many are sat around watching Jeremy Kyle and the lunchtime showing of Neighbours, I will still be available if anyone wants to come along to the Study Zone for some advice/help.

Although many will prefer to forget about university until September, the summer is actually the perfect time to look back at the feeback on your essays and see if there are any areas that you could improve on.  Perhaps you are still unsure about referencing or your essays still lack structure?  Make an appointment with me and we can look at how you can improve these areas and hopefully your grades!

To make an appointment on Caerleon and Allt-yr-yn campus:

rebecca.wilding@newport.ac.uk 

Caerleon - 01633 432109                          AYY - 01633 432357

For those who are living away from Newport during the summer, advice can be given via email.

I have noticed this year that there is an increasing amount of Welsh speakers who are coming to me for English language support.  This has made me think: is this support actually needed and is largely ignored by those who may not consider that learning in English is a difficulty if you are a Welsh speaker?

I once had an appointment with a student who was finding learning in English very tricky because it was the first time that she ever hadever had to do it.  Having to write that first 2,000 word essay can be daunting for any student, but for one that has never had to do it before the task is even harder.

Ok, so this experience can be attributed to any student whose first language is not English, but many people would not expect a student who is a Welsh speaker to have difficulties.  

Yes, I think that support is needed as with any other student whose first language is not English, s/he may need help with sentence construction, vocab, spelling etc.  This support may not be needed on a great level, but just having someone to read through a piece of work can help.

With regards to awareness, take Glyn Wise from last year's Big Brother as an example.  Glyn was criticised for not being bright because his speech was slow and his accent was "funny"  Glyn later explained that this slow speech was down to the fact that he wasn't used to speaking English and if you heard him speaking Welsh, you would see that there was a difference in the speed. 

As a Welsh learner, I can definetly understand the difficulties of doing anything in another language!

Message posted on behalf of the International Student Survey project team.

You will be receiving the international student survey in the post this week.  Please take time to fill it in. It is important for us to know what you think of the university and where we can make improvements. 

When you return it to us you will be entered into the FREE prize draw with prizes of £100, £50 and £25.

Many thanks for your help.

Just a quick note to say that if you are looking for some support with your essay writing prior to submitting it (I know deadlines are fast approaching in many subjects), then feel free to book a free confidential appointment with either myself or Rebecca Wilding either on the Caerleon or Allt-yr-yn Campus.

We cannot give you subject advice, but can offer suggestions on how to best tackle them.

All our contact details and times of availability are detailed on the blog homepage and at www.newport.ac.uk/studyzone

Cheers

Mike.

Mike Bourne: Study Zone Adviser

The University is doing some research into what international students think of life at Newport and how we might continue to improve our services for international students in the future.  You will all be receiving a questionnaire in February, which we hope you will fill in and return because we really need to hear your views… and you could also win a great prize.

Firstly, however, we are holding some focus group where we are going to ask students to talk informally about a range of questions. In order to ensure that we get students from as many courses and countries as possible we have chosen the people for these groups and they will be contacted by e mail. 

If you have not be asked to take part but feel that you really would like to, please contact Jenny Cann (jennifer.cann@newport.ac.uk) as soon as possible.  All of the information that you give us in the focus groups and questionnaires will be treated anonymously (your name will not be given).

Many thanks

Jenny Cann & Sue Stevens

Hi all,

A quick note to let those that are interested know that Anni Wilton- Jones' dyslexia talk-in shop have re-started now that term has.

It's a chance to talk informally with her in Study Zone office and get some advice and information.

Mondays 09:00 - 11:00am - Allt-yr-yn Study Zone (just below the library)

Wednesdays 15:30 -17:30 - Caerleon Study Zone. (first floor of Caerleon library)

If you are looking for myself for support on any study skills related matter (e.g. essays, referencing, dissertations, reports etc) during these times drop me an email and I'll get back to you ASAP.

Cheers! Mike.

Many of you may be thinking about starting your dissertation, have started your dissertation or don't want to think about it at all!  I have already seen quite a few students who want help to get that perfect title or need advice on structuring it, so I thought I would provide a few pointers:

1. Start it early!  I once saw a student who had a fortnight to plan and write her dissertation.  She was dreading it so much that she left it to the last minute and was very stressed! 
2. Break down the task.  Instead of thinking "I'm never going to write 10,000 words" think of it as a series of essays to write.
3. Write about something which interests you.  It will make writing those 10,000 words a lot easier if you are motivated and engaged with the subject.
4. Narrow your title down as much as possible.  For example, instead of writing about 'the history of video games' (which would be mainly narrative based) focus on a specific element such as 'how video games do not have a detrimental effect on younger players', which would provide a critical argument.   

The Study Zone is here to help you with your dissertation needs.  Please remember

• Dissertation chapters need to be provided at least one week before the deadline/ Study Zone appointment.  Whole dissertations need to be submitted at least two weeks before.  We will not be able to read any work that needs to be in the next day!
• We cannot take the place of your supervisor.  Although we can help you with the dissertation, we can't tell you what to put in it or offer subject advice.

For any help or queries, please make an appointment with a Study Zone Adviser.

Thanks!

Becky

Do you think you, a relative or a friend may have dyslexia or a similar difficulty?

Would you like advice or information?

Dyslexia Talk-In Shop - A chance to talk informally with a dyslexia specialist

• From Wednesday 15th November - Drop in - Caerleon Study Zone (on the first floor of the library) 3:30 - 5:30pm

• From Monday 20th November - Appointment - Allt-yr-yn Study Zone (just below the library in E26) 09:00am - 11am.

Contact: anni.wilton-jones@newport.ac.uk

Thank you

At this time of year, Mike and I undertake a series of publicity talks where courses book us to go in and talk about the Study Zone for 10 minutes or so. 

The best bit about these talks - going and seeing the diverse courses in places I never knew existed (e.g Creative Sound & Music Studio - looked really interesting!).  The worst bit however, is when I often forget to mention something I later remember when I get back to the office. I know I should write a list or some pointers but I know I'm a talk off the top of my head kind of person. 

At least I mention all the essential pieces of information and our website has anything I might have missed!

We are on the air at last; not right at the front of the vanguard of University blogging but close enough.

During the summer we have put together truncated versions of our large handbooks on the key study skills subjects (e.g. academic writing, planning and structuring an essay, report writing, exam preparation etc)

After much editing and bullet point aligning they are online as four or six compacted pages. They'll be available as FREE paper copies in the two libraries shortly. All are different colours so why not make a collection? Let your students and friends know.

Check out the 'Quick Guides' on the right hand side of the page along with a collection of other key links. They are also on our website www.newport.ac.uk/studyzone