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Starting university is an exciting time – new experiences, new people and new opportunities. However, it can also feel overwhelming, especially when you think about the new ways of learning. This is a totally normal feeling, and trust me, everyone is feeling the same.
Whether you have completed A-levels, the IB, or a different set of exams, one of the biggest challenges in starting university is the shift in how you learn. At school, your learning is structured, with regularly assigned homework and close guidance from your teachers. Now this doesn’t disappear at university, however, you now have a lot more independence – you are expected to manage your own time and take responsibility for research and readings outside of class. Don’t let this intimidate you though - it is a great opportunity to grow in confidence and develop your own initiative. You get to take control of your learning!
You will receive a timetable at the start of the academic year which tells you what you have, when and where. A lot of you will see your time divided between lectures and seminars, two different ways of learning. Lectures are larger sessions, where your lecturer stands at the front of a lecture hall and delivers a lesson. You sit, listen and absorb the information. Although you take notes, don’t worry about them being thorough! All lectures are recorded for you to return to later, and the slides are available for you to read through.
The information that you learn in your lectures is then applied in seminars. Seminars are much smaller groups, usually around 15 students, and are student led sessions. Your tutor will prompt discussions based upon the lecture content, and you will share your thoughts in an interactive setting. Prior to seminars, there is usually weekly reading, alongside the lecture content, to assist you with the session’s discussions. Seminars are a great example of active learning, as well as a great chance to contribute your thoughts and learn from peers
Other things that may appear on your timetable could be lab sessions or workshops, or placements and these are dependent on your course. You can find out a bit more about the different types of learning here. If you have back-to-back sessions on your timetable, don’t be concerned. Classes start at 25 minutes to the hour and end 25 minutes after the hour, allowing for travel time between. You can keep track of your timetable on the MyExeter app, something you can access when you start your studies.
As you can guess, with a different style of learning comes a different style of studying. The Library's Study Skills provides you with guidance on skills such as referencing, revision and note-taking, and you can either find these online, in appointments with an advisor or during the study skill workshops.
As mentioned, university is all about independent learning, so familiarising yourself with the library is a great idea. All our campuses have libraries equipped with study spaces and resources for your use, and plenty of support is available both in person and online.
Starting something new can be daunting, but remember, you aren’t expected to figure this all out immediately. With time, this new learning style will become familiar, and you will grow in confidence as the academic year progresses. Hopefully, this guide has outlined some of the basics, but remember, asking questions or for support is encouraged. We are here for you every step of the way here at the Guild!