Preparing to study at university
The way in which you learn at university may be quite different from what you're used to. The focus is on independent study. This means it's up to you to ensure you complete the required reading and assignments for your course. Research plays a big part in many courses too, even at undergraduate level, and you'll be expected to find sources of information and cite them in your work.
How much you prepare is up to you, but you should think about what studying at a higher level will entail and how you'll be expected to engage with your course and with the academic and support staff here.
We believe that your time at the University of Reading will provide you with every opportunity to develop yourself personally, academically and professionally – the advice on this page is just the start.
Read our ten top tips for successful study at university>>>
Develop your study practices
Part of your university education will be learning how to learn. You'll not only be building up your subject knowledge, but also developing your study practices and learning new ones so you can work at a more complex level. This process is just as important as learning about your subject and is part of what makes higher education so valuable. There are plenty of people and resources available to support you in this. You can access some of these through the links in this page.
Think critically
You'll be expected to think critically about everything you see, read and hear. You should get into the habit of always asking yourself "what do I think?" and "why do I think that?" Don't assume that something is right just because you read it in print, or because your lecturer told you so.
Keep yourself informed
You'll be expected to keep yourself informed about things like timetables, room locations, deadlines for assignments, and how to reference your sources and submit your work. Your programme handbook will be essential – make sure you know where you've put it or how to find it online! The University website has a wealth of resources that can help you. It's worth taking some time to explore the site and bookmarking things like term dates, University Maps and past exam papers (you can only view past papers once you have enrolled).
Being at university means that you are in charge – it's up to you to make sure that you are informed, but rest assured that there is help and guidance available should you need it.
Know who can help you
Most importantly, know that working independently doesn't mean you can't ask for help – but it does mean that it's up to you to know when to ask. For instance, if you're having problems with your course or with university life generally, you could talk to your Personal Tutor. If you don't understand a topic, talk to your module tutor or seminar leader. If you can't find a book or journal, ask a librarian. If you want to structure essays or reports, or manage your time better, talk to the Study Advice team.
There are many people who can help you with your studies and who are here to support you during your time at university. Make sure you know who they are and what they can do for you. Make the most of the opportunities available to you and of your potential to do well.