Study support

Your Academic Liaison Librarian is your main point of contact with the Library – there is one for every subject offered at Reading. They can help you make effective use of the huge range of resources the Library has to offer in support of your studies by:

• showing you how to use information resources effectively - your Academic Liasion Librarian can offer training sessions for your School/Department and online library guides for your subject
• showing you how to save time by making the most of all our Library services
• giving you individual help with research - your librarian can offer in depth one-to-one help in finding information, including identifying the most relevant e-resources for you to use

Find out who your Academic Liaison Librarian is.

Maths Support is a drop-in service that can help you with any mathematical topic you are struggling with during your studies. They are a team of experienced mathematicians who can help you with problems, or help build your maths confidence in a relaxed, friendly environment.

Tutors are available during term time from Monday-Thursday 12:00-18:00 and Friday: 12:00-16:00. During vacation, the service is available Tuesday –Thursday, 12:00-14:00. If you cannot make it during these times, you can email.

A global model at Reading

Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) is a globally recognised scheme where students in the same subject work with each other, and in partnership with a supportive academic. Well-trained student PAL leaders run weekly academic study sessions in specific modules. You work with students from the year above who have been through the module, which is known to be tough or difficult, and together you gain a better understanding. Recent data shows that students who go to PAL sessions regularly gain better results.

What students who go to PAL sessions say:

“It's been really helpful to go over what we do in lectures, as the content is difficult.”

“Getting advice from people who have already studied the course has helped.”

“I think it was so useful. To learn from other students who have been in my position before was brilliant.”

“The leaders were friendly and helpful; they made every session worthwhile to go to.”

“We can input into what we would like covered in the sessions.”

Benefits of going to PAL sessions:

• time to go over difficult material together with other students
• opportunity to discuss ideas and ask questions that are hard to ask in lectures
• gain confidence and make friends
• achieve better results in the module

Weekly PAL sessions are structured to be lively, active and fun. If you have the opportunity to take part in PAL as part of your course, you should definitely take advantage of it.

If you have any questions, please contact Becky Allen at pal@reading.ac.uk or call +44(0) 118 378 6514. Click here to find out about becoming a PAL Leader yourself.

RUSU Advice Service can support you if you are having academic problems, or you have concerns about your relationship with the University. They can help with issues such as:

• Help during exams
• University complaints
• Results Appeals
• Plagiarism
• Help for Disabled Students
• Academic Misconduct
• Disciplinaries
• Extenuating Circumstances

You can use their online Advice Request Form to set up an appointment with an adviser.

The Study Advice Service can help you develop more effective ways of studying. They are a team of specialists who can offer academic support alongside that given to you by your tutor. They can talk to you about essay and report writing, time management, reading and note-making, exam revision, dissertations and effective study practices.

You can book a one-to-one advice session, tailor-made to your needs or attend weekly seminars to develop your academic skills.

In addition they run a daily drop in service (13:00-14:00) where you can discuss your quick queries with a Study Adviser.

Their website has a wide range of self-help guides and video tutorials on aspects of studying that you can access 24/7.