Life Tools | Support and Wellbeing | University of Reading

The Life Tools programme is a series of free talks designed by experts to help you transition into university life and enhance your student experience.

The programme allows you to be proactive and take control of your learning, personal and professional development.

Everyone is Welcome - watch the Life Tools introduction video to find out more.

Find out more on the Life Tools Brochure for 2025-2026.

Attend a Life Tools Talk:

During the Spring Vacation period, students can access resources on the Life Tools Blackboard organisation. Talks will resume over the vacation.

Event	Date/Time	Location
Managing uncertainty: Adapting to change	Thursday 19.3.26, at 13:00-13:45	Online and in person: Edith Morley, room 230 Register via MS Teams
Life Tools group discussion	Thursday 19.3.26, at 15:00-15:45	Online and in person: Palmer building, room G03 Register via MS Teams
Introduction to mindfulness (Part 3)	Thursday 19.3.26,at 16:00-16:45	Online and in person: Palmer building, room 107 Register vis MS Teams
Preparing for exams: Evidence-based revision techniques	Wednesday 22.4.26, at 13:00-13:45	Online and in person: Edith Morley, room 230 Register via MS Teams
Learner's mindset: Prevent procrastination and get things done	Wednesday 22.4.26, at 15:00-15:30	Online and in person: Edith Morley, room 230 Register via MS Teams
Stressed? Learn ways to maintain your health	Thursday 23.4.26, at 13:00-13:45	Online and in person: Edith Morley, room 230 Register via MS Teams
Ignite your motivation: Keep learning	Wednesday 29.4.26, at 13:00-13:45	Online and in person: Palmer building, room G03 Register via MS Teams
Learner's mindset: Prevent procrastination and get things done	Wednesday 29.4.26, at 15:00-15:30	Online and in person: Edith Morley, room 230 Register via MS Teams
Life Tools discussion group	Wednesday 29.4.26, at 16:00-16:45	Online and in person: Palmer building, room 105 Register via MS Teams
A good night's sleep	Thursday 30.4.26, at 13:00-13:45	Online and in person: Edith Morley, room 230 Register via MS Teams
Looking ahead: You and the workplace (Part 1)	Tuesday 5.5.26, at 13:00-13:45	Online and in person: Palmer building, room 108 Register via MS Teams
Beyond university	Wednesday 6.5.26, at 13:00-13:45	Online and in person: Edith Morley, room 230 Register via MS Teams
Learner's mindset: Prevent procrastination and get things done	Wednesday 6.5.26, at 15:00-15:30	Online and in person: Palmer building, room G02 Register via MS Teams
Looking ahead: You and the workplace (Part 2)	Thursday 7.5.26, at 13:00-13:45	Online and in person: Edith Morley, room 230 Register via MS Teams

First login to Blackboard, then self-enrol.

Struggling to enrol? Check out our Life Tools Sign up tutorial on YouTube.

You can go to the Life Tools Blackboard organisation to access the online resources (recordings of the talks, handouts, and bite-size videos). Once you enrol on The Life Tools organisations, come out of that page and go back to organisations to select Life Tools.

The Life Tools webinars/talks are delivered online (via Teams) and on-campus (hybrid - both online and in-person), allowing as many students to attend as possible. Most webinars/talks are around 45 minutes in duration, including time for questions about the topic. The learners mindset series is 30 minutes in duration. The programme is open to all students. You can enrol on the Blackboard organisation to access resources and receive weekly emails with the details of upcoming webinars/talks.

Life Tools is also on Twitter and Instagram. Follow for talks, expert tips and advice. Find out more about Life Tools via the videos on YouTube.

We want to hear from you!

Let us know your views on your experience of the Life Tools programme. Your feedback will inform our development of the programme to make it relevant to all students.

We'd love for you to leave feedback.

Booking in-person and online talks

Access Life Tools resources using Blackboard. The live webinars will take place on Teams.

Booking in-person talks

1. You can turn up on the day and register on Teams before or during the session via the Life Tools page on Essentials,

Booking online webinars

1. Click the link on the event title to book a place on the webinar/talk (hybrid - both online and in person). MS Teams will send you an invite for you calendar. You can register right up until the time of the webinar/talk.

If you have any problems finding the link you can email: m.a.penabizama@reading.ac.uk.

How do I enrol on the Life Tools Blackboard Organization

To access online resources and receive updates you can enrol for the Life Tools Organisation on Blackboard (you may need to sign into Blackboard first).

To find the organisation visit Blackboard>>Organisations>>Life Tools. Click the ‘Enrol’ button and then follow the instructions to get started.

Life Tools Certificate

The Life Tools certificate is recognised in the same way as the RED Award. The aim of the certificate is to provide some structure so that you can maintain your motivation and feel productive by developing habits that support your progress towards your academic and personal goals.

To obtain the Life Tools certificate, you must:

• Attend 6 webinars/talks. Your department may be offering some of the talks as part of your course. Attending these will count towards the certificate too. To make the most of the programme, begin to apply the knowledge and strategies as soon as you have been to a talk so that you can identify what works for you. Complete a worksheet after each webinar/talk you attend.

• Attend 2 group training sessions. This element of the programme gives you the opportunity to discuss what you have found when applying the knowledge and strategies. There will also be an opportunity for questions and answers. The focus of the discussion will be on identifying what helps or hinders applying what you are learning, as well as having an opportunity to expand on your interest in the topics. Complete a worksheet per group discussion.

• Write a reflective piece (about 2 sides of A4). The purpose of this exercise is to reflect on what you have learned, your experience of applying the knowledge and strategies in a more consistent manner, and how you plan to take your learning experience into the future.

How to use Life Tools towards the Red Award and Life Tools certificate

Feedback

Get in contact

Discover Life Tools

This year talks will be online and on campus. Enrol on Life Tools Blackboard to find out details about the upcoming webinars and talks.

The Life Tools Brochure for 2025-2026