1. Managing your own Learning
Studying in
a Tertiary Environment

2. Adapting to the New Environment
In tertiary education the ability to become an independent learner is crucial.
You are expected to assume responsibility for your own learning without close supervision.
Inner motivation and self discipline are required to cope with the expectations of study at this level.
Being an independent learner in a tertiary environment that you are responsible for managing your studies, your time and yourself. In high school, you might be used to teachers reminding you when work is due, telling you what and when to study, and checking your progress.
(Payne & Whittaker, 2006)
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3. What does this really mean?
With greater freedom comes more responsibility.
You have a great deal more responsibility for your own success than at high school.
It means managing your own time and study between classes.
It can feel lacking in structure, but is also liberating.
It is important to stay focused and maintain motivation.
Tertiary learning requires you to learn and complete assessments independently, plan your workload, meet deadlines and organise your time. This level of self-management can be a challenge. Some students thrive, others find it difficult to adjust at first.
(Cottrell, 2013)
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4. Work, Study, Life Balance
The challenge facing many students is the need to juggle many commitments.
They need to balance study with family, friends and sometimes work commitments.
Careful planning is required to ensure that assessments are submitted on time and all classes are attended.
Maintaining a healthy balanced diet and setting aside time for physical exercise and relaxation are also important.
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Set Yourself Goals
Start by thinking about your long-term goals, then develop short-term and medium-term goals to help you achieve them.
Remember, goals should be:
Realistic
Achievable by a certain date
Written
Flexible (sometimes life gets in the way)
Goals are realistic – your goals must be attainable to your personal resources and abilities.
Goals are time framed – always set a beginning and end date for your goals.
Goals are written – Committing a goal to writing makes it more concrete, and encourages commitment towards completion
Goals need to be flexible – there are many factors that can affect attaining your goal.
Image courtesy of xedos4, freedigitalphotos.net
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6. Your Study Workspace is important
On campus: the campus library, student area
Off campus: your kitchen table, your bedroom, the local library
Consider:
Ventilation
Temperature
Lighting
Furniture/Equipment
Distractions
Try to establish a regular study schedule, studying in the same place every time. Remember that lighting and temperature are very important and affect how you feel while you are studying. You should choose a place to study that is comfortable but not too comfortable. Your bed is not a good place to study. Decide when you concentrate the best and try to study during that
time. Before you begin to study, write down a goal for the study session. By doing this, you will have a way to measure when your study time is up. Otherwise, how do you know when you are done? It's all about finding a place you feel comfortable studying in and can get to easily where you can solely focus on studying.
 listening to music when studying depends on your personality and preferences.  Some people prefer no music saying they get distracted, can't concentrate and start singing along or listening to the music rather than studying.  Other people may prefer to have light background music to fill as background noise and allow you to concentrate more on studying.   It's up to you if you want to have music on or not while studying.  Try it out and see what works best.
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7. Getting the most out of Classes
Be punctual
Attend all classes
Where you sit counts
Be prepared
Turn off your mobile phone
Contribute
Keep focused
Review afterwards
In class - sit close to the front or where the lecturer is delivering the lesson. The closer you are to the front, the fewer distractions and the easier it is to listen and take notes. Choose not to sit close to your friends if they are likely to distract you.
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8. Ask if you don’t understand
- Keep the lines of communication open -
Lecturers encourage students to ask questions.
Questions help the lecturer to know what needs to be clarified.
Clarifying an issue will help others who also don’t understand.
By asking questions you are showing the lecturer that you are are interested and involved.
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Missed a class?
- Keep the lines of communication open -
If you miss or know you are going to miss a class, contact the lecturer - is often best.
Copying another student’s notes may not be that helpful, as they reflect someone else’s interpretation. 
Find out if information is on Blackboard and access it from there.
Ask your study partner to get two sets of of of student handouts.
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10. Establish social networks
Find a ‘study partner’ with whom you can:
Discuss concepts and ideas in your course
Exchange advice and work out problems
Collaborate on study tasks
Collect student handouts if you miss a class
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Time Management
When you're studying, learning to manage your time effectively will help you achieve your goals and reduces stress.
Remember to:
Work out your priorities
Plan your study sessions
Set time limits
Use daily to-do lists
Create a weekly and semester study timetable
Daily To Do List – hourly breakdown of tasks planned the night before.
Weekly Planner – everyday events planned at the beginning of each week. Include classes, work commitments, sporting activities, social and family commitments, meals, household chores, travel to and from the above.
Plans made at the beginning of the week often don’t work on the day, so be willing to be flexible, but stay focused on what is important.
Writing things down helps you not to forget.
Semester Planner – Exam and assessment due dates, events, holidays.
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12. Sample Study Timetable (On-campus, full time student)
Day/Time
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
8 - 9 am
GYM
TRAVEL
9 - 10am
FOOD am
CLASS
STUDY
WORK
SHOPPING
noon
CHORES
12 - 1pm
LUNCH
1 - 2pm
2 - 3pm
3 - 4pm
LEISURE
4 - 5pm
5 - 6pm
DINNER
6 - 7pm
7 - 8pm
8 - 9pm
9 - 10pm
LEISURE  pm pm
Study Hours 1 2 4 3
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Computer Skills
These are taught as part of your course.
You will be expected to use computers to prepare your assessments; do research; communicate; and access learning materials.
It is essential to organise computer files effectively so they can be found quickly and easily.
Skills will be provided in:
word processing
spread sheets
presentation software
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14. Tips for Working in Groups
Exchange contact information
Assign roles based on individual strengths
Share roles and responsibilities evenly
Contribute effectively as a team member
Accept that this is a working relationship, not a friendship
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15. Group work gives you the opportunity to:
Enhances social skills and interactions
Develops teamwork skills
Group work gives you the opportunity to:
Gain experience in collaboration
Develop skills relevant to employment
Learn more effectively by exchanging ideas with others
Participate in a larger project
Looks great on your resume
Shares the workload
Develops planning skills
Opportunity for multiple viewpoints

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Summing up…
Take responsibility for your own learning by:
Managing your time and your life.
Knowing when assessments are due.
Getting started on assessments early.
Asking for help early.
Accepting that feedback is constructive criticism designed to help you.
Exploring your options and finding out all you can about the course.
(The Learning Centre UNSW, 2012)
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Who can I talk to if I want advice?
Andrea Redknap, Academic Advisor T: E:
Andrea’s role is to support and help you achieve success in your studies. If you have questions or concerns about a particular unit, the course you are enrolled in, your career prospects or just want a bit of a chat, please feel free to contact her.
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References
Cottrell, S. (2013). The study skills handbook (4th ed.). Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Payne, E. & Whittaker, L. (2006). Developing essential study skills (2nd ed.). Essex: Pearson Education Limited. The Learning Centre, UNSW. (2012). First steps: A beginner’s guide to university. Retrieved from
- This presentation created by Nancy Stokes, librarian for Tourism & Events -
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