welcome dr michael paton teaching quality fellow faculty of economics and business

Welcome Welcome

Dr Michael Paton

Teaching Quality Fellow

Faculty of Economics and Business

Staying on TrackStaying on TrackInformation SessionInformation Session

University of Sydney

Learning Centre

Key Problem Areas for StudentsKey Problem Areas for Students

• Time Management:– Setting goals– Using planners– Juggling priorities


• Concentration Loss and Procrastination:– Understanding reasons– Strategies for improvement


• Essay Writing:– Interpreting essay questions– Analysing ideas– Structuring the essay– Developing an argument– Using evidence– Avoiding plagiarism


• Academic English:– Writing clearly– Writing in an academic style– Grammatical correctness

Resources which can HelpResources which can Help• Academic Writing Workshops:

– Essay Writing– Writing Coursework Assignments– Managing Literature for Coursework Assignments– Quoting, Summarising and Paraphrasing– Writing in an Academic Style– Clearer Writing– Functional Grammar for Academic Writing

Resources which can HelpResources which can Help

• Studying at University Workshops:– Managing Your Time– Concentration and Procrastination– Preparation for Exams

• Practice for MCQ exams• Practice for essay exams• Practice for short answer exams

Other Learning ResourcesOther Learning Resources

• Booklets: Self Study Series– Skills for Essay Writing– The Reflective Student– How to Write a Laboratory Report

Other Learning ResourcesOther Learning Resources• Online resources:

– Clearer Writing (interactive)– WriteSite (interactive)– Links to other sites– Resources for downloading

Guidelines for ReferencingSkills of Essay Writing seriesReport Writing in the Sciences

Who are we?Who are we?• We are an academic centre

• Our services are available to all enrolled students at this university

• Our central workshops and individual learning programs are free of charge

• Our objectives are to facilitate and develop student learning

2007 Workshop Program: 2007 Workshop Program: Semester 2Semester 2

• August/September Program 13 August - 14 September(Online registration: 6 August)

• Masters Coursework Program24 - 28 September(Online registration: 19 September)

• October Program (including exam preparation)8 - 19 October(Online registration: 3 October)

How to find usHow to find us

Learning CentreLevel 7, Education Building

Manning Road

Phone: 9351 3853

Fax: 9351 4865

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.usyd.edu.au/lc

The Counselling ServiceThe Counselling Service

Reasons for poor progress

• Poor time management, procrastination, perfectionism

• Deficits in study skills• Competing priorities - e.g. too much paid work

given study requirements; family obligations; leisure

• No clear goals; or, studying to fulfill expectations of others not own aspirations

• Psychological problems (e.g. depression or anxiety)

• Performance/exam anxiety• Personal stressors - e.g. financial problems,

relationship problems • Physical health problems• Poor course or subject choice• Unrealistic expectations re experience of uni,

amount of work required, standard of work required, or re own ability

• A cycle of avoidance - missed classes, missed assignments, then giving up

• Isolation & inadequate help seeking

Ways to make things worse

• Overloading in an effort to catch up• Trying to forget experiences in unsuccessful

semesters, not learning from mistakes and possibly associated wishful thinking

• Assuming repeating a subject will be easier• Isolating self from other students• Skipping classes & convincing self course can

be self taught• Not seeking help & not talking to others about

real experience of university

Facilitating Positive Change

• Seek help early and, if necessary, regularly• Create flexible plans & make uni a high priority• View mistakes as a basis for positive learning• Student Services offers many services to help

you succeed at university• Counselling Service - Level 7 Education Bld’g

ph: 9351 2228

www.usyd.edu.au/stuserv

http://www.usyd.edu.au/stuserv

CRICOS Provider No. 00026A

TheThe International OfficeInternational Office

Zoe WilliamsCompliance Coordinator

International Students & Visa IssuesMandatory Conditions for All Student Visas

Include:

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Notify the University of Current Address

Implications of an Academic Exclusion

Being Excluded is a Breach of Your Student Visa and May Result in:

Cancellation of Student Visa Required to Leave Australia Restrictions from Returning to Australia for 3

Years

Is This The Right Course For You?Students who are excluded from the University may not be able to obtain a Student Visa to study at another institution in Australia

If this is not the right course for you it is important that you elect to withdraw BEFORE you are asked to Show Cause or be Excluded

International Student Advisers

Providing Support to International Students for Visa, Academic and Enrolment Issues

Support Services On and Off Campus DIAC Procedures Interviewing At Risk Students Student Visa Extensions Permission to Work Newsletters

How to Contact an International Student Adviser

Samira Al Far and Caroline Mullins

Located in the International Office G12 Individual Appointments Drop in Enquiries

Email: [email protected]

Staying on Track for Academic Staying on Track for Academic SuccessSuccess

Lidia NemitschenkoLidia NemitschenkoHead,ISSUHead,ISSU

International Student International Student Support Unit (ISSU)Support Unit (ISSU)

All students face challenges and difficulties

International students face additional challenges that most local students do not face

International Student Support Unit (ISSU)International Student Support Unit (ISSU)

International students face:•Adjusting to new culture and environment

•Adjusting to new education culture

•Using a ‘foreign’ language

•Living up to family expectations

•Managing finances


International students face:•Living in share accommodation

•‘Wrong’ subject choice

•Visa conditions

•Understanding subject matter

•Understanding expectations about assignments

and exams


International students face:•Learning new approach to study

•Immigration and ESOS requirements

•Understanding subject matter

•Understanding expectations about assignments

and exams


International students face:

• Developing confidence to ask for help

• Absence of family and close friends

• Learning independent living skills

• Concerns about family in home country


Stress and anxiety affect performance:• Low energy level

• Decrease in sense of well being

• Low motivation

• Difficulty concentrating

• Loss of self-confidence

• Decreased ability to enjoy life and studies

International Student Support Unit International Student Support Unit (ISSU)(ISSU)

Any one of these is likely to affect

your performance in daily life,

socially and academically.


Steps towards improving performance

P - Identify the Problem

I - Identify the appropriate Intervention

A - Take appropriate Action


International Student Counsellors can help with:

• Goal setting

• Motivation

• Time Management & Study Skills

• Information and advice on balanced lifestyle



• Adjustment and transition issues

• Personal and relationship issues

• Stress, anxiety, depression

• Interpersonal issues

• Communication skills



• Visa related issues

• Identifying and accessing support resources

on campus

• Special consideration (if you have been

seeing a counsellor)


International Student Counsellors cannot help with:

• Advice on academic matters/course choice

• Immigration advice

• Medical problems

• Essay writing, editing, proof-reading

• Help with understanding subject content


Where can I get help?International Student Counsellors

ISSU

Level 1 (Ground Floor)

Services Building

9351 4749

[email protected]


Where can I get help?University Health Service

Level 3

Wentworth Building

9351 3484


Where can I get help?Student Advisers

International Office

Level1 (Ground Floor)

Services Building

For administrative and DIAC-related matters


GET HELP EARLY!


Name:

Email:

Telephone:

I would like an appointment with:

ISSU Counsellor

Academic Adviser

Best times:


YOUR VOICE YOUR SAFETY NET

www.supra.usyd.edu.au

http://www.supra.usyd.edu.au/

Student Advice and Advocacy Officers (SAAOs)• SUPRA’s SAAOs can give you advice about:

– Appeals– Harassment and Discrimination– Special Consideration– Tenancy– Centrelink and Financial Assistance– Academic Honesty/Plagiarism– ANYTHING that is making studying difficult for you!

How do I find a SAAO?

• [email protected]

• www.supra.usyd.edu.au

• (02) 9351 3715

• Drop into the SUPRA office (Building G10 behind the tennis courts and the Services Building).

mailto:[email protected]

What’s the Catch?

You must be a SUPRA Subscriber…

But… It’s FREE!

You can subscribe when you make an

appointment or on SUPRA’s website.

Undergrad?

• Go to the SRC• [email protected]

• www.src.usyd.edu.au

• 9660 5222

• Level 1, Wentworth Building

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.src.usyd.edu.au/

YOUR VOICE YOUR SAFETY NET

www.supra.usyd.edu.au

http://www.supra.usyd.edu.au/

welcome dr michael paton teaching quality fellow faculty of economics and business

Documents

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studentsessay writing

writing clearlywriting

helpacademic writing

improvementkey problem

self study seriesskills

easierisolating self

self taughtnot