Studying at university is an exciting time where you can develop your independence and confidence, make lots of friends with similar interests to you, study the course area you are most passionate about, and gain important experience which will prepare you for your future career.
Our purpose at UCR is to equip you with the skills needed to grow, progress and achieve more than you ever thought possible, and we are truly dedicated to helping you achieve your goals. With this in mind, we have put together our top ten tips to ensure you get the most out of your studies at UCR.
1. Arrive on time to all lectures and practicals
It’s no surprise that one of the best ways to get the most out of your timetabled sessions is by arriving on time, as that way you won’t miss any important information about your course. If you are running late, remember to let your lecturer know and ask about what you have missed.
2. Use our library resources to do extra reading
In our beautiful library on campus, we have thousands of books, hundreds of e-books and millions of journal articles, so you won’t be short of extra reading to do after lectures! If you need any help finding the resource you need, our friendly, experienced staff in the library will be able to help you and answer any questions you may have.
3. Use our study spaces to do independent learning
To complete the extra reading and assignments given to you during your course, it is important you find somewhere on campus where you can concentrate. There are lots of places you can choose from, including the spacious, modern upstairs seating area we have in our library which was created specifically for UCR students. For more ideas, check out our best places to study on campus at UCR blog post.
4. Start assignments early
One of the biggest pieces of advice we can give you to get the most out of your studies is to start your assignments as soon as you can. By having plenty of time to work on them, you will keep the stress levels low and the quality of work high. It is worth also spending a bit of time planning out your assignment before you start, so you know what you want to cover and how many words to spend on each section.
5. Come to classes fully prepared
Your lecturer will be able to tell you exactly what you need for your course, so be sure to check this before you begin. By being organised and remembering to bring what is required, you will be able to get involved in every aspect of your lectures and practicals and get the most out of every session. This goes for any work you need to do before your next class too – make sure you keep up with any reading you are given to stay ahead of your studies and be ready for when exam season rolls around.
6. Ask your lecturers any questions you have
If there is anything you are not sure about during your classes, don’t be afraid to ask your lecturers for help. Chances are, if you are wondering it, someone else in the class probably is too!
7. Gain extra experience outside of lessons
Throughout your studies, you will have lots of opportunities to gain additional experience. This will develop your understanding of your course, help you prepare for your career, and develop your interpersonal skills too. From study tours to guest visits and work experience opportunities, we highly recommend you taking every opportunity you can to enhance your CV!
8. Support your classmates
UCR is unique in that it has a close-knit community and a proven track record of promoting inclusivity. Our small class sizes provide a great opportunity to get to know everyone on your course, and by supporting each other throughout your time at UCR, you will have a much better experience and you will enjoy your studies that much more.
9. Plan your week out in advance
There is so much to get involved in as a student at UCR, so we know your calendar might get pretty full sometimes. By planning out your week in advance, you will be able to prioritise what you really need to get done in the week, factoring in enough time to attend all your lectures, do your extra reading and assignments, see your friends and enjoy any other social events taking place that week.
10. Ask for support
If at any point you feel like you need a helping hand or someone to talk to, we are here to support you. Our dedicated Wellbeing Team can help you through any issues you may be facing which could be distracting you from your studies. Find out more about the support you can receive from us on the UCR Wellbeing Team page of our website.
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