University - What to expect

Hints, tips, and what we would like you to know as you make the transition to university

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School of Psychology Team

2025

Academic Information

Possible Expectation: “I should know what I am doing”

In reality…

University study is different to what you may have done before, and we know it can take some adjustment.

The first year is therefore your opportunity to familiarize yourself with ways of working:

• what you might already be good at
• what skills you need to work on.

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This is why your grades for first year assignments and exams don’t count towards your final degree classification.

• Do your best to do well, but accept this is a learning process.

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It is likely that you will need to learn new ways of studying.

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Possible Expectation: “I will need to buy lots of expensive textbooks”

In reality…

Required reading will be:

• Textbooks available from the library (either physical or electronic copies)
• Full texts of journal articles that will be provided with module materials.

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No expectation that you need to buy your own copies of books.

We have designed course materials specifically so you have access to all core reading without additional costs to you.

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The Libraries (as you might expect!) also give you access to a wide variety of other resources to support your learning.

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What you might be used to: Writing coursework/exams

A Level (or other study prior to university)

• Marks awarded for making certain points, using certain arguments.
• Different grade boundaries to get the top grade, depending on subject.

University

• Less prescriptive: we expect to see more diversity and originality/independence.
• Grade associated with overall clarity of your argument, expression of your thoughts and ideas, level of critical evaluation of the evidence.
• Your arguments can be for/against, thematic, from several points of view.
• Standardised grade boundaries across the degree.
• Aim of assessed work is to demonstrate your understanding of the topic area and development of your academic and graduate level skills.

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Avoiding common mistakes in writing for University

Genuine hints from lecturers teaching on the degree!

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• Don’t focus on 'how to pass' assessments. It is much better to focus on building a deep understanding the course content. This will ensure you pass but will also prepare you well for the next stages of your course.

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• Avoid claiming that research provides ‘proof’. It is usually much better and more accurate to say that research/findings/studies/results provide support for a phenomenon/concept/theory/model, or contradict it.

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• There is no a single recipe that leads to a First in written work: although you should follow assessment guidance and review marking criteria, we expect (and hope) to see a range of different approaches to answering most questions that we set.

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• Avoid writing well yet missing out key scientific content to support what you are saying. The details, evidence and accuracy really do matter.

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• Equally, if you do have good scientific content, avoid writing in a way that is disjointed or unclear as we cannot give you credit for your ideas and understanding if we cannot understand what you have written :-)

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All the above take time and reflection (with support from the university) to improve upon, so don’t feel you need to be getting everything right from the start: nobody does!

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What if I get stuck or don’t understand something?

Academic Support

• Ask questions! We welcome questions in lectures/classes. Also, every module will have a way for you to submit any questions you have outside of classes too.
• Talk to other people on the course. You might be able to work things out together.
• Speak to a lecturer in their appointment hours. Everyone that teaches on a module has time in the week where you can make an appointment to talk to them.
• Use the University study support services to get help building core skills:
• 301 Academic Skills Centre
• Maths and Statistics Help (MASH)
• Speak to your Academic Tutor (more about that later!).

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What you might be used to: Feedback

Feedback on drafts of work

• You will not usually get feedback on drafts of assignments; you get feedback on the finished piece of work.
• Feedback is provided to give you the next steps to improve future pieces of work. Engaging with feedback actively will improve your future grades!
• Getting some lower marks on earlier pieces of work is fine and normal: what matters is how you use this to grow and develop your skills for the next assessment.

Academic Support

• Feedback clinics – you bring your plans for how to address feedback and a member of staff works through this with you.

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The Mindset Switch

A-Levels or previous school/college experience

• Comparatively small class teaching.
• Teacher as person in authority (you refer to them by a title).
• Someone is checking what you are doing or what you are meant to be doing.
• Teaching is the primary/only role of all those who teach you.

University

• Most teaching is in large lectures and is only a component of your total studying time.
• We (generally) don’t expect you to use our title (Dr/Professor) when speaking to us, but we should all be respectful of one another in all interactions.
• Communication between members of the university community (students and staff) should be as you would expect in a workplace.
• No one will check if you are doing the work outside of taught sessions.
• Your studies are therefore mostly self-driven.
• Your lecturers don’t just teach: they are also experienced research scientists, many of whom are internationally recognised in their specific field of expertise.

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Hints and Tips: Time Management

You will need to develop a plan for the best way for you to manage your time and workload.

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A number of things to consider:

• Having a plan for your studies - what you are going to do when - things to include:
• Reading associated with lectures
• Coursework (plan around deadlines well in advance)
• Revision
• Developing academic and other skills
• Other activities, social life, resting and relaxing (important!)

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• Email: you will likely get more email than you are used to and you need to manage this.
• Key information about your course and other opportunities will be sent by email
• Check emails regularly and decide on a strategy to manage your inbox
• We use the Google (Gmail) environment and some tips from Google on managing your inbox can be found here

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Different people work effectively in various ways – try different things out.

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Hints and Tips: Reading and Other Sources

Biggest tip - Read widely!

• You are provided with core reading (which you need to do).
• After that read around whatever has sparked your interest or to help you to better understand things you are not sure about:
• Reading journal articles and other academic writing helps give you a ‘feel’ for how to write and think academically.
• You could also read ‘popular’ science too, anything that appeals to you. Psychology is a fascinating subject - so there is lots to explore!

You don’t have to read, you can also watch and listen!

• TED talks
• Podcasts
• Youtube

The aim is to broaden your knowledge and understanding so you can bring this to your work. As you delve into other sources, remember to take a critical approach: consider the expertise, use of evidence or theories, and logic of what you are reading/hearing/watching. Question things, discuss with others.

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Hints and Tips: Ways to Study

Use the Libraries!

• The University has a few different libraries and you can use them all.
• The biggest is the Information Commons which has a number of different types of study spaces:
• Quiet/individual working spaces.
• Spaces for chatting and group working.

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Talk to other people, perhaps form a study group.

• May involve doing something (else!) outside your comfort zone.
• Evidence suggests that working with others is a very effective way to learn and stay motivated.

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A sense of belonging

Finding your way

Coming to University is a big life change for everyone. We know that sometimes you can feel a little lost.

Things that can help:

Talk to your coursemates

• Adjusting to university life is a shared experience

Your Academic Tutor – an academic member of staff who is your ‘person’.

• Meet with them twice a semester at least (more if you want).
• Can share with them any problems you are having (no judgement).
• Can signpost you in the direction of any support you might need.

Join in with School and University activities:

• One example, Film Night - Psychology based movie with talk given by member of staff followed by discussion.
• University societies (there are lots!) – like-minded people doing what they enjoy.

Welcome Week

There will be a lot going on!

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Lots of social activities that you can enjoy.

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Course-related activities

• Make sure you attend them – important information!
• Monday- Level 1 Introduction Talk
• Tuesday - Academic Tutor system and Student Voice Q&A
• Thursday - Employability, Study Abroad, and Placement Information (yes, already!)
• You will also get to meet other people on the course.

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Week 1 of the Semester

First lectures (exciting!)

IMPORTANT

• You don’t need to write down what is on the slides (you have that information).
• Focus on making notes on interesting points, or things you might need to look up to support your understanding.

First Academic Tutor meeting (or it might be in Week 2)

• Go, meet your tutor!
• They might have a group tutor meeting so you can meet other people on the course.

Other Tips

• It is not uncommon to feel a little overwhelmed in the first few weeks
• Try not to put pressure on yourself to do everything (both academically and social life)
• Don’t worry if you get a little behind with things as you settle in

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What if you find you have broader difficulties?

Starting university often occurs at the same time as massive reorganisation within your brain (especially those 18-24 years of age-ish).

• For many people this results in no issues.
• For others, they might find they start to have some difficulties or difficulties they have experienced before may flare up.

Don’t Panic! There is help and support!

• If you find you are having problems with processing information you can contact the Disability and Dyslexia Support Service.
• If you find you are having problems with your mental health you can contact the Student Mental Health, Counselling and Therapies Service.
• Contact your Academic Tutor if you think neither of the above fit what you are experiencing - they will be able to listen, advise and support you.

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We Look Forward to Meeting You!!