Beginning Your Degree

Veronica Barnsley

v.barnsley@sheffield.ac.uk

It’s your student experience.

• Your education is your responsibility.

​

• The quality of your student experience is in your hands.

​

• You have the opportunity to engage with cutting-edge learning and teaching.

​

• The quality of your degree is a result of your hard work and personal development.

​

• We expect you to follow the Student Code of Conduct.

​

​

sheffield.ac.uk/sss/student-code-of-conduct

​

In this video:

• Attendance and Engagement
• Accessing course materials
• Lectures and Encore
• Email
• The English Hub

​

​

sheffield.ac.uk/sss/student-code-of-conduct

​

Attendance and Engagement

Attendance at all timetabled sessions (lectures, seminars, academic tutor meetings) is mandatory.

Absence from timetabled classes will only be authorised in the case of illness or other exceptional circumstances.

You must inform your tutor in advance of the session(s) you'll miss. If you have an on-going illness or have a Learning Support Plan, contact your academic tutor for advice on the best way to report your absences. 

​

Find out about the Disability and Dyslexia Support Service (DDSS) here https://students.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/contacts/ddss

Student Wellbeing Support here https://students.sheffield.ac.uk/wellbeing

​

​

​

​

Accessing Course Materials

​

• Blackboard (VLE) - A Guide To Blackboard as part of My Digital Induction:

https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/new-students/my-digital-induction

• Encore – Lecture capture technology:
• records lecturer’s speech over slides
• Allows you to return to lectures at leisure (hence ‘encore’)
• NOT a substitute for lecture attendance
• Each module Blackboard site will include a link to Encore
• Learn more: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/cics/encore/students
• The Library – explore online and in person
• https://sheffield.libguides.com/c.php?g=684178&p=4884496
• Reading Lists - each Blackboard site includes a tab which takes you directly to module resources and tells you where to find them.

​

Email

Always use University email account and check it at least once a day.

​

With queries, supply as much information as the recipient needs to give you the support you are seeking. Remember that a member of staff might be involved in several modules in the same semester:

​

• If you are referring to a specific module then give the module number and name. 

​

• If you are referring to a specific event (e.g. a specific seminar) then state which one and give the day or date and time. 

​

• If you do not receive a response within three working days, send a polite reminder along with the original message.

​

• Remember you can also attend your tutors’ student consultation hours – details will be on Blackboard. Try to attend these for more involved questions or support.

The Hub

https://sites.google.com/sheffield.ac.uk/englishhub

​

• Module Choice & Reading Lists
• Assessment information
• Wellbeing links
• Careers

​

​

Our commitment

Our Commitment is a partnership document between teachers and students, which:

​

• outlines what to expect from your lecturers and what you need to do to succeed

​

• sets out behaviours expected of you in the Student Code of Conduct

​

• shows how you can be proactive and make the most of your time at University

​

• encourages you to engage with your course and the University community

​

We want to ensure staff and students can work together to create the best learning experience.

​

​

​

sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/ourcommitment

​