Course: Birmingham Student Hub

Study Skills
- MyDay Portal Guide File
- Study Skills Booklet File
- Assignment Support - Understanding the Question File
- "Click on purple Icon on left to enlarge image " - Improve your grammar - are you effectively linking your sentences? File
  
  Image source: https://aliciateacher2.wordpress.com/grammar/discourse-markers/
- " Click on purple icon onleft to enlarge image " - Essay writing - have you got a process? File
  
  Image source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/vblibrary/6124465878
- "Click on purple icon to enlarge image" - Essay writing - are you trying to persuade or to recount? File
  
  Image source: https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/384424518176401631/
- " Click on purple icon to enlarge image" - Essay writing - does your paragraph have 'PEEL'? File
  
  Image source: https://lessons4now.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/peel.jpg
- " Click on purple on left to enlarge image" - Essay writing - have you built your argument? File
- "Click on purple icon on left to enlarge image" - Essay-writing - are you guilty of any of these logical fallacies? File
  
  Image source: http://lifehacker.com/the-30-most-common-ways-you-can-lose-an-argument-1683823576
- " Click on purple icon on left to enlarge image" - Essay editing - have you ticked all the boxes on the editing checklist? File
  
  Image source: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/FreeDownload/Editing-Check-List
Returning to Learning

Returning to learning after a long break, or engaging with higher education for the first time, can be complicated. Here you will find some basic information on making the most of your time in higher education, while ensuring that both you and your tutors are getting the best from one another.

Learning through experience is central to work-based learning, but it might be a new process for you. Check in with the experiential learning cycle occasionally, to ensure you're making the most of your process.

Each of us learns in different ways, and while we sometimes need to step outside of our learning comfort zone in order to achieve, it can be very helpful to know what your own preferred learning styles are and how to use them to make the most of your studying.

Did you know that we actually learn differently as we get older? While each of us learns differently as an individual, we tend to share some common traits and characteristics as adult learners. Knowing how you might differ from 'traditional' students can help you get what you need from your tutors and make the most of your education.
Using the Online Library Resources

You can also use Sparkhill Library which is located opposite the campus. All the details can be found at http://www.libraryofbirmingham.com/article/sparkhilllibrary/sparkhilllibrary-details
- The UWTSD Library Catalogue URL
  Link to the Library Catalogue
- How to search for a journal article URL
  A brief tutorial on finding journal articles using our Library Catalogue.
- How to search for eBooks URL
  A brief tutorial on finding e-books using our Library Catalogue.
- Student Essentials URL
  These pages are designed to provide you with the most important information you’ll need to support your studies; from Referencing Handbooks to getting support finding resources and managing your online presence.
- Online Resource Guides Page
  A series of video tutorials, for some of the resources that are available on the Online Library, including:
  
  ABI/Inform
  
  Business Source Complete
  
  MarketLine
  
  NewsBank
- The Directory of Open-Access Journals URL
- Academic Search Premier URL
- BrowZine (Journal Collections) URL
- Why is referencing is important? URL
  In this video, we explain why referencing is important, and share our 5 top tips.
- Assignment Planning Tool URL
  Assignment Survival Kit: ASK from University of Kent
  
  A tool to help you plan backwards from your hand-in deadline
- RefWorks Reference Management Tool URL
  RefWorks is a online reference management tool, that allows you to gather, store, organise and share all types of information and to create citations and bibliographies.
- Help and Support Page
- Book a 1 - 1 session Page
  Have a question?
  
  Where do I begin my research?
  
  How do I use the library online resources?
  
  How do I reference?
  
  Where do I find?
How to use Turnitin
- A video on how to upload to Turnitin Page
- A video on how to check your similarity score on Turnitin Page
- How to Upload Assessments to Moodle File
- How to view your feedback through TurnItIn links File
- How to Submit a Late Submission File
  Hidden from students
- Help notes for students progression and results screen on MyTSD File
- Demonstration Link Turnitin Assignment 2
  Restricted Not available unless: You belong to Lecturers (hidden otherwise)
Understanding Plagiarism and Referencing
- Harvard Referencing Guide URL
  The handbook provide you with the basic principles of referencing and plagiarism, how to get support and what additional resources you can make use of for more specific examples of the referencing style you’re using.
- Understanding Plagiarism File
- Essay writing - did you plagiarise work? File
  
  Image source: http://lifehacker.com/this-flowchart-explains-the-severity-of-different-types-1637797055?utm_campaign=socialflow_lifehacker_facebook&utm_source=lifehacker_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow
IT Support
If you are experiencing any of the issues below, please contact IT services at itservicedesk@uwtsd.ac.uk or itsd@uwtsd.ac.uk. Alternatively you can visit IT services at Reception or the IT Service desk in the atrium:
- Wireless
- Password Reset
- Email
- Print, Copy and Scan
IT&S Provide a number of services to staff and students. You can find out more about some of the services they provide by clicking here.
For Online Guides, please click here.
Making the most of Microsoft Word
As a work-based learner, you will likely be using Microsoft Word a great deal as you work through your assignments. Microsoft Word features many tools you can use to make you work look neater and smarter, and save you a lot of time. Please click on each link below to watch a short video tutorial.
- How to format the text in your work Page
  Formatting your text can help your papers to appear more professional and better organised. It can also help the reader to understand your writing more effectively. This short video will help you learn to format your text in order to produce a better-looking document.
- How to add page numbers, headers, and footers to your work
  With longer documents, you may want to include page numbers, or even headers/footers that appear on every page and give information such as the title of your paper or your own name. This short video will teach you to use these features and make your paper easier to read and better organised.
- How to create an automatic Table of Contents for your work Page
  For longer documents, a Table of Contents can help keep you and your reader well-organised. Using an automatic Table of Contents through Microsoft Word will also allow you and your reader to click on the section you would like to read/edit without having to scroll through the entire document. This short video will teach you how to create an automatic, clickable Table of Contents in your paper.
- How to create a Bibliography for your work Page
  When writing and submitting an academic paper, it is crucial that you include good citations, and list all of your cited references in a Bibliography at the end of your document. This short video will teach you how to use the 'References' tool to automatically insert citations into your work, and use those citations to build a Bibliography.
  
  ** Don't forget that your work must be cited using the Harvard-Anglia style. **
  
  ** Don't forget to check all automatically-generated citations for grammar and accuracy. **
- How to use the 'Track Changes' feature to edit a document Page
  The 'track changes' and 'comments' tools allow you (or a friend, colleague, or tutor) to make edits and changes to a document and share information. This short video will help you learn how to use these features on your own document, and also how to accept, reject, or delete changes and comments made by another editor.
- Making a Bibliography Using Word File
  This handy guide provides a step-by-step way to include references in your written work using Word.
UWTSD Central Support Teams
- Student Services URL
  The Student Services office is here to support you as a valued learner of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. Follow the link to access our support teams, contact a member of staff, or just find out more about the services available to you.
- Student Well-being URL
  We understand that, while learning is exciting and engaging, it can also be stressful. The Student Well-being team are here to help support you through those difficult or stressful times, to ensure that you make the most of your education and continue to enjoy your experience studying with the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. Please follow the link to access support or contact the Student Well-being Office.
- The Academic Office URL
  The Academic Office manages and oversees all of the regulations that govern students and lecturers here at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. To read more about academic policies, find a form you may need, or read the Academic Quality Handbook, please follow the link.
- Services for Students with Disabilities URL
  The University of Wales Trinity Saint David provides support and guidance to those students who need help learning with a disability. Please follow the link to speak to a member of the team or learn more about the services we can provide.
- Services for Mature Students URL
  The University of Wales Trinity Saint David recognises that mature students face different barriers and challenges in pursuing education, and we have a special team here to help you make the most of your studies, no matter your age or life situation. Please follow the link to learn more or contact a member of the team.
- Mental Health Services URL
  Students at the University of Wales Saint David can access free, confidential mental health services. Please follow the link to find out more about the services we can provide for you, or to contact a member of the Mental Health team.
- How to Search URL
  Not sure how to get the best results from your searches? Click the above link to see how to carry out a search that will get you good quality, relevant information.
- How to Search URL
  Not sure how to get the best results from your searches? Click the above link to see how to carry out a search that will get you good quality, relevant information.
External Resources
Here you will find links to some of the WIWBL team's favourite external resources that can help you expand your knowledge, understand complex topics, or develop your skills!
- The Academic Word List URL
  Do you ever feel like you're using the same word over and over again in your academic writing? Have you ever struggled to change the tense or usage of a word in order to make it fit the sentence you want to write? The Academic Word List is a wonderful tool that can help you to find the word you're looking for, get the best academic definition of words to make sure you've chosen one that's just right, and even change the tense or part of speech.
- Grammar Girl URL
  Getting back into the swing of academic writing isn't easy! If you've ever wondered about the difference between writing in the 'passive' and 'active' voices, been unsure whether you should use 'which' or 'that', or questioned whether you should be using a comma or a semicolon, then Grammar Girl has got you covered. This website is full of short, easy-to-understand advice on grammar, usage, and writing for publication/academia.
- The Guardian: Adult Learning URL
  Making the decision to get into Higher Education can be a lot of things - stressful, exciting, interesting, time-consuming - and The Guardian has a page full of fantastic online resources. Here you can find everything from articles written by adults who have made the decision to get back into learning and what it has meant to them to research studies that show how pursuing an education at any age or stage of life can benefit your health and your career.
- Businessballs URL
  Sometimes you want a well-researched, in-depth study of a subject, and sometimes you just want a quick, easy-to-read overview that can introduce you to a topic and help you organise your thoughts. If you're looking for the quick version, Businessballs is a great resource, and can provide basic information on everything from project management techniques to writing an effective complaint letter.
  
  *Remember that Businessballs is meant as a support resource only, and would never serve as an appropriate cited source for your academic work.*
- Mind Tools URL
  Mind Tools can provide you with information, resources, and even templates drawn from a wide variety of management fields, including problem solving, stress management, and leadership skills. This site is a fantastic tool that you can use to enhance your study and your professional practice.
  
  *Remember that Mind Tools is meant as a support resource only, and would never serve as an appropriate cited source for your academic work.*

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Birmingham Student Hub

Introduction

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General

Study Skills

Returning to Learning

Returning to learning after a long break, or engaging with higher education for the first time, can be complicated. Here you will find some basic information on making the most of your time in higher education, while ensuring that both you and your tutors are getting the best from one another.

Using the Online Library Resources

How to use Turnitin

Understanding Plagiarism and Referencing

IT Support

Making the most of Microsoft Word

UWTSD Central Support Teams

External Resources