Depending on the combination of modules that you are studying here at Reading, you may find that you have fewer hours of teaching or more hours of teaching than you are used to. If you have fewer hours of teaching, it doesn’t mean less work! It means there is a greater expectation that you will do independent study.
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Top tip: A general guideline is that if you are studying full time you are expected to do about the same number of hours of study as you would in a full time job, so roughly 35-40 hours a week. |
Your lecturers want you to succeed and are very happy to help. They usually have office hours when they are available for students to see them – check their office doors or in your department for information about when these office hours are. The Study Abroad Coordinator for your subject is another good point of contact.
Naturally you want to make the most of your time in the UK. The best advice is to plan ahead. Know when your assignment deadlines are so you can anticipate any busy periods and work around them. Know when you want to travel and visit friends and how this will fit in with your studying. Another good reason for planning ahead is that your deadlines may not fall at the same time as your Reading classmates. You may have assignments due after the end of term, or after the end of the exam period. If you know this in advance, you can prepare for busier times.
Find a planning method that will give you an overview of your term(s) at Reading. Many people find it easier to make their time visual, for example on a wall planner, so they can block off time for study, travel etc. Diaries are good for weekly commitments, but they don’t show you the whole shape of your term and any upcoming deadlines in advance!
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Top tip: We have free, folding academic year planners available from Study Advice. Come to Study Advice and Maths Support Desk on the Ground Floor to pick up your free planner! |