Study Skills for Higher Education

This article discusses the main reasons for studying a degree at university and the core academic skills that can be developed. It also provides a study plan with short and long term goals. Additionally, it explores the importance of the foundation year for students and the key challenges they face.

Study Skill for Higher
Education

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Main reasons for studying a degree at university...................................................................1
Core academic skills that can be developed and why are they important..............................2
3) Study plan including short term and long term goals that help in acquiring and developing
skills........................................................................................................................................2
PART 2............................................................................................................................................3
A) Importance of the foundation year for students................................................................3
(b) Key challenges facing by the foundation year..................................................................5
C) Study skills in higher education can help foundation year................................................6
Recommendation and conclusion...........................................................................................6
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCE...................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Study skills refers to array of skills, which tackle organising procedure as well as taking new
information, dealing with assessments and retaining information. These are the skills, which
require to be learn and study effectively (Din, Anuar and Usman, 2016). The academic skills and
study skills both are approaches, which applied to the learning. They are mainly critical to
success in the educational institutions which are necessary for acquiring the better grades and
useful for learning throughout life of one. Under mention report will be discuss about main
reasons for studying degree at university. There will be develop study plan that consists short and
long term goals which aids in developing as well as acquiring skills and knowledge.
Main reasons for studying a degree at university
University is an institution of the research and higher institution, which awards an academic
degree in different academic disciples. Mainly universities give the undergraduate and
postgraduate education to students. High teaching quality and availability of scholarship both are
two main factors, which students look during chosen university for study purpose. According to
the give case study, students have the different reason for attend a university. The main goal is
concerned with desired education type (Douglas and et.al., 2015. ). The findings of number of
the studied under which students of United States rated significance of different goals. On the
other hand, universities are helpful in transform live of people by education and wider effect of
investigation. They assists students to develop their knowledge and skills, which employers
required. The universities assure that United Kingdom remains competitive in global market
through supporting business innovation and intensive development.
Many of the students attend university to study about the specific subject area in depth.
Universities curriculums permit the students to select major, it is main different from high school
which need students to take classes according to their interest. Other reason for going the
university is that college education can lead to better career in future. In United Kingdom, firms
tend to look for the universities graduated in order to fill positions, which have high pay and
more responsibility such as supervisors and managers. If an individual have the high education
degree then it will be easier to get job. Several carriers that need degree pay better salary. It is
totally based on degree subject that open door to earn money and make future better.
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Many of the students go universities for enjoying their social life and making friends. In the
universities, students have chance to meet the people, which come from various places with the
diverse backgrounds (Lai and Hong, 2015).
Core academic skills that can be developed and why are they important
Study skills are array of skills, which tackle taking and organizing process in new information,
dealing with assessments and retaining an information. These are discrete techniques, which can
be learned in short period of time and applied in most area of study. Academic skills encourage
the students to become learners that are more effective. They helps in provide confidence to
students so that they can participate in English- speaking courses and invaluable outside of
classroom. In addition to this, academic skill are more effective learner at University level and
develop an investigation that aids in present and future. There are various core academic skills
such as learning styles, note taking, paraphrasing and academic writing which need to be
developed (Lim, 2018). Note taking is better academic skill that need to be developed. Taking
better notes in tutorials and lectures is necessary skills for university study, it permit permanent
record of the key information that need to be integrate with own writing and use for the exam
revision. The main importance of note taking is that it minimize plagiarism risk. The
Paraphrasing is another skill that can be developed. In this, writing someone text in own words
is known as paraphrasing and it is important skills that prevent from plagiarising work of original
author. It is related to presenting information and ideas, which read in, own word. Academic
writing is concerned to style of expression that investigators use to be explain intellectual
boundaries of disciplines and particular expertise areas. Specific style mainly used in formal
essay and some of the other assessment of course. It is important because it helps in write in own
way in better manner. Learning style is also a better skill, which students need to be developed
effectively. It is related to range of contested and competing theories, which aim to account for
differences in learning of people. The learning styles group’s common ways which people learn
in an effective manner. It is necessary for an individual to use specific learning style in order to
learn something new and different (Moore and Morton, 2017).
3) Study plan including short term and long term goals that help in acquiring and developing
skills
Study plan implies to a systematic way to assist students to navigate through their college
education in managed manner. A schedule determine a blueprint for to achieve various learning
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objectives. There is essential requirement to set learning objectives in respect of each session of
study to develop an effective study time schedules. On another side, an organised study plan is
laid out systematic schedule, which is developed by students through listing their various
learning objectives and relevant study time.
Goals Method Check Time period
Intellectual writing Read all case studies,
Write in active voice
Review by tutor For long period (1
year)
Note making Manage notes in
effective manner, Re-
examine notes
Analyse the overall
effectiveness based on
result (Rayner and
Papakonstantinou,
2015).
For short period (from
3 to 4 months)
Learning techniques
or styles
Use flashcards, prepare
detailed notes.
Substantial application
in actual situations
such as resolving
disputes in real
scenario.
For long period (1
year)
Paraphrasing Sincerely read all
paragraphs and review
the original passage.
Thoroughly revision For Short period about
3 to 4 months
These various objectives and goals are required to be achieved in long and short term. In
order to attain improvement in various skills like note taking, academic writing, paraphrasing etc.
there is requirement of application of some effective techniques and methods to attain
improvement in them and afterwards analyse their effectiveness in efficient manner (Ritzhaupt
and Kumar, 2015).
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PART 2
A) Importance of the foundation year for students
In UK, number of student take participation in number of different study courses according to
their specification and interest. In order to gain success and have proper knowledge about the
adopted course government have develop specific year of foundation year for student. This aid to
better understand the actual and current study needs trends and value which makes them better
learner. Foundation year or a course is an effective education programme that offer student the
alternative pathway for studying at world class or international university (Roth, Ogrin and
Schmitz, 2016). This year help student in number of ways such as prepared them in MEng in
Mechanical design, manufacture, Material etc. in facts tricky methods used by management of
Universities in order to make student understand the maths and physic so that they can easily
tackle the life within different universities. Nowadays, it is very crucial for student to have a
foundation year before making entry into any higher studies; in fact as global students, those
have not studies lower than 13 year of a non-British curriculum. Therefore, it is crucial for them
to have a foundation course that help in easy entry onto a UK desired collage for completing any
undergraduate course. There are number of advantages and benefits of completing a foundation
year for international studies that are define below:
Better Language Proficiency: In recent time, it is observe that international start up
programme includes core and defined English language course such as English academic
purpose. This particular course aid number of student to increase the proficiency in English
language and makes them able to grasp thing in better and understandable manner. It also
improve the skills of reading, writing, learning, speaking English and improve the academic
vocabulary that support in gaining good marks in higher educations.
Increased chances of getting admission into prestigious universities: every student moving
into other country for doing any particular course wishes to get admission one of the most
prestigious college that help in getting most beneficial jobs in nearby future. Foundation course
are must useful for student as this year of foundation are consider to be fully qualified in order to
start any kind of undergraduate degree in UK University. In recent time, it is observed that many
student completing a foundation programme are likely to get admission in leading collage of UK
that further support to fulfil their study needs and makes them acquire better jobs in future (Ryan
and Zuber-Skerritt, 2017).
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Specialise in respective selected course: The main advantage of foundation year is that it
support to tailor respective course which suit to the specific degree programme that is desired by
student to be studied in future time. For instance, In University of Edinburgh they offer two-
distance foundation course such as Business, law and particle science and Engineering. This
includes studying hard modules and a specific module that are mainly designed to be focus on
the academic areas that help in getting knowledge to better complete specific degree.
Familiar with university style teaching: When student are graduating any foundation
course multiple skills make them better leaner. Students those are part going to be part of college
life for the very first time are not familiar with different skills such as behaving in classes,
academic presentation, seminars, attendance etc. thus these foundation course are very must vital
for student that help in gaining knowledge about variety of University skills and styles teaching.
Like on campus learning, tutorials and seminar- style classes, which all support learner to get
better prepared for effective future studies during particular courses selected during an academic
year.
Fills any gaps in knowledge between high school and university: In recent time, it is
observe that education standard are different around the globe, from country to country and
teaching approaches also differ in various manner, number of study house and qualification
differ in some manner. The focus of foundation courses is to fill all necessary gap and level the
differences, which help student to become a better leaner and acquired essential knowledge in
order to gain success in future studies. Therefore, whether its maths, physics or history if
students are lacking in or simply there English language skills that need some attention, a
foundation course can help to attain the level that is required to fulfil these gaps (Schneider and
Preckel, 2017).
(b) Key challenges facing by the foundation year.
In UK, students have to participate in the foundation year. This is an important
framework for the students before entering into any professional courses. Eventually, in the
foundation year, students learn basic knowledge about courses. However, this is very crucial for
the students but it has some challenges, which are as follows:
 Lack of reading strategies- This is the main challenge, which is being faced by
the students in the foundation year. It is related with the lack of reading strategies.
In this, students get unable to understand about the reading strategies. This is why
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because reading strategies varies from each other. Like in the context of the UK,
students face this issue widely.
 Insufficient linguistic knowledge- It is necessary to have proper knowledge
about the language so that effective communication can be possible between
teachers and students. In the absence of enough knowledge about the language, it
becomes difficult for the students to understand about the concept. Same as in the
UK, during the foundation year, students face the issue of communication due to
lack of insufficient linguistic knowledge (Shaidullina and et.al., 2015).
 Negative reading habits- This issue is regarding to the student's own habit.
Generally, success of any course depends on the contribution of both to the
students and faculty. If students have negative habit of reading then it will be
difficult to make successful to the foundation course. Majorly, this issue arises
due to past habits of the students and it occurs in the future.
 Lack of decoding skills- It is important for a student to have good decoding
skills. This skill is related to the transferring the reading concept in own
understanding. Sometimes it becomes difficult for the students to decode the
teacher's lecture into understanding language. Same as in the context of
foundation year in the UK, their students face main problem of decoding lecture
into easy and understanding language. As well as due to this, students stuck to get
basic knowledge during the foundation year.
 Fitting in on campus- This issue is associated with the settling in the new
college. Eventually, students face many problem when they enter in a new college
like lack of contacts, loneliness, negative thoughts etc. It can be resolved only if
college supports to the new entering students. Herein, the context of the
foundation courses in UK the students face these issues to settle in the campus.
 Time management- This issue is associated with the proper management of the
time of studies, living and other activities. Due to this, students get unable to
focus on their studies. Same as in the aspect of the foundation year in the UK,
they face the issue of proper time management (Travers, Morisano and Locke,
2015).
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So these are the basic issues which are being faced by the students in the UK during the
foundation year.
C) Study skills in higher education can help foundation year
Study skill in higher education provide a core base for foundation year, which directly or
indirectly assist students in facing academic challenges. Study skills help in managing study time
and creating new learning and academic strategies, which provide framework for development of
dynamic skills to resolve various matters. These skills enhance the confidence of students and
make them morally strong to handle adverse situations during completely educational period.
These skills enhance the learning and writing which is required for university education. Study
skills in higher education assist help students in creating and delivering presentations effectively
and handle the pressure during examination period. Study skills are essential requirement for
overall academic development of students, which boosts their learning capacity and catching
powers. Students, which have developed their study skills, are able to face any critical situation.
Following are some major study skills in higher education that can help foundation year students
to overcome challenges, as follows:
 Effective reading- This is essential for the students to make a habit of effective reading.
Due to this above-mentioned issues can be resolved easily. If students will read with full
of concentrate and attention then it will be easy to understand about the concepts of
studies. In the UK, if students will make a habit of effective reading then, their issues will
automatically resolve.
 Finding time on study-, it is also a possible way of resolving the issues related to the
foundation year, which are faced by the students. In this, students have to focus on their
studies by giving maximum time. As well as due to this, other issues will also resolved
easily.
 Critical reading strategies- This is related with the making innovative and critical
strategies for reading so that students can learn effectively. In the UK, if students will
make effective reading strategies then it will help them in getting the foundation
education.
 Effective writing: Study skills improves the writing skills that are required for higher
education because writing manner during school period and university level is different in
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all terms. In University, writing speed and manner should be fast and effective to prepare
notes in running classes.
 Managed study schedule: Study skills also assist in effectively management of study
schedule as per existing and potential challenges. A managed study schedule ensure
achievement of success in higher education.
 Learning techniques and styles: These are mainly concerned with developing new and
innovative skills related to learning new skills, which assist in achieving success at higher
level.
 Note making: This skill is required to prepare note effectively which help during pre-
examination period. Notes prepared in managed way by students enhance their
confidence to get-assured marks (Van Hees, Moyson and Roeyers, 2015).
D) Recommendation and conclusion
From the above report, it has been recommend needs and student interest must be taken into
account while developing any course in foundation year that will help them to get better
knowledge about the higher education in Universities. Management of respective collage are
advise to adopt the word recognition exercises that help in providing useful knowledge to
different student regarding specific future course coming from different countries in better
understandable manner. In order to make student better understand the English language and
improve vocabulary by in introducing phonological awareness which deal in specifically
with sound and improve spelling sound correspondence.
CONCLUSION
From above report, it has been articulated that taking education in university give various
benefits to students in different manners. There has been explanation about numerous academic
skills along with their unique importance. It assist in developing skills and techniques to support
study effectively. It is concluded that foundation courses are helpful for student in gaining proper
knowledge, skills and ability to survive in best manner in main Universities while completing
any particular undergraduate degree. There are specific skills set that are needed by student while
graduating degree courses within colleges that help them to overcome various challenges they
faces during study career.
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REFERENCE
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