Staying warm in winter, staying fit for exams

It was 6 degrees last night. At last, I pulled out the electric blanket from my closet, set it up and turned it on. Ah... the warmness from the blanket immediately sent out waves of Z..Z..Z... signal to my mind and body. Yes, it's time to sleep.

But just before I swtiched off the light, I spotted my neighbour's light in his bedroom. It was still on. My neighbour is an international student and I guess he must be staying up late preparing for exams. Suddenly I had a flasback memory -- remembering those days when I was an international student, studying until late while battilng with the cold weather. Like some international students, saving $$ was important to me and therefore unless it was really necessary, turning on the heater or using the electric blanket was still a luxury for me.

Exams are just around the corner. So are the flu bugs. If you are not used to the cold weather, it can be a real challenge to study, to battle with the cold weather and to maintain health at the same time.

Here are some practical tips of how you can stay warm and stay healthy in this winter and exam season:

- Staying warm in winter

- Staying mentally fit for exams

All the best to everyone!

The Counselling Team

Learning Connection

Perfectly cool and ready for those exams?

Getty Images (2008)

Only a month to go and you need to be ready for your exams! Exams are more the rule than the exception if you are studying at Mawson Lakes campus. Here exams can be do or die: worth up to 70% of your grade. If you want to take them in your stride start planning now.

What do you need to do?

1. Find out everything you can about how exams at done at UniSA: the practical stuff about dates, venue, rules etc
   
2. Make sure you know the focus of your exams: see your Course Information guide, lecture notes, past papers, ask in tutorials
   
3. Develop your revision schedule and make it work for you
   
4. Feed your brain: keep active and healthy
   
5. Set weekly as well as longer term goals
   
6. Meet all your goals and get the grades you want.

Workshops and exam resources are available to support you as you prepare for your exams. Visiting School helpdesks (for example Maths or Java ) are an excellent way to improve your understanding of the challenging concepts in your course.

Success is within your reach if you get organised now!

Helen

Responding to Lucy from Carolyn

It was great to read Lucy’s story about studying with dyslexia especially when as a Disability Adviser I know there are likely to be other students who have experienced similar issues. Sometimes students, just like Lucy, may not think about disclosing or even know what services or organizations might be able to help.

I thought it would be timely to look at some of the services and adjustments that may be helpful if you are studying with dyslexia.

The first step is to develop an Access Plan that outlines any Reasonable Adjustment you may need. These adjustments are based on you supporting documentation.

Software

Adaptive technology suites (ATS) are available at all UniSA Libraries. These suites (which are in private rooms) have large monitor computers, an A4 scanner, printer and specific software designed for special writing needs. Read and Write Gold, for example, includes features such as enhanced spelling and grammar checking, word prediction and screen reading.

Another software program students with dyslexia may find useful. is Dragon Naturally Speaking. This assists you to write essays and emails and even explore the web through voice command.

Both Read and Write Gold and Dragon Naturally Speaking are available to purchase through Spectronics.

Exam adjustments

Exam adjustments may also be required for some students based on their supporting documentation. This could include additional time and the use of a computer.

Tips and resources

Some students with dyslexia also find it useful to record lectures and listen to them later in the privacy of their own home. Keep in mind, though, this can be quite a time consuming task.

In addition UniSA's services, I recommend looking at:

• Speld (SA) Specific Learning Difficulties
• Opening all options

If you would like to know more about the services available please contact me at Learning Connection.

Carolyn Donlan

Disability adviser

Small glitch

Further to last week's post, Learning Connection @ Mawson Lakes is still sending out some old posts. We are working on the problem and will still post some great study tips and advice, but you won't receive an email until the problem is fixed.

While we hope you've enjoyed reading all the great posts via the archives, we realise that some of them are a bit dated now so sorry for any inconvenience.

Stay posted!

Andrea (on behalf of the Mawson Lakes Learning Connection blog team)

Lucy shares her perspectives on studying with dyslexia

Andrea Duff and Carolyn Donlan speak with Lucy, First Year Engineering student about succeeding at Uni with dyslexia. Lucy - who describes her dyslexia as 'severe' - was first diagnosed when she was in year 11.

Lucy - how did you know you had dyslexia?

I struggled with reading and writing a fair bit (I was three to four years behind my reading age group). I needed the official diagnosis for extra time in exams.

I didn't want to get tested because I thought it didn't matter either way. Either I had it or not - it wouldn't make any difference. I already knew it was going to take me extra time. After the diagnosis, some of the help was pretty degrading. Some teachers made me stay back (in year 11!) writing particular words 10 times.

Family history is also a good indicator. If you have difficulties you can get tested so you can get extensions.

How - if at all - does dyslexia impact on your studies?

I know what my strengths are. I might be slow in English but I'm good at Maths. Plenty of people who don't have dyslexia are not good at Maths!

You can't complain about having a disability when you don't know what it's like to not to have it.

It's hard to tell how it impacts, but there are some signals. For example, in Physics you might read a question but when you go back you realise you don't understand it.

And your advice to other students?

Focus on your strengths - realise what the strengths are. Realise that's what you'll do best.

Organisation is the key and I try and complete my work a week before the deadline to avoid stress. If something goes wrong at the last minute I have a week's leeway. By doing this, you're not making yourself more busy, just doing things in a different order. It gives you a lot of time to check it.

I use Word spellcheck a fair bit but it's sometimes a problem like when you write a word and the spell check doesn't know exactly what it's meant to be. Computer spell checks are OK for stupid mistakes.

Also, it's sometimes useful to tape what you want to say and then type it.

Finally...

It's all about determination. If you really want to do well, you'll find a way to do well.

If you are keen to improve your quality of work, finish your assignments before they are due.

Where is my motivation?

Have you been finding it hard to get to classes, begin your assignments, do your research? You are not alone. This is the time when students sometimes find it hard getting out of bed let alone doing the reading, thinking, writing, calculations, designs etc for your next assignments!

Sue Lintern

At Mawson Lakes Learning Connection we have wondered about possible reasons for students' lower energy for study at this time.

Some of the discussed possibilites incuded:

• 'change of weather to cooler temperatures and greyer skies' (Helen J)
• 'enthusiasm from starting a new study period has lessened' (Andrea D)
• 'there is some the hard work looming' (Sue L)

What do you think?

Whatever the reasons the lost motivation is probably not under your bed! It is however worth you doing a search for your motivation because finding it will make your study over the next few weeks much easier. Ideas for finding motivation include:

• Write down your long term goals


• Find some friends to study with


• Keep/get physically fit


• Update your Study Planners and Weekly Timetables (include time for study, work, recreation, family, friends etc)


• Reward yourself after you have completed a study task (Yes -frequently)


• check out 'Finding motivation to study'

What ideas have you found that work for you?

Email us with your suggestions and we will add them to this blog.

from clipart

Get that interview! Writing a successful application

At some point - perhaps soon - you will give serious thought to applying for jobs and putting your degree to good work.

Wherever you are in your university journey, it is important to recognise the importance of writing a professional application.

So, what is the point of the written application? Of course, it’s to get you an interview!

As a Career Adviser I see many written applications, ranging from impressive to scary! As a former employer and recruitment consultant I know how important it is to submit an application that presents you as a suitable candidate - someone worth meeting.

Your application is your marketing tool and first opportunity to sell yourself to the employer.

The sad reality is that if a cover letter isn’t relevant to the position, well written or adapted to local customs and needs the employer may not bother to look at the resume, or won’t seriously consider the application. You’ve got one chance to make it work so it’s worth putting in the effort.

If all your previous applications were written for a different market place you may need to analyse models of local applications to pick up:

• new forms of addressing employers


• what to include and what to omit


• the preferred way to express yourself.
  

Here are a few handy tips to get you started:Good Luck! Remember your application can open the door onto your future as a working professional.

All the Best,

Nina

Careers Advisor

PS You can book a consultation with the Career Adviser at Learning Connection reception. Career services is a great resource for planning your career, getting ideas, and strategies to assist you with your career decision making and job search process.

The chronicle of Vandana ...

I’m Vandana and I’m a Masters in Teaching student doing my final semester, planning to graduate later this year.

When I first came to Australia I did a short nursing course and then got a job in a nursing home. That was my first job ever. It was very different. At home we don’t have nursing homes. I’ve learnt a lot from work. I have grown. I work on weekends. I’ve learned how important it is to be punctual and reliable. I’ve learned to work with people from different nations. It’s good.

My program also demands a lot of hard work. You have to set your own journey. It’s not about teachers delivering knowledge. It’s also about how passionate you are about your values and beliefs.

Back home in India it’s a more traditional way of schooling. In India we are given a set curriculum and have to work through books and are tested through examinations. The students are not very interactive. It took me a while to understand that here we design knowledge according to the students’ needs. Here the students are more participatory. They want to experiment and discuss things. Making one to one connection is important. That was really challenging for me. Students here have more vigour. You have to give good feedback and encouragement. If you don’t you aren’t a good teacher.

When my class started here we visited private, government and independent schools and they were very welcoming. That helped us see what Australian schooling was all about. As an International student I’ve really had to adapt and transform myself to what is expected here.

During my first practical in a school I had a difficult time. I was on my own and it was difficult. I was a bit anxious about why things were done this way or that way. I was a bit lonely. I didn’t talk much. But in my second practical I was more clear about my concerns, looked for and got more support. I was able to have success because I discussed my issues and got plenty of advice and encouragement.

My plan is to teach here. The sky’s the limit.

Vandana

Study piling up? Unleash your stress buster

Congratulations! You’ve made it to Week 6! Most likely, you’ve also submitted your first assignment. Well-done!

Most of you are eagerly anticipating the teaching break for the next 2 weeks. Indeed, you do deserve a short break – to recharge, to rejuvenate, and to have some fun! For the last few weeks the Learning Connection team has seen many students who are stressed about their study because they have been focused on other important things such as settling into new accommodation, a new culture and finding part-time work to support their academic pursuits. Often students fall behind with their academic work as a result juggling all of these demands. The teaching break gives you a great opportunity to catch up on your study commitments, complete assignments and bring your life back into a greater balance. Here are a few useful tips to help you enjoy your teaching break :

1) develop a study plan so that you can complete whatever is due soon
2) build in a buffer zone and allow extra time for assignments – sometimes they take longer than you expect!
3) reward yourself and build in some time for fun – plan a few outings with friends. Check out What’s On in Adelaide for a few ideas.

If you are feeling overwhelmed by stress, remember that you can always come in and chat to a Counsellor. Counselling drop-ins are available everyday during the teaching break – no appointment is necessary.

Best wishes for the break!
From the Learning Connection team

Myth 1 - Paraphrasing means putting things into 'my own words' by changing some words in a text and moving others around

Try to move away from the idea of 'putting things into your own words' because the ideal is to read and then ask 'what is the author trying to say here?'. One person's paraphrase will be very different from another person's paraphrase. The important thing is to take the meaning, acknowledge it and use it to support your own ideas and arguments.

Myth 2 - Wikepedia is a great reference to use in my writing

Wikepedia is a great resource and mostly you won't get an argument from lecturers about that!

However, it has no place in academic writing because it has not gone through the rigours of review and checking which a book and journal does. Anyone (authority or not) can change the information on Wikepedia, which also makes it fraught with danger. Use it for background reading, but not for inclusion in your assignment.

Myth 3 - I only need to study two hours a week per course

As you can see from our survey, some students chose this as an option. Officially, you should manage a full time course in the same way that you would a full time job. You need to spend around 9 hours per course, in addition to contact time. This means a total of 11 - 12 hours per week in attending lectures, reading, revising, researching and writing.

Myth 4 - I will make a fool of myself if I ask a question in class

No, no, no!

Be assured your so called 'silly' question will be the same as the person sitting next to you! Asking questions is HIGHLY valued by tutors and the success of any tutorial often relies on student questions.

Myth 5 - I don't need to worry too much about doing well in tests that don't count towards assessment. It’s the exams that really count.

Tests (assessed or otherwise) are an important learning ground for you (and your lecturer) to assess your understanding. The work you put into studying (and reflecting upon) tests now, will be help you become more efficient (and less stressed) around exam time. Make the most of ANY opportunity to study and reflect.

Myth 6 - I just need to do my 'bit' in group work (and that's all!)

Patently incorrect! A group is an entity which relies on an integrated approach from everyone. In addition, each group member will have their own personal strengths to add to the group. One person might be an excellent presenter, another have a strength in editing. You need to do 'your bit', but it must be the sum of all parts - done collaboratively. Here are some resources to get you started:

Working in teams

(Another) Working in teams

Planning a group presentation

Myth 7 - There's not much social life at Mawson Lakes

Indeed there IS social life at Mawson Lakes both on campus and also in the Mawson Lakes community. Check out the UniLife clubs website.

Linked to this myth is ‘Mawson Lakes Campus is in the middle of nowhere’ The online student guide ‘Mawson Lakes 101’ available on the Community Website shows all the services and facilities a student might need right here in Mawson Lakes.

These famous Mawson myths have been prepared by us - the counsellors and learning advisers at Mawson Lakes - Angela, Adiemus, Helen and Andrea. We KNOW about these myths because we work with students on a daily basis who have been caught out and spoken to many-a lecturer with similar observations.

(and remember...we were students once ourselves! And that's not a myth!)

Myth or reality? Post a comment so that we may 'confirm' or 'bust' your myth. You CAN be anonymous, if you choose. Click on the link to comments below the post.