session 1 workbook.pdf
- 1. Session 1 – A guide to University Reading To do a task Notetaking What is our aim? • Give you a better understanding of what it's like to transition to university • How different the learning and teaching is at university • Give you a taster session with two patient case studies on cardiovascular diseases! • Help you with your A-level revision Our plan for the first session: 1. Why go to university? 2. Typical week at university 3. Differences with teaching and learning 4. Adapting to everyday life 5. Clubs and societies at University of Leeds 6. Financial support 7. Student support and wellbeing Our plan for the following sessions: Week 2 (7th of March) • Learning about cardiovascular physiology using the workbook to prepare you for the case studies Week 3 (14th of March)
- 2. • First case study that we will do with you Week 4 (21st of March) • Second case study on a rare genetic disease related to cardiovascular disease that you will answer in groups supervised by one of us In one or two words what is your first impression about university? Start a task Scan this QR with your phone and send in your answers I) Teaching and learning at University ‘university challenges you to become an independent critical thinker’ (University of Leeds)
- 3. Why go to University? • You have a strong passion for your course • Improve future career prospects • Develop your independence and confidence • Gain great experience in a new environment and meet new people • Have fun! Typical week at University How different is learning and teaching at University? • students are taught through a blended approach with both online and face to face learning • video and audio recordings from lectures are available through your virtual learning environment (you will have access to this once you start university) so that you can go back and watch the lecture contents • researched based learning is also an important part of university that you will be required to do (e.g: reading research papers and studies relevant to the topic you are learning) • independent study and research are crucial to the course!!! • plenty of opportunities of working with fellow students • you will get assigned a personal tutor at the beginning of year 1 who will support and advise you academically ➢ Assessments at University ➢ in 1st year: multiple choice questions (MCQs) or/and short answer questions used in online time limited assessments (OTLAs) ➢ in 2nd and 3rd year: longer essays used in online time limited assessment (OTLAs)
- 4. ➢ Assessements can be during the semester or during the exam period (January and May every year) ➢ written lab reports, grant applications, oral presentation, reflective accounts, portfolios or delivering poster presentations ➢ Different activities that you will do during your course will include: ➢ project work ➢ laboratory sessions ➢ practical sessions ➢ field work • independent study What is hybrid learning? ➢ Autonomy over your learning University is what YOU make of it! • Having autonomy over my learning means working independently after each lecture, managing and organising my work load, doing further reading on the topic, creating revision material... • Unlike school and college, you won't be led by the hand and helped every step of the way! • Lecturers and personal tutors are there to guide you but you are the one that has to initiate the interaction if you want help How do I become autonomous in my learning? • I need to find an effective note taking technique during lectures (taking paper notes or digital notes on the computer) • For exams and assignments I need to research the topic and add to the notes I already have from the lecture • I need to have my own revision techniques • I need to develop a good work routine giving time for my academic work and social life • I need to develop healthy habits and try my best to attend every lecture You can find more information on learning and teaching for Biomedical sciences courses here: https://courses.leeds.ac.uk/j416/biomedical-sciences-mbiol-bsc
- 5. II) Getting involved: Sports clubs and societies • outdoor sports with sport facilities around campus and in Leeds (Wetwood sports park, Boddington Playing fields, Yorkshire Dales, boat house near Twaite Mills Stourton) • ‘Get out and get active’ programme: gives you the chance to try out a range of fun and sociable healthy activities on campus and in the local countryside • Leeds University Union clubs More information can be found here: https://www.leeds.ac.uk/around-campus/doc/sport-fitness • The Edge: University Gym centre • Volunteering opportunities III) Financial support at the University of Leeds Scholarships do not need to be paid back! 1. Sport scholarship program • for athletes who are able to compete at high levels whilst studying 2. Coaching scholarships • give students the opportunity to work alongside head coaches of the University of Leeds to raise club performance • application normally starts in Spring 2023 for September 2023 but you should check this! • email performancesport@leeds.ac.uk for more information More information about scholarships can be found here: https://sport.leeds.ac.uk/sport/performance-sport-scholarships/ 3. Leeds Bursary • non-repayable support for full-time and part-time UK students
- 6. • helps students with the costs of being at University (e.g: cash bursary, discount on your fees, help with University accommodation) • the level of support you receive depends on your household income More information can be found here: https://www.leeds.ac.uk/undergraduate-funding-university/doc/leeds-bursary 4. Scholarships on personal achievement • This depends on household income level • includes one to one support and advice sessions, group workshops, mentoring opportunities, social events and monthly newsletters through the Plus Programme • You need to meet the eligibility criteria • You need to be entering Leeds as full-time level one undergraduate in the following September. More information can be found here: https://www.leeds.ac.uk/undergraduate-funding-university/doc/personal- circumstances-scholarships You can email them for more information: ugscholarships@leeds.ac.uk. Scholarships FAQs: https://www.leeds.ac.uk/undergraduate-funding- scholarships/doc/scholarships-faqs 5. Plus Programme • support scheme for UK-fee paying undergraduate and postgraduate taught students who come from backgrounds that are less represented at university • help with the transition, success and progression at University Different ways the Plus Programme helps students: • Signposting: at the beginning of the year if you feel like you have questions or need help accessing different services, the programme will direct you in the right direction • Events: they offer exclusive and free events all year for students to build skills and feel comfortable at Leeds. Students can also have exclusive or priority on certain events and services at the University. • Clubs and Societies fund: helps you with the membership costs of joining clubs and societies
- 7. • The Opportunities Fund: financially supports students for professional development opportunities like internships, conferences or interviews. • Weekly activity updates: keeps students updated on the best activities from all over campus and the city of Leeds • Mentoring opportunities: students can either have a go at mentoring other students from the Plus Programme or have mentoring for them from professionals. • Social Media Community: Subscribing to their social media as a way to meet other students from the Plus Programme. • Estranged and Care leaver Support: supports students who are estranged or care experienced. You can find more information about the Plus Programme here: https://students.leeds.ac.uk/info/1000014/plus_programme You can get in touch with the Plus Programme here: theplusprogramme@leeds.ac.uk. 6. Scholarships on academic achievement • awarded by the School of Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences and School of Molecular and cellular biology • certain criteria need to be met • Biomedical school offers means-tested scholarships More information can be found here: https://www.leeds.ac.uk/undergraduate-funding-university/doc/scholarships-academic- achievement IV) Financial support from outside the University 1. Financial hardship funding • University funded scheme for students and postgraduate researchers who face unexpected financial difficulties and don’t have an alternative source of financial support • Helps with living costs • Certain criteria need to be met
- 8. • Can apply at any time or date More information can be found here: https://students.leeds.ac.uk/info/10231/university_financial_assistance_fund/618/start_yo ur_application_now 2. Government funding: ➢ Tuition fee loans ➢ For UK undergraduate student in full-time or part-time education ➢ Covers full tuition fees ➢ Can apply to this regardless of your household income • Student loans company will pay your tuition fees directly to the university each year • It is repayable, you start paying it back after you graduate or leave your course and only if you are earning a certain income How can I apply? • You need to create an account on Student Finance England and then start the application Student Finance England: https://logon.slc.co.uk/welcome/secured/login?_locale=en_GB&cookieConsent=accept ➢ Maintenance loans ➢ Student loans company will pay your maintenance loan directly to you in instalments usually at the start of each term ➢ Repayable ➢ Don’t have to start paying it until you graduate or you leave your course and if only you are earning a certain income More information about tuition and maintenance loans can be found here: https://www.leeds.ac.uk/undergraduate-funding-government/doc/student-loans ➢ NHS funding • Students studying nursing, midwifery and allied health professions are able to access student loans to cover cost of tuition fees and means-tested support for living costs More information can be found here:
- 9. https://www.leeds.ac.uk/undergraduate-funding-government/doc/nhs-funding ➢ Funding for disabled students (DSA) ➢ Disabled students’ allowance is a grant to help some disabled students cover any additional costs that arise as a direct result of a disability More information can be found here: https://www.leeds.ac.uk/undergraduate-funding-government/doc/funding-disabled- students Contact the university: disability@leeds.ac.uk →student advice at Leeds University Union →support students applying for specific disability related funding →During term time they are in the Leeds University Union building every day of the week including week ends Contact them: 0113 3801 400 email: advice@luu.leeds.ac.uk ➢ Funding for students with dependents ➢ If you have children or adults who depend on you, you may be able to access government funding to provide extra financial support while you study More information can be found here: https://www.leeds.ac.uk/undergraduate-funding-government/doc/funding-students- dependents V) Wellbeing and support • Several services are available at university to help you • Student services provide help if you are struggling with life at university and would like some additional support
- 10. • Free counselling, well-being and mental health support More information on the wellbeing services can be found here: https://www.leeds.ac.uk/undergraduate-student-life/doc/wellbeing-support • Assigned to a personal tutor at the beginning of the year for your entire time at university • Support for care-experienced or estranged students VI) Career support • Careers office helps and supports you with study abroad/ internship opportunities, job opportunities during your time studying at university and also once you graduate. More information can be found here: https://www.leeds.ac.uk/undergraduate-career/doc/careers-support VII) Summary • University is different to college and school: you are an independent learner and you are expected to take responsibility on your learning • University of Leeds has a hybrid style of learning • You will have to adapt to living independently away from home (for those moving to university) • There are many societies and clubs for you to meet people • Financial support, student support and wellbeing are there to help you at university • University is a great experience but do not think it will be all fun and games you will have to work!