Be honest with the team, if you are having difficulties in ANY way, please let us know.

We can provide extra academic support, advice and guidance, well-being support and some financial help may be available.

We want you to be successful, so do let us help!

A university education is not necessarily about receiving and memorising ‘facts’ in order to provide ‘correct’ answers in assignments. Instead, a university education is more about developing an understanding of your subject, and recognising the complexity of ideas and range of conflicting opinions that exist within it. To achieve this, students need to explore new ideas and approaches on their own.

As only about 20% of course study is ‘contact time’ spent in classes, seminars or tutorials, you should use the remaining 80% to develop your studies independently through reading, class preparation, organising notes, writing assignments and following up on tuition. Good time management and planning are, therefore, key to being an independent learner. As a student, this means learning how to: 

• set your own goals

• identify your own resources

• take responsibility for attending all aspects of your studies and catching-up

• monitor and manage your time and progress honestly and effectively

• produce assignments that meet the assessment criteria on time

Key skills

These skills will help you become an independent learner:

• organisational skills including prioritisation and time management

• efficient and effective reading and note-taking

• reflection and personal development planning

https://www.kent.ac.uk/guides/how-to-be-an-independent-learner