Library study skills support
Ask a librarian
If you need help, eg with an assignment, you can ask at a library help desk or via the online enquiry service as your first step.
If your query can't be answered immediately, you may be referred to:
- a study skills workshop
- online study-skills materials
- an English language workshop.
Study skills workshops
From making notes to structuring your writing, we offer a number of study skills workshops to students.
Our core workshops are:
- How to get started with critical writing
- How to improve your critical writing
- How to make notes and read effectively
- How to plan and structure your writing
- How to put your reading into your writing
- How to reference and avoid plagiarism
- Managing your time
'How to' online workbooks
As an alternative to attending our study skills workshops, you can also use our 'How to...' workbooks, which are closely aligned with the workshop sessions. You'll find similar exercises in them, but different examples.
These are perfect for you if you can't make it to any of our sessions, prefer to work at your own pace, or would like to recap a workshop you have attended.
- How to make notes and read effectively
- How to reference and avoid plagiarism
- How to plan and structure your writing
- How to put your reading into your writing
- How to write critically
- How to write reflectively
- How to improve your work before submitting
- How to manage your time
Reading and writing cafés
Do you feel like you have lots of reading and writing to do and struggle to motivate yourself? These reading and writing cafés offer a supportive space for you to focus on your work. Providing quiet time to dedicate to reading and writing, these are not training classes, but are structured and facilitated to help you concentrate on what you want to do, acting as a virtual study group.
Reading cafés and writing cafés are two separate events. You can attend just one, or both. You can attend as many events as you like. They are open to all students and staff, so bring along the reading or the writing that you want to do.
Run your own: If you'd like to make use of the format and materials from these reading and writing cafés to run your own study groups, you would be very welcome to download the slides and activity packs.
Online training
Browse our full range of study skills online workbooks.
Communication skills for international students
Develop your English language and communication skills with our series of workshops.
Appointments
If you have already tried the above options and have some questions, you may wish to book a one-to-one appointment with a member of library staff. Appointments last around 30-45 minutes and are based around staff availability.
Bookings can be made via InfoHub Appointments during periods of peak demand, and can be arranged through our online enquiry service at other times.
When you book an appointment, please supply the following information:
- what is the problem you are having?
- what strategies have you already tried in order to address this?
- what is your timescale?
During an appointment, library staff will be able to look at small sections of your work and coach you to apply study skills techniques.
Please note that we do not offer a proof-reading service.
College study support
Many colleges may provide appointments, workshops or one-to-one sessions tailored to your subject.
Studiosity
UWE Bristol have partnered with Studiosity, which provides a Writing Feedback service that enables you to get same-day feedback on a piece of writing, helping you to improve your writing skills. Connect Live is part of Studiosity and allows you to chat with a study specialist 24/7.
Academic Integrity
Use our online resource to discover how and why to avoid the pitfalls of plagiarism. We've put together a guide for using this resource (PDF).
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