Tips &Tricks Degree Seeking

Tips and tricks: studying @ KU Leuven. Degree Seeking Students Orientation days 18/09/2014 Joke Vanhoudt Study Advice Service

1. Study Advice Service A centre of expertise on student learning and study choice. Fosters the development of know-how, prepares policy and provides advice and training for: Prospective students

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Programme information

KU Leuven students

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Programme selection

Learning skills o

Study methods

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Planning your work

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Programme information

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Opportunities for advanced students

Advice on changing programme

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Study abroad

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Career guidance

Introductory video

Video : Study Succes @ KU Leuven (www.kuleuven.be/studysupport)

2.Themes • • • • • • • •

Relationship Student-Professor Study Method – Study skills Time Management Cultural Differences in the Study Approach Different kinds of courses and assignments Writing Papers / Master Thesis Exam Expectations Practical Information o

The story of Peter, master student in chemistry

A. Relationship Student-Professor • Not too familiar • Asking questions to the professor? o

In class : relevance for others

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After class : ‘argumented’ question

• Respecting the hierarchy • Professors appreciate : o

Critically

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Coöperating

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Independant

B. Study Method / study skills • Is taking notes necessary? o

Student course books

• What to learn and how? o o o

Text book (marking, reading, analysing) Exercises (familiar and new) Notes

B. Study Method / study skills •

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Critical thinking o

When reading

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Analytical thinking

Memorizing literally? Check your memory style! o

To know – to do • Own examples, counter examples • Comparisons • Exercices • Applications • Critical point of view, …

• The study skills handbook (Author: Stella Cottrell, Editor: Palgrave MacMillan) • www.skills4study.com

C. Time Management • • • •

What is different with previous study experiences ? Hours of studying When to begin? Where to study? o Room o Library o Agora? • Study plan • How does the academic year look like?

Overview of the academic year

D. Cultural differences in the study approach • Selection before or after studying? Passing the admission in the beginning ≠ passing the exams at the end? • Exam expectations • Independant thinking and studying o courses and assignments o

(Academic) culture • Power distance • Individualism • Masculinity • Uncertainty avoidance

• Pragmatism • Indulgence http://geert-hofstede.com/countries.html

E. Different kinds of courses and assignments

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lecture/tutorial

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exercise session - integrated practical (compulsary, permanent evaluation) group presentations

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o

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paper/essay master thesis/dissertation (independant working, limited coaching)

F. Writing papers/master thesis • Goal : personal, independant synthesis of literature,

research in lab, … • What is plagiarism? o Copying or paraphrasing (articles, sites, …) without acknowledgment. • Referring and citing : some misconceptions : insulting the professor. • Consequences at KU Leuven : o http://www.kuleuven.be/plagiarism/

G. Exam Expectations • Examination Forms o o

Oral (feedback of prof) Written • Open questions (structure) • Multiple choice (guessing : -1/3 for wrong answer)

Paper (plagiarism) o Presentation (not only content) o Exercises • Deliberation Criteria • Ombudsperson o

Grading Mark

Transcript

US

ECTS

% of succesfull

Your answer

20

Outstanding

A+

A

10%

Exceptional, additional analyses, additional information

Very good

A B

25%

19 18 17 16 15

Good

A-

14 13

Above average

Satisfactory

10

30%

D

25%

Structuring answer

B

12 11

C

Own examples, counter examples, comparisons, critics, application, exercises

B-C+ C

E

10%

Memorizing literally, basic understanding

8-9

Insufficient

D

Superficial knowlegdecomprehension

0-7

Very insufficient

F

Lack of knowledgecomprehension

H. Practical information • Registration Student number + Passwords for Toledo and ISP • Start classes : Tuesday Sept. 23th ‘14 • ISP = Individual Study Programme o Choosing electives o Numerus clausus? o Exam planning o Before the 8th of October o Sessions in faculty/programme • Toledo : toledo.kuleuven.be o

Further info sessions • Tips and tricks 1: Studying @ KU Leuven •

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• Thursday 18th of September 2014 Tips and tricks 2: Study approach @ KU Leuven • Monday 27th of October 2014, 8pm Tips and tricks 3: Time management @ KU Leuven • Monday 27th of October 2014, 9pm Tips and tricks 4: Master thesis @ KU Leuven • Monday 17th of November 2014, 8pm Tips and tricks 5: Presentation techniques @ KU L • Monday 17th of November2014, 9pm Tips and tricks 6: Exams @ KU Leuven • Monday 1st of December 2014, 8pm

Digital info • www.kuleuven.be/studysupport Support, services at K.U.Leuven • www.kuleuven.be/studyadvice o Study advice service o

Contact Joke Vanhoudt Study Advice Service Naamsestraat 80 3000 Leuven 016/32 43 11 www.kuleuven.be/studyadvice > Contact form

Questions?

The End