Resources to help students in the school to

Resources to help students in the school to university transition Dr Harriet Jones Senior Lecturer School of Biological Sciences University of East Anglia Harriet. jones@uea. ac. uk @Dr. Harriet. Jones

Why do we need to help students in the transition to university? Photographer: Julia Cameron

It is good to do something in addition to A-levels (or equivalent) The focus is on getting good grades. But doing something to help to get into HE can also help get better grades. In a small study students who did the Pre-U Skills course got a higher UCAS tariff score for their three A-levels than students who did not do the course. Jones HLJ, Gaskell E, Prendergast JR Bavage A. (2017) Unexpected benefits of pre-university skills training for Alevel students. Educational Studies. 43: 67 -70

Subject-specific resources For example: OCR maths for biologists. Maths video At CNS we have found the UEA-developed Maths for OCR A-Level Biology immensely useful. We begun using them in small group intervention, to help students who had forgotten the basics of their Maths GCSE and were therefore struggling with the high maths content of Biology A-level. The feedback from both staff and students was so positive that we have now incorporated the 'packs' into our scheme of work, so each unit has a matching maths skills pack which students are required to complete. In terms of a high quality, comprehensive resources which is aligned very well with current developments in cognitive science (and the accompanying recommendation of SLOP - Shed Loads Of Practise) they are un-rivalled by anything else I have seen produced by the exam board or otherwise. https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=i. U 9 yzq. LG 7 sg&feature=youtu. be

Working on writing skills Literacy help in humanities and sciences – on your memory sticks. Working on literacy skills helps students synthesise information.

UEA MOOCs with Futurelearn

What do undergraduates find difficult Independent study Being curious Asking questions Persuasive writing Academic referencing Synthesising and analysing material All addressed in the Pre. U Skills Programme

Preparing for University A review and rewrite Re ordering Re-filming Revising content of maths week Structuring writing – changing to persuasive writing, using the personal statement as a model

Pre. University Skills Programme Preparing for University MOOC Preuniversity Skills Course Student-led Teacher-led Basic skills, introduces key ‘university skills’ www. uea. ac. uk/moocs Moves on from the MOOC, slightly harder skills Available for bespoke courses/inset days CPD training Ask us if you would like to attend a session at UEA on 12 th July Harriet. jones@uea. ac. uk Next run starts on 24 th June www. uea. ac. uk/teaching-pre-uni

Available now on: Start university with confidence using Open. Up. UEA! Open. Up. UEA helps you: • Know where you are on campus • Find support services • Manage your money • Plan your week • Track your feelings to help solve problems. For more information visit www. uea. ac. uk/psychology/openup-uea or email openup@uea. ac. uk

Search ‘Coffee Break UEA’ on Sound. Cloud or i. Tunes Each episode is only 20 minutes long and features: • HE updates • Information about different degree subjects from UEA academics • Information about UEA summer schools, taster days, conferences and other events that could be of interest to careers advisers and sixth form students Season 2 coming September 2019 with a new name: The Nurturing Bright Futures Podcast Season 1 available online now at: www. soundcloud. com/coffeebreak-uea

Some other things that might help students in transition • Opportunities to visit campus before arriving - campus tour and view accommodation • Applicant Days - between February and May. At UEA students get the chance to spend 3 -4 hours in their chosen school of study with fellow applicants, academic staff and current students. • In-school/college support – we have a team of Higher Education Advisers who are based across the UK and can come in to school or college and advise students • We can arrange for current undergraduates to visit schools and colleges they could discuss study skills and the jump from school and / or practical advice and guidance • Details in the delegate packs ‘This is your guide to nurturing bright futures’ • Study Skills booklet, copies available on the exhibition desk