When you start your course it might feel like information overload, so it can be helpful to explore some resources and activities in the quiet period before you arrive. Head into Brookes activities are available to explore before lectures begin, meaning you can use them to help feel more prepared and informed when you join us in September.
Head into Brookes
Resources and events designed to help you get off to the best start at university
Leaving home and living independently
Starting university may well involve living away from home, having to manage your own time, and developing the skills to cope. In this workshop, students from Oxford Brookes share their experiences of how it went for them and both staff and students share tips on how to make the process of living independently easier.
- Monday 11 September
- 12:30pm - 2:00pm
- Via Zoom - find workshop Zoom links here near the event date
Work life balance: How should I manage my time?
Independent study involves needing to organise your own time more than was probably the case in school or college days. This session explores how to ensure that your medium to long-term planning is effective enough to make your short-term workload manageable. Time management will also reduce stress and give you the chance to have a life that is not all about work.
- Tuesday 12 September
- 12:30pm - 2:00pm
- Via Zoom - find workshop Zoom links here near the event date
Becoming an independent learner: knowing my skills and helping myself
Moving from school or college to university brings a changing relationship with staff and teachers. There are lots of development opportunities available and many people who can offer support, but you will need to think about how you can get the most out of what is on offer. In this workshop, we’ll be thinking about the type of support you can expect, who you can turn to for help, and what the best way of approaching people might be.
- Wednesday 13 September
- 12:30pm - 2:00pm
- Via Zoom - find workshop Zoom links here near the event date
Am I good enough? (Combatting Imposter Syndrome)
We know that stepping up to university can be daunting and many people have moments where they lack confidence. Join us for a workshop where we explore some of the challenges that students face and provide you with some ideas and strategies for overcoming your fears
- Thursday 14 September
- 12:30pm - 2:00pm
- Via Zoom - find workshop Zoom links here near the event date
Getting started: a guide for mature students
This session will help you make the most of your university experience, with information on mature student support, and activities exploring learning technology, reading strategies, and building your confidence. By the end of the session, you will have met some interesting new people and developed some great ideas about how to make the most of your first few months at Oxford Brookes.
- Friday 22 September
- 11:00am - 12:30pm
- In person at Headington Campus - room to be confirmed
Study skills for international students
Going to university in the UK is an exciting opportunity for international students and also brings new challenges. This session will highlight differences between the UK university system and elsewhere and suggest key study skills for students who are studying in the UK for the first time.
- Friday 22 September
- 1:00pm - 2:30pm
- In person at Headington Campus - room to be confirmed
University involves many processes and terminology that is likely to be new to you, and with that in mind we have produced a new booklet to help you understand how things work and make the best use of your time.
Complete a skills audit to find out where your strengths are and identify the skills that you personally need to develop. You'll learn who can help you improve on these skills during your time at Oxford Brookes University.
There are computers available for your use at Oxford Brookes, so having your own machine is not essential to your success, but you should expect to be using IT a lot at university, and your academic journey will undoubtedly improve your digital skills.
If you are buying a new computer for university, think carefully first and take the time to consider what might be most appropriate for your needs. Not all computers do the same things. Therefore, it might be worth checking with your department to see what software will be used and whether your operating system will run it.
Office 365 will be available to you at no charge during your time at Oxford Brookes, so you can save the cost of an annual license. To claim your free copy of Office 365, you will need your student email address. Most students will be able to access their student emails from Monday 11 September (provided they have completed their online enrolment).
Whether you have rarely used computers before or you are an advanced user, there are many opportunities to develop your digital skills at university. A starting point to consider in your first few weeks, particularly if you are not feeling confident, is the Centre for Academic Development’s session on 'Digital organisation for learning'. More details can be found on their workshops page.