Our workshop programme for this academic year is now finished but will return in September. Whilst our official workshop programme for this academic year is complete, you can still get help in developing your academic skills through our other activities, which you can explore on our homepage.
Workshops
We offer a wide range of workshops to help you reach your full potential.
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.
- Tuesday 13 September 2022, 12.30-2.00
- The Zoom link for this session will be published here a day before the event.
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.
- Wednesday 14 September 2022, 12.30-2.00
- The Zoom link for this session will be published here a day before the event.
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.
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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
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Getting started: a guide for mature students - JHB 203
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 Brookes.
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Study Skills for International Students - JHB 203
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.
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Studying at Postgraduate Level
Starting postgraduate study can seem a bit like taking a step into the unknown. Come to this interactive workshop to explore your expectations of learning at a higher level, discover what support is available and plan how you will get started on your postgraduate journey.
- Wednesday 28 September, 1.00-2.30
- The Zoom link for this session will be published here a day before the event.
Week 2 - Build Your Academic Skills
Being an effective student involves developing the skills and qualities you already have and acquiring new ones. This workshop will provide you with the tools to analyse how you can reach your full potential at university and make the most of the developmental opportunities that are available to you. If you are looking for springboard for change, this could be it!
- Monday 3 October, 12.00-1.30
- Register here to book
This workshop is repeated in weeks 4 and 6.
Week 2 - Reading 1: What to read and how to read it?
A key skill you will learn at university is how to take control of your independent reading. It is quite common to feel unsure about whether you are finding the right sources, or if you are making the best use of your reading time. This workshop will look at some key skills for deciding which texts will and won’t be useful for you, and getting what you need from them as efficiently as possible.
- Tuesday 4 October 4.00-5.30
- Register here to book
This workshop is repeated in week 4.
Week 2 - Reading 2: Effective note-taking
Why do we take notes and how can we ensure the notes that we take are useful? This workshop focuses on the importance of effective note-taking when reading and will help you improve your practice and confidence.
- Thursday 6 October, 12.00-1.30
- Register here to book
This workshops is repeated in week 4.
Week 3 - Assignments: What do they want you to do?
Have you been given an assignment that you’re not sure how to approach? Perhaps you’ve struggled in the past to understand exactly what you need to write? This session will show you how to use your task instructions and other resources to get a clearer idea of what your lecturers are hoping to see. Perfect for undergraduates or anyone who wants more confidence in this area, this session will last one hour and be followed by a chance for you to ask questions and discuss your specific assignments.
- Thursday 13 October, 12.00-1.30
- Register here to book
This workshop is repeated in week 10.
Week 4 - Build Your Academic Skills
Being an effective student involves developing the skills and qualities you already have and acquiring new ones. This workshop will provide you with the tools to analyse how you can reach your full potential at university and make the most of the developmental opportunities that are available to you. If you are looking for springboard for change, this could be it!
- Monday 17 October, 4.00-5.30
- Register here to book
This workshop is repeated in week 6.
Week 4 - Reading 1: What to read and how to read it?
A key skill you will learn at university is how to take control of your independent reading. It is quite common to feel unsure about whether you are finding the right sources, or if you are making the best use of your reading time. This workshop will look at some key skills for deciding which texts will and won’t be useful for you, and getting what you need from them as efficiently as possible.
- Tuesday 18 October, 12.00-1.30
- Register here to book
Week 4 - Working successfully in groups
Description TBC
- Wednesday 19 October, 12.00-1.30
- Register here to book
This workshop is repeated in week 8.
Week 4 - Reading 2: Effective note-taking
Why do we take notes and how can we ensure the notes that we take are useful? This workshop focuses on the importance of effective note-taking when reading and will help you improve your practice and confidence.
- Thursday 20 October, 4.00-5.30
- Register here to book
Week 5 - What does it mean to be ‘critical’?
Students are often told that their writing should be more critical, but how do you do this? This workshop explores the value of questions in moving from being descriptive to more critical, and where your own ideas fit in the research process.
- Wednesday 26 October, 12.00-1.30
- Register here to book
This workshop is repeated in week 7.
Week 6 - You need more analysis!
What exactly is analysis? Why is it so important in academic writing? How can I include more in my writing? Join us for this session where we will take the mystery out of analysis. We’ll also practice distinguishing between analysis and description and learn the types of questions you need to ask yourself when analysing a topic.
- Tuesday 1 November, 12.00-1.30
- Register here to book
This workshop is repeated in week 8.
Week 6 - Build Your Academic Skills
Being an effective student involves developing the skills and qualities you already have and acquiring new ones. This workshop will provide you with the tools to analyse how you can reach your full potential at university and make the most of the developmental opportunities that are available to you. If you are looking for springboard for change, this could be it!
- Monday 31 October, 12.00-1.30
- Register here to book
Week 7 - What does it mean to be ‘critical’?
Students are often told that their writing should be more critical, but how do you do this? This workshop explores the value of questions in moving from being descriptive to more critical, and where your own ideas fit in the research process.
- Wednesday 9 November, 4.00-5.30
- Register here to book
Week 8 - Working successfully in groups
Week 8 - You need more analysis!
What exactly is analysis? Why is it so important in academic writing? How can I include more in my writing? Join us for this session where we will take the mystery out of analysis. We’ll also practice distinguishing between analysis and description and learn the types of questions you need to ask yourself when analysing a topic.
- Thursday 17 November, 4.00-5.30
- Register here to book
Week 10 - Assignments: What do they want you to do?
Have you been given an assignment that you’re not sure how to approach? Perhaps you’ve struggled in the past to understand exactly what you need to write? This session will show you how to use your task instructions and other resources to get a clearer idea of what your lecturers are hoping to see. Perfect for undergraduates or anyone who wants more confidence in this area, this session will last one hour and be followed by a chance for you to ask questions and discuss your specific assignments.
- Tuesday 29 November, 12.00-1.30
- Register here to book
Week 10 - Preparing for Exams
Do you get stressed about exams or in-class assessment? This session explores how to use active rather than passive approaches to make your revision effective, overcome exam nerves, and make sure you use your exam time well.
- Wednesday 30 November, 12.00-1.30
- Register here to book
Week 10 - Preparing for your dissertation: choosing a topic
Feeling overwhelmed by your dissertation? This session will look at how to manage these final stages of your project. We will discuss planning your time, keeping motivated, fitting in other commitments, and keeping going until the hand in date. This session is aimed at final year undergraduate students currently writing their dissertation or final project. It will start with a 60 min workshop followed by a 30 min Q and A session.
- Wednesday 30 November, 4.00-5.30
- Register here to book
“The workshop was very clear and interactive. Very well paced and informative!”
“I thought it was a really great workshop. I really loved how the tutor engaged with everyone and summarised the points at the end! ”
Week 3 - Grammar Workshop: What makes a good paragraph?
Knowing how paragraphs work is essential in ensuring that your ideas are effectively expressed in your writing. Poor paragraphing can result in really important arguments being hidden among minor details, and can also leave your writing feeling disorganised and not well-focused on the topic. This workshop will help you reach your paragraphing potential!
- Monday 10 October, 4.00-5.30
- Register here to book
Week 3 - Writing clearly: making it easy for the reader to see how good your ideas are
When you’re focusing on what you want to say, it can be easy to forget that your reader needs to easily follow and understand your ideas. This one-hour session will show you some simple ways to keep your reader engaged and clear about the points you want to make, allowing your good ideas to stand out and be noticed.
- Tuesday 11 October, 12.00-1.30
- Register here to book
This workshop is repeated in week 10.
Week 3 - Writing with Sources
Using sources in your writing is an important part of academic study. This workshop will introduce and practice the most common ways of incorporating references in your writing and will highlight good habits that will help you avoid plagiarism.
- Friday 14 October, 12.00-1.30
- Register here to book
This workshop is repeated in weeks 5 and 7.
Week 4 - Planning and Delivering Presentations
As well as having strong content, outstanding presentations must also be well planned and communicated clearly. In this session we will learn some essential strategies for deciding what to include, and how to include it, in order to make it easy for your audience to understand your ideas. We’ll also work on verbal delivery, using pace and intonation to keep your talk clear and engaging. The workshop will be one hour, with an extra 30 minutes at the end for you to ask questions and discuss your own presentation assignment.
- Tuesday 18 October, 4.00-5.30
- Register here to book
This workshop is repeated in week 7.
Week 5 - Planning an essay and staying on task
Essay tasks come in many different forms, and it may be hard to decide what to include and how to structure your main body. Making a plan based on your instructions will help you to get started, stay on task, and feel more confident that your finished assignment is clear and focussed. This session is suitable for undergraduates and any student lacking confidence in their essay planning. It will show you both how to make a plan, and how to use it! The workshop will be one hour, followed by a chance for you to ask questions and start planning your own assignment.
- Thursday 27 October, 12.00-1.30
- Register here to book
This workshop is repeated in week 8.
Week 5 - Writing with Sources
Using sources in your writing is an important part of academic study. This workshop will introduce and practice the most common ways of incorporating references in your writing and will highlight good habits that will help you avoid plagiarism.
- Friday 28 October, 4.00-5.30
- Register here to book
This workshop is repeated in week 7.
Week 6 - Essay Writing: Introductions and Conclusions
It seems logical to write the introduction to an essay first, but in fact it can be easier to perfect this part later on, once you know what the essay is really trying to say. Whenever the time comes, it is useful to know the typical features of introductions and conclusions, so you can write them with confidence and efficiency. This session will outline the most common “moves” that these key sections include, and the language to make them clear and effective.
- Monday 31 October, 4.00-5.30
- Register here to book
This workshop is repeated in week 9.
Week 6 - Understanding Harvard Referencing
Are you struggling to get your Harvard referencing conventions right? Perhaps you’ve had feedback about your referencing and you’re not sure what you need to fix. This interactive session will focus on the content, formatting and punctuation of referencing, so you know what to include and how. The session will be one hour, followed by an optional 30 minutes for you to ask questions and discuss those tricky sources you’re not sure about. It’s perfect if you’re new to Harvard referencing, or just want to build your confidence.
- Tuesday 1 November, 4.00-5.30
- Register here to book
This workshop is repeated in week 9.
Week 6 - Reading into writing: Using your notes to write
Reading and research is an important part of the writing process. At university, your job is not just to repeat what other people have said, but to reach your own conclusions and present your own arguments based on what you have researched. This session explores how good notes can be used to help you find your writing ‘voice.’
- Thursday 3 November, 12.00-1.30
- Register here to book
Week 7 - Improving Academic Style
Would you like to make your writing sound more “formal” or “academic”? Effective academic writing follows certain conventions of style and clarity, which help you communicate your ideas in an appropriate and convincing way. This one-hour session will cover some top tips for writers who are new to the style of writing required at university, or who wish to improve in this area. There will also be time at the end to address any specific questions you may have.
- Tuesday 8 November, 12.00-1.30
- Register here to book
This workshop is repeated in week 9.
Week 7 - Writing with Sources
Using sources in your writing is an important part of academic study. This workshop will introduce and practice the most common ways of incorporating references in your writing and will highlight good habits that will help you avoid plagiarism.
- Thursday 10 November, 12.00-1.30
- Register here to book
Week 7 - Planning and Delivering Presentations
As well as having strong content, outstanding presentations must also be well planned and communicated clearly. In this session we will learn some essential strategies for deciding what to include, and how to include it, in order to make it easy for your audience to understand your ideas. We’ll also work on verbal delivery, using pace and intonation to keep your talk clear and engaging. The workshop will be one hour, with an extra 30 minutes at the end for you to ask questions and discuss your own presentation assignment.
- Thursday 10 November, 4.00-5.30
- Register here to book
Week 8 - Typical mistakes in sentence structure
Grammar is more than just a set of rules to follow when constructing sentences; it is an agreed code and structure for writing that helps us communicate ideas clearly to avoid misunderstanding. Clear and accurate communication is needed when writing about complex ideas in our academic work. This workshop explores some of the key rules, and the reasoning that underpins them.
- Monday 14 November, 4.00-5.30
- Register here to book
Week 8 - Planning an essay and staying on task
Essay tasks come in many different forms, and it may be hard to decide what to include and how to structure your main body. Making a plan based on your instructions will help you to get started, stay on task, and feel more confident that your finished assignment is clear and focussed. This session is suitable for undergraduates and any student lacking confidence in their essay planning. It will show you both how to make a plan, and how to use it! The workshop will be one hour, followed by a chance for you to ask questions and start planning your own assignment.
- Thursday 17 November, 12.00-1.30
- Register here to book
Week 9 - Essay Writing: Introductions and Conclusions
It seems logical to write the introduction to an essay first, but in fact it can be easier to perfect this part later on, once you know what the essay is really trying to say. Whenever the time comes, it is useful to know the typical features of introductions and conclusions, so you can write them with confidence and efficiency. This session will outline the most common “moves” that these key sections include, and the language to make them clear and effective.
- Monday 21 November, 4.00-5.30
- Register here to book
Week 9 - Understanding Harvard Referencing
Are you struggling to get your Harvard referencing conventions right? Perhaps you’ve had feedback about your referencing and you’re not sure what you need to fix. This interactive session will focus on the content, formatting and punctuation of referencing, so you know what to include and how. The session will be one hour, followed by an optional 30 minutes for you to ask questions and discuss those tricky sources you’re not sure about. It’s perfect if you’re new to Harvard referencing, or just want to build your confidence.
- Thursday 24 November, 12.00-1.30
- Register here to book
Week 9 - Improving Academic Style
Would you like to make your writing sound more “formal” or “academic”? Effective academic writing follows certain conventions of style and clarity, which help you communicate your ideas in an appropriate and convincing way. This one-hour session will cover some top tips for writers who are new to the style of writing required at university, or who wish to improve in this area. There will also be time at the end to address any specific questions you may have.
- Tuesday 22 November, 12.00-1.30
- Register here to book
Week 9 - Editing and Proofreading
This workshop aims to help you submit your work with more confidence. We’ll consider what you need to check, and how. You’ll also have the chance to try out some strategies that might help you see your work as you’ve never seen it before.
- Friday 25 November, 12.00-1.30
- Register here to book
This workshop is repeated in week 11.
Week 10 - Writing clearly: making it easy for the reader to see how good your ideas are
When you’re focusing on what you want to say, it can be easy to forget that your reader needs to easily follow and understand your ideas. This one-hour session will show you some simple ways to keep your reader engaged and clear about the points you want to make, allowing your good ideas to stand out and be noticed.
- Thursday 1 December. 12.00-1.30
- Register here to book
Week 11 - Editing and Proofreading
This workshop aims to help you submit your work with more confidence. We’ll consider what you need to check, and how. You’ll also have the chance to try out some strategies that might help you see your work as you’ve never seen it before.
- Monday 5 December, 12.00-1.30
- Register here to book