The Complete University Study Guide - Starting | Mastering | Furthering Your Degree

By S.L. Dobson

We hear so much these days about how important a degree is for your career, how everyone seems to have one and that the government will happily stump up the cash to pay for it. But is it really important? Is it really worth all that debt? And is it right for you?

This book contains the complete series of the University Study Guide including;

Starting Your Degree
Mastering Your Degree
Furthering Your Degree

It not only gives you an overview of what's involved in a degree and what to look for when searching for a university but also gives you all the nuggets of information you need to make an informed choice about whether you feel a degree is right for you. It also provides you with tips and advice on what you should be thinking about and how to make the most of those first few weeks if you decide to start your degree.

Undertaking a degree is a wonderful accomplishment but getting a 1st Class Honours is something many students only dream of. A high-level degree opens up many more opportunities and is incredibly valuable to academics and employers alike. Achieving a first-class degree shows evidence of much more in-depth planning and research, highlighting to future employers and academics that you have the tenacity and drive to succeed in everything you put your mind to.

A first-class degree however, can only be achieved by actively pursuing your studies. This involves thinking much more critically about your sources and actively engaging in discussion with your lecturers and peers. It involves a greater level of skill and knowledge that is only available through an active pursuit of information and an inquisitive mind. And it is available to anyone. Whatever your background may be, anyone can achieve a high-level degree by improving their skillset and expanding their knowledge. This book seeks to guide you step-by-step through a range of elements that will help you achieve a first-class degree as well as looking at how you can enhance your time at university even further!

• Language: English
• Publisher: S.L. Dobson
• Release date: Aug 27, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386151852

S.L. Dobson

Sara graduated from Lancaster University with a 1st Class Honours degree in History and Sociology, before pursuing research and writing full time. She is a huge advocate of education and has presented at international conferences, as well as writing articles for numerous publications in print and online. Sara writes from her canal boat on the Lancaster Canal, and continues to produce books and articles to help and inspire others.

Book preview

Acknowledgments

My series of published work on academic study could not have been possible without my own experiences at university, and the beautiful and inspiring people who supported me throughout.

Many gracious people have aided collectively in the development and production of this book, along with rather serendipitous encounters which have changed the course of my future pathway; my aspirations and passions, which only a short time ago I was unaware. I would firstly like to thank Dr Ashley Whalley at the University Centre, Blackburn College for accepting me onto the Joint Honours degree programme and being the seed of an incredibly fruitful personal and professional development, as well as continued support and encouragement throughout my degree. The depths at which I have explored during my course have also been a direct result of the wonderful academic and at many times pastoral support from Judith Moss, who has not only encouraged a love for history and the social sciences but been an enlightening presence and major factor in my continued progression and motivation throughout my journey. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to Dr Craig Hammond, for his expert guidance, encouragement and innumerable discussion, as well as instilling the qualities necessary within me to reach the heights I have been able to within my work.

The enormity of my research could not have been possible without the close network and support of my peers during this time, through group discussion and debate, however there are too many to possibly mention. I must however immensely thank my closest friend and confidant during my journey; Loubna Amina Bashir, for her infinite and timely wisdom, her understanding and sheer encouragement whom I feel I have formed a lasting bond.

Finally, but not least, I would like to express my deepest appreciation to my best friend and partner, Scott Knowles, who has not only provided unconditional love and support throughout but has carried me along this splendid journey with the upmost sincerity and altruism; the balance of my personal life and academic career may not have been successfully achieved without.

Prologue

We hear so much these days about how important a degree is for your career, how everyone seems to have one and that the government will happily stump up the cash to pay for it. But is it really important? Is it really worth all that debt? And is it right for you?

This book combines all three volumes from the University Study Guide Series, giving you an overview of what’s involved in a degree, what to look for when searching for a university and providing you with all the nuggets of information you need to make an informed choice about whether you feel a degree is right for you. It also provides you with tips and advice on what you should be thinking about and how to make the most of those first few weeks if you decide to start your degree.

Undertaking a degree is a wonderful accomplishment but getting a 1st Class Honours is something many students only dream of. A high-level degree opens up many more opportunities and is incredibly valuable to academics and employers alike. Achieving a first-class degree shows evidence of much more in-depth planning and research, highlighting to future employers and academics that you have the tenacity and drive to succeed in everything you put your mind to.

A first-class degree however, can only be achieved by actively pursuing your studies. This involves thinking much more critically about your sources and actively engaging in discussion with your lecturers and peers. It involves a greater level of skill and knowledge that is only available through an active pursuit of information and an inquisitive mind. And it is available to anyone. Whatever your background may be, anyone can achieve a high-level degree by improving their skillset and expanding their knowledge. This book seeks to guide you step-by-step through a range of elements that will help you achieve a first-class degree.

Once you have mastered your degree, know how to research well, plan effectively and produce high quality essays Part III looks at how you can further your degree. More and more students are graduating these days with a first-class degree, which is important but the demands on students to stand out from the competition after graduating makes it more difficult than ever to secure that ideal job or place on a postgraduate course. This leaves students feeling understandably frustrated.

So, what can you do to change that? Well, the good news is, there are a variety of things you can get involved in or pursue whilst at university in order to enhance your degree. Part III looks at the most common things you can do, without it affecting your grades.

This final part discusses the world of volunteering, offering an insight into opportunities you can get involved in that cannot only enhance your academic CV, but also selflessly help others. It encourages you to think about taking up sports or getting involved in societies, which cannot only help to keep you fit and healthy, but network with others and give yourself a much-needed break from your academic world of study. This last point being paramount to success – if you burn out, you are unlikely to succeed.

We delve deeper into ways in which you can expand your knowledge and skills through getting involved in seminars and conferences. From simply attending them to presenting your own key ideas and research, this part discusses the importance of seminars and conferences not only for your academic development, but for your overall success and future employability.

We then discuss the world of writing, the many platforms you can write for and the way in which it improves your ability to articulate ideas to a range of audiences. It considers the many benefits of developing your language, vocabulary and wide range of writing styles.

Finally, I encourage you to think ahead from an early stage in your academic career, identifying opportunities which are relevant to your future goals and aspirations and setting yourself up for success.

I WILL ALSO SHARE WITH you my own experiences and success through furthering my degree, showing you exactly what can be achieved!

Part I

Starting Your Degree

Chapter 1

Why should I do a degree?

AS YOU HAVE ALREADY started to read this book, then the chances are you are already seriously considering undertaking a degree. Perhaps you’re not entirely sure yet or want to get an idea about what may be involved before you dip your toes into it. Either way I can tell you straight away (from my own experience), that doing a degree is a wonderful experience and WILL help expand your mindset, meet new people and gain a recognised qualification, but it isn’t the easiest journey to undertake. Researching all your options however, is the first step and great practice for your degree!

Choosing to do a degree is probably one of the biggest decisions you will have made in your life so far. It is also incredibly exciting and believe me when I tell you, that you will have some amazing experiences and there is nothing greater than the satisfaction of your achievement on graduation day! There are however numerous alternative options available to you including apprenticeships, work-based training, self-employment to name just a few. It really depends on your reasons for wanting to do a degree as to whether this option is right for you.

If you would rather be in the workplace, earn a salary and learn on the job then you may wish to pause and consider looking into alternative options for your career progression. If, however, you’re looking to gain a globally recognised qualification, improve your position in the workplace, increase your knowledge in a particular subject,