Student perspectives – Study Skills

Student Perspectives: Balancing Part-Time Work and Study

Posted on February 26, 2025February 26, 2025 by tim.worth

It’s very common for students to have part-time work and study at the same time, but that can bring pressures and difficulties in managing your time. Here, the Bristol Futures Student Advocates share their ideas, tips and experiences of balancing part-time work and study.

How do I split my time and priorities between work and study?

Many students choose to take on part-time jobs to support them financially while at university. However, it is important to keep in mind how many contact hours you have a week/ how many hours of work you are expected to put in outside of those hours. For example, some weeks I’ll have quite a lot of contact hours, which means that I have less availability to work and so flexibility within a job is important to me.

Additionally, time management becomes more important when taking on a part-time job that fits around your studying. Some people may prefer to work more weekends and complete most of their course-related tasks during the week, while others may prefer to work in a job during the week and use the weekend to catch-up on university work. Either way, it can help to visualise the next week ahead before it starts and make sure you know when your shifts are, when you have university and anything else you might have planned.

Having a job as a student might also make having a good work-life balance challenging. Making sure you have time do things that you enjoy outside of a job and university is important for your mental-wellbeing, so don’t be afraid to politely decline a work shift if it means you won’t have the time to do things you enjoy too.

Ana Maria FB, BVSc1

Photo of Eliana, a contributor to this blog post — Eliana Garcia Bustos

Balancing part-time work with studies, especially in engineering, requires careful planning to ensure that academic progress isn’t negatively impacted. As an international student, adhering to the 20-hour work limit is essential to maintain visa compliance. It’s crucial to manage work hours in a way that doesn’t conflict with important study times, especially during major deadlines.

In group projects, effective communication is key. I rely on platforms like Slack or Microsoft Teams to keep everyone updated. Ideally, I’d prefer a job near campus with flexible hours, so I can work around lab sessions and group meetings. Academics must always take precedence, as a strong academic record can open more career opportunities. It’s important to recognise personal limits and explore alternatives like scholarships or financial planning. Discussing plans with tutors or supervisors can also offer valuable insights and help avoid potential challenges.

Ultimately, balancing work and study is possible with clear priorities, effective time management, and self-awareness.

Eliana Garcia, Mechanical an Electrical engineering, year 3

How do I manage my work shifts around my studies?

As a student, studying has always been my first priority but sometimes I would also like to do some part-time work to have some extra money. The key is to have some flexibility so that you have room to adjust. For example, I will have 2 days in a week for academic preparation, revision and coursework completion (if necessary). I always arrange my part-time shifts in between my lectures for other weekdays. Most university part-time jobs are flexible so you can arrange shifts that fit your schedule in most of the time. If not, you are always welcomed to email the manager to address that issue.

Ho Wang Adrian Tung, BSc Biomedical Sciences Year 2

A picture of Louna Larose, a contributor to this blog post — Louna Larose

On paper, following a plan works really well, but sometimes, life gets in the way and all you can do to tackle it is flexibility. During busy assessment weeks and times where I feel overwhelmed, asking people for help is always the solution: speaking to my manager to take on less shifts a certain week, asking if anyone can help cover my shifts, or as simple as blurting out everything on my mind to a friend.

Louna Larose, Psychology BSc Year 2

I have two criteria when selecting a part-time work: whether the shifts are flexible and whether it is far from the university. Most of parttime jobs I do are flexible in time: If I have a time conflicts, I contact the team leader as soon as possible, and they can find someone to cover for me. But for some works, I am required to give, for instance, three days’ notice. Therefore, my suggestion is to discuss this with your team leader, know their requirements, and contact them ASAP if your plan changes. Also, I prefer to work near the university to save time. If a work requires me to travel for an hour, generally I will not consider it.

Jiamiao Chen, PhD, Department of English

What are the specific impacts of my course on managing a part-time job?

The most significant impact of a part-time job on my study is losing my revision and free time. However, this can be solved by organized time-management (having flexibility) as mentioned above. Part-time jobs might increase stress as you are bearing more responsibility. Always talk to someone whom you feel comfortable with if you find your stress is affecting your wellbeing. Regarding legal requirements, always check how many hours your visa allows you to work and make sure you commit to it.

Ho Wang Adrian Tung, BSc Biomedical Sciences Year 2

Balancing part-time work and studies isn’t always easy, especially as a final year student, but with some planning and flexibility, it’s definitely doable.

Since I’m in final year, studying is my top priority so I keep everything organised by scheduling my classes, shifts and study sessions on my phone calendar. Having it all in one place helps me stay on top of things and avoid double-booking myself. I always block out at least three full days each week for revision, coursework, and exam prep, while planning my shifts on other days around my other commitments.

When deadlines pile up or my course gets more demanding, I’ve found it really helpful to communicate with my manager. I love the flexibility that part-time university jobs offer because they make it so much easier to fit work around my academic commitments, which is so important during a busy year like this.

Of course, balancing work and study can sometimes feel overwhelming, but having a clear schedule and being able to adjust when needed really helps. Taking breaks and talking to friends when I’m stressed also keeps me feeling grounded.

Maansi Gupta, Economics Year 3

As an international student how do I manage legal requirements, work and study?

A picture of Jiamiao Chen, a contributor to this blog post — Jiamiao Chen

As an international student working on a student visa and restricted to work no more than 20 hours per week, the most important thing to bear in mind is that I should keep my working hours strictly within this limit. Considering how expensive living in Bristol is, I am often tempted to work for 20 hours each week. However, studying should always be prioritised over working, and whenever there are time conflicts between my work and my seminars or lectures, I always choose to attend academic lectures. There will be plenty of time for us to work after graduation, and what you learn now can prepare you to find more suitable work in the future. So, the most significant thing is to resist the temptation to spend too much time on your part-time work!

Jiamiao Chen, PhD, Department of English

Being an international student has many challenges, firstly, coming to a new country, new place, and getting to know new people. It is scary how you can adjust to university life with a blink of an eye. I enjoyed my academic life, assessments, and modules. I loved how interactive and social University of Bristol is, especially when it comes to its diverse schemes for student jobs. Being a student advocate has opened so many doors for me. I loved working with students, interacting with different tutors and mentors, it was a nice change from all the academic studying.

Sarah Al-Shahabi, MSci Cancer Biology and Immunology

As an international student, my legal requirements are to work no more than 20 hours per week during term time, ensuring that enough time is focussed on my studies at the same time. Balancing work and studies can be tricky but it is a learning curve and just takes some practice. And overall, makes my university life just that much more fruitful and fulfilling.

Louna Larose, Psychology BSc Year 2

How does a part-time job impact my wellbeing?

Balancing work, life, and academics is something everyone strives for, and with proper organisation, it can be quite achievable. Managing my time was actually one of my favourite parts. Something as simple as an Outlook planning session each week made a huge difference in keeping my schedule organised. I loved having the flexibility to set my own working hours, report to my managers, and connect with students from different courses and backgrounds. It made balancing everything so much easier and more enjoyable. The people I met through study skills at the university were some of the kindest, most inspiring individuals, and I feel lucky to have been part of that.

Sarah Al-Shahabi, MSci Cancer Biology and Immunology

A big part of university is the experiences you gain alongside your studies. For me, that’s balancing academics with social life, sports and a part-time job. I plan my day by time-blocking hours dedicated to each activity and prioritising. This challenges me to work more efficiently and effectively in the time period I give myself. At the same time, having a range of activities helps motivate me to work harder during my study blocks.

Louna Larose, Psychology BSc Year 2

If you want to learn more about balancing work with studies check out the other blog posts in our series.

Balancing Part-Time Work and Study: Restrictions and benefits as an international student

Posted on February 21, 2025 by tim.worth

In this part of our series on balancing part-time work and study, English Literature PhD student Jiamiao Chen discusses the limitations but also the skills development opportunities that working part-time can bring.

Therefore, I am very selective about what types of part-time work I do. I usually choose part-time work which aligns with my current research interests and will contribute to my personal development. For instance, I work as a study skills student advocate and deliver workshops to help students improve their study skills. I was an introvert before, and I know that after graduating from the University, I want to teach English Literature. Communicating with people and having some teaching experiences are the core skills I need to become a qualified lecturer in the near future, and my work experience provides me with an opportunity to practice and develop these skills. This work experience also improves my teamwork skills, and although I am not yet a team leader, I can observe from my team leaders very good leadership skills, which I can learn and apply to my future work. Most importantly, I get some extra income! This greatly eases my financial burden and boosts my self-confidence, as I know that I can use what I learn to help other people, and I am confident to find a job I am interested in with my current work experience.

I achieve a nice balance between studying and working, and my part-time work also helps to improve my wellbeing and makes me feel a deeper sense of belonging to the community of the University.

Jiamiao Chen, PhD English Literature

Student perspectives: preparing for December assessments

Posted on November 18, 2024November 28, 2024 by tim.worth

In the latest blog from our Student Perspectives series the Student Advocates provide top tips for preparing for December assessments.

1. Think about how you’re being assessed

Around exam time, it’s very easy to get so caught up in trying to learn the content that you forget to check how the exam is formatted and what exactly is expected. Don’t forget to check mark schemes, timings and past papers. Consider:

How many questions are there?
Is there an opportunity to choose from a list of questions? If so in-depth knowledge of certain areas will be more beneficial than a surface-level understanding of all of them.
How much time do I have in total?
How long is advisable to spend on each section?
What knowledge or skills are they looking for?

Whilst these considerations are easily overlooked, having definite answers to these questions will make you feel much more centred and prepared come the big day.

Rachel Shortall, English and Philosophy, Year 2

2. Create an effective study routine

Photo of Emma, the author of this blog post First, create a revision schedule, which will help you to stay organized and focused. For example, I block out time on my calendar to revise specific topics and include dedicated break times.

Secondly, set up a good study environment. Our external environment can affect our revision efficiency significantly. Here are some important considerations when setting up our study environment:

Have a natural light source.
Remove distractions from the dedicated workspace.
Noise control using ear plugs or white noises or calming music.
Have a comfortable chair.

Finally, buddy up! Joining revision groups or revising with friends can really help to maintain motivation.

Emma Lau, Veterinary Science, BVSc5

3. Be aware of your units’ Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

Focus on the Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) of your units to identify the skills and knowledge that you’re being assessed on. Based on the ILOs set yourself some questions similar to the exam format to test yourself on that particular topic. If you are not familiar with that topic, go over it again and try to recall it after a certain period.

Adrian Tung, Biomedical Sciences, Year 2

4. Give yourself a break

A photo of Maansi, a contributor to this blog post

Make sure to schedule regular breaks during study sessions. Stepping away from your work (even for just 10 minutes) can help clear your mind and reduce stress.

Go for a short walk, have a snack, or listen to music to reset before going back to your revision.

Maansi Gupta, Economics Year 3

5. Don’t be afraid to ask for help

Meeting and talking to the right people often helps to solve my problems or, at least, makes me feel less stressful. There are lots of people you can go to:

If you have questions regarding your subject see if you can schedule a meeting with your lecturers. Most of them have weekly office hours where they meet with students who need help. If you have a mentor or supervisor, you can also contact them.
If you feel stressful, you can book an appointment and chat with the University Wellbeing team.
For Study Skills support you can come to our drop-ins at the Study Skills Hub in Senate House to talk about anything related to study skills, time management, assessment preparation, etc.

Jiamiao Chen, English Lit, PhD

If you’d like any more support with preparing for assessments then check out our online resources, drop-ins, tutorials and workshops – all available via the Study Skills webpage.

Student Perspectives: top tips for studying at university

Posted on October 4, 2024October 4, 2024 by tim.worth

As we settle down into the new academic year our Student Advocates give their top tips for studying at university. For more study skills support from our advocates come and talk to them at our drop-ins at the Study Skills Hub in Senate House.

Upgrade to University

Photo of Emma, a contributor to this blog post — Emma Lau

The most significant difference I noticed between school and university is the increased autonomy in how we study. Unlike in school, we have access to options like Re/Play and Livestream, which allow for more flexible learning. This independence necessitates stronger time management skills, as the responsibility for our learning falls more heavily on us.

– Emma Lau, Veterinary Science, Year 5.

Perhaps the biggest difference in comparing university to A-levels is having much more freedom – both time-wise and content-wise – and this can be both exciting and daunting. In my experience the Arts and Humanities courses give a lot of information on broad topics within your subject, and you can choose to investigate things more or less depending on how interesting you find them. One of my top tips would be to check well in advance when your assessments are and how you are being examined, because at university it is up to you to structure your learning around your own interests and what you think will help you excel in your assessments.

– Rachel Shortall, English and Philosophy, Year 2.

At the start of each unit or topic you’ll be given Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs). These tell you what you’re expected to learn. I found it helpful to revisit them when reviewing for exams or assignments. If you can tick off the ILOs, you’re on the right track. Each unit at university can also have a different approach to learning, as each one will have different learning outcomes. Some may provide asynchronous videos for you to watch before attending lectures, while others might require you to complete problem sheets in advance. Stay flexible, and adjust your study habits accordingly.

– Yifan Qiao, Aerospace Engineering, Year 4

For more help on transitioning to studying at university level see our Upgrade to University online resource.

Managing your time

During my first year, I used Trello to create a structured weekly schedule that helped me to prioritize tasks by focusing on what was most important and urgent, set reminders for upcoming deadlines, and create detailed to-do lists to track my progress. I color-coded tasks based on their urgency and subject, making it easy to see what needed immediate attention. Aditionally, I applied the Pomodoro Technique, where I studied for a set amount of time followed by a short break.

– Eliana Garcia, Mechanical and electrical Engineering, Year 3

Keep track of deadlines and obligations with a to-do list! Whether you prefer a physical list or an app like Things 3 (my personal favourite), writing things down is key. As soon as you become aware of a deadline or other task coming up, jot it down into your to-do list. Then, once you have a moment, make a plan for when and how you’re going to tackle it. If you make this a habit you will be sure to stay on top of all of your deadlines.

– Josh Perry, Physics, Year 4

Break tasks into smaller goals and set deadlines. I used to procrastinate when faced with long essays because I felt like I had to sit down and write the whole thing in one go, which seemed impossible. So I started breaking it down into daily goals that fit into my routine. On day one, I might spend 30 minutes gathering sources and skimming them for useful quotes. The next day, I’d dedicate an hour to outlining the essay and drafting a plan. By day three, I’d aim to write just 300–500 words at a time. Taking it step by step not only made the process feel less overwhelming but also gave me the satisfaction of ticking off smaller accomplishments throughout the week.

– Maansi Gupta, Economics, Year 3

For more tips on managing your time check out our Time Management online resource.

Taking notes

A photo of Dylan Webster-Deakin, a contributor to this blog post — Dylan Webster-Deakin

Particularly in first year note taking can be very much a ‘trial and error’ process. You may take too many or too few, or note down something you believe to be super important which then turns out to be useless, so my first tip is: don’t worry if you get it wrong. Like with a lot of things at uni, with time you’ll figure out what works for you.

My second tip is to always think ‘how am I being assessed in this module? What will the essay or exam be on?’ and then identify what information is necessary for this assessment.

– Dylan Webster-Deakin, French and Italian, Year 4

I would suggest using first year to try out different methods of note-taking and studying to find a good routine that works for you. As most students like to take notes and study digitally, there are numerous apps and sites that are available to try. Examples that I often hear about or have used include Goodnotes, Notion, Anki and OneNote. The best way to find what works for you is to try them out, and if it isn’t working don’t be afraid to change it up and try another, or use a combination of methods.

– Ana Maria FB, Veterinary Science (BVSc1)

a photograph of Shraddha, a contributor to the blog post — Shraddha Sriraman

OneNote has been amazing to have different tabs for each module – it’s done wonders for my organisation! I’d also say having a Notes section on your phone with a ‘plan of the day’ makes it much easier to structure your time. For those with closed-book exams, active recall is your best friend! Lots of people use flashcard apps, e.g. Quizlet or Anki to continually review high-yield content from previous lectures and keep that information fresh in your mind.

– Shraddha Sriraman, Medicine, Year 4

Personally, I found both OneNote and Notion useful for digital note taking. However, different people may prefer different applications. Therefore, I recommend considering the following factors when picking your note taking tool:

Compatibility: Ensure the tool integrates well with the university’s systems (e.g., syncs with Outlook).

User Interface: Choose a tool with a layout and design that appeals to you and is easy to navigate.

Features: Look for features that match your needs, such as task prioritization, reminders, or progress tracking.

Accessibility: Consider whether you need access across multiple devices (computer, phone, tablet).

Learning Curve: Evaluate how much time you’re willing to invest in learning a new system.

– Emma Lau, Veterinary Science, Year 5

For more support with note-taking check out our Making and Using Notes online resource.

Other study skills top tips

Study with a buddy! Having a study buddy not only makes learning more fun, but it can also be helpful for group assessments, which are more common in uni. Collaborating with others can deepen your understanding and give you new perspectives on the material.

– Yifan Qiao, Aerospace Engineering, Year 4

Create a structured system, such as a mind map, to understand the interconnectedness of your units. Branch out core concepts and methods for each unit and identify the overlaps with other units. Use the map as a study tool – always ask how new concepts relate to others, link the theory and the data, and see the big picture.

– Dana Gutu, Economics, Year 3

Take a good rest when you are tired and don’t feel guilty; I have experiences staying up late until 2am or 3am, and that makes me work less effectively in the long run. When you feel really tired it is important to go to sleep and tell yourself “tomorrow is another day”. It’s easier for you to follow your plan and manage your time effectively when you feel energetic.

– Jiamiao Chen, Department of English, Year 4

A photograph of Ryan Lam, a contributor to this blog post — Ryan Lam

Think about your lifestyle. What are you eating? When do you exercise? How much do you sleep? While this might not be related to studying at first glance, I often find a day not as productive as usual only because I stayed up too late the day before.

Being mindful of your lifestyle could be helpful when you feel like you are struggling with studying. Hitting the gym might tire you out immediately after, but you might find yourself more energetic to start work the next day! So in general, I would encourage others to keep up with your life as well as your studies.

– Ryan Lam, Mathematics, PhD

For more study skills support visit our website to access online resources, drop-in sessions, one-to-one tutorials and workshops.

Student perspectives: 5 last minute revision top tips from a health sciences student

Posted on April 30, 2024 by tim.worth

Photo of Emma, the author of this blog post

Student Advocate Emma Lau (Veterinary Sciences) shares some tips and techniques for preparing for upcoming assessments.

With summer exams approaching, we inevitably start gearing up in preparation for our intense revision in the upcoming revision week! Here I want to share the top 5 tips I have from studying for university exams in the past four years.

A bit about myself: I am a fourth-year student studying veterinary science. As many of you may know, it is quite a content-heavy subject. The following tips may not be as applicable to some of you doing a more applicable subject, such as Mathematics and computer science, or those doing essay subjects, such as History and Psychology. However, I believe there are some transferable skills for revising for exams.

1. Stay flexible to prevent procrastination

This is one of the transferable revision skills regardless of the subject you do. It may sound simple, but if a topic is tedious or not your interest or focus, we may want to procrastinate.

Question: How can I prevent procrastination?

Some people plan their revision schedule a few weeks prior to revision week or even a month before their exam date. I have tried that in previous years. Unfortunately, this method did not work as well for me. My tip will be to stay flexible on the topics to revise. Setting a goal to go through a set number of topics instead of a defined topic works better for me. Mixing around different topics will keep our motivation, maximising our revision efficiency.

2. Use modified Cornell note-taking method

As you may have heard, the Cornell note taking method is known to be an effective way of note taking. I modified this method when I revisited my initial notes to create a summary revision table.

First, I put the relevant Intended Learning Outcome (ILO) on the top of the page. I then organise my notes into two columns – one with questions/ hints and another column with answers. For content that can be organised into a table, I also put a table underneath the ILO.

Here’s an example of my own adapted Cornell-style notes

3. Mind mapping

Mind maps are a great way to perform active recall of taught materials! There are several different applications that I have tried and found useful. Click on each one to view an example of how I use them in practice:

They all have different pros and cons, so have a look at some of my examples to see which app you prefer. If you are looking for collaboration with your friends, only Miro and Padlet will have the function.

4. Use AI for summarisation and incorporate the “Read Aloud” function

Seeing the long list of ILOs can be daunting, making it difficult to find a starting point to condense your notes. I recommend inputting the ILOs into a large language model (LLM), such as Claude or ChatGPT, followed by your notes and ask it to summarize your notes for you. This will provide you with a quick overview of the specific topic.

In addition to that, I would recommend using the “Read Aloud” function to listen to the summarised content. The multisensory learning approach has proven to be a powerful tool to enhance information comprehension and retention. I must admit that I remember way more content in a shorter time frame than I would have otherwise been able to. Therefore, it is definitely worth considering during your last couple of weeks for revision.

Here I use Claude to generate summaries of specific topics based entirely on my own written notes.

However, it is worth noting that the university has a strict copyright policy regarding teaching materials, and you musn’t upload lecture slides or materials created by your lecturer or other people. Therefore, when putting notes onto AI tools, it must be from our own paraphrased notes. In addition, if we do not want the chat to be remembered or used as further AI training data, logging into Microsoft Copilot would be a better alternative than ChatGPT and Claude. The only limitation with Microsoft Copilot is that you are limited to pasting 4000 characters per message.

For more guidance and support on using AI tools for your studies check out the Study Skills team’s Using AI at University online resource.

5. Practice, practice, practice

Lastly, I must emphasise the importance of practice. For subjects with past papers access I recommend doing as many of those as you can. For health science subjects that do not have access to past papers, Peerwise and your own flashcards will be good alternatives. Spaced repetition (regularly returning and reviewing) is key to remembering factual content, while understanding past papers will help set more realistic expectations on the exam format. These allow you to be more confident and calmer on exam dates.

That’s my five top tips for when revising during the revision week. If you want to try out any of the mentioned tools above and learning about details on how to access it, you can find more information on this page. Hope you have found this blog useful, and best of luck with your exams!

Do you have any revision tips of your own? Share them in comments below!

Student Perspectives: 5 of the best places to study in Bristol when the libraries are full

Posted on April 12, 2024 by tim.worth

Helen, the author of the blog post

In this blog post Student Advocate Helen March (History) explores study spaces in the city outside of the University.

The university libraries are a great place to study during term time, but they can get super busy. This can make it a real challenge to get your work done, especially during exam time. Here’s a few suggestions of places you can go when the libraries are full up and you’re struggling to find a place to knuckle down.

1. Bristol Central Library Reading Room

A great place to start with is the central library just off college green. Tucked out the way of the University, the library is really quiet during weekdays and has a beautiful reading room.

Sign up for a free library card and you can have access to their wifi and stay there all day. The staff are really lovely and there’s even a coffee shop on the ground floor!

This Photo by Steve Cadman is licensed under CC BY. https://flic.kr/p/5Jgo4F

2. Clifton Library

Did you know there’s a library in Clifton Village? Neither did I until this year! Tucked between cafes and pubs, the library is small, but generally really quiet. Plus, there’s loads of pubs nearby to grab a quick pint at the end of a long study day.

3. The Cloakroom Cafe

This quirky cafe was once an Edwardian public loo! Located just down the hill from the university, it’s a great place to get your reading done away from the bustle of students trying to find their lectures. Top Tip – The hot chocolate here is amazing!

4. The Botanical Gardens

This Photo by Nick is licensed under CC BY. https://flic.kr/p/fho2Z8

If you live in Stoke Bishop, you might want somewhere a bit closer to you! When I lived up there, I often found it hard to find space in the Hiatt Baker study centre. Instead, why not head over to the Botanical Gardens, (Don’t worry I’m not telling you to try and work in a flower bed!).

They’ve got a lovely cafe hidden round the back of the building, where you can get your work done in a peaceful environment!

5. The Arnolfini

The Arnolfini is primarily an art gallery, but it’s also got a cafe which is great for studying in. Located on the docks, it’s a scenic place to watch boats go by whilst you struggle to work out that problem you just can’t get your head round. Plus, you can take a break to look round some of their amazing exhibits!

Do you have any other suggestions for study spaces beyond the University? Let us know in the comments!

Student perspective: Revising with AI tutors as a veterinary student

Posted on December 14, 2023December 14, 2023 by study.skills

by Emma Lau, Veterinary Science student and Bristol Futures Advocate

In schools, we are very used to having a tutor to guide us with our learning. However, university teaching is more self-directed and independent It can be quite a big shock to some of us, particularly first-years students, at least that’s what I felt three years ago when I first started vet school.

Veterinary Science is a content heavy subject, having a tutor undoubtedly will help you revise more efficiently and effectively. I never thought I would be able to do that until ChatGPT was launched in November 2022.

Why should we use AI tutor for revision?

Here’s are the two main reasons:

1. Breaking the chains of procrastination.

Procrastination has always been a nemesis of students, and I am no exception. Unlike the monotony of reading through notes, the interactive nature of AI tutoring helps me to stay motivated and on track on my revision plan.

2. Refined learning efficiency.

Content taught any courses in universities, especially health sciences, can be overwhelming. AI can help us to organise and condense our notes. The Q&A method adopted by AI tutor makes my learning process more efficient and enjoyable.

What next?

After knowing the benefits of utilising AI for revision, the next step will be to generate your own AI tutor. It can be difficult and time consuming to create your own bot from scratch. Fortunately, there are plenty of examples of AI tutor bots on the internet for us to use as a template. One of a good example is on the Study Skills online resource Using AI at University! I have been using that template since the release of the resources. It has been very useful as it will start by asking your level of knowledge and then question you on the topic one concept at a time. I also provide ChatGPT or Claude with my notes so they can tailor the questions based on my lecture notes.

Examples on how to utilise AI tutor

Below are some detailed examples of how I used ChatGPT and Claude for revision, hopefully that may inspire some of you on how to use your AI tutor!

1. General review of a topic

Prompt reads: You are an upbeat, encouraging tutor who helps students understand concepts by explaining ideas and asking students questions. Start by introducing yourself to the student as their AI-Tutor who is happy to help them with any questions. Only ask one question at a time. First, ask them what they would like to learn about. Wait for the response. Then ask them about their learning level: Are you a high school student, a college student or a professional? Wait for their response. Then ask them what they know already about the topic they have chosen. Wait for a response. Given this information, help students understand the topic by providing explanations, examples, analogies. These should be tailored to students learning level and prior knowledge or what they already know about the topic. Give students explanations, examples, and analogies about the concept to help them understand. You should guide students in an open-ended way. Do not provide immediate answers or solutions to problems but help students generate their own answers by asking leading questions. Ask students to explain their thinking. If the student is struggling or gets the answer wrong, try asking them to do part of the task or remind the student of their goal and give them a hint. If students improve, then praise them and show excitement. If the student struggles, then be encouraging and give them some ideas to think about. When pushing students for information, try to end your responses with a question so that students have to keep generating ideas. Once a student shows an appropriate level of understanding given their learning level, ask them to explain the concept in their own words; this is the best way to show you know something, or ask them for examples. When a student demonstrates that they know the concept you can move the conversation to a close and tell them you’re here to help if they have further questions. — Prompt borrowed from Using AI as a Tutor

EL - Phenobutyrone. AI - Yes, close. The notes state to use IV phenylbutazone for mild-moderate colic pain in an ambulatory setting. Phenylbutazone (bute) is an NSAID pain medication often used for lameness and colic cases. What medication can help relax the rectum to aid in performing a rectal exam on a colicky horse according to the notes? EL - Buscopan AI - Excellent! The notes specify using hyoscine (Buscopan) to help relax the rectum and aid in rectal examination of a colicky horse. To summarise main points so far ... — Chat excerpt: testing veterinary knowledge on equine colic

2. Creating practice MCQs (multiple choice questions)

The image gives three examples of multiple choice questions generate by ChatGPT on the topic of the Barium follow through study — Multiple choice question generated by ChatGPT

If you’re looking to revolutionize your study routine, why not give AI tutors a try? Whether it’s ChatGPT, Claude, or other available resources, such as Q-chat on Quizlet, incorporating AI into your learning can make the process more interactive and enjoyable.

For more information about using AI tools for study, see our online guide to Using AI at University

Student perspective: My journey with MarginNote mind maps

Posted on December 14, 2023December 12, 2023 by study.skills

by Allison Sia, Law student and Bristol Futures Advocate

Imagine the convenience of an app seamlessly transforming your highlights into dynamic mind maps…

This thought has lingered at the back of my mind since my second year at the university after reading 80+ articles and dedicated countless hours to crafting mind maps by hand whilst dreading the process. Since then, it has always been a quest for me to find an app that tailored to this specific need. If you are currently in a similar situation, join me in exploring MarginNote as I candidly discuss its benefits and drawbacks whilst shedding light on the overall user experience.

Mind map with one main heading and four sub-headings. Two of the sub-headings have additional branches coming off them. — STARTING: As you set out the headings and subheadings for quick reference

Advantages of the Margin Note app

Efficiency and time-Saving features. One of the standout advantages of this app lies in its remarkable ability to automatically generate mind maps. This not only streamlines the entire process but also translates to significant time savings. You could say goodbye to tedious manual creation as the app effortlessly transforms your highlighted texts into a well-organised mind map, allowing you to invest your time more effectively in understanding and synthesizing information.
Transformation of messy handwritten mind maps. Reflecting on my early attempts at crafting mind maps by hand, I vividly recall the frustration of dealing with the inevitable messiness that ensued. Rewriting those mind maps became a recurring task, consuming valuable study time that could be dedicated for more further reading materials. Now, with the app’s automated mind map generation, I bid farewell to the chaos of messy handwritten drafts.
Headings: enhanced organization & personalisation. This feature allows you to add a layer of organization to your content, making it easier to identify key concepts and crucial information. Personally, I found this particularly helpful as it enabled me to highlight key details and even express concepts in my own words. The app’s flexibility in accommodating these personalised touches enhanced my ability to tailor the mind maps to my unique learning style.

Advantages of mind mapping

Instant insight into article content. Mind mapping provides a swift and comprehensive overview of article content. By visually structuring key ideas and their relationships, users can gain immediate insight into the core themes and main points discussed, facilitating a quick grasp of the article’s overarching message.
Efficient information retrieval. One of the prime benefits of mind mapping is its ability to streamline information retrieval. Where you would be able to swiftly locate specific details, facts, or concepts within the mind map, eliminating the need for time-consuming searches through lengthy texts. This efficiency is particularly valuable when seeking targeted information for research or study purposes.
Enhanced memory retention through quick scans. The visual nature of mind maps enables users to engage in rapid scans, aiding in the retention of information. By associating concepts with visual cues and spatial arrangements, the mind map becomes a memory aid. This quick scan approach proves especially effective in reinforcing key details and improving overall memory recall.
Conceptual breakdown into digestible units. Mind mapping excels in breaking down complex concepts into easily digestible, bite-sized chunks. Each branch or node represents a specific aspect, allowing for a focused examination of individual components. This process of deconstructing information enhances comprehension and promotes a more thorough understanding of intricate subject matter.

Limitations of the Margin Note app

Absence of highlighting on mind maps. One notable constraint of MarginNotes is its limitation in facilitating direct highlighting on the mind map itself. While the app excels in automatically generating mind maps from your highlights, it falls short when it comes to allowing users to visually emphasize or color-code specific branches or nodes on the mind map. This absence of a highlighting feature on the mind map may be perceived as a drawback for users who prefer a more visually interactive and customizable approach to studying.
Inability to bold words on the mind map. Another notable limitation lies in the app’s inability to apply formatting options, such as bolding, directly on the mind map. The significance of bolding cannot be overstated, especially in the context of identifying and emphasizing keywords within the text. Bolded words serve as visual cues, aiding in the quick recognition of essential terms or concepts. The absence of this formatting feature within the mind map may be a hindrance to those who rely on visual distinctions for efficient information retrieval.

Limitations of mind mapping

Applicability to diverse article types. Mind mapping, while a powerful tool, may not be universally suitable for all types of articles. Particularly, content-heavy articles laden with intricate statistics might pose a challenge for effective mind mapping. The visual nature of mind maps may struggle to encapsulate the quantitative nuances found in such articles, potentially limiting their applicability to certain genres of content.
Passive engagement during mind map creation. An identified limitation arises during the creation of mind maps, especially when utilizing an app. The process may inadvertently lead to a more passive engagement with the text. While the intention is to distil information into a visual format, the risk is that users may opt for a quick skimming approach rather than immersing themselves deeply in the content. This shift in engagement levels could potentially result in a less thorough understanding of the material.

Section of a mind map with multiple branches, which then branch further. The branches are colour coded. — You might end up with something like that…

In summary, this app not only saves time through its automated mind map generation but also elevates the quality of your study materials by providing a clean and organized alternative to messy handwritten notes. With the added benefit of customizable headings, it empowers you to shape your learning experience according to your unique preferences, fostering a more effective and personalized approach to studying.

In conclusion, for those interested in creating mind maps, I recommend giving the app’s free trial a go!

For more information about using AI tools for study, see our online guide to Using AI at University

Student discount. According to the official page of MarginNote, you would be eligible for a 40% discount off MarginNote3 if you are currently going to a legit university as a student or teacher after the end of your free trial (14 days). More information to apply is linked here

Student perspective: 3 reasons to do a summer internship at Bristol University

Posted on November 30, 2023 by study.skills

by Eliana Garcia, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering student and Bristol Futures Advocate

I am Eliana Garcia, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering student (BEng). I did a summer internship at Bristol Robotics Laboratory in 2023. It was a transformative experience, include immerse learning, skills development, and self-reflection. and here are three compelling reasons why you should consider an internship at Bristol university.

Putting Learning into Practice

As an intern, I had the chance to apply the theoretical knowledge I had acquired during my studies. Embodied intelligence, a subject I had admired from afar, became tangible as I worked on a project involving a quadruped robot. The open-source, torque-controlled legged robot platform challenged me to translate textbook concepts into real-world solutions. It was exhilarating to see equations come alive in the form of mechanical movements. An internship allows you to test yourself, bridge the gap between theory and practice, and keep your learning active.

Rapidly Acquiring New Information

Internships are like accelerated learning labs. At Bristol Robotics Laboratory, I honed essential study skills that extended beyond the classroom. Academic reading, note-taking, and library research became my daily companions. I learned to navigate research papers effectively, evaluating their relevance and extracting valuable insights. Seeking guidance from subject librarians, I discovered hidden gems in the form of specialized books related to soft robotics and dynamic control. The Cornell Method for notetaking became my secret weapon—capturing key points, making connections, and summarizing material for future reference. These skills are invaluable, whether you’re pursuing academia or venturing into industry.

Photo of robotics equipment

Visualizing My Future Path

Internships offer a glimpse into your professional destiny. As I immersed myself in the world of robotics, I reflected on my strengths, weaknesses, likes, and dislikes. Beyond the lab, I pondered my post-university options. Would I thrive in industry, pushing the boundaries of innovation? Or should I continue my academic journey, pursuing a master’s degree? Perhaps there was an entirely different path waiting—one aligned with my passions. The internship acted as a compass, guiding me toward self-awareness and informed decision-making.

Finally, my time at Bristol Robotics Laboratory expanded my technical knowledge, but it also enriched my academic toolkit. It equipped me with essential skills, broadened my perspective, and allowed me to visualize the myriad paths that lay ahead. So, if you’re considering an internship, don’t merely think of it as a checkbox. Instead, view it as an adventure—a chance to explore, learn, and shape your future. Bristol University awaits, ready to ignite your curiosity and propel you toward greatness.

There are many opportunities for undergraduate and postgraduate students internships and placements. For more information about internships open the following link: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/students/life-in-bristol/careers/internships-and-placements/

Student perspective: overcoming anxieties about giving presentations

Posted on April 20, 2023October 16, 2023 by tim.worth

by Helen March, English and History student and Bristol Futures Advocate

Helen, the author of the blog post Deadline season is looming and along with it comes a myriad of assessments, exams and sometimes even presentations. Delivering presentations at university can often be pretty overwhelming. Most degree programmes will ask you to give at least one during your time at university, and this might be the first time you’ve ever had to speak in public before. This can be quite scary, especially when you are presenting to a large audience or panel. Personally, I found the prospect of communicating my academic ideas incredibly daunting, as it was something I’d never done before.

But it doesn’t have to be daunting! Presentations are a great way to express a level of creativity in an assessment and can often result in really good marks. Below are some helpful tips about public speaking which can help tackle those nerves for your next presentation assessment.

Make a Script or Prompt Cards

It can often help to have some prompts to read from when giving a presentation; nobody is expecting you to remember everything word for word! Whether it’s some flash cards or a word document with your entire script, having something in front of you with the relevant information on will make sure you know what you need to say next. It can prevent you from having a mind blank if you’re worried you’ll panic when you get up in front of everyone.

Eye contact

Having said that, don’t stare at your script too much! It’s important to engage your audience. Although everyone is always encouraged to look people in the eyes when giving presentations this can often be quite difficult to do. It’s also pretty intimidating! Instead, try looking just above people’s heads. It will look like you’re speaking directly at them, but avoid the awkwardness of staring at anyone too much.

Project!

Make sure you are speaking at a good volume. It’s okay to be a bit too loud but make sure you’re not too quiet. As long as everyone can hear you then you should be okay. If you have the opportunity to, it can often help to visit the room you will be presenting in first so you know the size of it, check whether there is a microphone, and can test out how loudly you need to speak.

Practice!

Whether it’s in front of a flat mate, family member or just recording yourself on your phone, practising your presentation before you actually give it can really help. Not only will it make sure you’re familiar with your entire script, but it will improve the communication of your argument and allow you to work out how to pace yourself more easily. It can also help to pick up on anything which you might have missed from your presentation or script when you were putting it together. Practising your script will hopefully mean you’re less reliant on it when it comes to the actual presentation, and your argument will flow more easily.

If you’re still struggling, you can also attend one of our presentation skills workshops, which will give you the opportunity to discuss these skills and try out your public speaking skills.

Have you got any tips for public speaking? Share them below!