Tips and tricks: studying @ KU Leuven.

Degree Seeking Students

Orientation days18/09/2014

Joke Vanhoudt

Study Advice Service

1. Study Advice Service

Prospective students

• Programme information

• Programme selection

KU Leuven students

• Learning skillso Study methodso Planning your work

• Programme information

• Advice on changing programme

• Opportunities for advanced studentso Study abroado Career guidance

A centre of expertise on student learning and study choice. Fosters the development of know-how, prepares policy and provides advice and training for:

Introductory video

Video : Study Succes @ KU Leuven

(www.kuleuven.be/studysupport)

2.Themes

• Relationship Student-Professor

• Study Method – Study skills

• Time Management

• Cultural Differences in the Study Approach

• Different kinds of courses and assignments

• Writing Papers / Master Thesis

• Exam Expectations

• Practical Information

o The story of Peter, master student in chemistry

A. Relationship Student-Professor• Not too familiar

• Asking questions to the professor?o In class : relevance for otherso After class : ‘argumented’ question

• Respecting the hierarchy

• Professors appreciate : o Critically o Coöperatingo Independant

B. Study Method / study skills

• Is taking notes necessary?o Student course books

• What to learn and how?o Text book (marking, reading, analysing)o Exercises (familiar and new)o Notes

B. Study Method / study skills• Critical thinking

o When readingo Analytical thinking

• Memorizing literally? Check your memory style!o To know – to do

• Own examples, counter examples• Comparisons• Exercices• Applications• Critical point of view, …

• The study skills handbook (Author: Stella Cottrell, Editor: Palgrave MacMillan)

• www.skills4study.com

C. Time Management

• What is different with previous study experiences ?

• Hours of studying

• When to begin?

• Where to study?o Roomo Libraryo Agora?

• Study plan

• How does the academic year look like?

Overview of the academic year

D. Cultural differences in the study approach

• Selection before or after studying?o Passing the admission in the beginning ≠ passing the

exams at the end?

• Exam expectations

• Independant thinking and studyingo courses and assignments

(Academic) culture• Power distance

• Individualism

• Masculinity

• Uncertainty avoidance

• Pragmatism

• Indulgence

http://geert-hofstede.com/countries.html

E. Different kinds of courses and assignments

o lecture/tutorial

o exercise session - integrated practical (compulsary, permanent evaluation)

o group presentations

o paper/essayo master thesis/dissertation (independant working,

limited coaching)

F. Writing papers/master thesis

• Goal : personal, independant synthesis of literature, research in lab, …

• What is plagiarism?o Copying or paraphrasing (articles, sites, …) without

acknowledgment. • Referring and citing : some misconceptions : insulting

the professor.• Consequences at KU Leuven :

o http://www.kuleuven.be/plagiarism/

G. Exam Expectations

• Examination Formso Oral (feedback of prof)o Written

• Open questions (structure)• Multiple choice (guessing : -1/3 for wrong answer)

o Paper (plagiarism)o Presentation (not only content)o Exercises

• Deliberation Criteria

• Ombudsperson

Grading

Mark Transcript US ECTS % of succesfull

Your answer

20 Outstanding A+ A 10% Exceptional, additional analyses, additional information19

18

17 Very good A

16 B 25%

15 Good A- Own examples, counter examples, comparisons, critics, application, exercises

14 C 30%

13 Above average B

12 D 25% Structuring answer

11 Satisfactory B-C+ Memorizing literally, basic understanding

10 C E 10%

8-9 Insufficient D Superficial knowlegde-comprehension

0-7 Very insufficient F Lack of knowledge-comprehension

H. Practical information

• Registration o Student number + Passwords for Toledo and ISP

• Start classes : Tuesday Sept. 23th ‘14

• ISP = Individual Study Programmeo Choosing electives o Numerus clausus?o Exam planningo Before the 8th of Octobero Sessions in faculty/programme

• Toledo : toledo.kuleuven.be

Further info sessions

• Tips and tricks 1: Studying @ KU Leuven• Thursday 18th of September 2014

• Tips and tricks 2: Study approach @ KU Leuven• Monday 27th of October 2014, 8pm

• Tips and tricks 3: Time management @ KU Leuven• Monday 27th of October 2014, 9pm

• Tips and tricks 4: Master thesis @ KU Leuven• Monday 17th of November 2014, 8pm

• Tips and tricks 5: Presentation techniques @ KU L• Monday 17th of November2014, 9pm

• Tips and tricks 6: Exams @ KU Leuven• Monday 1st of December 2014, 8pm

Digital info

• www.kuleuven.be/studysupporto Support, services at K.U.Leuven

• www.kuleuven.be/studyadviceo Study advice service

Contact

Joke Vanhoudt

Study Advice Service

Naamsestraat 80

3000 Leuven

016/32 43 11

www.kuleuven.be/studyadvice

> Contact form

Questions?

The End