Tips and Tricks : Studying @ KU Leuven.

Orientation Days05/02/2014

Karel Joos

Study Advice Service

Introductory video

Video : Study Succes @ K.U.Leuven

(www.kuleuven.be/studysupport)

Themes

• Relationship Student-Professor

• Study Method

• Time Management

• Cultural Differences in the Study Approach

• Different kinds of courses and assignments

• Writing Papers/Master Thesis

• Exam Expectations

• Practical Information

Relationship Student-Professor• Not too familiar

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

• Respecting the hierarchy

• Professors appreciate : o Critically o Coöperatingo Independent

Study Method

• 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

• Memorizing literally?o To know – to do

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

Time Management

• Hours of studying

• When to begin?

• Where to study?o Roomo Libraryo Agora

• Study planning

• What does the academic year look like?

Overview of the academic year

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

Different kinds of courses and assignments

o Lecture/Tutorial

o Exercise Session - Integrated Practical (compulsory, permanent evaluation)

o Group Presentations

o Paper/Essayo Master Thesis/Dissertation (independent working,

limited coaching)

Writing papers/master thesis

• Goal : personal, independant synthesis of literature• 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/

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 Criteriao Master : zero tolerance >< Erasmus

• Ombudsperson

Grading (mere indication of what to expect in general)

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

Grading for Exchange

• Conversion of markso www.kuleuven.be/onderwijs/ects/situering/faculteiten

• F.i. o 14/20 in KU Leuveno = +/- 50% of passed (>10/20)o corresponds to 50% of passed in your home universityo = ???

Practical information

• Registration o Student number + Passwords for Toledo and ISP

• Start classes : Monday Feb. 9th ‘15

• ISP = Individual Study Programme + IER (“Individueel ExamenRooster”, Individual Exam Schedule)o Choosing electives o Numerus clausus? o Exam planningo Before Wed 25th of Febo Sessions in faculty/programme

• Toledo : toledo.kuleuven.be

Digital info

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

• www.kuleuven.be/studyadviceo Study advice service

Contact

Karel Joos

Study Advice Service

Naamsestraat 80

3000 Leuven

016/32 43 11

www.kuleuven.be/studyadvice

> Contact form

Questions?

The End