Education

We may sometimes lose sight of it, but coming to university is primarily about studying.  University can be a pretty different educational experience to that of school or college and adaptation is needed.  You can expect less teaching time than you’ve previously had and more time for ‘independent learning’ and research.  This may mean a lot of ‘free time’ initially, but once you get to exam, essay or project time, you’re likely to feel much calmer and confident if you’ve worked throughout the year.  Of course, this isn’t to say that you shouldn’t enjoy your time in Bristol!

There are many resources to help you, so make sure you use them:

• Personal Academic Tutors – Your department will assign you with a personal tutor, who will meet with you by the end of your second week.  Their role is to act as a first point of contact in the University for pastoral and academic support.
  If you are not happy with your tutor, you are entitled to ask for a change and should speak to your head of department, or come and see your Vice-President Education for advice.
• Student ‘Parents’ - Many departments and student societies run ‘parenting schemes’.   This is where second (and sometimes third-year) year students are assigned freshers to support through their first year.  It can provide a great insight into your course and university life, because ‘parents’ will have gone through much of what you will experience over the coming year.
• The Union Vice-President Education and Part-time Education Officers – The union aims to support you throughout your time at Bristol.  The Vice-President Education, Emma Di Iorio, is the student body’s link to the University on all educational matters and is able to give support and advice and feedback on crucial issues to the University. 
  Please visit Emma on the 4^th floor of the students’ union building if you have an educational issue you wish to discuss.
  
• Student Reps – Student reps are elected at the beginning of the academic year to represent you! The reps attend staff-student liaison committee within your department, putting your view across and endeavouring to make changes where you want them.  They also feed back to the Students’ Union, so that we can campaign on issues you feel strongly about, in order to achieve change! 
  The MyBristol portal (which you’ll get more information on from your department) will list your Student Reps and contact details, once they have been elected. 
• UBU Student Development Unit - The SDU runs some great Study and Key Skills courses, so keep an eye on the SDU website for dates and times. 
• Transfers – Hopefully your course will be what you wanted and more.  However, if you find it’s not for you don’t be afraid to ask your personal tutor or someone you feel comfortable talking to in your department.  It may be possible to change a particular study unit or course, but many options are time dependent, so don’t delay in raising your concerns.  A Student Adviser, the Vice-President Education and the Careers Advisory Service can also talk things through with you. 
  There may be financial implications to changing course or university and the Student Funding Office is always available to give you help on this matter. 
• Problems and Appeals – If you are unhappy about a decision which has been made; for example if your department did not take into account the fact that you were ill when you were revising, that you have a disability or that the department has not followed its own procedures, then you may appeal. 
  It might be that the issue can be dealt with informally by your personal tutor.  In a more serious situation you may wish to talk to a Student Adviser, or look more closely at the Students Complaints Procedure.
• Resources – The University Has 13 branch libraries and a number of computer rooms, as well as a 24 hour computer room next to the Arts and Social Sciences Library. 
  Following pressure from the Students’ Union, the libraries are now open for longer. 
  Your department will organise a library induction, which is a useful way to get to know your way around (all 13 libraries are accessible to all students however, so feel free to try a few out).  Many libraries offer group study space, as well as quiet space, so check them out to see which suits you. 
  It might be tempting to rush out and buy all books on your reading list straight away, but you can save lots of money by using the libraries, book-sharing, or buying books second-hand (some departments have a notice board where second years put up lists of books for sale and charity shops stocking books may have the book you’re looking for).