Learning Support
On enrolment, students are normally asked to sit a short assessment test. If, as a result of this, an area of learning difficulty is identified, support is offered, normally by means of a regular one-hour individual tutorial. This can be extremely helpful in helping students overcome study 'blocks' in areas such as learning technique, breaking down subject material, note-taking, reading skills, revision and memorising material, lateral thinking, the use of language, essay planning, writing style or time organisation. It overlaps with, and complements, the Study Skills Course.
Supervised Study
When either a student or a tutor requests this, supervised study periods may be introduced as part of the weekly timetable. Work is completed on assignments set by the tutor, supervised by a member of staff, normally in the college library. If a student is encountering problems organising study time and keeping on top of set work, supervised study hours are often of great benefit.
The Study Skills Course
The importance of having competence in study skills cannot be over-emphasised; lack of such competence is the most common cause of under-performance in public examinations. The successful student needs to be able to organise study time efficiently, follow instructions carefully, select relevant reading material, read it quickly and with clear understanding, take effective summarised notes, revise and learn material thoroughly, understand the focus of examination questions, develop effective answering techniques and organize examination time meticulously. The development of these skills is often given insufficient attention but strategies for mastering them can be taught and it is important that students practise and perfect these essential academic skills. The college holds a series of seminars, in order to instil sound study methods. Help is given in approaching the various study techniques as follows:
Motivation and Time Organisation
A positive attitude
The use of timetables and diaries
Study routines
Prioritising work
Assessing work targets
Organising study time
Reading and Note-Taking
Overview of material
Reading techniques
Use of key words
Concise note-taking
Diagrammatic notes (mind maps)
Memory and Revision
Revision timetables
Notes for revision
Memory training
Revision methods
The importance of review
Essay-Writing
Reading the question
Essay planning
Fact v opinion
Argument and evidence
Essay technique & structure
Examination Technique
Final preparation and overview
Question selection
Planning answers
Timing
Staying calm and in control
Follow-up guidance is then given to students on a one-to-one basis, as part of their academic supervision, or as an additional series of tutorials
Careers Advice
Whilst many students join the college with a clear intended career path, others are less decided about where their future career will lie and this is not necessarily a major issue at this stage. However, the choice of A-level subjects (and subsequent degree course) may pre-determine the career path students are likely to pursue.
After careful discussion with academic staff it is normally possible to make a clear and sensible choice of A-level subjects, according to the most likely degree or career options. However, where there is uncertainty about the best subject choice, we may advise a student to undergo psychometric evaluation, carried out by a trained careers counsellor. This consists of a range of assessments which aim to identify personal attributes, such as personality, aptitudes and preferences and also to gauge an individual's interactive behaviour. As a result of the assessments, suggestions are made as to the occupational categories which may be suitable and these are explored further, with the help of the careers counsellor.
As careers assessment may influence the choice of A-level subjects it is important where guidance is sought that evaluations are made very early.
Where a student wishes to undergo a careers assessment in order to select A-level subjects, we should be contacted in advance of the beginning of the course to arrange an appointment with a careers counsellor. Please note that an additional fee is charged for psychometric testing and subsequent advice.
Dyslexia
Dyslexic candidates can do well in examinations but success is largely dependent upon whether recognition is made of the learning problem early enough to allow time for action to be taken to minimise its impact. Indeed, students with dyslexia may be extremely able, if frustrated by this learning disability. Once recognised, help can be given through an assessment of the precise nature of the difficulty and by adopting appropriate teaching and coping strategies. We have had notable success in recent years in recognising learning difficulties such as dyslexia and in helping students to overcome them. The availability of specialist individual tuition is naturally a great advantage in providing such help. On a practical level, by obtaining the necessary certification of the disability, students are able to receive special consideration in examinations, such as extra time, reading time or an amanuensis. Students with a specific learning difficulty, whether diagnosed as dyslexia or not, should discuss this at interview, or contact us for advice.