The basis for university study
English is a tool for communication and learning, but study at university is so much more than just being able to speak, listen to, read or write English. This page helps you develop the study and academic skills to make your time at university a success.
What do you need help with?
Success at university starts with using your time in class well by participating actively and taking good class notes (see ‘a’ below,) by reading information you can trust (see b,) by using those notes and information to support your ideas in discussion, presentations and essays (c), and to write in your own words (d) and show clearly where you get the information from (e). This page also includes links to some general tips about how to improve your writing (see f) and also some resources to get you started on making English part of your daily life (g). Click on the title you want to know more about below.
a. Taking good class notes
Good notes help you remember and learn. There are many different styles – which one works best for you?
b. The information you use
Can you trust what you hear and read? This page looks at the basics of questioning your sources.
c. Why you need to support your ideas
Just like when you build a house, you need to build your university work with good materials.
d. Using your own words
Don’t just copy and paste other people’s work or ideas. You need to use your own words, and to show clearly where those ideas come from (see 5.)
e. How to show your sources: APA 入門
Academic writing has different systems to show your sources of information. APA is the one we use.
g. Great resources
A link from the Student life and study habits page which gives you a starting place for study resources online.
KSU Faculty of Foreign Studies
Department of English