一、Adjusting to university life
The first thing to adjust to is the notion of becoming a truly independent learner - the responsibility for your learning will lie on your shoulders.
This means that you must be self motivated to take part in lectures, tutorials and labs in order to get the most out of them.
You will need to learn how to access resources, keep to timetables and deadlines and begin an intense programme of study.
You will also need to be disciplined in your studying and effective at managing your time around the various diets of examinations.
You may also have to balance the demands of running a home or maybe working part time with the requirements of your course.
Working with peers
This may sound overwhelming at first, but every student that arrives at university, regardless of their route, will have to deal with the challenges of a new learning environment.
You will not have to deal with this in isolation. You will share your initial ups and downs with your fellow students and you will learn from and support each other.
Add the support and guidance from staff and you will, like many students before you, be on your way to successfully integrating intellectually.
二、Teaching methods
The teaching methods employed at the University consist of a combination of lectures and tutorials, with laboratory work for science-based courses.
For nearly all programmes, lectures form the main teaching framework.
Lectures
Each lecture lasts 50 minutes. In first and second year your lecture classes will probably be the largest class you have ever been in - comprising of anything from 35 up to 400 students.
The lecture provides a guide to the subject matter based on the learning outcomes for that course and sets out the foundations you can build your knowledge upon through private study.
Tutorials
Tutorials consist of a small group of students - average of 15 - and a tutor. Again the duration is 50 minutes.
During the class you have the opportunity to develop and discuss subject themes with your tutor and the rest of your class.
The tutorial is often based around an exercise that you have completed prior to the class.
Other teaching methods
It is a good idea to explore your individual subject areas for more information about the teaching methods employed.
Some of the other methods you may come across include:
seminars
practical and laboratory sessions
supervised individual and group project work
problem-based learning
peer-assisted learning
self-study
e-teaching
三、Learning and studying
You'll need to learn how to learn at degree level before you can truly take on the intellectual challenge of your course work.
Learning to learn
It is important that once you start first semester you allow yourself some space to learn how to learn, otherwise you could become unnecessarily frustrated.
The good news is that every new undergraduate student, regardless of their previous study experiences, also has to make these intellectual adjustments; you will certainly not be alone.
Some of the new skills you will have to be able to develop include:
taking notes in lectures
giving presentations in tutorials
preparing for and taking exams
essay and laboratory report writing
computing and word processing skills
At this point you may think to yourself that you already know how to do all of these things. The difference is the level and depth to which you have to be able to master these skills in order to succeed at degree level.
What is expected of your lab report or essay at degree level will be different to what you are used to right now in college. Understanding the difference is the first step to being a successful undergraduate.
Library facilities
During your undergraduate career you will no doubt become a regular visitor to one or more of the University libraries.
It is vitally important that at the start of your career as a student that you become familiar with the various library buildings.
In order to become confident in using the library facilities it is a good idea to go on a library tour. These are often run the week before the start of term.
Even after attending the library tour you may still feel a little unsure of what you are doing. If this is the case then do not worry, everybody else will no doubt be feeling the same. Feel free to ask a member of library staff for assistance, they are happy to help.
Support your learning
If you are having a specific problem with an aspect of your coursework then do not hesitate to ask for help.
You can ask the staff member running the lecture, tutorial or lab sessions for assistance or go to your Personal Tutor. This member of staff is assigned to you at the start of semester one and is there to offer advice and guidance.
Remember, if you do have a worry about your work, please don’t sit on it or be embarrassed. You must be motivated and confident enough to seek out those that can help sort things out.
Effective study skills
Our Institute for Academic Development (IAD) can help you to develop effective learning techniques.
You can access resources and guidance on, for example, how to study effectively, write assignments and revise for your exams.
These resources are available at any time by using LearnBetter, a self-enrol course on Learn. Learn is the University's main virtual learning environment (VLE).
The IAD also runs a series of workshops throughout the year on study skills topics. You can sign up via MyEd and the IAD website.
You can also arrange to receive one-to-one study advice by making an appointment.
四、Degree structure
We believe our flexible four-year degree will give you the best chance of success in your future career.
Scottish degrees are designed to include four years of study to give you a broader and more flexible education.
They allow you to try a range of subjects before specialising. Even if you know exactly what you want to do; you can study additional subjects and add depth to your education.
五、Final reassurance
You deserve to be here and are capable of succeeding.
If you are accepted as a student at the University of Edinburgh by our admissions officers, it will be because they judge that you are able to cope with the demands of the degree programme to which you are admitted.
This stamp of approval indicates that you have the potential to grow intellectually as a motivated self learner and graduate with your degree of choice.
It is important to remember this, especially in first semester, and not to feel intimidated by your new environment or inferior to any other student at any time.
