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Assisting with Academic Skills
Trent University’s Academic Skills Centre (ASC) and its instructors, are available and dedicated to assisting students to acquire the academic skills they need to achieve success at school. Among those skills are essay writing, critical and efficient reading, critical thinking and time management, as well as preparing for and writing exams. Through an individual appointment, workshop or mini-course, any academic skill can be addressed. "Then by the time December and January come around, you have established good habits and you’re not just trying to pick up the pieces," says Mr. Boyne. He also notes the ASC is for students in all disciplines and not only those having difficulties, but those who are doing well and want to do even better. A special writing skills exercise initiative is taking place the first week of classes (September 10 from 7 - 8:30 p.m. in OCA 143). The exercise will provide students with feedback on their writing without the pressure of achieving top marks. In this exercise, students will be asked to write a short essay on a choice of topics. An instructor will respond to the essay in an individual appointment at a convenient time, giving the student a sense of his or her writing strengths and weaknesses. In preparation for the double-cohort year students, ASC is offering a transitional course that will help to familiarize students with the language of university assignments and explain how academic expectations at university differ from those in high school. This Introduction to Academic Concepts and Practices course will teach students the "tricks of the trade," from September 24 to November 19 from 7 - 9 p.m. in SCW2. "September is a quieter month for many students…doing this type of thing in September to try to lighten the load later on, is encouraged," says Mr. Boyne. As information for all first-year students, Mr. Boyne says that one of the most difficult academic transitions to make from high school to university, is the move away from rigid structures. "We encourage students to be more flexible and really develop their own style, while working within the guidelines suggested by faculty. Students often enjoy writing more when they see it as a liberating experience," he says. Should students wish to learn more about individual topics such as the essay, avoiding plagiarism and multiple-choice tests, for example, there are more than 20 titles published by the ASC. The booklets are available at the ASC and through the bookstore for $4.50. For further information on ASC services, visit the second floor of Champlain College, across from the College Office, beside the Career Centre or www.trentu.ca/academicskills/. To register for a workshop or to make an appointment, call 748-1720. Posted: September 10, 2003 |
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Though
he concedes his perspective isn’t popular, Academic Skills
Centre Director Martin Boyne says there’s no better time than September,
to start thinking about final exams. The arrival of the academic year
is the time to start developing "good" habits, that will stay
with students and benefit them, through to final exams.