Starting at Sheffield Hallam
Orientation
Welcome to the Academic Success programme! This course is designed for first-year students like you who will be adapting to the academic and social expectations of university or college.
The centre of the screen, where you are now reading, contains the core content for each unit, presented either as text, videos or interactive activities.
On the right-hand side of the screen, you will see additional 'pods'. These contain extra bits and pieces, such as quotations, advice, key term definitions, extra videos, internet links – as well as checklists you can print off to use later to help with your studies and portfolio activities that will help you reflect and apply what you have learned. Exploring the information provided in the pods will enrich your learning experience.
This programme also includes icons for ongoing themes. Click on the tabs in the activity below to learn more.
This icon highlights key points that you may want to return to or make a note of.
This icon indicates specific skills that you may need to hone or develop as you adjust to university life. Many of these skills are transferable once you graduate.
This icon points to situations in which you have to find a balance. For example, you may need to weigh your studies against other concerns – e.g. your social life, managing financial or housing concerns, or even leading a student group or organisation. You will also have to balance different types of academic work, such as hours spent in tutorials vs. hours spent in the lab or the library.
This icon emphasises skills or activities that you may need and apply way beyond your graduation day. These skills may help you launch and develop your career, maintain connections in your field, and engage with your community more broadly.
Now you're ready to begin the course!
Screen duration
At the top of each screen you will see an icon showing the approximate time it will take to complete the core content of each web screen. These estimates include time to watch videos and complete activities in the central section of the screen.
If you take more or less time than is indicated, don't worry. Everyone is different!
Portfolio activities
Take particular note of the 'Portfolio activity' pods. These provide extra activities designed to help you reflect on what you've learned so far, and apply it to your own circumstances. Taking time to complete these activities will help you get the most out of this course and make plans for developing new skills in the future.
Download
Download the Academic Success portfolio document and the portfolio instructions for this course. The portfolio document provides space to record your responses to every portfolio activity, in addition to drawing together all of the downloadable supplemental documents for that course.