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How to Survive University

How to Survive University

Surviving university can be a daunting task, especially for new students who have just started their academic journey. University life is a new and exciting experience, but it can also be challenging and overwhelming at times. However, with the right mindset and approach, anyone can navigate through university successfully. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips on how to survive university and make the most of your academic journey.

Plan and Manage Your Time

Time management is key to surviving university. With numerous lectures, tutorials, assignments, and exams, it is essential to plan your time effectively. Start by creating a schedule or a to-do list to keep track of your tasks and deadlines. Allocate time for studying, socialising, and self-care. Use tools such as calendars, planners, or apps to help you stay organised and manage your time efficiently. My go-to is GoodNotes for keeping all of my notes organised and Forest to help me stay on track. 

Attend Lectures and Tutorials

Attending lectures and tutorials is crucial for your academic success. Lectures provide you with the essential information you need to succeed in your courses, while tutorials allow you to discuss the material in-depth and ask questions. Try not to miss any lectures or tutorials, as it can be challenging to catch up later. Moreover, attending classes regularly shows your commitment to your studies, and professors are more likely to help you if they see that you are engaged and proactive.

Stay Organized

Staying organized is essential to surviving university. Keep track of your assignments, notes, and other academic materials. Use folders or binders to organize your papers, and store your digital files in a cloud-based platform or a backup drive. Keep your study space clean and tidy to avoid distractions and improve your productivity.

Seek Help When Needed

University can be challenging, and it is okay to ask for help when you need it. If you are struggling with a particular course or assignment, seek help from your professor or tutor. Join study groups or peer-led sessions to collaborate with other students and get different perspectives on the material. Additionally, universities offer various support services such as counseling, academic advising, and career services. Don’t hesitate to reach out to these services if you need them. 

Prioritise Self-Care

Self-care is crucial to your overall well-being and academic success. Make sure to prioritize your physical, emotional, and mental health. Get enough sleep, eat well, exercise regularly, and take breaks when needed. Take time for yourself to do the things you enjoy, whether it’s reading, watching a movie, or hanging out with friends. Remember that your academic journey is a marathon, not a sprint, and taking care of yourself is essential to crossing the finish line successfully.

Get Involved

Getting involved in extracurricular activities is an excellent way to meet new people, develop new skills, and make the most of your university experience. Join clubs, societies, or sports teams that align with your interests and goals. Attend events and workshops to expand your knowledge and network. Volunteering or working part-time can also provide you with valuable experience and skills that can help you in your future career.

In conclusion, surviving university requires a combination of hard work, dedication, and self-care. By managing your time effectively, attending classes, staying organised, seeking help when needed, prioritising self-care, and getting involved, you can make the most of your academic journey and achieve your goals. Remember to take things one day at a time, stay positive, and enjoy the journey. Good luck!

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Writing a University Personal Statement

Writing a University Personal Statement

What is a personal statement? It is a statement that accompanies your college or university application and gives you a chance to explain and tell why you would like to and want to study in that university under that particular course. You can write about your skills, your experience showing the passion for the relative field you chose. Here are some tips that you should consider when writing a perfect university personal statement for you.

Find Perfect Words

Writing a good university personal statement will portray you in the best light. Finding the right words will sound more professional and sophisticated than just some regular words. For example, using the words “presumed” than “thought” and “accomplish” than “do” will sound more graceful and elegant. But you have to write these words very carefully because if you write over-the-top, then your university personal statement might look overdone.

Tone and style

Keep your tone professional and sophisticated. Using street language and slang are not appropriate for your university personal statement. Try to avoid the usage of passive voice and keep it active voice.

Develop a Good Opening Line.

Starting a statement with a strong sentence will have a good impact on the reader. Avoid beginning the statement with clichés. The most obvious words used for opening are usually considered boring and copied. Still, if you write something creative, it will make your statement stand out and positively impact the university.

Highlight Your Strengths

Use the opportunity of writing this university personal statement and promote your strengths. A personal statement is your first virtual image in university. Everything you write will matter. Describe what your strong qualities and your passions are. Telling your strengths will assure the university that the candidate is fit for us and make us proud.

Be Honest

Do not write fake stuff in your university personal statement. Do not write what you cannot do. If you are not capable of speaking Spanish, then do not write that in your statement. If you overcommit yourself in the statement in dire need of selection and ultimately get into that university, it will destroy your reputation.

Make a Good First Impression

Writing a professional university personal statement is a one-time opportunity. Starting with something unusual, hilarious, serious, or interesting will become the first impression of yours. Thus, it can make or ruin your chance to get admission in your desired institution.

Proofread at the End

One of the biggest mistakes is writing your university personal statement and not proofreading it. After completing your statement, proofread it yourself. Please keep all the points in your mind while reading it and carefully check grammar mistakes, spelling errors, formation, and tone and style mistakes are possible because, after all, we are all humans.

Conclusion

In the end, add some creative information like “where do you see yourself in the next five years?” and “what are your goals in your career?” Adding these questions and answering them creatively and wisely helps the reader understand the better perspective of your personality.

 

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Writing a University Personal Statement

How to Write a University Report?

A few academic assignments require reports rather than essays. The difference between them is that the essay delivers arguments and reasoning whilst a report focuses on facts. The report is a concise and factual document for specific audiences.

This excerpt will teach you an excellent way to write the academic report in five-minute. Stay with us!

Know the Brief:

The report requirements vary from tutor to tutor and subject to subject. Hence the student must know the specific guidelines before starts writing.

Keep in mind the report’s brief, including for whom the report is prepared and what you will analyse?

Stick to the Format:

The report is a structured document, so it needs to be followed by a specific pattern that includes;

Title page: A to-the-point stating of the topic of the report.

Abstract: An Executive Summary summarizes methods, findings, context, and conclusion of the report. Abstract provides a pre-read idea.

Table of contents: a compass of your report to let the reader pick the most relevant section. The content section must be correctly represented.

Introduction: It includes background perspective, aims, objectives, literature, and, in some cases, the ToRs (Terms of References).

Methodology: If the report is based on research activity, the methodology must be elaborated at length, i.e., interviews, literature review, or focus groups.

Findings or results: This section depicts the trends and results with figures, graphs, or tables. Reasons for products should be withheld for the next section.

Discussion – Evaluate your report by restating the central facts, verify the accuracy, and fit the whole extraction into your context.

Recommendations or conclusion – Summarize the outcomes and make some concrete suggestions here.

References – list references of the sources you incorporated in the report. A student must apply standard citation styles like APA, MLA, Harvard, or some other according to their instructor’s requirements.

Appendices – list backup information, statistics and data. However, the information must be relevant to the context and content.

Things that Make A Good University Report:

Consider writing style: The report aims to convey the findings in a precise manner, even to the least knowledgeable. Therefore, the three approaches must be availed.

Plain English: Use crisp and precise English with shorter words and sentences.

Avoid jargon: Restrict jargon in the first place. In the case of compulsion, explain every technical word in a separate bracket or the way more convenient.

Consider the audience: If the report is drafted for a particular segment or person, never forget to address them.

Editing the Draft:

Report writing is a tough task, and the grammatical or typographical errors betray the non-serious attitude of the researcher-cum-writer. To avoid embarrassment and ensure the clarity of the report, the draft must be reviewed repeatedly until it morphs into an immaculate version.

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How to Write a University Essay?

How to Write a University Essay?

Since the inception of formal education, essay writing has been considered a gold standard to evaluate the learning outcome. Interestingly, this single text speaks volumes of the student’s ability to articulate the scattered thoughts. Here, we would share the nitty-gritty of essay writing applicable to every competitive examination or assessment.

First of all, let’s discuss the structure, and then we will proceed towards the tips to craft an immaculate essay.

A good writer is always a proficient reader.

The first step is to read and research the similar writings of peers and academicians. Besides, reading spree, “study group” is also a pleasant avenue to share ideas. Nonetheless, excessive reading helps you assimilate vocabulary, sentence structuring, and styling to emulate in your version.

Brush up your concepts

Another important aspect is that your prerequisites must be fulfilled, such as grammatical concepts, format, sufficient vocabulary, and most importantly, the know-how of good essay writing.

Relevancy Through Thesis Statement and Topic Sentences

A good rule of thumb illustrates that your whole essay should revolve around the given topic. The cliche approach makes your essay liable to get zero. Each paragraph should depict a different stance. Simultaneously, the focus must be pivoted by the inclusion of the thesis statement and topic sentence.

 Adopt Proper Referencing and Citation

A university essay is purely an academic subject, so the references and citation must be jotted down in a proper format, i.e., APA or MLA style.

Use of Transition Words

Transition words give a flow to your writing. The reader feels is taken on a journey through your main points, and your essay strikes the chord correctly.

 End With a Definite Standpoint

The academic essay is not a mystery novel, so the essay must be concluded in a concise approach rather than in a guessing notion. Creativity is applauded, but the figments of imagination are highly discouraged in academic essay writing.

Conclusion

If a pupil sticks to the abovementioned tips, the educator cannot deny top marks. Best of luck!

 

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Gifted and Talented Program

Gifted and Talented Program

What is the Gifted and Talented Program?

The Gifted and Talented program is the Australian Department of Education initiative to provide stimulating and challenging academic learning to exceptional children who outperform their peers of the same age.

The curriculum is specifically designed to provide these children with the environment they require for the best development of their academic capabilities. The courses include language programs, arts programs, and academic programs that help the children engage in intellectual, critical, and advanced thinking skills.

The programs are offered at several public schools, and online programs are available for country students.

Who is Considered Gifted and Talented?

This program caters to the students who regularly outperform their cohort. These children have exceptional learning abilities and can master new skills at a fast rate. Also, they are very creative and have a well-developed understanding and connection-making skills.

They are curious little souls with great empathy and social skills. They follow instructions and complete tasks considered complicated for their age. These children often have advanced language skills. All these qualities distinguish gifted and talented children from their peers.

Which Schools Offer This Program?

The gifted and talented program is offered at about 24 elite public schools, regional schools, and an arts college. New schools to offer the program are selected on a different basis. These programs are also offered online to accommodate as many students as possible. Perth Modern School offers a gifted and talented program based on the Academic Selective Entrance Test (ASET).

In addition to the school, John Curtin College of Art provides the gifted students selectively curated arts and media courses. Students from Western Australia can take the program at Bunbury Senior High School or Albany Senior High School, City Beach Residential College, and Albany Residential College.

How Can You Get Into The Program?

To get into the program, the candidates need to satisfy specific geographical criteria. The applicant must be an Australian or a New Zealand citizen. They must also exhibit the qualities listed above that make them different from their peers.

The entrance exam for the program is called ASET, and it consists of 4 parts. It includes reading comprehension, communicating ideas in writing, quantitative reasoning, and abstract reasoning. The test aims to evaluate all reading, writing, cognition, and reasoning skills of the students and is used to test potential rather than acquired information.

Sample Test For ASET

The entrance exam for the gifted and talented program doesn’t test the textbook knowledge of the applicants. It is focused on evaluating the critical skills and hidden potentials of the applicant. The Department of Education does not recommend any preparation methods or material for the test. However, a sample test of ASET can be downloaded from the website to get an idea about the format and style of the ASET.

Conclusion

Gifted and talented is a wonderful program and it offers a lot of opportunities for children around the globe. Make sure you check out this opportunity so you can do better things with your life.

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WHAT IS THE STAT TEST?

What is the stat test?

The STAT test is also known as the Special Tertiary Admissions Test, which allows universities to assess whether you are capable of attending and succeeding at university.

The test is suitable for people such as the following: 

  1. Mature-age applicants who don’t have a recent or standard Year 12 qualification
  2. Applicants who completed their previous studies outside Australia
  3. Applicants who did not gain a satisfactory ATAR (for certain courses and universities)

The STAT test is your typical aptitude test that evaluates verbal and quantitative reasoning. Specific curriculum knowledge is not required to be able to pass. In other words, you cannot study “content” for the test, just concepts. 

There are two different STAT tests that you will be required to complete:

  1. STAT Multiple Choice test
  2. STAT Written English test

DO ALL UNIVERSITIES ACCEPT STAT RESULTS?

Requirements vary from state to state within Australia. Individual institutions set their own admission requirements. You will need to refer to the university of choice. 

AM I ELIGIBLE TO SIT THE STAT TEST?

Candidates should check with the institution to which they are applying to assess whether you are eligible as a stat student. As a general rule, an applicant must be 18 years or over by a certain date in the year of admissions to use STAT results in their application but there may be extenuating circumstances.

WHICH TEST(S) DO I SIT?

Refer to the current university course guide to see what the admission requirements are for that particular university. They are the only people that can advise if they will accept STAT results and which test(s) are required (eg Multiple Choice only or Multiple Choice and Written English).

HOW MANY TIMES CAN I SIT STAT?

Candidates may only sit the STAT test once per test cycle. This runs from 15 April to 14 April of the following year. 

WHAT IS THE WRITTEN PART OF THE EXAM?

The STAT Written English requires written responses to two themes. Four comments (prompts) will be given for the students to respond to. 

The test will offer the following directions to candidates:

DIRECTIONS

  • There are two parts to this test, and four comments are offered for each part. You are required to produce two pieces of writing − one in response to a comment from Part A, and one in response to a comment from Part B.
  • Part A is a more formal public affairs issue that invites argument. Part B is a less formal topic that invites more personal reflection.
  • One hour is allocated for this test, with an additional five minutes reading time.
  • Your responses to the essay comments are written directly on the test paper. You should write your essays neatly and legibly in pen.
  • Circle the comment you are responding to. Do not try to address all of the other comments
  • Give each piece of writing a title that will help orient a reader to the approach you are taking.

The following themes and comments indicate the kind of stimulus material that will be offered in this test

PRACTICE QUESTIONS

PART A

  1. Technology has a destablising effect on humans and should be used with caution.
  2. Technology presents humanity with the greatest opportunity ever known to man. 
  3. Too much of technological advancement is focused on greed rather than on good. 
  4. If we can provide all of humanity with the tools and technology, we will be able to solve the world’s biggest problems. 

PART B

  1. Family is the most important part of our lives because it gives us our grounding and stability in life.
  2. Individuals should be able to decide whether they spend time with their family or take their personal space. 
  3. It is important to make our own space in the world rather than fall into the same patterns as our family. 
  4. Having boundaries in our life is the most important thing we can do for our mental health.