Every Monday, firstpoint publishes five points about a topic related to life at university. This week, as teaching officially starts for the semester, it’s all about navigating your course…
POINT ONE: GETTING ADVICE ON YOUR STUDIES…
The Programme Advisory Service offers advice and guidance on module selection and changes, course changes, timetable clashes, progression, reassessments, and retakes. The team have a telephone helpline service and you can speak to an adviser by calling 01905 542727, but please check their webpage for opening hours before calling and make sure you have your student ID number to hand.
The university also provides a wide range of excellent study skills resources and specialist teams to help you prepare for submitting academic work. From the Academic Liaison Librarians, to the Writers in Residence and our Centre for Academic English and Skills, help is available to enhance your academic literacy.
POINT TWO: FINDING OUT MORE ABOUT MODULES…
The Module Directory can be used to check the details of a module, including when it is running, its location and who the tutor is. You might consider using this when you are selecting your modules or considering a module change. Some students will use the directory to check the location for their lecture, however using your personalised timetable, which for most students can be accessed via your SOLE page or myWorc page, might be the quicker way to do this and will ensure you have the most up to date information! You can find the module directory on your SOLE page, under the ‘Course Information’ tab.
Our firstpoint webpage on Module Information contains more information which you might find helpful.
POINT THREE: IF YOU’RE ON THE WRONG MODULE OR NEED TO MAKE A CHANGE…
If you feel like there is a module that suits your interests or meets your requirements better than the options you have chosen, you can ask to change. You’ll need to submit a “Module Change Request” on your SOLE page under the ‘Course Information’ tab which is then sent for approval. Module changes must be confirmed by the third week of teaching.
More information can be found on the firstpoint website.
POINT FOUR: IF YOU’RE THINKING OF CHANGING COURSE…
If you feel you are on the wrong course and would like to make a change, it may still be possible to change, but it must be confirmed by the third week of teaching. You can make a course change request via your SOLE page, under the ‘Course Information’ tab.
If you know what you would like to change to, please contact the admissions tutor to discuss whether this change might be possible. You can browse the courses on offer and find the admissions tutor contact details on the Course Search webpage. We would also always recommend that you also speak with a Programme Advisor to explore your options in more detail.
POINT FIVE: TALK TO YOUR PAT…
Your Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) is here to support your academic development and is an excellent place to start if you are feeling uncertain or unhappy about your modules or your course. They might also be able to highlight other services which can help you to reach you full potential. Why not contact them and have a chat?
If you’re not sure who your PAT is, ask firstpoint and we can help find their contact details.
Please remember, firstpoint is here to help if you have any questions during your course, but don’t know where to start. Pop in to see us in the Peirson Study and Guidance centre during opening hours, drop us an email at firstpoint@worc.ac.uk or call us during opening hours on 01905 542551.
We wish you every success on your course!
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