What's University Work Like?
In comparison to a levels, how are university set work / learning different from a levels ? (In general).
How do you revise for tests an exams for university? Is it the same way like previous with a shed load of past papers ?
Just curiosity of an AS student hoping to get into university next year to study economics !
)
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How do you revise for tests an exams for university? Is it the same way like previous with a shed load of past papers ?
Just curiosity of an AS student hoping to get into university next year to study economics !
)Posted from TSR Mobile
University study is way different to A levels.
Far more independent study, no-one telling you what to read next. No teacher chasing you for work - they assume you want to be at University and therefore have an interest in passing your degree.
Humanities/Social Science courses (so including Economics) usually consist of weekly tutorials - reading selected books/articles then preparing a presentation to read out to fellow students. Essays - hard slog. Reading numerous books to get a variety of opinions on a topic then writing a 5 page argument based on that reading - at many Unis, 4 or 5 of these a term per course. And you usually have at least two courses going at oncee so have to also juggle between course demands.
Assessment differs per Uni but many courses are assessed on a combination of a course grade plus a major piece of written work like an extended essay or, for a Final Year course, a dissertation, or a 1st/2nd year written exam. Other courses may have 'big bang' Finals Week 3 hour exams or similar - often at the same time as you are also submitting important assessed course work.
It isnt an 'easy' ride, despite what you might have heard. BUT it will also be one of the most important and fabulous three years of your life - when you will do things, think things etc that will have a lasting effect on your life. And meet people who will change your life.
Far more independent study, no-one telling you what to read next. No teacher chasing you for work - they assume you want to be at University and therefore have an interest in passing your degree.
Humanities/Social Science courses (so including Economics) usually consist of weekly tutorials - reading selected books/articles then preparing a presentation to read out to fellow students. Essays - hard slog. Reading numerous books to get a variety of opinions on a topic then writing a 5 page argument based on that reading - at many Unis, 4 or 5 of these a term per course. And you usually have at least two courses going at oncee so have to also juggle between course demands.
Assessment differs per Uni but many courses are assessed on a combination of a course grade plus a major piece of written work like an extended essay or, for a Final Year course, a dissertation, or a 1st/2nd year written exam. Other courses may have 'big bang' Finals Week 3 hour exams or similar - often at the same time as you are also submitting important assessed course work.
It isnt an 'easy' ride, despite what you might have heard. BUT it will also be one of the most important and fabulous three years of your life - when you will do things, think things etc that will have a lasting effect on your life. And meet people who will change your life.
(edited 11 years ago)
Original post by returnmigrant
University study is way different to A levels.
Far more independent study, no-one telling you what to read next. No teacher chasing you for work - they assume you want to be at University and therefore have an interest in passing your degree.
Humanities/Social Science courses (so including Economics) usually consist of weekly tutorials - reading selected books/articles then preparing a presentation to read out to fellow students. Essays - hard slog. Reading numerous books to get a variety of opinions on a topic then writing a 5 page argument based on that reading - at many Unis, 4 or 5 of these a term per course. And you usually have at least two courses going at oncee so have to also juggle between course demands.
Assessment differs per Uni but many courses are assessed on a combination of a course grade plus a major piece of written work like an extended essay or, for a Final Year course, a dissertation, or a 1st/2nd year written exam. Other courses may have 'big bang' Finals Week 3 hour exams or similar - often at the same time as you are also submitting important assessed course work.
It isnt an 'easy' ride, despite what you might have heard. BUT it will also be one of the most important and fabulous three years of your life - when you will do things, think things etc that will have a lasting effect on your life. And meet people who will change your life.
Far more independent study, no-one telling you what to read next. No teacher chasing you for work - they assume you want to be at University and therefore have an interest in passing your degree.
Humanities/Social Science courses (so including Economics) usually consist of weekly tutorials - reading selected books/articles then preparing a presentation to read out to fellow students. Essays - hard slog. Reading numerous books to get a variety of opinions on a topic then writing a 5 page argument based on that reading - at many Unis, 4 or 5 of these a term per course. And you usually have at least two courses going at oncee so have to also juggle between course demands.
Assessment differs per Uni but many courses are assessed on a combination of a course grade plus a major piece of written work like an extended essay or, for a Final Year course, a dissertation, or a 1st/2nd year written exam. Other courses may have 'big bang' Finals Week 3 hour exams or similar - often at the same time as you are also submitting important assessed course work.
It isnt an 'easy' ride, despite what you might have heard. BUT it will also be one of the most important and fabulous three years of your life - when you will do things, think things etc that will have a lasting effect on your life. And meet people who will change your life.
This is exactly what us IB students do. I've been told that for it is easier for us to adapt to the pressure and the work load. Sorry if i hijacked you post :/ just wanted to know too. It really is an intriguing question.
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Original post by returnmigrant
University study is way different to A levels.
Far more independent study, no-one telling you what to read next. No teacher chasing you for work - they assume you want to be at University and therefore have an interest in passing your degree.
Humanities/Social Science courses (so including Economics) usually consist of weekly tutorials - reading selected books/articles then preparing a presentation to read out to fellow students. Essays - hard slog. Reading numerous books to get a variety of opinions on a topic then writing a 5 page argument based on that reading - at many Unis, 4 or 5 of these a term per course. And you usually have at least two courses going at oncee so have to also juggle between course demands.
Assessment differs per Uni but many courses are assessed on a combination of a course grade plus a major piece of written work like an extended essay or, for a Final Year course, a dissertation, or a 1st/2nd year written exam. Other courses may have 'big bang' Finals Week 3 hour exams or similar - often at the same time as you are also submitting important assessed course work.
It isnt an 'easy' ride, despite what you might have heard. BUT it will also be one of the most important and fabulous three years of your life - when you will do things, think things etc that will have a lasting effect on your life. And meet people who will change your life.
Far more independent study, no-one telling you what to read next. No teacher chasing you for work - they assume you want to be at University and therefore have an interest in passing your degree.
Humanities/Social Science courses (so including Economics) usually consist of weekly tutorials - reading selected books/articles then preparing a presentation to read out to fellow students. Essays - hard slog. Reading numerous books to get a variety of opinions on a topic then writing a 5 page argument based on that reading - at many Unis, 4 or 5 of these a term per course. And you usually have at least two courses going at oncee so have to also juggle between course demands.
Assessment differs per Uni but many courses are assessed on a combination of a course grade plus a major piece of written work like an extended essay or, for a Final Year course, a dissertation, or a 1st/2nd year written exam. Other courses may have 'big bang' Finals Week 3 hour exams or similar - often at the same time as you are also submitting important assessed course work.
It isnt an 'easy' ride, despite what you might have heard. BUT it will also be one of the most important and fabulous three years of your life - when you will do things, think things etc that will have a lasting effect on your life. And meet people who will change your life.
Ahh ok, so in university lets say your doing History, you would have different courses such as English History, European History etc? Like in a level, except all your classes are your chosen degree related areas?
If you are reading a single subject like History, then yes all your courses would be related to that subject. Some Unis do offer you the option of taking a related optional course from another subject area - depends on the course/Uni. You normally take two separate courses per term or semester that run parallel Often there are compulsory courses in your first year and you dont get much choice until the 2nd or 3rd year - depends on the Uni and the structure of the course.
For joint or combined subjects (for example 'History and French') then you would usually be doing one course from each at any time, and most students would pick a History course relevant to the language study etc, or a French course connected to History/Culture.
Remember, not all Uni courses are the same. A 'History' or 'Economics' degree will cover different topics or have a different focus depending on which Uni you choose - so read the detail of the course descriptions carefully. Choose wisely - dont just go for what your teachers tell you is a 'top Uni' for History etc if the course it offers isnt what interests you - three years is very a long time if you are bored.
For joint or combined subjects (for example 'History and French') then you would usually be doing one course from each at any time, and most students would pick a History course relevant to the language study etc, or a French course connected to History/Culture.
Remember, not all Uni courses are the same. A 'History' or 'Economics' degree will cover different topics or have a different focus depending on which Uni you choose - so read the detail of the course descriptions carefully. Choose wisely - dont just go for what your teachers tell you is a 'top Uni' for History etc if the course it offers isnt what interests you - three years is very a long time if you are bored.
Original post by returnmigrant
If you are reading a single subject like History, then yes all your courses would be related to that subject. Some Unis do offer you the option of taking a related optional course from another subject area - depends on the course/Uni. You normally take two separate courses per term or semester that run parallel Often there are compulsory courses in your first year and you dont get much choice until the 2nd or 3rd year - depends on the Uni and the structure of the course.
For joint or combined subjects (for example 'History and French') then you would usually be doing one course from each at any time, and most students would pick a History course relevant to the language study etc, or a French course connected to History/Culture.
Remember, not all Uni courses are the same. A 'History' or 'Economics' degree will cover different topics or have a different focus depending on which Uni you choose - so read the detail of the course descriptions carefully. Choose wisely - dont just go for what your teachers tell you is a 'top Uni' for History etc if the course it offers isnt what interests you - three years is very a long time if you are bored.
For joint or combined subjects (for example 'History and French') then you would usually be doing one course from each at any time, and most students would pick a History course relevant to the language study etc, or a French course connected to History/Culture.
Remember, not all Uni courses are the same. A 'History' or 'Economics' degree will cover different topics or have a different focus depending on which Uni you choose - so read the detail of the course descriptions carefully. Choose wisely - dont just go for what your teachers tell you is a 'top Uni' for History etc if the course it offers isnt what interests you - three years is very a long time if you are bored.
Thanks for the tip man! Looking at some websites specification though there isn't too much detail unlike a level ones I noticed which I guess to stop 'fraud universities' in a way or something else. So I just read stuff for economics such as 'principles of microeconomics'. Any idea on how I can differentiate these universities specs as they all seem similar? Only the third year I see difference with varied 'chosen' topics you pick.
Thank youu
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Read the 'wiki' articles at the top of this page - lots of information and good advice about the whole process of applying to Uni, making subject choices etc : http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/University
(edited 11 years ago)
It also really depends on which university you go to. The balance of coursework to exams will vary quite a lot, so this will affect what you actually do. "Unistats" will tell you these percentages for the course.
When handing in coursework, it's rarely given to the teaching assistant or lecturer for that class - You'll hand it in at an office or submit it online. You'll also score zero marks if it's a minute late, so get used to doing things well before time. The staff really aren't too bothered about seeing you because they're busy with their own stuff... Of course, they can usually make time to see you, but they deal with so many students and classes, so you usually have to find other ways of getting through the course than their help.
Self-study and collaboration is important for success... At college you may have 5-8 hours per class per week, but at uni you may only get 2-3 hours of contact time with a lecturer or tutor for that class. Thus, you'll have to team up with people to work through problems and generally find other ways to do your work.
There are usually past papers for exams, but I found they weren't as extensive as they were for A-levels. Because each university sets their own exam papers (there is no national exam-board, although the papers will have to meet certain standards, especially if the university is accredited) there isn't as much stuff to revise from. On one class where the year was split in two (half did it before Christmas, half after), the lecturer told us that the coursework for us would be harder and the exam would be easier because he was the one who was setting the questions.
When handing in coursework, it's rarely given to the teaching assistant or lecturer for that class - You'll hand it in at an office or submit it online. You'll also score zero marks if it's a minute late, so get used to doing things well before time. The staff really aren't too bothered about seeing you because they're busy with their own stuff... Of course, they can usually make time to see you, but they deal with so many students and classes, so you usually have to find other ways of getting through the course than their help.
Self-study and collaboration is important for success... At college you may have 5-8 hours per class per week, but at uni you may only get 2-3 hours of contact time with a lecturer or tutor for that class. Thus, you'll have to team up with people to work through problems and generally find other ways to do your work.
There are usually past papers for exams, but I found they weren't as extensive as they were for A-levels. Because each university sets their own exam papers (there is no national exam-board, although the papers will have to meet certain standards, especially if the university is accredited) there isn't as much stuff to revise from. On one class where the year was split in two (half did it before Christmas, half after), the lecturer told us that the coursework for us would be harder and the exam would be easier because he was the one who was setting the questions.
Original post by Jkizer
In comparison to a levels, how are university set work / learning different from a levels ? (In general).
How do you revise for tests an exams for university? Is it the same way like previous with a shed load of past papers ?
Just curiosity of an AS student hoping to get into university next year to study economics !)
Posted from TSR Mobile
How do you revise for tests an exams for university? Is it the same way like previous with a shed load of past papers ?
Just curiosity of an AS student hoping to get into university next year to study economics !
)Posted from TSR Mobile
Very different. At University there is no one set textbook for each module with all the right answers in, you need to do lots of reading. You are also expected to reference the essay correctly. Unlike at school you aren't spoonfed, you will probally be given a department handbook and maybe a pointer for your very first assignment and after that left to your own devices. Its up to you to go to tutors if you need help. At my university (UEA) however I have found that they are willing to see you if you need help and each has office hours when you can walk in.
Past papers help me a lot with university revision as the same questions come up again and again so I do reading around the questions that have come up, otherwise I wouldn't know where to start with the reading.
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