📚 Academic Success: Getting a Head Start at City St George’s University

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Log into Moodle and go through each module’s structure, assessment format, and reading list.

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I created a one-page summary doc for each module, key dates, deadlines, and assessment types. It’s made planning way less stressful.

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Don’t hesitate to reach out to your programme admin or module leaders with questions. I once emailed to clarify how group work was assessed, saved me a lot of second-guessing later.

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Use Google Calendar or Notion to map out lectures, seminars, and deadlines. I colour-code mine by category (teaching, assignments, exams).

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Set up a weekly check-in with yourself, I do this every Sunday evening to stay ahead.

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It may feel early to plan, but postgraduate study gets busy quickly, the sooner you're organised, the better.

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Library: Located in the University Building, I use the silent study zones when I need deep focus and the group pods for collaborative work.

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Academic Skills Workshops via LEaD (Learning Enhancement and Development): I’ve done sessions on critical thinking and academic writing, both were genuinely helpful in structuring my coursework.

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Academic Skills Kit (ASK): Great for quick referencing and writing guides.

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Office hours aren’t just for when you’re struggling, I started visiting mine just to clarify topics or discuss readings. Those early chats helped me build strong academic relationships.

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Our staff are approachable and genuinely want to support you, don’t wait until assessment time to connect.

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Join or create course WhatsApp/Teams groups, they’re essential for reminders, resources, and morale boosts.

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In person, the Student Union Lounge (1st floor, University Building) is a good space to meet others informally.

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The Courtyard Café is another great social spot, especially during breaks between classes.

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As a postgrad, it’s easy to just focus on coursework but casual peer chats often led me to useful resources and study tips I wouldn’t have found alone.

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Learn the ins and outs of Moodle, Turnitin, and the Library Search system early, it’ll save time later.

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Tools I personally use: Notion (for organising everything), Zotero (for referencing), Grammarly (for polish), and Quizlet (for terminology-heavy modules).

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Set up your digital workspace in Week 1, when things ramp up, you’ll be glad you did.

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Postgrad study can be intense, I learned the importance of structured rest.

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Don’t ignore signs of burnout. City St George’s offers Mental Health & Counselling Services, I know peers who’ve used them and found real value.

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Remember: sustainable study habits > overworking yourself.