Independent study

Self management

In general, you are expected to organise and manage your own study more as you get older. You will have more responsibility for your own success.

Taking control

Advice and guidance is always available, but it is up to you to use it. Use the lesson well,  ask for help if you need if, but be specific about what you don't understand. This indicates  your teacher that you have broken the problem down – that you have shown resilience, and you know exactly what your issue is.

Interdependence and sharing

In the future, both at university and in the work place, people skills will be important to your success. In particular, collaborative working is important.

You can start this now.  Form subject study group - use the rooms in the Learning Centre. You will have a responsibility to share the graft of researching issues and topics. You then need to share your results.

Sometimes this means working on your bit, sometimes it means working on the same complicated bits as others so you can work out how something works together in a group discussion.

Knowing the essentials

Manage your deadlines. If you miss them you may be penalised, at university you will be!  Then it can mean resitting or resubmitting papers in the holiday, at additional cost.  He it means delayed feedback and delays in class progress.

Finding resources and support

You will be recommended books, equipment and sources of support. Look for blogs run by your subject, not just from this school, other schools have fantastice resources too. Don't spend ages searching for quick fixes though!

Keeping going

When you work on your own, it is important for you to stay focused and to maintain your own motivation. It is quite natural for motivation to change over time. This is not something to worry about - but it does require action. Most people find that it is useful to have the support of other people for this.