Hi John, all,

 

I wholeheartedly recommend:

 

Academic Success: A Student's Guide to Studying at University (2018 - Macmillan Study Skills) – Brick, Wilson, Wong, Herke

This is a new volume for the UK market – just released in November, and is based on a highly successful Australian edition under a different name (Academic Culture), now in its 3^rd edition. It is a brilliant accompaniment to study skill books, going into the detail of what it is to communicate academically. It has lots of textual examples within it, and tackles concepts like criticality, voice and flow. It is one of the few books I have seen that can help meaningfully develop student writing. I *really* like this book and think it is my favourite introduction to university study and assessment.

 

Mindfulness for Students (2018 - Palgrave Study Skills) – Cottrell

This is a bit of a curveball, but given all of the distractions students face – and the recent focus on mental health and wellbeing, I think this book is well placed amongst the other suggestions. It isn’t everyone’s ‘cup of tea’, but it does at least aim to address some of the stresses of study in a way linked to study skills. An interesting approach and definitely worth a read!

 

Critical thinking (2017 - SAGE) – Chatfield

Not necessarily something for 1^st year students (at least not the first semester), this book is one of the most approachable introductions to critical thinking I have seen. I know this is a bit specialist compared to the other recommendations, but I add it here as there is such a focus on criticality in HE, I think it is well placed. Not only is the content excellent, but the design is stunning and it comes with a useful accompanying website. It’s very much aimed at traditional 18-21 students in style, even including BuzzFeed Quizzes… All the design aside, the book covers everything they need to spot an argument, evaluate evidence and understand bias – all feeding into developing their own critical writing.

 

Best wishes,

Lee

 

 

 

 

Dear all

 

Can any of you suggest books (as opposed to websites) you’d recommend about going to/being at university for new or soon to be students?

 

I have, of course, the ‘evergreen’ Burns and Sinfield on my list, but what else is there? Do you think there’s ‘room’ for a new book? I might write one; is anyone else especially interested in this idea? I’m thinking of a general text dealing with being a student rather than a specifically learning development book.

 

On Amazon I found

 

• Uni Lifehacks: Insights From The UK's Most Successful Students Paperback – 12 Aug 2017

by Mr George MacGill  (Author), Mr David Jacob (Contributor)  

 

• A Guide to Uni Life: The one stop guide to what university is REALLY like Paperback – 16 Jul 2015

by Lucy Tobin  (Author)

 

• How to Survive University Hardcover – 10 Aug 2017

by Mike Haskins (Author), Clive Whichelow (Author), Kate Rochester (Artist)

 

• Student Hacks: Tips and Tricks to Make Uni Life Easier Paperback – 8 Feb 2018

by Dan Marshall  (Author)

 

Do any of you know/use these? Any comments? What else is out there?

 

I’d be grateful for thoughts and ideas

 

Best wishes

 

John

 

 

Dr John Hilsdon

National Teaching Fellow

Editor JLDHE

 

 

 

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