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Whether you're new to off campus learning or a more experienced traveller, find answers to frequently asked questions here. These FAQs are organised into different categories, select the category to view the FAQs.

Independent study

What does the university mean by 'independent learning'?

Examine the information on university expectations of independent learning and organise your learning with resources for developing self-reliance.
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Does 'independent' mean I need to do everything myself?

Find out how to stay connected to ensure your learning experience is well-supported.
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What does my lecturer mean by 'independent thought'?

Find out ways of engaging with others and their ideas in order to develop your own perspective.
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What is 'critical thinking'?

Look at examples to help understand critical ways of approaching other people's ideas.
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What can I do when I'm finding it hard to maintain my effort and motivation?

Consider strategies for staying engaged to help maintain your efforts and motivation.
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What can I do to reduce feelings of isolation?

You are introduced to potential approaches and strategies for dealing with the isolation of off-campus study.
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How can I deal with the study blues?

Consider strategies to help when you need to overcome the study blues.
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What's the difference between undergraduate and postgraduate?

Look at some examples showing the differences that can separate undergraduate from postgraduate assignments.
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How should I approach my postgraduate coursework studies?

Find out about the expectations involved in postgraduate studies.
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Organising study

How can I improve my approaches to study?

Think about the relationship between you, your daily commitments and off-campus learning; find useful resources to help you maintain the juggle.
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How can I stop falling behind?

Select from a range of potential solutions you can use when you start to fall behind.
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What can I do when I've got multiple due dates? OR How can I organise my time more effectively?

Look at some useful resources to help you juggle assignments and off-campus study.
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How can I be ready for exams?

Find useful resources to help with exam preparation.
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How do I incorporate study into my life?

Find out how you can assess your commitments and become more strategic with your study.
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Interacting with lecturers

How do I get in touch with my lecturer?

Find out the best ways of contacting your lecturer when they are not available every day.
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What can I discuss with my lecturer?

Find out about what you can and cannot expect from your lecturer.
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When is the best time to get in contact with my lecturer?

Consider some suggestions on how you might work around lecturer availability.
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Can I see my lecturer face-to-face?

Find out how to check on lecturers' availability for face-to-face meetings.
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How do I approach my lecturer for help?

Look at examples of presenting yourself as a self-reliant learner when approaching your lecturer.
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Why does my lecturer not respond?

Find out some reasons for a lack of an individual response and consider some follow-up options.
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Can I ask my lecturer to have a look at a draft?

Find out why lecturers might not want to look at drafts and consider alternatives to get feedback.
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Assessment

How can I improve my marks?

Consider strategies for improving your results; think about your approach to your unit objectives, assessment criteria and the nature of tertiary study.
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How can I assess my probable result before I hand in my assignment?

Look at resources and examples to help you judge the standard of your work and find out how disciplinary requirements can impact on your assignment results.
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What does being 'more critical' mean?

Learn about critical thinking with examples and resources to help.
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How can I write more critically??

The meaning of critique in tertiary writing: developing your understanding by working through some useful resources.
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What's the difference between a pass, credit, distinction and high distinction?

Develop your awareness of the differences in assessment levels and approaches to assessment.
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What can I do if I don't understand the mark I got on my assignment?

Consider a range of strategies for understanding assessment results and what you can do about them.
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How do I handle examinations?

Find useful resources to help with exam preparation.
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How do I organise multiple assignments?

Find resources to help you juggle assignments and off-campus study.
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How can I be more strategic with my assessment?

Consider approaches strategies for being more strategic with your assessment; think about your approach to your unit objectives, assessment criteria and the nature of tertiary study.
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I've failed my first assignment what can I do?

Explore some strategies to help you manage the possibility of failure.
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How do I approach an assessment task I haven't seen before?

Check out some strategies approaching a new assessment task with confidence.
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Why are my grades dropping?

When your grades keep dropping: examine a range of possibilities and consider potential strategies for improvement.
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Reading

How can I be more strategic with reading?

Find out how to be more strategic with your reading.
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What can I do when I don't understand what I'm reading?

Consider some useful strategies when you face challenges of understanding what you read.
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What reading do I have to do?

Find out how to be more strategic about the reading you have to do.
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Research

How do I research for my assignments?

Check out the range of resources to help with researching for assignments. Find out more about the relationship between research, writing and assessment.
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How do I conduct research?

Explore the range of resources to help you conduct research. Find out about Library support for off-campus students.
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How can I organise my research?

Find guidance on organising your research.
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How can I integrate the work of others?

Examine the range of useful resources for integrating the work of others into your writing.
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Writing

How do I format my assignments?

Check out the key features of assignment format.
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What does my lecturer mean by 'critique'?

Find out what is meant by critique in terms of approaching others' ideas in assessment tasks.
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How can I write more 'academically'?

Write academically: check out some excellent resources to help you achieve this.
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How can I improve my writing?

Work through some useful resources and approaches to improve your writing.
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How do I write assignments?

Get started with writing assignments with a range of useful resources.
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How can I improve my use of punctuation?

Improve your punctuation with some useful resources.
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How can I improve my grammar?

Check out some resources to help you improve your grammar
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How should I structure my report? My essay?

Consider the structure of essays and reports in different disciplines.
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What does a good introduction look like?

The importance of good introductions: explore examples from different disciplines which illustrate the features of an effective introduction.
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What does a good conclusion look like?

Conclusions are more than just a summary: examine some examples to illustrate the important features of a good conclusion.
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When should I use headings?

Examine the issue of when to use headings with examples to illustrate.
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What is the difference between an essay and report?

Consider the differences between an essay and report in the context of disciplinary differences.
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How can I improve my argument?

Examine resources and strategies for taking a position and improving your argument in written assignments.
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What is a literature review?

Check out some useful resources on literature reviews.
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What is a thesis and how do I write a thesis?

Consider an overview of thesis writing and examine some excellent online and book resources.
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How do I integrate my experiences into my assignments?

Consider the relationship between personal experience, theory and practice in addressing tertiary learning requirements.
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Plagiarism

What is plagiarism?

Look at some useful examples and information to understand plagiarism and appropriate ways of using the work of others at the tertiary level.
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How can I avoid plagiarism?

Check out some examples of effective note taking to help avoid plagiarism. Find out how to avoid plagiarism by using the ideas of others correctly and developing your writing skills.
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When can I share my ideas with others?

Find out how to collaborate appropriately and share ideas to build knowledge and clarify your understandings.
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How can I use the ideas of others?

Engaging with the ideas of others includes accurate and critical referencing. Look at examples of how to use the work of others which will guide you in taking a position in your assignment writing.
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Where can I get help to avoid with plagiarism?

Check out the resources to help you ensure you don't inadvertently commit plagiarism. Find out what support is available when dealing with a charge of academic misconduct.
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What does my lecturer mean by 'originality'?

Look at an example to see the importance of communicating your own ideas.
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Referencing

How do I cite a non-book reference correctly?

Options for tracking down unusual referencing examples are provided.
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How do I know what referencing style to use?

Learn about the differences in expectations for referencing styles. Find guidance on selecting the correct method.
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What is referencing?

Find out about referencing in the university context. Learn how to use and acknowledge the ideas of others to support your own arguments. Find out how to reference.
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How many references are enough?

It depends. Consider an example and typical case to help understand disciplinary expectations, assessment and the nature of the task to work out how many references are enough.
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What is the difference between a reference list and a bibliography?

Find out about the difference between a reference and a bibliography.
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How do I use the work (words, ideas) of others more 'academically'?

Find out about the importance of using the work of others more by looking at some examples and resources.
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How do I reference correctly?

Guidance is supplied for referencing correctly, with an emphasis on self-sufficiency moving from first year subjects to later years.
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Grammar

How do I improve my grammar?

Grammar, assessment and understanding are closely linked in academic writing. Check out some resources for improving your use of grammar and tips for rectifying common problems.
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Why should I improve my grammar?

There is a strong link between assessment, grammar and readability. Consider some examples to help you write more effectively.
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What resources can I use to improve my grammar?

Check out some useful resources for improving your use of grammar.
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Academic English

How can I improve my English language use?

You've heard the best strategy is to practise, practise, practise! Find out a range of ways to practice and improve your English language use.
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How can I improve my use of academic language?

Find out some strategies for improving your use of written and oral academic language.
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Postgraduate study

Postgraduate coursework

Examples of postgraduate coursework writing help to illustrate the importance of critique and the nature of postgraduate study.
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