A guide to university

1. Session 1:
A guide to
University
21st February 2023

2. Who are we?
• Undertaking our final capstone project in public engagement
and education
• A bit about ourselves…
What is our aim?
• Give you a better understanding of what it's like to transition to
university
• How different the learning and teaching is at university
• Give you a taster session with two patient case studies on
cardiovascular diseases
• Help you with your A-level revision
Cara Raynaud (3rd year BSc Medical Sciences)
Kailing Cao (3rd year BSc Neuroscience)
Daniel Heathcote (3rd year BSc Neuroscience)
Mark Webb (3rd year BSc Sport and Exercise Sciences)

3. Our plan for this first session:
1. Why go to university?
2. Typical week at university
3. Differences with teaching and learning
4. Adapting to everyday life
5. Clubs and societies at University of Leeds
6. Financial support
7. Student support and wellbeing

4. Our plan for the following sessions
Week 2 (7th of March)
• Learning about cardiovascular physiology using the workbook to
prepare you for the case studies
Week 3 (14th of March)
• First case study that we will do with you
Week 4 (21st of March)
• Second case study on a rare genetic disease related to
cardiovascular disease that you will answer in groups supervised by
one of us

5. What is your first impression of
university?
Scan this QR code on your phones and send in your answers!
https://padlet.com/cararaynaud14/os5ztce1222zow3n

6. Why go
to university?
 You have a strong passion for
your course
 Improve future career
prospects
 Develop your independence
and confidence
 Gain great experience in a
new environment and meet
new people
 Have fun!
‘university challenges you to become an
independent critical thinker’
(University of Leeds)

7. Typical week at University...
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
9h-12h in person and online study, 3h-6h
practical session in labs, regular workshops,
personal tutorials, private study
Focus on building key skills, understanding and knowledge
Prepare you for final year
Theoretical content
In-course exams and MCQ
Private study and research
Essay exams
Final year project
+++ Private study and
research

8. Teaching and learning
• Blended education: a mix of short pre-recorded screencasts followed by in-
person and hands on practical classes
• Flexible learning: lectures are recorded so that you can go back and watch them
in your own time
• Active learning activities: activities that involved you to independently direct
your learning and take initiatives to solve a problem developing key skills such as
communication, team-work and problem solving:
 Researching a particular disease in a group and giving a presentation
 Presenting a scientific paper to your fellow students
 Analysing data from an experiment and writing up a short report

9. Hybrid
Learning
Hybrid learning describes a mix between online and in-
person learning.
Especially over the COVID-19 pandemic, online learning has
become a more prominent tool used by universities.
Online learning can consist of both pre-recorded lectures
that you are required to watch in your own time and online
lectures or seminars at a set time. In this case students are
expected to attend and can interact with the lecturer and
fellow students

10. Autonomy
over your
learning
 Unlike schools and college, you won't be led by
the hand and help every step of the way!
 Lecturers and personal tutors are there to help
but you are the one that must initiate the
interaction if you want help
How do I become autonomous in my learning?
 I need to find an effective note taking technique
during lectures either using paper or a computer
 For exams and assignments, I need to research
the topic and add to the notes I already have from
the lecture
 I need to practice past examination papers to
revise
 I need to develop a good work routine with time
for my academic work and social life
 I need to develop healthy habits and try my best
to attend every lecture as it is easy to get into the
habit of missing lectures
University is what YOU make of it!

11. Adapting to
everyday life
If you are moving away
from home and living at
university, you’ll have to
be much more
independent and
organized with day-to-day
activities, e.g., cooking,
laundry, washing etc.

12. Getting involved
Sports and clubs
• Outdoor sports with sport facilities (Weetwood sports park, Boddington Playing
fields, Yorkshire Dales, boat house near Thwaite Mills Stourton)
• 'Get out and get active' programme
• Leeds University Union clubs
• The Edge
• Volunteering opportunities

13. Financial support from the University of Leeds:
1. Sports scholarship program
2. Coaching scholarships
3. Leeds Bursary
4. Scholarships on personal achievement: The Plus programme
5. Scholarships on academic achievement
Financial support from outside the University
1. Financial hardship funding
2. Government funding: Tuition fee loans and maintenance loans
3. NHS funding
4. Funding for disabled students (DSA)
5. Funding for students with dependents
Financial support

14. Plus programme
 Support scheme for UK-fee paying undergraduate and
postgraduate taught students who come from backgrounds that
are less represented at university
 Help with transition, success and progression at University
 You can get in touch with them
here: theplusprogramme@leeds.ac.uk

15. Student support and wellbeing
• Student advice at Leeds University Union
Gives confidential and personal advice and help. Open every day even week
ends during term time!
• Student services provide support if you are struggling with life at university
and would like some extra support
• Assigned personal tutor for your time at university
• Free counselling, well-being and mental health support
• Support for care-experienced students
• Careers and employability support
• Multi-faith campus and LUU include faith related student societies

16. What do you wish you had known
before coming to university?
You don't have to know what
you want to do in the future
It's ok not to make
friends immediately.
You get as much out of
your coursework as you put in.
It's not all play, you have to sacrifice
social things.
How to have a good work-life
balance
How to budget efficiently
A lot more content is covered
than at A levels.
How much success depends
on me.
It is important to attend lectures
on campus.

17. What did students tell us?
55.8%
I have become
more
independent
47.2%
I have undertaken
more
responsibilities
since starting uni
27.8%
I have found it
easy to make
friends on and
off my course
18.9%
It is easy to organise
my studying with my
extra-curriculum
activities
9.6%
Moving out of my
guardians/parents
house is stressful

18. What did students tell us?
64.8%
I enjoy my
course
61.5%
My lecturers are
available for
questions and
assistance
51.9%
I found it easy
to meet my
deadlines for
my course
27.8%
I have regular
contact with my
personal tutor

19. In summary
• University is different to college and school in the way you are taught and
learn
• University of Leeds has a hybrid style of learning
• You will have to become autonomous and take responsibility of your own
learning
• You will have to adapt to living independently away from home (for those
moving to university)
• There are many societies and clubs for you to meet people
• Financial support, student support and wellbeing is there to help you at
university
• University is a great experience but do not think it will be all fun and games
you will have to work!

20. What is your first impression of
university?
Scan this QR code on your phones and send in your answers!
https://padlet.com/cararaynaud14/os5ztce1222zow3n

21. Any questions?
See you next
session on the
7th of March!
Cara Raynaud: bs20c2r@leeds.ac.uk
Kailing Cao: ed19kc@leeds.ac.uk
Daniel Heathcote: bs19dh@leeds.ac.uk
Mark Webb: sp20mw@leeds.ac.uk