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Effective Learning Service
Do you want to -
- be successful in Higher Education?
- check out how best to succeed in the UK Higher Education culture?
- be confident that you have the skills to continue learning successfully throughout your lifetime and career?
The Effective Learning Service is here to assist you to:
- improve the way you learn
- become more skilled as a learner
- become more successful in higher education
- develop skills valued by employers
- become an effective lifelong learner
The service (available during Semester-time only) offers:
- access to an Effective Learning Adviser
- one to one confidential* appointments
- group seminars / workshops on request from students or course staff
You don't need to be able to say
in which area you want to improve, before coming to see the
Effective Learning Adviser. Students sometimes feel overwhelmed or
muddled in relation to an assignment, or managing a task or managing
everything together. This is often when an individual appointment
can really help to clarify the way forward that is right for you -
and then how to be most effective as you do that.
Common topics
- planning and organising e.g.
- time and task management
- organising your course work
- balancing priorities e.g. study with sport / earning / recreation / family responsibilities
- maintaining your motivation
- writing effectively
- efficient reading
- meaningful note making
- revision and exam techniques
- coping with stress
- clarifying or reassessing your goals
Staff, Location and Contact Details
Isabelle Pottinger
Effective Learning Adviser (formerly Academic Counsellor)
University Library
Gait 12, Heriot Watt University
Edinburgh EH14 4AS
+44(0)131 451 3062
I.Pottinger@hw.ac.uk
Contact from students to the Effective Learning
Service is confidential. Except in rare situations, which are almost
exclusively to do with our professional duty of care, we will not pass on
information about you to anyone outside our service without your consent.
Your Effective Learning Adviser will be happy to explain this further.
Any notes made at individual meetings are available for you to see if you wish. If you would like further information about your rights under the Data Protection Act please contact the Data Protection Officer. Click here for contact details.
Further help
LearnHigher
Useful resources to support your learning from the Association for Learning Development in Higher Education.
Student Mentors
Ask in your School for details.
Library
If you need help with information skills (e.g. finding and evaluating information or citing and referencing information sources) you can ask a question, use one of our online guides, come along to one of our workshops or contact your Subject Librarian. The Library also has a range of books on study skills. Search for these using our catalogue or contact the Library enquiry desk for further information.
Student Support & Accommodation
Provides support, advice and information on accommodation, funding and personal and disability issues as well as a professional and confidential counselling service covering personal matters.
Students' Association (HWUSA)
Provides the Advice and Support Centre (ASC) for help on any issues of concern - whether personal, academic or to do with accommodation. ASC staff are more than happy to lend an ear and provide help, regardless of how big or small the issue.
International Student Advisers Office
The International Student Advisers’ Office (ISAO) provides advice and support to all international students on campus.
Careers Advisory Service
The Careers Advisory Service provides impartial and confidential careers advice and guidance to students and graduates.
Chaplaincy
The Chaplaincy welcomes students and staff from all backgrounds and cultures and is open to those who are religious and those of no faith. The Chaplain and Honorary Chaplains are available for pastoral/counselling matters and to discuss questions of faith, weddings, baptisms, church membership, personal matters and any other issues. Confidentiality is assured. Feel free to come in for a chat about anything.