I have been commissioned by Sage to write a book containing information about the study skills, qualities and competencies necessary to obtain a good degree in the social sciences.  My co-author is Hilary Arksey from the Social Policy Research Unit at the University of York (UK).  The first part of the book will be based on new empirical data from successful students themselves, lecturers and employers.

We are keen to hear the views of students like yourselves to find out just what you understand by the term ‘study skills’ and how you set about acquiring and further refining your skills whilst completing your degree.  To this end, we would be grateful if you could answer the questions below; it would be very helpful if you could give examples to illustrate your responses. You can download the page (or copy and paste into a wordprocessor).

To complete the survey, record your responses below the relevant question and email your reply to me (darris@blueyonder.co.uk).  Please reply as soon as possible. Your answers are completely confidential and only Hilary and I will have access to your completed responses.

 
Please tell me what course you are taking.  What subject areas does this cover?

Which country do you live in? 

 
1. When you found you had got a place at university or college, what did you think academic life would be like?   Looking back, how realistic were your expectations?

 
2. What sort of problems did you expect you would face?   To what extent have these been realised?

 
3. What sort of pleasures did you think you would experience?  To what extent have these been realised?

4. Specifically, did you encounter any problems, especially any relating to the academic culture of the university or college -- the way teaching was organised; what lectures, seminars and essays/term papers/presentations actually were; what was required of you etc?   Can you briefly describe these? 

5. How did you tackle graded assignments?

6. Did your university offer any specific help with study skills?  Did you take advantage of it?  If so, how useful was it and why?    

7. How did you overcome any difficulties with completing assessed assignments?

8. Were there any conflicts between completing the work required of you, enjoying a good social life and staying out of debt? 

9. What advice would you give to new students who are like you were?

10. Can you list up to three things that you would change if you were in charge of setting graded assignments?

Thanks very much for your help

Dave

Please email me (darris@blueyonder.co.uk) with any additional comments or questions. The book should be appearing in 2005/6.