What we do | Consultations | Workshops | Support for Research Students

ASP Operational Plan | ASP Annual Report: 2006 / 2007

What does the Academic Skills Program do?

The Academic Skills Program (ASP) is open to every enrolled student at the University of Canberra. The Program is part of the portfolio of the Pro Vice-Chancellor Education, and has been set up to enable all students in the University to acquire and enhance the skills needed to succeed in their studies. 

Writing essays and reports, reading academic literature, taking notes in lectures, participating in tutorials, delivering seminar talksthese and other academic activities are difficult skills to master. Writing really successful essays and reports, reading really effectively and efficiently, taking really useful notes, participating really confidently, delivering talks that really workthese are harder still. The ASP takes the view that all students can benefit from study skills advice and teaching. In our workshops, tutorials, and individual consultations, we teach and encourage you to use strategies and techniques which will enable you to participate fully in the life of the university and the conventional discourse of your chosen disciplines. You may be failing or getting distinctions, you may have an English- or non-English-speaking background, you may be undergraduate or postgraduate, and you may be straight from school or mature age, but all of you can enhance your competence in, confidence with, and awareness of the skills necessary to succeed both at university and in your professional careers.

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Free Individual Consultations

The ASP runs one-to-one consultations of up to 50 minutes each. These are available from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm Monday to Friday. Students must make an appointment with reception*. As the semester progresses, more and more students want to make appointments, and time becomes very tight. It is therefore not advisable to wait till the last minute if you are experiencing difficulties or want advice, as there may not be an available space in the appointments sheet for several days, or even weeks! As well as consultations by appointment, the ASP has Drop-in sessions, from 11.30am to 12.30pm every day during teaching weeks. You don't need to make an appointment for Drop-in - first come, first served, but your time is limited to no more than fifteen minutes, and if there are several students waiting, you will have to take your turn.

*If you can not make your appointment, it is essential to let us know as soon as possible so that we can reschedule your appointment to another student.  Please contact us (62012205) if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment.

Workshops and Courses (generic study skills)

The ASP runs workshops and courses on general academic skills (see Workshop and Study Groups page for details). The workshops are free, but a small cost is charged for the courses which run for several sessions, such as Grammar and Writing and Thesis Writing. The ASP will run workshops and tutorials within the Divisions and Schools at the request of Lecturers in Charge of subjects. These classes are prepared in tandem with the academic staff of the discipline and are often designed for a particular assignment. We will also provide materials if lecturers prefer to run their own study skills tutorials.

Support for Research Students

The Academic Skills Program provides support to research students through individual consultations, thesis writing workshops and writing groups.

Research students can make individual consultations with academic skills advisors to get assistance with writing development. During the consultations, students can discuss aspects of their study and get feedback on their writing. Some of the typical questions to be addressed during the consultations include: How do I refine my research proposal?, How do I write a literature review?, How can I make my argument clear and convincing?, How can I improve the coherence in my writing?, How can I improve my use of language and grammar?, The ASP aims to help students improve their writing skills and become increasingly independent thesis writers. Hence the Program does not do final editing. In general, students are allowed no more than one consultation per week.

The ASP runs a series of workshops on various aspects of thesis writing every semester. Topics include: Understanding the thesis writing process, Refining the research proposal, Structuring the thesis effectively, Writing the literature review, Describing the research methodology, Presenting results and discussion, Thesis introductions and conclusions, Style, editing and presentation The workshop schedule and information on how to register for the program is available on the ASP website. Other workshops can be offered in collaboration with faculties, supervisors, or student groups according to student need.

The ASP also runs a weekly writing group for research students in collaboration with the research education program. This writing group specifically targets students whose first language is not English (though everyone is welcome) and aims to help students develop clarity in writing and editing strategies in thesis writing. The writing group meetings are held every Friday 10:00am 12:00pm in 1C29.

Contact Information

Visit the Contact Us page

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