{"id":70,"date":"2021-08-25T12:50:51","date_gmt":"2021-08-25T11:50:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.reading.ac.uk\/academic-transitions\/?page_id=70"},"modified":"2026-02-10T14:48:19","modified_gmt":"2026-02-10T14:48:19","slug":"resources-to-help-students-navigate-transitions-to-and-within-university","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sites.reading.ac.uk\/academic-transitions\/resources-to-help-students-navigate-transitions-to-and-within-university\/","title":{"rendered":"Resources to signpost students to"},"content":{"rendered":"

Click on each heading to expand<\/p>\n

\n\n

Year-by-year guides: Helpful guides for every stage of study<\/h2>\n<\/summary>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/h2>\n

Our year-by-year guides<\/a> highlight support, opportunities and resources for every stage of the student journey to help students transition into university life, and the next stages of their course.<\/p>\n

Within these guides students can easily find study and wellbeing support, as well as opportunities to connect with others, gain careers experience and prepare for their next steps:<\/p>\n

First year students guide<\/a>
\nSecond year students guide<\/a>
\nFinal year students guide<\/a>
\nPostgraduate students guide<\/a><\/p>\n<\/details>\n

\n\n

Student Guides – by students for students<\/h2>\n<\/summary>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/h2>\n

<\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

International Student Guide<\/h2>\n

This guide<\/a> is aimed at new international students, and contains useful information about moving to the UK and settling in in Reading and at the university.<\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

First generation student guide<\/h2>\n

This guide<\/a> is intended to help students who are the first in their family to go to university transition to the University of Reading and navigate student life. It is written by current \u201cfirst-generation\u201d students who have drawn on their own experiences to offer tips and advice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

Commuter student guide<\/h2>\n

This guide<\/a> is intended to help students who commute to university and navigate\u00a0student life. It is written by current \u201ccommuter students\u201d\u00a0who have drawn on their own experiences to offer tips and advice.<\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mature Student guide\"\"<\/a><\/h2>\n

This guide<\/a> is intended to help mature students transition back into academic life, whether they are returning after a career break, advancing their qualifications, or starting a new journey. It is written by current mature students who have drawn on their own experiences to provide tips and advice for navigating the unique challenges of returning to study.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/h2>\n

<\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

Afro-Caribbean student guide<\/h2>\n

This guide<\/a> is designed to support Black students in navigating university life and settling in comfortably. It has been co-produced by a group of current students, who have shared insights and tips based on their own experiences to help others on their journey.<\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

<\/h2>\n<\/details>\n
\n\n

Transitions guide from Student Minds<\/h2>\n<\/summary>\n

\"\"<\/h2>\n

Student Minds<\/a> is the UK\u2019s student mental health charity. They have produced this guide<\/a> to help students navigate the transition to university. There are sections on academic transition, money, health, relationships, identity etc.\u00a0 It also includes tips and strategies for helping students through challenging times and recommendations of where to go to get additional help, if needed.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

\n\n

Academic English Programme<\/h2>\n<\/summary>\n

The Academic English Programme <\/strong> \"\"helps students whose first language is not English to reach their full potential on their Reading degree programmes. Each department at Reading has a dedicated Academic Language and Literacy Liaison<\/strong> contact. We can offer advice and support on matters related to international\/EU students and any student whose first language is not English. For more information about the Academic English Programme, please look\u00a0 on the web pages.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/details>\n

\n\n

Developing academic skills<\/h2>\n<\/summary>\n

Study Advice<\/span><\/a> has a range of <\/span>Guides and Videos <\/a>to support students of all levels to develop their academic skills, such as academic writing, referencing and time management. We also offer a weekly\u00a0<\/span>webinar and workshop<\/span><\/a>\u00a0programme, every Wednesday afternoon, which covers\u00a0these skills in more depth. Students that require individual support to develop their skills can book a\u00a0<\/a><\/span>1-2-1<\/span>\u00a0advice session with a Study Adviser.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For those students\u00a0with maths as part of their course, our\u00a0maths resources<\/a>\u00a0 support them with the mathematical concepts they need for their studies \u2013 such as algebra, differentiation, percentages and statistics.<\/p>\n

All students have a dedicated\u00a0subject\u00a0<\/span>Academic Liaison Librarian<\/span><\/a>\u00a0who can help them to make use of the wide range of resources available to them.\u00a0Students can be directed to\u00a0<\/span>explore key resources<\/span><\/a>\u00a0in their subject or book a\u00a0<\/a><\/span>1<\/span>–<\/span>2-1<\/span> with their Academic Liaison Librarian.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/details>\n

\n\n

Study Smart<\/h2>\n<\/summary>\n

Study Smart<\/span> is our online course for all new part 1 and foundation students, developed to support them with the transition to university. A link to the course\u00a0(Study Smart 2025 link<\/a><\/span>)\u00a0is emailed to all new students at the end of August, and they\u00a0are\u00a0encouraged to take this 9 hours course before they arrive. It aims to give students the best possible preparation for university by focusing on academic integrity, communicating at university and independent learning.\u00a0The course is interactive with videos, articles and discussion boards which are moderated by current students. Once enrolled students will retain access to all the resources, for their entire time with us.\u00a0More information, including the\u00a0structure of the course,\u00a0can be found\u00a0in our\u00a0<\/span>Tutor Guide<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Feedback shows Study Smart is most successful when there is strong staff endorsement. The following are suggested actions you could take to increase the uptake of Study Smart for your School (courtesy of James Lloyd, whose course has consistently the highest uptake within the University):<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n