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Study skills

Do you need a hand with referencing? Want some help with essay writing, or are you worried about using myPortfolio?

In addition to help from your course tutors there is a whole host of support available from across Solent to help you throughout your studies.

This page collates the study skills support available to you, from online resources that you can access at any time, support with assistive technology from Access Solent, 1:1 help from our library, to virtual workshops covering digital, learning, English language and career skills, plus wellbeing workshops and courses delivered by our Therapy and Mental Health Team.

Online resources

Succeed@solent

Found on SOL (Solent Online Learning), this module contains academic support to help you succeed in all of your assignments: https://learn.solent.ac.uk/succeed

Get Ready to Learn SOL module

The Get Ready to Learn module on SOL has a huge variety of videos and resources produced by Solent’s staff and students. Although this is initially aimed at new students, there is plenty to help all our returning students too including recorded workshops on the Study Skills tab: https://learn.solent.ac.uk/getreadytolearn

Solent Online Learning (SOL) and  Solent Systems 

This resource on SOL will guide you to help and support for SOL and other solent systems. This includes submitting different types of assignment files, accessing your solent account: https://learn.solent.ac.uk/student-help

LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn Learning provides high quality training videos covering your subject areas as well as study skills, careers, wellbeing and many more. All free for you to use on and off campus. To activate your account visit the Linkedin Learning for Students LibGuide page.

Assistive technology support from Access Solent

All Solent University computers are installed with Text Help Read & Write Gold (text-to-speech software) and Inspiration (mind mapping software). These are free to use on campus. The Assistive Technology Centre in the library (room ML015) has PC’s with assistive software, height adjustable desks, specialist screens and large key keyboards.

Access Solent is the disability and neurodiversity advice service for students. 

Further information about assistive technology on campus and for use on personal devices can be found here.

Book an appointment if you have further questions about assistive technology or setting up support.

Support from the library

LibGuides by subject give you access to recommended resources for finding quality information for your subject area. You will also find guidance on how to research and reference your work, plus ways to access help from the friendly Library team.

In addition to this explore the referencing support and library workshops on offer:

Referencing support

The library provides support for referencing and RefWorks via individual online appointments. These appointments can address specifi­c questions or provide a basic introduction on how to reference or use RefWorks (or both).

Visit the Referencing LibGuide to book your appointment: https://libguides.solent.ac.uk/referencingsupport

Appointments will last up to 50 minutes.

Library workshops

The Library will deliver a programme of 30 minute sessions via Teams, covering a range of research and information skills including referencing and RefWorks.

To find out more about the sessions available please visit the Guided Learning SOL page.

1:1 support from the information librarians

The information librarians can support you with research, referencing, assignment and dissertation structure, writing a literature review, preparing for a presentation – plus answer any general questions you may have about using the Library. Appointments are available for more in-depth support. Find out more and get in touch with the team: https://libguides.solent.ac.uk/librariansupport

Guided learning

Solent University runs a variety of Guided Learning workshops that are there to support your learning, these are facilitated by different teams from across the University for more information please look at the Guided Learning SOL page.

Recordings of previous workshops can be found under the study skills tabs of the Get Ready to Learn module on SOL.

Therapy and mental health courses and workshops

The Therapy and Mental Health Team run a range of courses and workshops. Some courses run over a number of weeks and others are single sessions.

For start dates and booking information email therapy.mh@solent.ac.uk current sessions available are:

Emotional Coping Skills (ECS) Course

This is a closed group based on dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT). It may aid those who experience depression, anxiety, intense mood swings, suicidal thoughts, self-harm urges or harmful behaviours.

During the group you will learn how to focus your mind and attention on the current moment & accept the current situation. You will find ways to tolerate your distress and regulate your emotions.

The group will be between 6 and 8 weeks in length. The next group will start on Monday 7 November and run between 10.30am – 12.15pm on campus.

If you are interested in joining the next course or a course in the future, please contact us at: therapy.mh@solent.ac.uk.

Another course is planned for the 2nd semester, depending on student’s availability / timetables.

Mindfulness Sessions

The Mindfulness sessions are suitable for anyone interested in mindfulness either as a complete beginner or for those who have some experience. In each session we will discuss a different type of mindfulness and you will have the opportunity to give it a go!

The sessions are held on MS Teams on a fortnightly basis. The first session is on Wednesday 5 October between 12-12.30pm.

These will appear on your timetable as part of the Guided Learning sessions OR you can join using the link: Click here to join the meeting

If you require any details, please contact the Therapy and Mental Health Team by email: therapy.mh@solent.ac.uk

CBT Workshops

The Therapy and Mental Health team offer individual workshops based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). CBT is a practical skills-based therapy that helps us to understand the relationship between the way we think, feel, and behave. CBT helps to equip you with the tools and techniques to help to break the vicious cycle you might find yourself in. It is proven to be a very effective therapy to help manage symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress. The CBT workshops are psychoeducational meaning that we will aim to provide you with a toolkit, and you can choose to implement which skills you feel will be most useful to you.

Each session is individual, meaning you can attend all the session or perhaps just a one-off session that may interest you. Each session will last for approximately an hour and will take place in person in the Spark Building. Please see the time timetable below:

CBT workshops (12-1pm)

  • Tuesday 25 October – Social anxiety and managing the transition to university
  • Tuesday 8 November – Managing academic stress and anxiety
  • Tuesday 7 February – Managing Depression and low mood
  • Tuesday 18 April - Managing academic stress and anxiety (refresher)

If you require any further details or are interested in attending any workshops, please email therapy.mh@solent.ac.uk 

5 Ways to Wellbeing

A quick look at five steps that, when implemented, can help to improve your mental wellbeing. This session helps to provide you with top tips to help you feel more positive and get the most out of your university experience. Think of it as the recommend 5 pieces of fruit and veg a day for your mental health!

Workshops

  • Tuesday 18 October, 11.30am-12pm
  • Wednesday 15 March, 12.30pm -1pm

If you require any further details or are interested in attending any workshops, please email therapy.mh@solent.ac.uk 

Digital skills and capabilities

Digital skills and capabilities are delivered as part of the Guided Learning provision

  • Learning Technologies Induction
  • Word formatting tips
  • Using PowerPoint for presentations and posters
  • Essentials in InDesign, myPortfolio and SPSS
  • Excel for beginners

These sessions are designed to support your learning at Solent and also provide industry relevant skills for your future careers. You can also see the Guided Learning schedule at https://learn.solent.ac.uk/guided-learning

English language skills workshops for those whose first language isn’t English

Here at Solent University, we offer a number of ways to support all students with the challenges of using English for Academic Purposes (EAP), especially if you are an international student. All courses are run by specialist EAP teachers, all with extensive experience in teaching English to international students around the world and in UK universities.

From October 2023 until May 2024, every week, one 2-hour session will be taught on campus (face-to-face) and one 2-hour session will take place online. Please note that each week the two sessions will cover the same content but you are welcome to attend both if you wish!

For further information, to join the sessions, or to watch the recordings of past classes, please take a look at the English Language Support module on SOL. If you have any questions relating to this please contact Matthew Brittain (matthew.brittain@solent.ac.uk) or Jacob Miles (jacob.miles@solent.ac.uk).

Employability workshops from Solent Futures

Solent Futures (Solent University’s careers service) offer a wide range of workshops throughout the year on a variety of topics, including working on campus (Campus Jobs), how to create a winning CV and LinkedIn profile, exploring career ideas and many more! They also offer events such as Pizza and Part-time work to support you with finding local opportunities. At the World and Future Ready careers Fair you can network with a wide range of employers who are offering opportunities such as part time, internships, and graduate roles.


Click here to find details of guided learning session including those run by Solent Futures sessions.