Hi there, let me introduce myself: I’m a lecturer with one of the UK’s leading universities and have taught both undergraduates and postgraduates – as well as GCSE and A level – for over thirty years. During that time, I have probably encountered every problem, query and cause of stress that all students encounter from time to time and it has been my pleasure and privilege to help my students overcome their problems and achieve their goals.
I shall be contributing a regular blog to this site from now on with some of the questions I have come across answered for you so that you, too, can benefit from my years of teaching experience. I have also been through the process myself, of course, gaining A levels, a BA, MA and a Ph.D., so I know how it feels to be a student as well as a teacher!
So, check back in to the site regularly to see what queries I’m answering each time and why not send in anything you need to ask via the comments? Remember, I’m here to help you!
You can find more of my advice below.
Hi everyone, “the Doctor’ here, this time I’m going to look at revision of work that has received a disappointing mark. I hope this will be timely because many of you will, by now, have received the marks for your first assignment and possibly been disappointed by the grade you have been awarded. However, don’t … Read more
Hi there, this week we’re going to look at how to make your work stand out by the addition of a few simple steps which I have learned from experience will make your essay different from the rest and gain you the gloss that you need to be considered amongst the elite. So, read on … Read more
Hi everyone, “the Doctor’ here, this time we’re going to look at how you can take a good piece of work and make it even better. Polishing your work can be an extremely good way of not only gaining extra marks but of learning how and why you might be losing them. If you have … Read more
Attending lectures for the first time is an exciting prospect – it’s not only a place you’ll be learning, it’s also a place you’ll first meet the people on your course. Follow these five tips to make the best of your first and subsequent years in lectures: Turn Up Some Universities are harsher than others, … Read more
Seminars, done well, are perhaps the most valuable learning opportunity at University. Done badly they’re horrible, but this only tends to happen if you’re ill-prepared. Follow these five tips to make the most of your seminars. Turn Up – And Be On Time As with attending lecturers, turn up and don’t be late. Some lecturers … Read more
The academic equivalent of buggering the bursar – a reference to the 1983 film Educating Rita for those who missed it – plagiarism is the ultimate sin of all University establishments. Follow these five tips to make sure you don’t get thrown off your course. Plagiarism is Plagiarism Whether you plagiarise an entire essay, or … Read more
Hi everyone, “the Doctor’, back again to offer you a little advice on how to make the most of your work during your time at college or university. It should be the best time of your life but it can often be marred by stresses and strains which can be easily avoided or dealt with … Read more
This week’s topic is about proof-reading and editing . Now, don’t just think “oh, no, not that again’ because I’m going to show you that by proof-reading and editing your work efficiently without any additional research you can get a higher grade – now that has to be good news, right? So keep reading! Editing … Read more
Hi there, “the Doctor’ here, back to offer a few more words of advice to help you with your studies. This week, I’m going to change the format a little and share some of the questions I’m most often asked as a tutor and university lecturer and the responses I give. These are all questions … Read more
Hello there, “The Doctor’ here. I’m back to give you some further tips on various aspects of coping with academic life. This week, as the A Level results have just been released and many of you will be thinking about embarking on what will be a new and exciting but challenging experience, i.e. university life, … Read more