We know being away from campus over the last few months has been difficult for many people and you may feel out of touch with the university. If you want to reconnect, avoid that ‘summer slide’ and get a head start for the new term in September, then our Summer UniSkills offer may be just what you need.

Here in the Student Engagement team we provide a wide range of support designed to help you develop your academic skills and confidence at University and beyond. Since the University closed in the middle of March we have continued to support students virtually and there are a number of ways you can access our services.

UniSkills Webinars

We have a series of online workshops on offer over the summer which are an opportunity to dive deeper into a specific skill that will support you on your academic journey. Sessions include:

• Finding Academic Information
• Develop Your Academic Writing
• Being Critical
• Harvard Referencing
• Grow Your Academic Resilience (new addition for the summer)

You can book your place today via ehu.ac.uk/workshops

1-2-1 Appointments

As well as our UniSkills webinars you can also book a 1-2-1 appointment throughout the summer months with an Academic Skills Advisor. If you have a specific assignment, or piece of research you would like support with, they can help you develop your academic writing & referencing skills and show you how to find resources.

UniSkills Webpages

If you’d prefer to study in your own time and at your own pace then feel free to browse the UniSkills web pages, available 24/7! Here you’ll find our interactive online toolkits which contain loads of handy tips and tricks to help you to brush up on assignment planning, critical thinking, punctuation, proofreading and much more. There’s also some really handy guides and videos too!

LinkedIn Learning

If you are interested in expanding your skills in other areas, such as IT or your personal and professional development, then LinkedIn Learning is the place for you! It’s free for EHU students to use and has over 10,000 online courses for you to choose from, covering everything from Arithmetic to Zoom. We have even created some LinkedIn Learning playlists to get you started on topics such as public speaking and employability skills. Click here to find out more and for details on how to access LinkedIn Learning

Further Help & Support

For any general enquiries about resources for your study, IT related enquiries or academic skills support you can contact the Catalyst Helpdesk Monday to Friday between 8am and 8pm and Saturday and Sunday between 10am – 6pm.

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As we navigate the new challenges Covid-19 has presented, it has been remarkable to see our students (many of who are key workers, parents, and carers) stepping up and continuing to build their academic skills. Inspired by your unwavering motivation in our 1:1s and webinars, we began to think how UniSkills could expand on our usual writing, presenting and information skills offering, to support you too with overcoming any setbacks you might encounter during your studies. 

From receiving a mark lower than you had hoped, to receiving overwhelming feedback, the new ‘Grow your academic resilience’ toolkit delves into the fascinating theory behind adopting a ‘growth’ or ‘gritty’ mindset, and how this can help you thrive at university. Discover how to set meaningful goals, create an action plan, and even reflect on your progress so far. There’s also the chance to take an interactive quiz to find out your current mindset – although be warned, the result might surprise you!

So if you’re feeling like you could do with an extra boost of confidence over the summer, or are simply determined to shift your mindset from “I can’t” to “I can” or “I can’t yet”, then mark 30 minutes in your diary to dedicate to a new, resilient you. 

Alternatively, book your place and join us for a live ‘Grow your academic resilience’ webinar on June 30^th at 3pm, where Academic Skills Advisors Claire, Helen and Maisie can guide you through the activities and answer any questions you have in real-time. Don’t forget to let us know how you get on by sharing your thoughts or activity results with @EHULearnService, using the hashtag #GrowYourResilience. 

One of our main services to you, as the University Library, is providing access to high-quality academic resources and we do this in abundance – although at present you cannot access the physical book stock, you do have access to nearly 250,000 online resources!

Accessing Online Resources

The best place to start accessing your online resources is your Online Reading List, as your tutors will have compiled a list of great materials to begin your research journey. But really great research doesn’t limit itself to just one place, so be sure to make the most of all your resources via the Library Catalogue, Discover More and your online specialist subject databases.

Lots of eBooks remain multi-user, where available, with many extended to unlimited access until 30th June. We are also continuing to prioritise eBook purchases, looking into further electronic provisions and have a handy eBooks Guide to help you read online, or download, at your leisure.

You Want It, We Get It

If you come across any materials, such as books or journal articles, that are not currently accessible online then don’t despair – this isn’t the end of the line! Simply place a request via our You Want It, We Get It service, select the electronic option and we will do our best* to source a copy for you.

Additional Resources

Many publishers around the world are still making additional content temporarily available to support teaching and learning where access to physical books and resources may be limited. Keep up to date with all of these extra resources, and how to access them, on the additional access to eResources webpage.

UniSkills

So, all these resources, and lots of ways to access them, may feel a little overwhelming but don’t worry because that’s another great service we provide – helping you find, navigate and make the most of all your online resources!

A great place to start is our Digital Library Induction and UniSkills Finding Academic Information webpages. On here we have created a package of online tutorials to guide you through how to access, and make the most of, your key learning resources. And don’t forget you can also book a UniSkills virtual 1-2-1 appointment for support with library search skills, finding resources and improving your search strategy, including:

• Finding resources for your assignment
• Searching the Library Catalogue for books and eBooks
• Using Discover More to find online journal articles and other online resources
• Discuss and develop search strategies

Further Help & Support

If you need any further help or support with your online resources, or any other library related queries, get in touch with us via email or live chat.

All the team in Library and Learning Services want to say a big virtual HELLO to all the new Fastrack students who are joining us from 15th June. We know that it is an usual time to be starting a new course but we would like to reassure you that even though the University Library is currently closed, there is still lots of help available. All our staff are working virtually to provide all the support that you would normally receive on campus.

The University Library, based in Catalyst, is currently closed but we do have an extensive range of online resources including thousands of eJournals and eBooks that you can access online at a time that suits you. Search for online resources via our Library Catalogue and Discover More. There are lots of guides, toolkits and videos available to help you access and make the most of these resources on our Finding Academic Information webpages.

Your DASS module will give you lots of information about how to develop your study skills at University. The UniSkills service is also available to provide extra help, support and guidance should you need it. We have webinars running all over the summer and we are also running a special webinar for Fastrack students called Grow Your Academic Resilience on 18th June at 11am and 2pm – put the date in your diary!

If you have, or think you have, a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD) such as dyslexia or dyspraxia then you can contact the SpLD team via email for more information about what support is available.

For general enquiries about resources for your study, IT related enquiries or academic skills support you can contact the Catalyst Helpdesk Monday to Friday between 08am and 8pm and Saturday and Sunday between 10am – 6pm.

Studying and learning online can seem challenging at first so why not check out our top tips for studying off campus. We would like to wish you all the very best of luck with your Fastrack course and we look forward to supporting you very soon.

With so many of us now working – and studying – from home, we thought you might be missing our friendly faces. With that in mind, our team wanted to reintroduce ourselves and give you a little reminder about who we are and what we do…

The Student Engagement team is part of Learning Services and can normally be found in Catalyst. You may well have met some of us (prior to lockdown) at one of our UniSkills workshops or 1-2-1 appointments, but if you haven’t, now might be the time to get to know us. Most of our team are Academic Skills Advisors, who meet with students to discuss any concerns they may have about their academic writing, referencing, searching for books and journals, making presentations etc. – the list goes on. This can be during a 1-2-1 appointment where we can focus solely on your work, or during a UniSkills workshop where we meet with you in small groups and tackle academic skills together.

Whilst we might not be able to meet with you face to face at the moment, we can still support you online via virtual appointments and webinars – we are only a couple of mouse clicks away. Why not check out the full list of UniSkills webinars we currently run, to see if there is something we can help you with. Webinars are great, as you can sit back, take the information in and ask any questions through the chat function – no video/audio is required. For 1-2-1 appointments we can use video/audio, but if you prefer not to, we don’t mind, as there is always the chat function available and you can type what you would like to say instead. All our support is self-bookable online through the links included above.

We hope that your academic writing is going well, but if you are finding it difficult, please do get in touch and don’t struggle alone. Our team is here to help.

Now over to my colleagues, so you can see who makes up the team and find out a little bit more about us all. I’ll go first…                                                                           

Claire Olson – Academic Skills Advisor

Hello, I’m Claire, I’ve worked at Edge Hill for over 3 years and have enjoyed every moment. I love that I get to meet so many students and hopefully help them when they are struggling with their writing or referencing. Sometimes it’s just the opportunity to talk an essay through which helps and that to me is the best bit of my role.

Outside of work, I’m juggling homeschooling my 7-year-old daughter (like so many others) with completing my final Post Graduate Certificate in Teaching in Higher Education assignment. Hats off to those of you writing essays whilst keeping little ones amused, I know it’s not easy!

To try and relax I’m enjoying lots of reading in the sun and playing too much online scrabble! More reasons why my assignment still isn’t finished, now what do we say about procrastination…

Maisie Prior – Academic Skills Advisor

I’m passionate about helping students navigate through the minefield of university assessment and reflect on their own learning.

There’s nothing like the lightbulb moment when criticality “clicks”, or seeing students support one another in our UniSkills workshops and learning communities.

During the lockdown, I’ve been completing my own assignments as part of the Post Graduate Certificate in Teaching in Higher Education, brushing up on my Italian, and playing with my two mischievous kittens Ayla and Rio. 

John Wright – Academic Skills Advisor

Originally from Anglesey, in beautiful North Wales, I’ve been a librarian for over 20 years and I still provide support in finding, evaluating and deploying information.

However, within my role here at Edge Hill, I get to support students in developing their academic writing practice too. It’s great to see students develop and improve as a result of your intervention, be that through one-to-one appointments, workshops or embedded sessions. During these challenging times, I’ve been trying to make the most of the lovely weather by getting out on my bike.

Andy Tomkins – Academic Skills Advisor

I am a qualified librarian and have worked at Edge Hill for 13 years. My role involves helping students with referencing, finding academic information and developing their academic writing. This can involve one to one support, a UniSkills workshop or an embedded session arranged by your tutor.

I find it very rewarding to help someone with something that they may have struggled with and to see their understanding develop. I’ve been really impressed with the students I’ve helped during the current pandemic, that so many people are working hard under very challenging circumstances.

My main hobby is hillwalking and for much of the lockdown I wasn’t able to do this, something that was very difficult for me. Instead, I’ve been on lots of local walks and have noted the wildlife I’ve seen. As a result, my appreciation and knowledge of the area I live in, has really increased. That has been a big positive for me.

Helen Briscoe – Academic Skills Advisor

My name is Helen and I have worked in the Student Engagement Team for 18 months, but have been at Edge Hill University for almost 18 years! I love that my role enables me to meet so many students and support them with academic skills development, and couldn’t ask for a more friendly and encouraging team to work in 😊 

Since starting in this post I have really enjoyed being involved in developing new initiatives such as UniSpeaks and Returning to Learning that enables students to come together in learning communities to support each other. 

Currently, I am working from home with two teenagers in the house, so I always try to carve out some time to relax when I can. I am an avid reader and love cryptic crosswords which are a great way to become totally absorbed in something other than work or study. I also really enjoy jigsaws and am now onto my 3rd since the start of lockdown.

Sharon Pieroni – Academic Skills Advisor

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I work with students to help them to develop new skills and to enhance existing skills, particularly in relation to academic writing.

During the lockdown, like many staff, I’ve been working from home. When I’m not working, I enjoy sewing and making clothes. To put this to use, I’ve joined the local For the Love of Scrubs group and we’ve made lots of scrubs for those working at Ormskirk and Southport hospitals, as well as for many Health Care Professionals from Edge Hill University. I’m happy that what I consider to be my ‘therapeutic pastime’ can help in a small way during this time!

Louise Speakman – Academic Skills Advisor

My name is Louise, the one with the lovely Wigan accent where you may need subtitles in a session or appointment to understand it, the accent that is not the work. I am usually based in the Catalyst but right now can be found in a workspace at home. I genuinely enjoy the total diverse range of students I see on a daily basis; I am selfishly thrilled when I see the recognition or light bulb moment on your face when something works, and I learn so much from you guys.

Lockdown has been tough for many of us, I invested in a second-hand treadmill, I did not want to splurge too much, I am hoping to leave the house at some point in the future. As well as discovering my friends can use online meeting software, this to me has been a very special piece of equipment physically and psychologically. #staysafe

Kat Molesworth – Academic Skills Advisor

I am usually based at the Manchester St. James’ campus but with the opportunity to work in Catalyst too – best of both worlds!  Amongst other things, I really like meeting the range of students we have here at Edge Hill through UniSkills workshops and 1-2-1 support, talking about writing and thinking together with them, learning about what they are working on, and most of all seeing it when their hard work pays off. 

During lockdown, my office has been in the kitchen, so I’ve tried to relax by growing some healthy vegetables with the help of my cat to cut the snacking (not sure it’s working yet!).

Whilst our Academic Skills Advisors spend a lot of time front of house, meeting with students face to face, we also have key members of the team backstage who keep us all on track and have the big responsibility of managing the team and academic skills provision…

Helen Jamieson – Head of Student Engagement

I’m Helen and I am responsible for the delivery of academic skills support – what we call UniSkills at Edge Hill. I manage the Academic Skills Advisors who deliver the support and manage the quality of the provision we provide.

I particularly enjoy using quantitative and qualitative data to improve service provision and plan new student-centred academic skills interventions.  I have recently moved house so lockdown has been challenging on many levels!  To relax I like to do yoga (currently via Zoom) and go for long walks while listening to a podcast.

Julie Nolan – Student Engagement Manager

Hi, I am Julie and I do a lot of the ‘behind the scenes’ operational and organisational work to ensure the UniSkills offer runs as effectively (and smoothly) as possible for students. Amongst many tasks, this includes working with your academic tutors to coordinate our embedded UniSkills classroom sessions, writing informational and supportive online content for web and blogs, curating our student facing social media campaigns across all our LS platforms and responding to student support enquiries. I really enjoy all aspects of my job, but possibly my favourite part of the role is working closely with our fabulous Student Advisors who in turn offer you peer to peer support.

During lockdown, I have been able to spend more time in my garden and have been working hard to renovate the bottom third to reintroduced a (very overgrown!) greenhouse and vegetable patch…fingers crossed it isn’t all eaten by snails or, my English Bull Terrier, Dobby!

Alice Murphy – Student Engagement Officer

Hi, I’m Alice.  My role is to co-ordinate a range of campaigns and initiatives and support the delivery of academic skills support for students. I particularly enjoy the interaction with students and team spirit. During lockdown besides home schooling and working I have started running to ease stress and relax.

Student Advisors

Last but by no means least, we also have a fabulous team of Student Advisors who offer peer to peer support. They have written lots of blog posts about who they are and what they get up to, so do check out some of their previous posts to find out more about them and the support they provide.

We hope you have enjoyed hearing a bit more about the Student Engagement team. We miss seeing your lovely faces in Catalyst and hope we will see you all back on campus soon. In the meantime, you know where we are if you need academic skills support, so get in touch.

Take care and stay safe,
The Student Engagement Team

UniSkills provides a wide range of support designed to help you develop your academic skills and confidence at University and beyond. Since the University closed in the middle of March we have continued to provide academic skills support, albeit in a slightly different way.

Our 1-2-1 appointments and UniSkills workshops (now webinars!) are being offered virtually using Blackboard Collaborate. Our webinar programme in May was really popular with a range of students from across all years of study, so we are delighted that our June programme, which includes all our popular webinar topics, is now open for booking!

Booking on a UniSkills webinar couldn’t be easier. There are no limits to how many webinars you can attend, so book your place today via ehu.ac.uk/workshops. You will receive a booking confirmation email immediately to confirm your place and, closer to the event, you will receive another email with more details on how to join your online session. Please note bookings close 24 hours before the webinar start time.

Don’t forget there is a wide range of online support and information available 24/7 on the UniSkills webpages, and your ‘My Library’ tab in Blackboard Learning Edge, and you can still access individualised 1-2-1 UniSkills support online with one of our Academic Skills Advisors.

If you have any questions or queries about how we can support you with your academic skills during this period contact us via email at CatalystEnquiries@edgehill.ac.uk or use our Ask Us service.

We look forward to seeing you at one of our June webinars soon!