Top tips for new and returning students in light of Covid19 disruption

Tue 07 July, 2020

After schools, colleges and universities were shut by the government in March amid the coronavirus crisis, staff at the University of Bedfordshire have been fully aware of the uncertainty faced by both current and prospective students.

With the summer term drawing to a close, whilst some young people will be applying for work experience or relaxing on beach towels in their gardens pretending to be in the Bahamas, many will be planning ahead for an altogether different adventure on the horizon this September – going to university.

With schools having been closed to most students for an extended period due to the pandemic and public health guidance, it is only natural that university applicants may be concerned about their academic studies and preparing for the transition to university life.

University of Bedfordshire has a number of dedicated student support departments which can help both new and returning students with their Higher Education journey, providing guidance every step of the way. Support services include counselling student money advice, disability support and community and faith centres.

David Seaton, Assistant Director of Student Recruitment and Admissions at Bedfordshire said: “University study is very different to school/college with a focus on applied and independent learning. For some, this may initially seem strange but the joy about university study is the opportunities it presents to really focus on a subject you are passionate about”.

To kick start the thought process for getting ready for university in September 2020, David has highlighted his top four tips. So whether you’re a new or returning student, this guidance can help you get a head-start on the work to come – resist the urge to spend the summer topping up your tan and take notes of these tips instead…

Undertake some background reading relevant to your subject and keep up to date on any new developments in your field.

Try using different learning methods to find out which one works for you.

Brainstorms, keywording, colour and pictures are some examples of how you can mix different studying techniques.

Consider how you are going to plan your study time and establish a study calendar and identify the best time of the day for your productivity.

Familiarise yourself with ICT skills so that you are ready to hit the ground running when you start.

It is important for students and applicants to remember that staff at the University of Bedfordshire are here to help with any anxieties, concerns or queries. The student support team can be contacted on sid@beds.ac.uk or the admissions team can be reached via admission@beds.ac.uk

New students can find lots of helpful information online at www.beds.ac.uk/welcome

For further tips and tricks for preparing for September 2020, visit The Student Room.