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Essentials Study Your Academic Tutor How to make the most of Academic Tutoring? Foundation Students
Student and staff sat in conversation

Academic Tutor meeting guide: Foundation Students

From beginning your journey at university to moving through your programme, this guide helps make the most of your Academic Tutor meetings with suggested themes, topics and preparation activities. The conversations you have with your tutor aren’t limited to our suggestions; these are just some ideas to fall back on if you’re ever not sure.   

Your Academic Tutor is here to support you with your academic, personal, and professional development throughout your studies. Your first meeting with your Academic Tutor should be in Welcome Week and, after that, you should meet up once a term to talk about your progress and how you are doing. If ever you find you’re struggling with your studies, you can speak to your Academic Tutor. They can advise you on what to do and let you know how to get the right support. 

Try to keep a personal record of your meetings, what you discussed, and any actions to take from them. Keeping a record of your development will help you to reflect on your performance and progress - you can revisit these at a later date by yourself, or in future meetings.

Your Academic Tutor may also make confidential notes during your meeting and add them on RISIS where you can also access them, which can help with keeping track of your meetings. If notes are available, you will get an email to let you know. If you feel that something has been misinterpreted, you can ask to have the notes edited.

To help you record your meeting, download a printable copy of our Academic Tutor meeting template.

    Suggested topics for Welcome Week

    Get to know each other

    What are you excited about experiencing at Reading? 

    What modules have you chosen and why?

    Do you have a disability, specific learning difficulty, or any other commitments that may be relevant to help your Academic Tutor best support you (for example, if you are a parent or carer)?

    What are your interests, and do you have any free time activities? Does your Academic Tutor? 

    Do you have any ideas yet about what you might do after university?

    Have you thought about activities you can get involved in outside the classroom?

    Have you considered how you will manage your time to get the most out of your studies? 

    Are you interested in representing your peers and giving student feedback about your course? You could ask your tutor about being involved in the Foundation Student/Staff Partnership. 

    Ideas and resources

    Find out who your Academic Tutor is – have a look on RISIS.

    Take a look at the Student Charter.

    Look at the Essentials pages on the Academic Tutor System including the Frequently Asked Questions, and view the video-clip ‘Our Academic Tutor System’.

    Review the information about Academic Tutors on Study Smart. 

    Have a look at our programme of Life Tools talks.

    Think about the opportunities you can get involved in. 

     

    Suggested topics for Term 1

    How’s it going so far? 

    Are you settling in well? What are you enjoying about being at Reading?

    How are you adapting to the style of teaching, lectures / seminars / practicals, coursework, workload, studying independently, or living away from home? Has this been an easy transition?

    How has your attendance been so far? Are you enjoying your programme? 

    Do you feel prepared going to your classes? What could you improve? 

    Do you have any assignments yet? What are they? Have you done anything similar before? Where could you get revision and study support? 

    Have you signed up to any Life Tools talks? These are great for building soft skills!

    Have you considered any other opportunities offered at Reading to get more out of your experience? You might think about what other personal and professional skills you can start to build on.

    Talking about feedback


    Have you got any feedback so far? You can share and talk about your feedback from lecturers or other students on your course.  Try to be honest in your discussion to get the most support you can and be constructive. Your Academic Tutor can help you understand this. 

    How could your feedback help you study and keep improving for your next assignment?

    Next steps

    Plan and reflect. Think about how you approached discussing your feedback and how it can help you. Make a note of action points you can work on to create an Action Plan. You can use our meeting template as a guide.

    Ideas and resources

    Think about your life at Reading – how well you are doing, what are you enjoying and what could you enjoy more?

    If you have one, take a list of your assignment deadlines and prepare to discuss time-management and prioritisation.

    Review recent feedback on your work and pick out any themes or topics you'd like to discuss, take a step back and think about what you’re doing to help yourself get better at understanding your feedback.

    Have a look at our programme of Life Tools talks. 

    Take a look on Essentials at the Study Support page. 

    Take a look at the Careers webpages and see what’s available. 

    Suggested topics for Term 2

    How are things going? 

    How are you settling in? Have you been meeting new people? 

    How’s your course been so far compared to your expectations? 

    What has Reading offered you so far in terms of fun, excitement and opportunity?

    Making progress

     How are you managing to keep up with lectures/seminars/practicals? What are you enjoying about them and learning about what you love? 

    Have you checked your Student Progress Dashboard to check your progress?

    How are you getting on with independent study and any issues such as deadlines, time management, exam preparation or presentations? Do you need any help with revision strategy?

    Talking about feedback

    Have you received any feedback on your work in class or any assignments?  You could share and talk openly about your feedback from lecturers or other students on your course. Has feedback been useful so far? 

    How can your feedback help you study more effectively and keep improving for your next assignment? What other support does Reading offer?

    Looking ahead

    Have you thought about your programme choice? Do you think it is still what you want to do? 

    What you are doing alongside studying to enhance your experience and gain new skills. Think about societies, volunteering, part-time work, caring for family and friends. 

    Do you have any ideas yet about what you might do in the summer? 

    Next steps

    What does good academic practice mean to you? 

    Think about working on your Action Plan,identifying and creating goals from what you have discussed and experienced so far.

    Ideas and resources

    Refer to your Action Plan  from last term – check what you have done since – did you follow up?   

    Have a look at our programme of Life Tools talks.

    If you’ve received any feedback on your work, take it with you.

    Take a look on Essentials at the Study Support page.

    Think about possible placements or work experience or year abroad. What options does Reading provide for you?

    Have a look at the Careers webpages.

    Suggested topics for Term 3

    Reflection

    How have you felt about your progress over the year? How have your assessments gone so far? You could discuss your feedback, marks or exams results – try to be honest and open about it.  What has gone well? What hasn’t gone so well? Take another look at your Student Progress Dashboard.

    What has been a big achievement for you this year? Have you been working on developing your strengths? 

    Have you been involved in anything alongside studying to enhance your experience and gain new skills? 

    Looking ahead

    Do you have any assessments remaining? How are you feeling about your final exams/assessments? What revision strategies have you used so far? Have they worked for you? 

    What are your plans for after June exams/assessments? You can talk about different options with your Academic Tutor. 

    Have you got any plans for the summer and career skills/work experience/holidays? Have you been in contact with any of our Student Services? 

    Next steps

    Are you going to get involved with Open Days – in June or October? 

    Think about any Action Plan points you have completed and feel proud! 

    Ideas and resources 

    Refer to your Action Plan from last term – check what you have done since – did you follow up?
     
    Think about your progress and your next steps once you complete your programme
     
    Identify any particular issues or things that you might find challenging (academic, personal, or professional). Who can you get support from?

    If you’re continuing to Part 1 in the next academic year, you could think about signing up to be a STaR mentor to support new Foundation students.
     
    Check the Study Support page on Essentials.  
     
    Take another look at our programme of Life Tools talks. 
     
    Pick out any themes or topics from feedback you’ve got on your work.
     
    Think about plans for placements or work experience or year abroad.  
     
    Have a look at the CareersCareers webpages.  

    Think about societies, volunteering, part-time work, caring for family and friends. 

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