Excelling at University: Academic Literacies and the Development of Graduate Identity

How do you excel at university? What do you need to do in order to exceed your own expectations when it comes to your academic performance? How do you make the most of your learning experience at university so that you can develop the most valuable attributes employers look for in graduates?

This book provides a wealth of guidance on how to excel at university by engaging effectively with all aspects of the university learning experience. Covering tutors’ expectations for how you learn on your programme of study, understanding the role of assessment in learning, the need to engage critically with academic sources, and effective research practice, it offers practical support on how to get the most out of the learning experience. It also includes guidance on different modes of learning, such as collaborative work on group projects, and practice- and work-based learning. Chapters adopt a fresh approach to the traditional guidance by moving beyond the ’how’ to do something to explore the ’why’, addressing such questions as why your tutors want you to be able to write confidently across different genres of writing, and why these competencies have an influence on your ability to excel.

This must-read guide will open up your tutors’ expectations for how you should engage with the learning on your course. It offers a fresh, up-to-date, and innovative perspective on learning at university for all those new to or already engaged in higher education.

Chris Dennis is an Academic Skills Specialist at Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK.

Stuart Abbott is an Academic Skills Specialist at Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK.