Often students will report having too much to do and not enough time to do it, which can lead to procrastination and avoidance. Stress can also lead to fatigue, low mood and lack of motivation.
Full articlePreparing for University
2 Arranging reasonable adjustments
Reasonable adjustments enable you to participate in the academic assessment process on a fair basis, and according to your preferences. Find out how to arrange reasonable adjustments that work for you.
Here are some examples of adjustments that can be made. This list is not exhaustive and not relevant to all students. Reasonable adjustments will be identified on a case-by-case basis according to the evidence and individual needs assessment:
▪ Examination arrangements – e.g. access to a PC, smaller venue, extra time (the standard amount of extra time to complete timed assessments given in the UK is 25%)
▪ Lecture slides issued in advance
▪ Support to access assistive technology
▪ Support with alternative formatting of information
▪ Equipment Loan e.g. digital recorder, smart pen
▪ Non-medical personal support (NMPH) e.g. reader or scribe in examinations
▪ Flexible deadlines
3 What to take to University
Depending on whether you are living in catered or self-catered halls, you will need different items.
Full article4 The Study Needs Assessment
Once you have applied for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) your funding provider may ask you to book a Study Needs Assessment. The cost of the Study Needs Assessment is paid through the Disabled Students’ Allowances.
Please speak to your Disability Adviser for support with arranging your Study Needs Assessment.
Full article5 Registering with a GP
All students living in St Andrews and studying at the University for 12 weeks or more should ensure they are registered with one of the two local NHS medical practices in order to access healthcare. During the matriculation process, students will be able to register with one of the NHS medical practices. You will not be able to register until you are a fully matriculated student
Full article6 Money Advice
If you have money worries and don’t know what to do, you can make an appointment to see one of our money advisors by emailing moneyadvice@st-andrews.ac.uk
Full article7 What does it mean to be an independent learner?
Studying at university involves a lot more independent (self) study than in secondary school.
You will probably find that your time is a little less structured, than what you are used to. There will be timetabled lectures and seminars which you will be expected to attend on a weekly basis. If you are doing an Arts based subject such as History, Classics or English you may have lectures/seminars for 10 hours (or less) a week. In the rest of your time, you will be expected to do some of your own independent reading and research. This also gives you time to work on your assignments and prepare for exams, class tests or presentations. If you are doing a Science based subject eg. Chemistry, Mathematics, Computer Science there will be labs for you to attend which might last for a morning (e.g. 9-12pm) or an afternoon (e.g. 2-5pm).
This means that you might need a little bit of support and guidance to manage the transition from having a very full time table when you were at school and college, to studying at University. There are lots of resources to help you with this.
Full article8 What is university really like?
It’s hard to know what university is like until you get there, and all universities are different. In some ways it’s easier to describe what university isn’t! Well, everyone says that it is not like school or college, or work, or home. So, what IS university really like? We aim to give you a realistic view, based on things students told us they wish they had known.
Full article9 Funding including Disabled Students’ Allowance
What is DSA?
Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) is government funding for UK students in full time and part time higher education. It is designed to help meet the additional costs that students can incur because of a disability, specific learning difference, mental health condition or a long-term medical condition. The aim is to support disabled students to study on an equal basis with other students.
The funding is not means tested, meaning the amount you receive is not based on your household income and it is paid in addition to your Student Finance package. DSA does not need to be paid back.
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10 Choosing a course and university
This article will help you decide what to study, and at which university. We provide practical tips on how to compare universities, how to prepare for open days and who to talk to at these events.
Full article11 Applying to university
Find out more about applying to University generally, and about our university’s admission process.
Full article12 Choosing your accommodation
This article introduces typical accommodation options available and provides some tips for making the right choice for you.
Full article13 Telling people at university about your autism
Telling people about your autism at university is also known as ‘disclosure’ or ‘declaring a disability’. More information about what this means and why it might be important to you is available in this article.
Full article14 What is group work really like?
Working in a group with other students is part and parcel of university study. Quite a few people worry about it, and some have real problems with it. This activity looks at the main issues people have with group work and gives you some practical tips for your own study.
Full article15 What are seminars really like?
Seminars provide an opportunity to explore topics by discussion, and to identify and resolve any questions that may arise after lectures. This section will look at how to prepare for a seminar, and what to expect from one.
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16 What are computer lab sessions really like?
Computing labs Facilities – School of Computer Science – University of St Andrews (st-andrews.ac.uk)
The School of Computer Science is based in the Jack Cole and John Honey buildings on the North Haugh in St Andrews. Student computing labs are arranged to support collaborative working while also providing private spaces for individual work. The labs contain group-working and social areas with large LCD screens.
While the School’s computing labs are well equipped with powerful and up-to-date PC workstations, there are also desks where personal laptops can be used with a monitor. Each lab desk has access to a power socket for charging personal devices.
Most lab workstations have dual LCD screens and a number are equipped with hardware to support GPU-accelerated machine learning computation.
Lecture and tutorial venues
The School uses variety of lecture venues across the University campus. Some lectures take place in a room equipped with workstations to allow lecturing to be interspersed with practical exercises. Other lectures are delivered in larger, more traditional lecture theatres in neighbouring buildings or in modern small-group meeting rooms for more specialised Honours modules.
Full article17 Managing conflict
Different people have different expectations and styles of working or living together. Sometimes that can lead to conflict. This article will help you recognise causes of conflict and proposes strategies to resolve it.
Full article18 What are assessments?
This section will look at different forms of assessment. It will give you some practical ideas on how to prepare for them, and how to get the most out of them.
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