Study Skills

Here is a link to my DropBox public folder where you can download various guides.

...

If you look online or in the library, you can find hundreds of books on study skills.  Some of these take a generic approach, while others focus on a specific skill or subject area.

It is worth remembering that you already have a range of study skills - you wouldn't be at university without them - but there is always room for improvement.  It is something that even PhD students have to work on.

Use some of the references below to think about your own skills, and where you might need improvement.  Everyone is different, so will find different books useful.  Personally, I think the Using English for Academic Purposes website is really useful, and am indebted to the work of John Peck and Martin Coyle, who really helped me when I was studying for 'A' Level.

General study skills

Chambers, E. and Northedge, A. (1997).  The arts good study guide, 2nd ed.  Open University Press [371.30281 CH].

Doughty, R. and Shaw, D. (2008). Film; the essential study guide. Routledge. [791.43 FIL]
  
Learning and Academic Skills Support - homepage of the Academic Learning Development Advisor at the University of Westminser.  Help with time management, note taking, paraphrasing and essay writing.

Mann, S. (2011). Study skills for art, design and media students.  Longman/Pearson [707.11 MAN]. PRINT ONLY. Table of contents

Time management 

Levin, P., (2007).  Skilfull time management!.  Open Univeristy Press.

Information skills 

Deane, M. (2010).  Academic research, writing & referencing.  Longman. [808.02 DEA]  Table of contents

Gray, C. and Malins, J. (2004). Locating and using reference materials for art and design research.  In: Visualizing research: a guide to the research process in art and design.  Ashgate. [707.2 GRA].  [Aimed at postgraduate students, but nevertheless quite easy to read].

Info Skills - http://www.wmin.ac.uk/page-3510
- University site with help with understanding essay questions, choosing keywords, evaluating your information, referencing etc. 
 
InfoSmart [Information Skills for Creatives - Glasgow School of Art] -  http://www2.gsa.ac.uk/library/infosmart/ 


Research for practice                                                      

Collins, H. (2010). Creative research the theory and practice of research for the creative industries.  Lausanne : AVA Academia.

Fox, A. and Caruana, N. (2012).  Basics Creative Photography 03: Behind the Image : Research in photography. London: AVA Academia.


Mind-mapping software 

Rustler, F. (2012).  Mind mapping for dummies. Wiley
 

XMind - Mind Mapping and Storming.  Available from http://www.xmind.net/ 

Reading, Writing & Reasoning

Corrigan, T. (2011). A short guide to writing about film, 8th ed.  Pearson. [808.066791 COR].  If you are a film student and you are reading this, you will buy a copy of this book!  What have you got to lose?

Creme, P. and Lea, M. R. (2008).  Writing at university : a guide for students, 3rd ed. Open University Press.

Fairbairn, G. J. and Winch, C. (2011).  Reading, writing and reasoning : a guide for students, 3rd ed.  Open University Press.

Gillett, A., Hammond, A. and Martala, M. (2009).  Successful academic writing.  Pearson. [808.02 GIL]
- a great little book this, from Andy Gillett, author of the Using English for Academic Purposes website.

Graff, G. and Birkenstein (2014).  They say

Levin, P. (2009).  Write great essays!, 2nd ed.  Open University Press [808.066 LEV].

Nichols, B.  (2010). How Can We Write Effectively about Documentary? In: Introduction to documentary, 2nd ed.  Indiana University Press, pages 253-343.

UEfAP [Using English for Academic Purposes]: Academic Writing.  http://www.uefap.com/writing/writfram.htm

Williams, G. (2014).  How to write about contemporary art.  Thames & Hudson.

Referencing and avoiding plagiarism 

British Universities Film & Video Council (2013).  Audiovisual Citation Guidelines. British Universities Film & Video Council.

Neville, C. (2010).  The complete guide to referencing and avoiding plagiarism, 2nd ed. Open University Press.

Pears, R. and Shields, G. (2010).  Cite them right: the essential referencing guide.  Palgrave. [808.02 PEA].  Print only.

Referencing your work [University of Westminster]. http://www.westminster.ac.uk/study/current-students/support-and-facilities/library-it-services/referencing

Presentation skills

Levin, P. and Topping, G. (2006). Perfect presentations! Open University Press.

Coping with stress 

Levin, P. (2007).  Conquer study stress!; 20 problems solved.  Open University Press.

Offers succinct advice on common problems including 'intimidated by monster reading lists,' 'bored with reviewing the literature, and 'demoralized by negative feedback.'

Dissertations

Berry, R. (2005). Research project; how to write it, 5th ed. Routledge

Gray, C. and Malins, J. (2004). Locating and using reference materials for art and design research.  In: Visualizing research: a guide to the research process in art and design.  Ashgate. [707.2 GRA]


Greetham, B. (2009).  How to write your undergraduate dissertation.  Palgrave. [808.042 GRE]

Swetnam, D. (2004).  Writing your dissertation; how to plan, prepare and present successful work, 3rd ed. How to books.

Levin, P., (2011). Excellent dissertations!, 2nd ed. Maidenhead: Open University Press [808.066378 LEV]

Williams, K. (2014).  Planning your dissertation.  Palgrave Macmillan

- super short guide in the 'pocket study skills' series.

Other sources


Baker, C. and Hansen, J. (2014).  The elements of f*cking style; a helpful parody.  Thomas Dunne books

Barrass, R. (2005) Students must write; a guide to better writing in coursework and examinations, 3rd ed. Routledge.

Blaxter, L., Hughes, C. and Tight, M. (2010).  How to research, 4th ed. Open University Press.

Deane, M. (2010).  Academic research, writing & referencing.  Longman. [808.02 DEA]  Table of contents.


Francis, P. (2009).  Inspiring writing in art and design; taking a line for a write. Intellect. [808.0667 FRA]

Godfrey, J. (2009).  How to use your reading in your essays.  Palgrave Macmillan. [808.02 GOD]

Greetham, B. (2008). How to write better essays, 2nd ed.. Palgrave Macmillan. [808.042 GRE]

Grix, J. & Watkins, G. (2010).  Information skills; finding and using the right resources.  Palgrave. [808.066378 GRI]

Kirton, B. (2011).  Brilliant essay; what you need to know and how to do it.  Pearson.
Levin, P., (2007).  Skillfull time management.  Open Univeristy Press

Oliver, P. (2012). Succeeding with your literature review; a handbook for students. Open University Press.

Pears, R. and Shields, G. (2010).  Cite them right: the essential referencing guide.  Palgrave. [808.02 PEA]

Peck, J. & Coyle, M. (2005).  Write it right.  Palgrave Macmillan. [808.042 PEC].  There is some basic advice from the book here.

Peck, J. & Coyle, Mo. (2005). The student's guide to writing : grammar, punctuation and spelling, 2nd ed.  Palgrave Macmillan. [428 PEC].  See table of contents on Amazon.


Rumsey, S. (2008).  How to find information : a guide for researchers, 2nd ed. Open University Press

Sword, H. (2012).  Stylish academic writing. Harvard University Press. [808.0420711 SWO]

Taylor, G. (2009).  A student's writing guide; how to plan and write successful essays.  Cambridge University Press.

Tharp, T. (2008).  The creative habit; learn it and use it for life; a practical guide.  Simon & Schuster. [135.35 THA]

The Economist (2005).  Style guide, 9th ed. The Economist

UEfAP [Using English for Academic Purposes]: Academic Writing.  http://www.uefap.com/writing/writfram.htm

Warburton, N. (2007).  The basics of essay writing.  Routledge.  [808.042 WAR]. Look on Amazon for the table of contents.