Tips and tricks : studying @ KU Leuven.

Non-EEA Students

Orientation days19/09/2013

Karel JoosStudy Advice Service

Introductory video

Video : Study Succes @ K.U.Leuven (www.kuleuven.be/studysupport)

Themes• Relationship Student-Professor• Study Method• Time Management• Cultural Differences in the Study Approach• Different kinds of courses and assignments• Writing Papers/Master Thesis• Exam Expectations• Practical Information

Relationship Student-Professor• Not too familiar• Asking questions to the professor?

o In class : relevance for otherso After class : ‘argumented’ question

• Respecting the hierarchy• Professors appreciate :

o Critically o Coöperatingo Independant

Study Method• Is taking notes necessary?

o Student course books?• What to learn and how?

o Text book (marking, reading, analysing)o Exercises (familiar and new)o Notes

• Memorizing literally?o To know – to do

• Own examples, counter examples• Comparisons• Exercices• Applications• Critical point of view, …

Time Management• Hours of studying• When to begin?• Where to study?

o Roomo Libraryo Agora?

• Study planning• How does the academic year look like?

Overview of the academic year

Cultural Differences in the Study Approach

• Selection before or after studying?o Passing the admission in the beginning ≠ passing the

exams at the end?• Exam expectations• Independant thinking and studying

o courses and assignments

(Academic) culture• Power distance

• Individualism

• Masculinity

• Uncertainty avoidance

• Long term orientation

http://geert-hofstede.com/countries.html

Different kinds of courses and assignments

o lecture/tutorial

o exercise session - integrated practical (compulsary, permanent evaluation)

o group presentations

o paper/essayo master thesis/dissertation (independant working,

limited coaching)

Writing papers/master thesis• Goal : personal, independant synthesis of literature• What is plagiarism?

o Copying or paraphrasing (articles, sites, …) without acknowledgment.

• Referring and citing : some misconceptions : insulting the professor.

• Consequences at K.U.Leuven :o http://www.kuleuven.be/plagiarism/

Exam Expectations• Examination Forms

o Oral (feedback of prof)o Written

• Open questions (structure)• Multiple choice (guessing : -1/3 for wrong answer)

o Paper (plagiarism)o Presentation (not only content)o Exercises

• Deliberation Criteriao Master : zero tolerance

• Ombudsperson

Grading

Mark Transcript US ECTS % of succesfull

Your answer

20 Outstanding A+ A 10% Exceptional, additional analyses, additional information19

18

17 Very good A

16 B 25%

15 Good A- Own examples, counter examples, comparisons, critics, application, exercises

14 C 30%

13 Above average B

12 D 25% Structuring answer

11 Satisfactory B-C+ Memorizing literally, basic understanding10 C E 10%

8-9 Insufficient D Superficial knowlegde-comprehension

0-7 Very insufficient F Lack of knowledge-comprehension

Practical information• Registration

o Student number + Passwords for Toledo and ISP• Start classes : Tuesday Sept. 24th ‘13• ISP = Individual Study Programme

o Choosing electives o Numerus clausus?o Exam planningo Before 9/10o Sessions in faculty/programme

• Toledo : toledo.kuleuven.be

Further info sessions• Tips and tricks 1: Studying @ KU Leuven

• Thursday 19th of September 2013• Tips and tricks 2: Study approach @ KU Leuven

• Monday 28th of October 2013, 8pm• Tips and tricks 3: Time management @ KU Leuven

• Monday 28th of October 2013, 9pm• Tips and tricks 4: Master thesis @ KU Leuven

• Monday 18th of November 2013, 8pm• Tips and tricks 5: Presentation techniques @ KU L

• Monday 18th of November2013, 9pm• Tips and tricks 6: Exams @ KU Leuven

• Monday 2th of December 2013, 8pm

Digital info

• www.kuleuven.be/studysupporto Support, services at K.U.Leuven

• www.kuleuven.be/studyadviceo Study advice service

ContactKarel Joos

Study Advice ServiceNaamsestraat 803000 Leuven016/32 43 11

www.kuleuven.be/studyadvice> Contact form

Questions?

The End