Learning essentials
A toolbox of resources to help you develop academic study skills.
Getting started at university
Quick guides
- IT essentials
Information about IT services and support at the University of Auckland. - Learning Hub
Access resources to support your learning:- Getting started with Canvas - how to access and use functions in Canvas.
- Learning at University - understand the learning context at university.
Detailed resources
- write@uni module 1: Expectations of writing at university.
- Expectations about university - find out about academic writing expectations and demands at university.
- What's expected of you? - tips from the University of Auckland students.
Managing your time
- Time management a series of short modules:
Critical thinking
Quick guides
- Learning Hub - critical thinking
What is critical thinking, how to think critically. - Evaluating resources and websites
Criteria for critically evaluating quality information.
Detailed resources
- write@uni module 2: Writing starts with thinking.
- What is critical thinking.
- Beyond the first impression - activity illustrating some of the steps in critical thinking.
- Developing a critical mind - advice from students and lecturers.
Reading effectively, efficiently and critically
Quick guides
- Learning Hub - coping with readings
Strategies for coping with readings at university.
Detailed resources
- write@uni module 3: Reading informs writing.
- Learning to read in different ways - listen to students’ approaches to reading at university.
- Reading for your course - prioritise your readings.
- Expectations of you as a reader - listen to what lecturers have to say about reading in their subject areas.
- Reading with a critical eye - critical and active reading.
- Reading effectively
Strategies to increase comprehension and recall, critical reading and active reading. - Efficient reading
How to become a faster reader.
Related workshops
Note-taking
Quick guides
- Learning Hub - note-taking
Basic note-taking methods and tips.
Detailed resources
- Note-taking
Note-taking methods and examples.
Finding information
Quick guides
- Finding my course readings in Canvas.
- Learning Hub - finding quality sources of information
How to find quality academic sources of information for your assignments. - Subject guides
Find databases, websites, research tools and strategies useful for your assignments.
Detailed resources
- Academic articles - where to start
Effective search strategies for finding academic articles for your assignments.
Writing
Quick guides
- Learning Hub - writing paragraphs
Using the PEEL structure to write effective paragraphs. - Learning Hub - developing arguments
Tips to help you develop and present effective arguments.
Detailed resources
- write@uni module 4: Writing with purpose.
- The writing process - learn about the writing process and download a checklist.
- Expectations of you as a writer - listen to what lecturers have to say about writing in their disciplines.
- Establishing your position - develop your academic voice.
- Essay writing
Planning, building the essay, achieving coherence, essay types, checking your essay.
Student essay exemplars
- write@uni module 4.8: Examples of student writing
Essay and report samples from Music, Asian Studies, Engineering, and Medical Sciences, and a sample of short answer question and annotated bibliography. - AWA: Academic writing at Auckland
Collection of proficient writing by students from a range of disciplines.
Related workshops
Referencing and paraphrasing
Quick guides
- Quick©ite
Examples of common types of references in various styles.
Detailed resources
Referencing
- Referencing: The basics
The what, why, when, how and where of effective referencing and reference management. - Referen©ite
The University of Auckland’s academic referencing website.
Paraphrasing
- In other words: First steps to paraphrasing
How to paraphrase at the word, sentence and text level.
Reference management tools
- RefWorks online tutorial
The basics of RefWorks. - Referencing for research from Go to Whoa
How specific functionalities of reference management tools can help you with common issues experienced during the research process.
Related workshops
Preparing for your exams
Quick guides
- Learning Hub - exam preparation
Strategies for exam preparation. - Learning Hub - managing time in exams
Calculate how much time to spend on each section of an exam paper.
Detailed resources
- Exams: preparing and revising
Answering questions, expectations, overcoming barriers, getting organised and looking after yourself.
English language development
Quick guides
- Learning Hub - grammar
Tips to help you improve your grammar. - English Language Enrichment (ELE) quick guides about services and language resources at your level of study:
Detailed resources
- ELE online
Language resources you can use on campus with your University of Auckland username and password.- GrammarSmart - interactive self-study grammar module.
- Vibrant vocabulary - identify the most important words you need for university study and effective ways to learn new words.
- Articles afresh - what articles mean and how they work.
- ELE Tech: English language enrichment in technical contexts - basic rules around English grammar and writing for engineers.
- Kiwi English - learn about New Zealand English.
- Phonology - improve your pronunciation of English language.
Related workshops
- Writing in English workshops
Increase your understanding of grammar, sentence structure and editing. - Language learning groups
Converse with others and develop your English proficiency
Postgraduate resources
- Postgraduate resources and workshops page
Additional resources aimed at masters students and doctoral candidates.
