Improving your grades

Improving your grades

There's nothing wrong with aiming for a 2:2 or a pass, unless of course, you are capable of doing much better. To make the most of your time and money, avoid "coasting." Too many students seem prepared to accept a D when they are capable of a B or don't bother working for formative assessments because they "don't count". They do count; not as a grade, but certainly in terms of practice and feedback that you can use towards your summative assessments. Formative assessments are about learning; not about "killing time" whilst you wait for the real work to start!

Whatever your academic ability, set yourself a standard and stick to it, or aim towards it. Your module handbook should contain details of marking criteria. Use this as a guide to see what you need to do to achieve a certain grade. Also, when you have completed a piece of work use the criteria as a checklist. Check that your work includes the things needed to get the grade that you want. Check your spelling and punctuation and make sure that you have written the work in the format required e.g. double-line spaced, large margins, etc. 

           

Support with study skills
The University has a range of study skills resources to help you improve your grades.

  • Study skills workshops: Day and evening study skills workshops are held throughout the year. They focus on a range of study skills such as "Managing your time", "Motivating yourself", "Writing your first essay", "Understanding academic writing" and "Maths for nursing and midwifery students". Workshops are free but need to be booked via the website: www.worc.ac.uk/workshops.
  • Referencing and finding resources: ILS offer 1:1 sessions on referencing, using and finding on-line resources, Blackboard, Pebblepad and other VLEs (Virtual Learning Environments), email askalibrarian@worc.ac.uk for further information.
  • Study skills website: http://www.worc.ac.uk/studyskills. The site has a wide range of study skills resources including MP3 downloads, short films and advice sheets.
  • Study skills advice sheets: These are available from the Library and the Careers Centre. They cover a range of topics including "Taking notes", "Organising yourself" and "Exams and revision". 
  • Student Development Weeks: Student Development weeks offer UMS students the opportunity to take time out of their "normal" study in order to concentrate on developing the skills that are crucial for good academic performance and achievement. During these weeks, both academic and support staff will deliver a variety of workshops and training sessions on topics such as "Academic writing", "How to raise your grades" and "Managing your time".

    Student Development Weeks are not free weeks or additional holiday. They are structured weeks where you will be expected to complete tasks set by your academic institute. These may involve participating in research, working in the library or attending one or more of the specialist support sessions.
  • Feedback Weeks: Feedback weeks have been included into the UMS Calendar. They are there to ensure that you collect your assessed work and receive feedback on your academic performance.
  • University publications: The University produces a number of useful student study guides such as “A guide to university assessment for first year students” and “Citing and Referencing Guide: Harvard.” Copies are available from the Library.