Tips and tricks :
studying @ KU Leuven.
EEA Students
Orientation days
19/09/2013
Karel Joos
Study Advice Service
Introductory video
Video : Study Succes @ K.U.Leuven
(www.kuleuven.be/studysupport)
Themes
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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?
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In class : relevance for others
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After class : ‘argumented’ question
• Respecting the hierarchy
• Professors appreciate :
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Critically
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Coöperating
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Independant
Study Method
• Is taking notes necessary?
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
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Own examples, counter examples
Comparisons
Exercices
Applications
Critical point of view, …
Time Management
• Hours of studying
• When to begin?
• Where to study?
Room
o Library
o Agora?
• Study planning
• How does the academic year look like?
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Overview of the academic year
Cultural Differences in the Study Approach
• Selection before or after studying?
Passing the admission in the beginning ≠ passing the
exams at the end?
• Exam expectations
• Independant thinking and studying
o courses and assignments
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(Academic) culture
• Power distance
• Individualism
• Masculinity
• Uncertainty
avoidance
• Long term
orientation
http://geert-hofstede.com/countries.html
Different kinds of courses and assignments
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lecture/tutorial
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exercise session - integrated practical (compulsary,
permanent evaluation)
group presentations
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paper/essay
master thesis/dissertation (independant working,
limited coaching)
Writing papers/master thesis
• Goal : personal, independant synthesis of literature
• What is plagiarism?
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/
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Exam Expectations
• Examination Forms
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Oral (feedback of prof)
Written
• Open questions (structure)
• Multiple choice (guessing : -1/3 for wrong answer)
Paper (plagiarism)
o Presentation (not only content)
o Exercises
• Deliberation Criteria
o Master : zero tolerance
• Ombudsperson
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Grading
Mark
Transcript
US
ECTS
% of
succesfull
Your answer
20
Outstanding
A+
A
10%
Exceptional, additional
analyses, additional
information
Very good
A
B
25%
19
18
17
16
15
Good
A-
14
13
Above average
Satisfactory
10
30%
D
25%
Structuring answer
B
12
11
C
Own examples,
counter examples,
comparisons, critics,
application, exercises
B-C+
C
E
10%
Memorizing literally,
basic understanding
8-9
Insufficient
D
Superficial knowlegdecomprehension
0-7
Very insufficient
F
Lack of knowledgecomprehension
Practical information
• Registration
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 planning
o Before 9/10
o Sessions in faculty/programme
• Toledo : toledo.kuleuven.be
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Further info sessions
• Tips and tricks 1: Studying @ KU Leuven
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• 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/studysupport
Support, services at K.U.Leuven
• www.kuleuven.be/studyadvice
o Study advice service
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Contact
Karel Joos
Study Advice Service
Naamsestraat 80
3000 Leuven
016/32 43 11
www.kuleuven.be/studyadvice
> Contact form
Questions?
The End