1st Edition
Studying Geography at University How to Succeed in the First Year of Your New Degree
Written by leading academics, this book is an invaluable ‘how to …’ guide to studying for a Geography degree. Written in a practical and conversational style, it offers important insights into how to succeed in the first year of your degree course, covering everything from how to succeed in assessments to how to decide where to live. Some of the information the book provides is academic and some of it is non-academic, as negotiating both is important in order to be successful in the first year of a Geography degree.
Studying Geography at University is ideal for those in the early stages of applying to university. Each chapter offers hints and tips and gives practical real-world insights into becoming a successful geography student that will enrich applications, open days and visit days. It is also possible to dip into the chapter summaries, ‘What Do Students Say?’ and ‘Top Tip’ boxes only. Written by current students, from a range of institutions, these provide unique insights into the book's key points. Current students should also keep and refer to the book as an invaluable guide through the first few months of their degree.
This guide is a must-read for anyone starting their studies in Human Geography, Physical Geography, Environmental Science or any other related subject at university.
Part 1: What to expect when your Geography degree begins 1. Accommodation and the social transition to university 2. The types of geography you can study at university 3. Degree organisation and structure 4. Approaches to geography teaching and learning 5. Getting the most from lectures 6. Getting the most from seminars and tutorials 7. Your tutor and other sources of support 8. How will you be assessed? 9. What to expect from the first couple of weeks at university Part 2: The academic skills you need to succeed 10. Listening skills 11. Effective note-taking 12. Approaching reading lists and library search strategies 13. Becoming an effective academic reader 14. Writing essays 15. Developing an academic writing style 16. Referencing and plagiarism 17. Arguing and thinking critically 18. Surviving exams 19. Delivering presentations 20. Doing Human Geography fieldwork 21. Field and lab research in physical geography (by Dr Simon Drew) 22. Making the most of feedback 23. Keeping balance and maintaining wellbeing
Biography
Simon Tate is Professor of Pedagogy in Higher Education at Newcastle University, UK. Before taking up his current appointment, Simon taught Geography in comprehensive schools in the North East of England.
Peter Hopkins is Professor in Social Geography at Newcastle University, UK, where he has taught for over ten years.
