Study Problems

Study Problems

Page written and resources collated by Laura Mella, Inclusive Support Manager and Michele Lockwood-Edwards, Academic Skills Adviser.

All students have different challenges, but students sometimes report feeling they are not up to date with work plans, feel challenged by trying to balance studying, paid work and social activities, or may be feeling overwhelmed which could adversely affect motivation.

We have compiled some links and sources of support to enhance your approach to studying. These are also worth looking at if you want to proactively keep on track with your workload, or to develop good study habits and approaches.

Key Support Services within Hallam

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Skills Centre

The Skills Centre have lots of resources to help with specific aspects of studying, including guidance on assignment planning, structure, referencing and proofreading. You can look at self-help guides, attend groups sessions or meet with advisers to get one-to-one support.

See the Skills Centre Support options
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Learning Contracts

1 in 7 students at Hallam are classed as having a disability. If you have anxiety/depression, dyslexia or a range of mental health or medical conditions you are eligible for a range of helpful support with your study.

Browse Disabled Student Support

Videos

Pomodoro Technique

Learn a short simple technique to make the best use of your time. 

Help with studying

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Academic Skills sessions

Interactive, one-hour webinars on core academic skills topics, including critical and reflective writing, presentation skills and dissertation planning. Attend live, online sessions or watch recordings on-demand

View the calendar to book a place
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Self compassion tips for Productivity

An interactive online session with tips to encourage self-management involving a more self-compassionate approach. We’ll discuss effective time management, ways to develop healthy study habits and tips for managing stress

Book a place
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Success in your studies

Get the most out of each year of your course by recognising what the key expectations are, and how to achieve these in your academic writing and assignments.

Book a place
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Time management

Learn how to plan and organise your time effectively, with techniques and strategies that will benefit your studies and beyond.

Book a place

Wellbeing Group Sessions

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Motivation and Me

Exploring motivation and looking at some practical steps to improve it.

Book a place
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Building Resilience and Managing Stress

How to cope when it feels tough. 

Book a place

Togetherall - Online courses

Togetherall is an online mental health community with a wealth of resources - available free to all staff and students.   To access resources from Togetherall you need to register for an account here . You will only need to do this once. This will allow you to access many of the tools on our site.

Togetherall - online courses

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Stop Procrastinating

Go to course
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Problem solving

Go to course

Apps

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Focus To Do

Helps you to manage tasks and perform them efficiently

Download the app
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Trello

Create and manage lists to plan your work and your life

Download the app
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Mindview

Mind mapping software to help you visually organise your essays, presentations or projects

Find out more

Podcasts and audio resources

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Inside the mind of a master procrastinator

Tim Urban knows that procrastination doesn't make sense, but he's never been able to shake his habit of waiting until the last minute to get things done. In this hilarious and insightful talk, Urban takes us on a journey through YouTube binges, Wikipedia rabbit holes and bouts of staring out the window -- and encourages us to think harder about what we're really procrastinating on, before we run out of time.

Listen to the TED talk
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The psychology of motivation and procrastination

Claudia explores the psychology of motivation and procrastination with an audience at the Cheltenham Science Festival. Does will power work? And how to stop procrastinating.

Listen to the podcast

Articles

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Goal setting

Having something to aim for gives us a sense of purpose and helps us feel more in control of our lives. But it's easy to feel overwhelmed and give up if you set your goals too high. Here are some ways to get moving and stay motivated.

Go to course
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Take the pressure off

Feel like you’re constantly firefighting or sinking under a mound of unfinished tasks? Modern life can be stressful, but how much of it is pressure we put on ourselves?

Read the article

Downloadable resources

Assignment calculator

A web tool to help you calculate how long you will need to complete your assignments.

dowload the calculator

Managing your studies and time

A guide from student wellbeing about how to study effectively.

Download the guide (PDF, 3.4MB)

What to do when you have no motivation

A guide written by the SHU Inclusive Support team to help you to manage your studies. This includes specific advice about studying remotely.

download the article

The Inclusive Support team

The Inclusive Support team within Student Wellbeing also offer practical support for students who identify as having a mental health difficulty, AD(H)D or as being on the autism spectrum. Speak to a Wellbeing Practitioner or your Student Support Adviser if you would like to be referred to this service.