Student counselling

The student counsellors office is situated in house 3 on floor 1 in room 16 and 53 (3-1016) and (3-1053).
You can contact the student counsellor, Katriina Östensson or Annica Eriksson, if you want information about courses at the Department or if you want personal guidance in your studies, for information about studies and career options, advice about study techniques or if you have problems whit your studies.  

The Key to Easier Studies.

Motivation

One of the most important steps in studying is motivation. As a student you can ask yourself why you have chosen to study a subject. What purpose might your studies have? Do you study because you have an interest in the subject and can see yourself having a career in the field, or do you study just to get a job when you are finished? There are no right answers to these questions, but they provide some insight into where your motivation lies. This makes it easier to see why some of the courses you need might seem boring and uninteresting, or even difficult. The best advice is that you should always try to have an open mind when taking a new course. Try to think positively about the content of the course and its potential benefits for your education. This really is about self-fulfilling prophesies. If you take the view that a course is difficult and boring, it probably will feel that way. It may be worth mentioning here that the benefits of a course will not always be immediately apparent, showing themselves only after the course is over and students have moved on to the next one.

Planning and Preparation

Other key steps in studies are planning and preparation. The basis of all planning is to know oneself and one’s habits. Students can ask themselves when, were and how they study best. All students work differently. Some are early-risers and prefer to study in the mornings, while others study best late at night. Some might sit at home and read, while others study best at the library or in a coffeehouse. How a student studies best relates to the fact that different students take in information in different ways. Some students learn best by listening to lectures, others by reading and writing notes, and some by testing and experimenting. Most students combine these ways of learning, but one form is usually dominant. 
All these questions will affect the student’s response to a course or even the whole semester. The best way to start your planning and preparation (having already answered the questions when, were and how) is to note which times during the week are set for activities such as lectures and group work. Remember to note set times for activities during the week that are not related to your studies, like, for example, football practice. When set times are penciled in, note preparation time for lectures and group work. Also set aside time for reading and working on course literature. Another part of planning a schedule for studies involves planning time for reviewing lecture notes and those made while reading course literature. Full-time studies are regarded as 40 hours per week. Some students need more than this, others less. Also remember to be flexible in your planning if there is, for example, group work to be done.
Preparation before a lecture or meeting with your study group is an important part of studies. It helps you to organize the information that you will receive on these occasions. If you have read parts of a book to be introduced you will take in the information more easily and also have the opportunity to ask any questions you might have.
When you have made your study plan and schedule it is important to remember to follow them. One way to test yourself and how much you study is to take an empty schedule and fill it in as you go.

Food, Sleep and Exercise.

These three steps are very important for your physical wellbeing, and if your physical-self feels good then your studies will also be made easier. It is important for the body to get food, sleep and exercise, and it also helps the brain to arrange the information it receives during for example a lecture. It is important here to remember that students also get ill sometimes. If you become really ill, call in sick and stay in bed. You will not be able to take in as much information when you are ill as when you are feeling well. Food, sleep and exercise help the body to stay healthy.

Seek help if you need it!

Sometimes it all just becomes too much! Your studies may be affected by a lot of different things. It can be a failed exam or something in your personal life that affects your study situation. You can contact the student counsellor for help with planning and other questions related to your studies. If you just need someone to talk to, you can always contact the university church and the student priests. For more information about the university church, please go to the webpage: http://www.student.uu.se/studentprast/inenglish.htm. 
Remember that seeking help is never a sign of failure. See it instead as a way of being honest with yourself and as a step towards managing your situation.