Foundation Year Students

The below guidelines will help you to plan for meetings with your Academic Tutor and make the most of them. As you begin your academic journey, your tutor meetings are essential to helping you settle into university life. Use these sessions to ask questions about course expectations, seek advice on managing your workload, and set clear academic goals. Your tutor can provide guidance on study strategies and resources to help you succeed from day one.

Foundation Year Academic Tutor Meetings

Welcome Week: Getting Started

Introduction and Goals:

o Discuss your excitement about studying at Reading and your module choices.

o Share any relevant personal commitments (e.g., disability, caregiving responsibilities).

o Describe your interests, hobbies, and ambitions.

o Explore potential involvement in extracurricular activities and time management strategies.

o Consider opportunities to represent peers, such as joining the Foundation Student/Staff Partnership.

Preparation and Resources:

o Identify your Academic Tutor on RISIS.

o Review the Student Charter.

o Explore the Life Tools programme and available support resources.

Semester 1: Settling In and Adapting

How’s It Going?:

o Discuss your adaptation to university life, including teaching styles, workload, and living away from home.

o Assess your progress with lectures, independent study, and any challenges faced.

o Evaluate how you’re handling any assignments and where you might need support.

o Discuss any new activities or opportunities you’ve explored and their impact on your experience.

Feedback Discussion:

o Share any feedback received so far and discuss how it can help you improve your work.

o Identify patterns in feedback and strategies for addressing them.

Next Steps:

o Create an Action Plan based on feedback and challenges.

Preparation and Resources:

o Reflect on your experiences and enjoyment at Reading.

o Prepare a list of assignment deadlines and discuss time management.

o Review recent feedback and resources on Study Support and Life Tools.

Semester 2 (meeting 1): Progress and feedback so far

Reflection:

o Reflect on and discuss feedback from your Semester 1 assessments. How can you use it to help in future assessments?

o Are there any study skills that you need to develop? What opportunities or support is available to help you do this?

Looking Ahead:

o Reassess your program choice and personal goals.

o Consider additional opportunities for skill development, such as societies or part-time work.

o Discuss plans for the summer, including potential work experience or holidays.

Next Steps:

o Develop an updated Action Plan with goals based on recent discussions and feedback.

o Reflect on academic practice and prioritize actions for improvement.

Preparation and Resources:

o Review your Action Plan progress and next steps.

o Explore options for placements or work experience, and check the Careers webpages for opportunities.

o Look at the Study Support page on Essentials and continue engaging with Life Tools.

Semester 2 (meeting 2): Reviewing and Moving Forward

Reflection:

o Discuss your overall progress and assessment outcomes for the year.

o Identify major achievements and areas for further development.

o Evaluate any additional activities undertaken and their impact on your skills.

Looking Ahead:

o Prepare for final exams and assessments. Discuss revision strategies and any remaining assessments.

o Plan for the summer.

o Consider involvement in Open Days or other activities to enhance your experience.

Next Steps:

o Finalise your Action Plan and celebrate achievements.

o Reflect on challenges and identify sources of support.

o If continuing to Year 1 of an undergraduate degree, consider mentoring new Foundation students.

Preparation and Resources:

o Review the progress on your Action Plan and address any challenges.

o Explore additional opportunities for placements or work experience.

o Revisit feedback themes and Career webpages for final guidance.