Study skills not only enable you to study and learn efficiently but they are also an important set of transferable life skills. CamGuides is a platform for UG and PG students designed to help you prepare for your studies at Cambridge. It was designed and created by library staff, PhD students and academics. Some of the skills you can build on are listed below:
Referencing
Make yourself familiar with the referencing style for your course. Consider using reference management software such as Zotero, Endnote or Citavi. For more information, click here.
Avoiding plagiarism
Make sure you are confident with your references, citations, etc. and if in doubt, check with an academic before submitting your work for assessment. Information on referencing and plagiarism will usually be available in your Student Handbook or on the University’s website and in the CamGuides.
Finding books and articles
Find out what makes a resource academic, how to find them from a reading list and how to interpret the references. Find out more here.
Critical reading
Being critical by asking questions and keeping an open mind will help you weigh up evidence and arguments to reach an informed judgement. Find out more here.
Academic and scientific writing
Some of the skills required to write an academic or scientific paper include understanding the question; critical reading; planning; good referencing; reporting on and analysing your results; producing graphs, tables, and images; and using software. Further information on academic writing can be found here and information on scientific writing can be accessed here.
Learning languages
Whether it is related to your course or for personal interest, The Language Centre provides free access to courses and resources to help you learn a new language or improve one you previously studied.
West Hub
West Hub is a physical space at the West Cambridge site where you can access study spaces, a cafe and a canteen; the West Hub Library is mainly aimed at technology students which includes training to improve your presentation skills, referencing, time management, etc.