1. Planning my time effectively and being organised
Successful Masters study requires good planning and time management. The Planning Your Masters section of this resource is a good starting point for you to understand what is expected of you as an independent learner and how to organise yourself for effective study. You may also find Skills@Library’s webpages on Time Management useful.
2. Finding appropriate academic sources for my assignments
Whatever subject you are studying for your Masters degree, finding good quality academic information is a key skill. We recommend that you: watch the videos in the Library QuickStart resource for more information on how to search the Library; explore your subject databases; and consider attending a session on finding information in the Skills@Library workshop programme.
3. Making effective notes in lectures and from reading
Effective note making helps you to make sense of the information gathered from lectures and reading. This Making effective notes video shows you how to use a three-section format to make effective notes. We also recommend Chapter 5: How to make the best notes, in Burns and Sinfield’s book Essential study skills.
4. Managing a large amount of reading
Reading for your Masters degree is likely to be demanding, but with appropriate strategies and regular practice, you will soon see your reading skills improve in both speed and comprehension. Consider attending sessions on speed reading, note making and reading academic articles in our workshop programme, or take a look at books on reading skills in the Laidlaw Library’s Skills Zone.
5. Writing academically
Academic writing can seem daunting for new Masters students. You will have to write more than you may have been used to at undergraduate level, and will be expected to develop your arguments to a higher level. Academic Writing Tips in the Academic Voice section of this resource offers a good starting point to help you develop confidence in your academic writing. See our Academic writing pages for more advice and practical guidelines.
6. Thinking critically and clearly expressing my ideas
The Academic Voice section of this resource gives you an overview and starting point to develop and apply critical thinking at Masters level. Our webpages and short online course introduce you to critical thinking at university. Wallace and Wray’s book Critical reading and writing for postgraduates provides practical tools to build your skills for higher-level thinking, research and writing.
7. Using correct grammar and appropriate academic language
Whether English is your first language or not, it is common for students to worry about grammar when writing academically. We have a suite of academic language workshops on key grammar points, vocabulary and sentence structure, to help you sharpen your academic language. You can also arrange a 1-to-1 appointment with a Language Centre tutor in the Language Zone if you would like more individual support.
8. Knowing why and when to cite and reference
Developing an understanding of the principles behind academic integrity, and the importance of using appropriate referencing to support your academic voice in your work, are fundamental to successful Masters study. Our online reference guides explain why and when you should reference and how to cite within your text. With practice, you will quickly become more familiar with how to reference different sources in your School’s chosen referencing style, and don’t forget, Skills@Library’s referencing pages are always there to help!
9. Editing and proofreading my work
Leaving time to edit, revise and proofread your own work before submission, can help you spot any spelling and grammar mistakes, and ensure that your writing is logical and well structured. For different techniques, see our Revise, edit and proofread mind maps, or attend a relevant workshop.
10. Presenting and public speaking
Being able to communicate information orally and with clarity is an essential part of Masters study. You may be expected to deliver presentations and share ideas and project findings, not only with your course mates, but also with a wider audience, such as students or researchers in other departments, or even representatives of external organisations. In doing so, you will be developing your presenting and public speaking skills. Try our Presentations pages for advice on planning, practising and delivering presentations. We also have practical sessions in our workshop programme to boost your confidence in public speaking!