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 Core skills

  What are core skills? 

'Core skills' here means all the skills you need to:​

​

  •  plan and carry out research 

  •  take notes from lectures or reading 

  • think critically and evaluate content

  •  use your findings in reports, essays etc 

  • using appropriate academic language

  •  and correctly referencing your sources 
     

You'll find guides to these elements on this page - with

an indication of level:  introductory, progressing or

advanced.

​

  There are also some exam preparation guides. 

​

These are underpinned by life skills like:

​

  •  organisational skills

  •  time management 

  • being reflective and self aware

  •  knowing how to stay motivated 

  • looking after your wellbeing

See foot of page for links.

 Planning your study 

 Understanding the assignment brief 
 (Progressing)

  Input - Research skills 

  Effective internet searching 

  (Introductory)

 Smarter search, wider sources 

  (Introductory / progressing)

 Evaluating information sources 

  (Introductory / progressing)

 Critical reading + note-taking 

 (Progressing)

 Note-taking 

 (Progressing)

 Summarising content 

  (Introductory / progressing)

  Output - Producing reports, presentations, essays etc 

  Academic writing 

{

  Writing reports / essays 

  (Introductory / progressing)

  Academic writing tips

  (Introductory / progressing)

 The academic writing process

  (Progressing / advanced)

 Structuring an essay

  (Advanced)

 Structuring a  paragraph

  (Progressing / advanced)

 Review of literature 

  (Advanced)

 Reflective log 

  (Introductory / progressing)

 Presenting data 

  (Introductory / progressing)

  More assignment formats

}

 Harvard Referencing 

You need to include details of your information sources (books, online, video etc) in assignments. 

The protocol WKC asks students to follow is the Harvard Referencing system.

  Go to the LRC Harvard Referencing website 

​

  Preparing for exams 

{

  Revision & exam strategy (ppt) 

  Revision & exam strategy (pdf) 

  Coping with exam stress (pdf) 

 Underpinning skills 

 time management 
(Introductory)

 More study skills resources     

  Underpinning skills          

 Organisation / Time Management 
 

 UCAS guides for soon-to-be undergraduates 

 including Time Management 

  U of Sheffield procrastination test and tips

  for realistic study scheduling 

​

 Skills You Need apps and tips

​

​

 Self knowledge and motivation 
 

  BBC tips on motivation for 16-18s 

 

  Reflective practice: Sheffield U 

​

 Wellbeing 
 

  BBC Bitesize wellbeing hub 

 

 Five steps to mental wellbeing (NHS) 
 

Research
Writing
Harvard Referencing
Critical reading
Exams
Underpinning skills
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