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New Beginnings

Preparing for your degree.

Starting your degree is an exciting part of your learning journey, but it can feel daunting too. Hear from current University students as they share some of the feelings and experiences you might encounter when you start this new chapter.

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Making decisions

When you start your degree, you might encounter new ways of working that you weren’t used to at school or college. Use these decision trees to help you plan your next steps, whether you’re writing your first long essay, revising for your first University exams, completing your first piece of group work, managing lots of reading for the first time or preparing to deliver your first presentation.

I'm about to write my first essay

I'm about to start revising for my exams

I'm about to do my first piece of group work

I'm managing lots of reading for the first time

I'm delivering a presentation for the first time

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Visit the Library website for more information on reading lists, resources and study support.

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The student-led project that culminated in this website won the University’s Vice Chancellor’s Education Excellence Award in 2025 and was shortlisted for a Times Higher Education Award in 2023.

Illustrations by Eilidh Muldoon.