Sometimes it’s hard to know where to start on an assignment, how to study for exams, or the best way to develop your writing or other academic skills. The Student Learning Development team have produced some excellent online resources to help you with a wide range of common tasks and also recommends web-based resources developed by our team and other services at the University of Otago. Browse through our list of online resources below:
Learn, Develop, Succeed. A Guide to Student Learning Development services (PDF format, 1.6MB)
Study Skills
Booklets
- Checklists for success (PDF format, 391KB)
- What can I do to become a more successful student? (PDF format, 1.1MB)
- What can I do to prepare for exams? (PDF format, 549KB)
- Preparing for your first year at Otago (PDF format, 646KB)
Tip Sheets
- Academic recovery plan (PDF format, 67KB)
- Are you looking for the answer? (PDF format, 82KB)
- Balancing your workplace, study and home (PDF format, 84KB)
- Checklists for effective study (PDF format, 1.2MB)
- Exam checklist (PDF format, 86KB)
- Exams: Go for Gold (PDF format, 195KB)
- Forming a study group (PDF format, 319KB)
- Getting started at Uni (PDF format, 306KB)
- How we can help with your assignment (PDF format, KB)
- Making the most of your notes (PDF format, 307KB)
- Making the most of your notes – supplement (PDF format, 212KB)
- Motivation matters (PDF format, 190KB)
- Not doing as well as you expected? (PDF format, 284KB)
- Time management (PDF format, 316KB)
- Weekly planner template (PDF format, 183KB)
Other Useful Links
Check out the University Library Services. Find out how the Library can help with your study and assignments.
The Distance Library Service. If you are a University of Otago Distance student check out this guide to the library services and support available to you.
Writing & Language
Booklets
- Guidelines for writing and editing (PDF format, 357KB)
- How can I get a better mark for my essay? (PDF format, 737KB)
- How can I improve my use of the English Language? (PDF format, 623KB)
- Introduction to scientific writing (PDF format, 709KB)
- Planning and writing assignments (PDF format, 375KB)
- What is referencing and why is it important? (PDF format, 570KB)
- Writing a literature review (PDF format, 675KB)
- Setting up a writing group (PDF format, 355KB)
Tip Sheets
- Effective reading (PDF format, 340KB)
- Quoting, paraphrasing & summarising (or how to avoid plagiarising) (PDF format, 320KB)
- Preparing for a presentation assignment (PDF format, 309KB)
- Colons and semi-colons (PDF format, 300KB)
- Tenses without the tension (PDF format, 195KB)
- The dreaded apostrophe (PDF format, 83KB)
- The quirky comma (PDF format, 303KB)
- Writing a reflective journal (PDF format, 305KB)
- Writing an exegesis (PDF format, 308KB)
Other Useful Links
Referencing/Citation Styles. This University of Otago Library web page will provide you with information on citing/referencing and information on which citation style to use for your essay or assignment.
- Essay writing with readings Developed by the University of Otago and Otago Polytechnic through the Online Information Literacy Project
- Writing an annotated bibliography Developed by the University of Otago and Otago Polytechnic through the Online Information Literacy Project
- Writing a business report Developed by the University of Otago and Otago Polytechnic through the Online Information Literacy Project
- Writing a scientific report Developed by the University of Otago and Otago Polytechnic through the Online Information Literacy Project
- Evaluating information Developed by the University of Otago and Otago Polytechnic through the Online Information Literacy Project
- Ethical use of information Developed by the University of Otago and Otago Polytechnic through the Online Information Literacy Project
- Information Technology Services student training on such programs as Endnote, Word, PowerPoint, R and SPSS. Offered by Information Technology Services. There is usually a charge to attend.
- A Guide to Email Etiquette An instructional video from McGill University on how to write appropriate emails to academic staff.
- GrammarSmart is an interactive self-study grammar module from the University of Auckland that highlights some common trouble-spots experienced by students.
- The Writer's Diet Test This test identifies some of the sentence-level grammatical features that most frequently weigh down academic prose. It is not designed to judge the overall quality of your writing.
- Writing a legal opinion An interactive resources on writing legal opinions developed by the University of Waikato.
- Write online an interactive resource on writing case studies, lab reports, literature reviews and reflective writing developed by the Universities of Guelph, Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier
Stats & Maths
Other Useful Links
Mathematics & Statistics subject guides. Use this University of Otago Library guide for information on all aspects of maths and stats.
Mathercize at Otago You will need a login to access Mathercize. Please email hedc.studentlearning@otago.ac.nz and we will arrange this for you.
Khan Academy Maths & Stats A range of mastery-style interactive programs for all levels of ability and covering topics in probability, statistics, arithmetic, algebra, calculus, geometry and trigonometry.
Research & Thesis
Booklets
- The Research Journey (PDF format, 1.7MB)
- Writing a literature review (PDF format, 675KB)
- Setting up a writing group (PDF format, 355KB)
Tip Sheets
- Guidelines for conducting interviews (PDF format, 102KB)
- How can you improve your written English for writing a thesis? (PDF format, 293KB)
- 10 strategies for a successful research journey (PDF format, 242KB)
Other Useful Links
Check out the University of Otago Library services for postgraduate students
- Graduate Research School workshops
- Graduate Research Services Support for Doctoral Candidates This is a Blackboard website. You will need to be an enrolled doctoral candidate to access it.
- Information Technology Services student training on such programs as Endnote, Word, PowerPoint, R and SPSS. Offered by Information Technology Services. There is usually a charge to attend.
- Services for Postgraduates: Information on skills and classes offered at the library, including subject guides and contact information for the liaison librarians.
- Academic Phrasebank: The Academic Phrasebank is a general resource for academic writers. It aims to provide you with examples of some of the phraseological ‘nuts and bolts’ of writing organised according to the main sections of a research paper or dissertation
- Designing Conference Posters This website covers the various steps to designing and presenting effective conference posters, provides free Powerpoint templates, and gives tips on avoiding common mistakes.
