During your time at Royal Holloway, University of London, you will be required to develop the academic skills relevant to your degree course. Academic development training takes a number of forms. Individual departments run subject-specific skills training sessions parallel to course units, in addition to discipline-specific training embedded within degree courses.There are also a number of support options and a range of study materials available via these tabs to assist your academic development. Get started with these online resources.

Online Study Skills Course

Palgrave Macmillan's Skills4studycampus| is an interactive e-learning resource that will help you to understand, practise and improve the core skills needed for successful study: writing, critical thinking, reading and note-making, referencing and understanding plagiarism, group work and presentations, and exam skills. It's free for you to use, 24/7. Sign in using your Royal Holloway username and password|. New or prospective students can access taster materials| or watch an introductory video. |

Essay Writing Guide

The Royal Literary Fund has an excellent online essay writing guide|, which may save you some pain. Dip into it when you have a few spare minutes. While you're at it, why not brush up your knowledge of punctuation| and then improve your writing with some grammar exercises|?

Writing Quiz

How good are your writing skills? Find out with Royal Holloway’s Writing Skills Quiz|. This quiz, along with its in-built tuition, is designed to help you develop vital skills so that you can succeed at university and beyond. 

Mathematics Support

mathcentre| offers mathematics support materials. The resources available include quick reference leaflets, video tutorials, practice and revision booklets, diagnostic tests and exercises.

Time Management and Mind Maps

Do you use your time effectively?| Take a moment to consider your work/life balance and how best to structure your time. Download simple weekly and monthly planners (left). Learning to mind map| can be beneficial to many aspects of your studies. Combine this with the SQ3R| reading technique. Inspiration| mind-mapping software is installed on all open access PCs on campus.

Exam Techniques

The exam techniques resource| in Moodle contains short videos, tips, materials, a revision planner and much more. You will also find an exam skills module in skills4studycampus (above). Please check the Exams Office page| if you have any exam-related queries.

The College offers structured ongoing support to students. Your department will provide you with a personal tutor during the induction period. If you are ill or experience any difficulties that affect your studies please keep the College informed; your personal tutor is usually a good first contact. In addition, the College also offers more specialised support in assisting you to make the most of your time as a student at Royal Holloway. 

Educational Support Office

The Educational Support Office| (ESO) is the central office that coordinates support for students with additional learning needs at Royal Holloway. If you have a disability, a chronic medical condition or a Specific Learning Difficulty and think that you should be registered with the Educational Support Office, please contact the ESO| directly. Equally, you should contact the ESO if you need advice and assistance in applying for the Disabled Students’ Allowances| (DSAs).

Royal Literary Fund Fellow

Royal Literary Fund Fellows work in universities across the UK helping students to develop their academic writing. All Fellows are professional writers; they offer individual appointments for you to discuss all aspects of your writing (for example, structuring an argument, making your essay clearer and improving your style). The sessions are free, confidential and independent of the University. Make an appointment| with the College's Royal Literary Fund Fellow.

Please note that this is not a proof-reading service: it is an opportunity to discuss your work with a professional writing practioner. 

Academic Support for International Student

Royal Holloway International| (RHI) provides support for non-native English speakers, including one-to-one academic writing support and English language courses|. You may also wish to use the academic writing toolkit| on Moodle.

One-to-One Study Skills Support

 If you are not in receipt of Disabled Students’ Allowances|, but feel that you require individual generic skills-training support (academic writing, time management, and so on), enquire about making an appointment to see a skills tutor|. One-to-one support is available for native speakers of English requiring additional academic support. The availability of these appointments is limited, so please use the online resources provided before booking a slot which may be required by a student in greater need. International students should seek assistance from Royal Holloway International|.