Study skills
Welcome to our Study Skills page!
This is your one-stop hub for academic success! Here, you'll find everything you need to plan your studies, find reliable information, evaluate sources, write effectively, and reference with confidence.
This page links to essential tools and services, all kept up-to-date to support your learning journey. Whether you're tackling assignments or preparing for exams, we’ve got the resources you need to succeed!
Looking for information on using AI? Visit the University's Generative AI tools guide.
Plan
Organise and develop a plan for study and assessments.
How to study online
Tips and strategies for study, e.g. reading and taking notes, using the university’s online study tools, etc.
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Timetable schedule
Organise your academic year with free downloadable calendars, study planners and tips
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Manage your time
Maximise your time to get the most from university study while minimising stress.
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Identify key and task words
A simple technique to help you understand what an assignment question is asking you to do.
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Assignment calculator
An interactive tool which calculates a study timeline for your assessments.
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Find
Find good quality academic resources to use in your assessments.
Search techniques
Tips to help you to search for information and resources more effectively.
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Search strategy tool
Identify and use key words from your assignment question to find relevant information.
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How to use Library search
Library Search connects you to all of the library’s resources quickly, effectively and for free. Learn how to use it to save time and get high-quality information for your assignments.
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Subject resource guides
A curated list of resources specific to your discipline in a single guide. These resources include databases, websites, eBooks, etc.
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Google/ Google Scholar
Get the most out of Google and Google Scholar.
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Databases A-Z
Do you know the name of the database you want to search? Use this list to find it.
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Find related resources
Build on your search to find additional information on your topic.
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Evaluate
Use the following tools and techniques to assess the quality of the information you have found.
Write
Strategies for academic writing.
Top tips to write well
Style, grammar, tone and editing tips for written assessments.
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Effective reading skills
Learn to read critically and take quality notes.
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Paraphrasing, quoting and summarising
What do these terms mean? Learn to paraphrase, quote or summarise without breaching academic integrity.
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Take notes while listening
Develop strategies for taking notes in lectures and tutorials
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Write strong paragraphs
Improve the structure and language of your writing
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Plan your essay
How to create an essay plan.
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Write an essay
What is an essay? Learn about the form, structure and style of essay writing
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Write a report
What is a report? Learn about the form, structure and style of report writing
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Reflective writing and blogs
What is reflective writing? What is a blog? Learn about their differences, form, structure and style
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Journal article review
How and why would you review a journal article?
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Annotated bibilography
What is an annotated bibliography? Learn to create one
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Reference
Avoid plagiarism and acknowledge your sources correctly.
Introduction to referencing
Learn about referencing and why it’s essential
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Plagiarism
Learn about plagiarism and how to avoid it
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Copyright
Learn how copyright affects you as a student at the University of Newcastle.
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Referencing styles
Guides to referencing styles used at the University of Newcastle
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EndNote
What is EndNote? Download and use EndNote to manage your references
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Need further assistance?
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.