On October 13th, the Student Union of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities organized an exchange program on the theme "Study Methods at the University Level." Guest speakers, lecturers from various faculties and departments, answered students' questions and concerns about study methods at university, and shared experiences, skills, and techniques necessary to help new students achieve high academic results.The first two guests of the program were Dr. Nguyen Quang Lieu (Head of the Political and Student Affairs Department) and Ms. Trinh Le Anh (Deputy Head of the Faculty of Tourism Studies).
Differences in learning methods between high school and university levels.
Answering a question about the differences in learning methods between high school and university, Dr. Tran Quang Lieu quoted Professor Tran Van Giau: "University is self-learning." According to Dr. Tran Quang Lieu, self-learning means that students transform the teacher's training process into their own self-training process. The teacher's role is to guide students in their direction and approach to the problem. In lectures, unlike in high school where teachers clearly state the headings, in university only the chapter headings are listed. Therefore, it requires students to have a high level of concentration and know how to filter and select information during note-taking. Therefore, simply taking down everything the teacher says doesn't guarantee a high score on the exam. Besides that, there are many other factors such as: researching materials, going to the library, listening to lectures in class, etc.
Dr. Nguyen Quang Lieu emphasized that there is no single learning method that applies to all scientific disciplines. Especially with the credit-based training system currently applied by the university, it is crucial for students to create a reasonable and scientific timetable. They should register for courses according to their abilities, structure their time effectively, and allocate it wisely. They should create a schedule for the entire day, including time in class and at home. The important thing is to strive to follow that schedule.
The benefits of discussion
Some other opinions express concern about the credit-based learning method, which requires students to participate in many discussions. So, what should students prepare for these discussion sessions? Regarding this issue, Ms. Trinh Le Anh shared: Students should think of learning as a journey with many difficulties and challenges. And along the way, the teacher is only a companion. The teacher himself is not a "guidebook," but through the teacher, students can access a wealth of professional knowledge, resources, and textbooks. In particular, the teacher will help students develop effective learning methods.
During discussion sessions, the teacher raises the issue and points out the approach. Students need to be confident, exchange ideas freely, and express themselves. A major limitation of many students today is their reluctance to speak up, their fear of making mistakes, and their cautiousness. Discussion sessions are designed for students, and they have every right to be proactive, exchange ideas, and offer their personal opinions.
How do I access these resources?
In today's era of integration and development, access to learning materials is no longer a major problem. However, the biggest challenge for some students is how to approach and select textbooks, reference materials, and course outlines. Regarding this issue, Dr. Nguyen Quang Lieu shared: Students should find learning materials and textbooks under the guidance of their teachers, who will prioritize the resources for them. The best and most effective way to learn is to pay close attention to lectures, thoroughly understanding each section and lesson before moving on.
The guests in the second part of the program are Mr. Pham Quoc Thanh (Department of Political Science) and Ms. Lam Minh Chau (Department of Anthropology).
Many questions about how to learn a foreign language.
"Learn from those around you, learn from teachers, friends... Learn anywhere, anytime. And one hour of quality learning is better than ten hours of low-quality learning."— Ms. Lam Minh Chau
How to learn a foreign language in the easiest, fastest, and most effective way is one of the most pressing concerns for new university students when starting in a new environment that demands a higher level of foreign language proficiency. "This is a worry for many students," says Ms. Lam Minh Chau, expressing her empathy. Drawing on her accumulated experience in learning foreign languages, the 24-year-old lecturer shares her secrets to success:
- Learning a foreign language requires a significant investment of time.
- Learning a foreign language requires practicing it in real life.
- Do more exercises
And learning a foreign language is learning for your future. Sharing about the difficulties of learning a foreign language, Mr. Pham Quoc Thanh, M.Sc., said: Learning a foreign language requires perseverance and practicing speaking a lot. Set goals, have passion and motivation, listen and share with teachers and friends. Mr. Pham Quoc Thanh also noted that students need to cultivate experience, knowledge, and soft skills from their time in school to create many career opportunities after graduation... It can be said that the sharing and suggestions on how to study at the university level from the guest speakers have initially addressed the concerns and anxieties of the students, especially the new students of K55 who have only had one month to get acquainted with the university campus.
