Skip to Main Content

Philosophy: Training and support

Open book

My Learning Essentials is the Library’s programme of skills support, including both online resources and face-to-face workshops which will aid you in your personal and professional development.

Our workshops offer a relaxed group environment where you can try out new strategies for yourself while learning from and with peers.

The online resources cover everything from academic writing, how to reference and critical analysis to managing your procrastination, presentation skills and writing a CV.

You can access them through the Library website from wherever you are, whenever you need to!

Training and skills support

Classroom of students

Workshops

Face to face interactive workshops on a broad range of topics to support your personal and academic development.

Closeup of person typing on a laptop

Online resources

Help and guidance on everything you might need to know during your studies.

Two hands holding a heart with the word support written on it

Ask a question

If you have any questions about our training and skills support you can book on a Library drop-in and access Library Chat.

 

Pile of open books

Academic writing

This guide links to all writing support provided by the Library including workshops, interactive guides, and strategies to help you overcome challenges such as structuring your writing and incorporating references. There is also information about organising one to one feedback on your writing with our Royal Literary Fellow.

A row of textbooks on a shelf in a library

Referencing

Understanding how to reference is a key academic skill in your studies and research at Universty. The Library provides support including face to face workshops, and interactive guides, answering your questions about referencing and referencing software such as EndNote.

 

A smiling young woman using a laptop

Searching for information

Searching for and finding relevant information is a key research skill. Our set of resources will take you through the searching process from start to finish and help you to find the high quality sources for use in your work.

Latest workshops

  • Proofreading: the final stage before submission (on campus)This link opens in a new windowJan 21, 2025
    Today, 10:00 - 11:30: Do you find yourself losing marks for referencing, spelling or grammar? This session will highlight how proofreading a written piece of work to a high standard will improve your marks and increase your academic success. You will work with others to define the term proofreading and understand its place in the process of academic writing. Finally, you will get the chance to put what you have learnt into practice, working together as a group to effectively proofread a sample piece of work. *Booking on* Due to popularity, booking onto the event is essential to ensure a place. *Further support* Can't make this session? Talk to us online via Library Chat [https://manchester-uk.libanswers.com/] now, or send us an email: tls@manchester-uk.libanswers.com.
  • Managing procrastination (on campus)This link opens in a new windowJan 21, 2025
    Today, 13:00 - 14:30: We all procrastinate to some extent. It may even be necessary to let things percolate in the mind before putting pen to paper or finger to keyboard. But when you find that you simply cant get down to work yet dream of handing in the perfect piece of work, that nagging guilt spoils your leisure time, that you are becoming increasingly self-critical about your abilities, then its probably time to tackle your procrastination. We will seek to understand the causes of procrastination and look at practical ways to overcome it. *Booking on* Due to popularity, booking onto the event is essential to ensure a place. *Further support* Talk to us online via Library Chat [https://manchester-uk.libanswers.com] now. Alternatively, you can email us for advice at tls@manchester-uk.libanswers.com [mailto:tls@manchester-uk.libanswers.com].
  • Planning and organising your time effectively (on campus)This link opens in a new windowJan 21, 2025
    Tomorrow, 10:00 - 11:30: In this workshop we will consider strategies and tools to help you stay focused on your academic work, despite the many other demands on your time. We will discuss how to effectively manage projects so that we work realistically within the time available to us, and discuss different strategies for prioritising tasks and commitments. You will work with others to discuss common challenges faced when trying to manage your time and will have the opportunity to work on developing an approach to time management that suits your needs and preferences. *Booking on* Due to popularity, booking onto the event is essential to ensure a place. *Further support* Talk to us online via Library Chat [https://manchester-uk.libanswers.com] now. Alternatively, you can email us for advice at tls@manchester-uk.libanswers.com [mailto:tls@manchester-uk.libanswers.com].
  • Library drop-in (on campus)This link opens in a new windowJan 21, 2025
    Tomorrow, 12:00 - 13:00: Ask us any questions on using the Library's resources or services. Whether it's an IT issue you need solving or where to find support with referencing, essay writing or doing a literature review. This assessment period, we'll be providing guidance on tried and tested approaches to revision and strategies to get you through your assessments. Our Library drop-in gives you the opportunity to speak to a friendly member of the Library and Student Team to get support and guidance. Drop-ins are open to all University of Manchester students, researchers and staff. In peak times you may need to wait, support and advice will be provided as quickly as possible. You can join the drop-in at any time during the session! *Booking on* We encourage booking onto the event and participants are encouraged to bring their own laptops or tablets to the Library drop-in. If you don't have access to a device, there is equipment to borrow. *Further support* Talk to us online via Library Chat [https://manchester-uk.libanswers.com] now. Alternatively, you can email us for advice at tls@manchester-uk.libanswers.com [mailto:tls@manchester-uk.libanswers.com].
  • Critical reading: Making connections while you read (on campus)This link opens in a new windowJan 21, 2025
    Tomorrow, 14:00 - 15:30: In this session, you will learn about what it means to read critically in the context of your studies. You will practice critical reading strategies and learn how to extract key information. You will make connections between sources and develop your analytical and evaluative skills, so that you will be able to select the most useful sources for your purpose. Youll also discover tips on how to aid comprehension and note-taking. Finally, you will reflect on your critical reading skills and how to apply them in future. *Booking on* Due to popularity, booking onto the event is essential to ensure a place. *Further support* Talk to us online via Library Chat [https://manchester-uk.libanswers.com] now. Alternatively, you can email us for advice at tls@manchester-uk.libanswers.com [mailto:tls@manchester-uk.libanswers.com].
Creative Commons Licence This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International Licence.

Ask a question