Student-led Evaluation of the Refreshed Study Skills Portal

Building students’ confidence in core academic skills, such as reflection, criticality and time management, can play a role in improving student retention and success (the University’s number one priority) promoting student performance and lowering stress (Hsu and Goldsmith, 2021; Kimbark et al., 2017; Mason, 2019 and Perander et al., 2021).

The Study Skills Portal was created in the summer of 2023, to create an engaging, asynchronous resource, accessible 24/7, to support study skills teaching, both in modules and in self-directed learning, and support students’ holistic self-care and well-being. It also has a Starting at University section, to provide support pre-arrival and during Welcome Week.

The portal had input from the Study Skills Community of Practice (staff from all academic schools and key professional services departments) during the initial development, but student feedback was needed, to develop it further. Student recommendations, gathered in this SAP project, will be considered, integrated and implemented by the new Community of Practice.

The conference presentation, delivered jointly with SAP students, will discuss the project’s findings and recommendations after surveying over 700 students, across all academic levels and Schools, and conducting focus groups. We will also evaluate the effectiveness of the mixed-methods project, the improvements it looks likely to generate, and the value it has brought to the student participants.