Educational methods
View the content of this page
The education at Hasselt University consists of 2 key components:
- Contact moments
- Autonomous learning
Contact moments
Most programmes combine lectures and practical sessions. Attending all your classes and practical sessions is advised, even if not mandatory.
- Lectures
A professor teaches in front of a (large) group during a lecture. Lectures can be on campus or online. There can be (a lot of) interaction between professors and students, depending on the group size and the setting.
Tips during a(n) (online) lecture
- take notes since the professor might teach subject matter that is not in the slides or the textbook
- Check more tips on note-taking - if you have questions about the subject matter, ask them
- Small group sessions
Also known as ‘work meetings’, ‘practica’, 'lab', etc.
During small group sessions, you will learn to apply and discuss your course material. The setting is informal, and the teacher expects active cooperation. You will look for solutions for problems or exercises, and group discussions might occur. Students are encouraged to ask questions.
Tip: prepare for your practice sessions
If you have a practice session coming up, prepare for it.
Check Blackboard a few days in advance to know what your teacher expects.
You might have to
- prepare exercises
- do a reading assignment
- send in your questions
- …
Autonomous learning
Guided by study instructions from the professors, you must study part of the subject matter more or less autonomously.
These skills are indispensable to be successful in autonomous learning:
Time management
Did you know…
… the average time you spend studying, writing essays, taking classes, etc., should be around 45 hours/week if you take a full-time programme of 60 study points.
So, even if you don’t have a lot of classes scheduled, you still need to spend a lot of time studying autonomously. As a student, you need to manage your learning process.
Learn everything about an efficient time management (website)
Self-regulation
Since you have to take charge of your learning process, self-regulation is an essential skill in autonomous learning.
And here’s some good news: you can learn how to self-regulate your learning!
- Check the self-regulation cycle at a glance (Infographic)
- Become a better self-regulated learner via this step-by-step plan (website)
Are you struggling with maintaining self-discipline?
- Develop self-discipline with these tips (video, 9’)
- 14 ways to boost your self-discipline (infographic)
- Start by setting reasonable goals (video, 6’)
- Make your goals smart (infographic)
- Formulate implementation intentions (video, 11’)
- Let’s get motivated (video, 4’)
Critical thinking
Reflect critically on your learning and the information, ideas and arguments you hear and read.
Tips & tricks to apply critical thinking:
- Don’t assume every academic judgment is correct, but evaluate how strong or valid it is
- Recognise possible weaknesses and notice the implications behind a statement or argument
- Analyse all the information (sources, data, etc.) objectively and make a reasoned judgment or find a solution to a problem
- Find out what critical thinking looks like (infographic)
- These strategies help you think critically (video, 2’)
- Learn everything about critical thinking (website)
Academic writing
Academic writing is essential to your study.
You will write academic papers for some of your courses, not to mention your master’s thesis.
Tips for academic writing:
Doing so, even accidentally, constitutes plagiarism, and the examination board will decide on your penalty, which could range from receiving an adjusted grade to being excluded from the course.
Instead, rephrase or synthesize other authors’ ideas and always use proper references.
- Writing a paper requires time, and careful planning, so avoid leaving the work until the last week before the deadline.
- Ensure you understand the objectives and evaluation criteria by rereading the assignment before starting.
- Gather literature, such as scientific articles, through the university library on campus or online. Read through the texts and research and select the main ideas.
Create connections between articles and develop new ideas.
Remember to think critically about everything you read. - Be aware of plagiarism: you can’t simply copy and paste the work of other authors. If you do so, even accidentally, you plagiarise. In that case, the examination board will decide on your penalty, ranging from getting an adjusted grade to being excluded.
Instead, rephrase or synthesize other authors’ ideas and always use proper references.
Teamwork
Some courses include group assignments, requiring effective teamwork. You and your fellow students will work constructively toward a common goal. Your grade may be based on the final product and, in part, on the process, such as through peer assessment.
Tips on teamwork:
- Ensure that each team member comprehends the upcoming assignment thoroughly.
- Write a detailed plan on how to accomplish the task
- Get to know your group members: what are their strengths?
- Allocate various tasks among group members to streamline the process
- Establish short-term deadlines and conduct regular evaluations of individual contributions within the group. Be open to adjusting the plan if necessary.
- Turn to your lecturer if you are having difficulties in your group
How to proceed?
- Time to try some things
This website offers many tips to start studying. Now:
- Write down the ideas and tips you want to try
- Choose one idea or tip to start with
- Pick a date and a time and try out the new idea
Check out our topic, ‘self-regulation’, for more tips to make your resolutions successful.
- Make an appointment
Would you like some personal advice on your study method?
Would you like to discuss how to study your course material personally with a study coach?
→ Don’t hesitate to make a free appointment with one of the study coaches of your programme, online or on campus! The study coaches are happy to help you.