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Learning Services Staff in Focus – Abbie Cairns, PASS and Study Skills Adviser

My day-to-day activities at the university vary week-on-week, there are two distinct parts to my role; PASS and Study Skills Adviser.

The first part consists of overseeing PASS (Peer Assisted Student Success).

PASS sessions involve small study groups of learners which are facilitated by a PASS Leader. PASS sessions are intended to be planned, structured and friendly.  In PASS, the emphasis is on everyone in the group working co-operatively to develop their understanding.  PASS is about exploratory discussion led by the PASS Leaders.  The more everyone joins in with the discussions, the better the sessions work. PASS sessions are open to all learners on a course. PASS Leaders are learners from the same course, from the year above who have previously successfully completed the course. PASS Leaders are not a substitute for a course tutor

As part of my role I recruit new PASS Leaders and plan and deliver training, create resources and offer support and guidance to the PASS Leaders.

To find out more about PASS by visiting the link below:

https://libguides.uos.ac.uk/pass

I spend the rest of my time providing Study Skills sessions, both one-to-ones, drop-ins and workshops.

Study Skills refers to the skills which allow you to organise your studying. These include; time management, poster development, motivation and procrastination, presentations, revision skills and exam preparation. I also support with IT skills; Microsoft Office Skills, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Currently I spend Wednesday mornings facilitating drop-in session within the library and Wednesday afternoons delivering workshops – spaces onto these can be booked online. 

To find out more about Study Skills and to access online study skills resources follow the link below:

https://libguides.uos.ac.uk/c.php?g=667872&p=4737226

Abbie Cairns

PASS and Study Skills Advisor