Managing independent study

Independent study means taking your own decisions about when, where, what and how you study. Many students, and particularly undergraduate students, are surprised at the extent to which they are expected to make such decisions, and find it difficult to adapt.

In this video four students, Yanting, Sitong, Ponjan and Yasir, talk about their experiences of independent study. One point made by three of the students is that independent study does not necessarily mean working alone all the time – the important thing is that you should take the initiative. So if you need advice, go and see your tutor, or talk to other students. Often talking about your work with another person, what you have written about and what you plan to write about, helps clarify ideas in your own mind.

We’d like to hear your thoughts on independent study.

• When you’re studying alone, what can distract you from your work?

• How do you deal with those distractions?

Share your responses in the comment area below.