DistanceLearningCentre.com
LEARNING MATERIALS
Course: Access to Higher Education
Level: 3
Subject: Study Skills
Unit: Preparing to Progress
Topic 1: Preparing to Progress
Recommended reading:
Recommended reading for this topic is listed in the back pages of
these learning materials.
Further resources:
Further resources to deepen your learning on specific aspects of this
topic are listed throughout these learning materials.
Read and make notes:
Making notes turns reading into studying. Notes should be brief, clear and
helpful.
To help your understanding:
• rewrite or summarise what you have learned (avoid copying what
you have read);
• note down any questions your studying has raised, either to ask
your tutor, or to develop into further research.
To help you to remember:
• sum things up to improve long term memory;
• write things down to aid motor memory;
• use colour, images or patterns to help visual memory.
To help you in your assessments:
• record where you will find information (e.g. page numbers);
• keep your notes organised and easy to navigate;
• highlight where further reading and research are needed,
including any recommended or further reading;
• use your notes to help you get started on your TAQs.
© DistanceLearningCentre.com, 2022
, Read the Specification:
• So that you will know the criteria you will be assessed on
please read the unit specification in my courses on the
Materials page.
© DistanceLearningCentre.com, 2022
, Course: Access to HE Diploma
Level: 3
Subject: Preparing to Progress
LEARNING MATERIALS
Contents
Press CTRL / ⌘ + Click in the contents list to go to the relevant page
Introduction .............................................................................................1
1. SWOT Analysis ................................................................................2
1.1 The Steps in a SWOT analysis ...................................................................3
2. SMART targets and Action Planning ................................................6
2.1 SMART Targets ...........................................................................................6
2.2 Creating an Action Plan ..............................................................................7
2.2.1 Setting Goals .................................................................................8
3. Transferrable Skills ........................................................................ 11
3.1 Examples of Transferrable Skills ..............................................................12
3.1.1 Teamwork....................................................................................12
3.1.2 Leadership...................................................................................13
3.1.3 Time Management ......................................................................13
3.1.4 Written Communication ...............................................................14
3.1.5 Verbal Communication ................................................................14
3.1.6 Analytical Skills............................................................................15
3.1.7 Technical Skills............................................................................15
3.1.8 Interpersonal Skills ......................................................................16
4. The University Application Process ............................................... 18
4.1 Common Mistakes to Avoid ......................................................................18
4.2 Choosing a course ....................................................................................21
4.3 The UCAS application form.......................................................................24
4.3.1 Filling out the UCAS form ...........................................................24
4.3.2 Your personal statement .............................................................24
5. Preparing for an Interview .............................................................. 27
5.1 Know your subject .....................................................................................27
5.2 Preparing Interview Questions ..................................................................28
5.3 During the Interview ..................................................................................30
5.4 Reflecting on your Interview Performance ................................................30
5.4.1 David Kolb ...................................................................................31
5.4.2 Graham Gibb ...............................................................................32
5.4.3 Gary Rolfe ...................................................................................33
6. Curriculum Vitae (CV)..................................................................... 35
6.1 Seven Steps to Creating a CV ..................................................................35
© DistanceLearningCentre.com, 2022
, Course: Access to HE Diploma
Level: 3
Subject: Preparing to Progress
LEARNING MATERIALS
6.1.1 Personal Details ..........................................................................35
6.1.2 Personal Statement.....................................................................35
6.1.3 Work Experience / Employment History .....................................36
6.1.4 Education and Qualifications ......................................................36
6.1.5 Skills and Achievements .............................................................36
6.1.6 Interests and Hobbies .................................................................37
6.1.7 References ..................................................................................37
6.2 Layout and Templates ...............................................................................37
References ............................................................................................. 41
Bibliography........................................................................................... 41
Recommended reading .......................................................................... 42
resources ............................................................................................... 42
Websites .............................................................................................................42
Sources and credits ............................................................................... 43
Image credits ......................................................................................................43
© DistanceLearningCentre.com, 2022
LEARNING MATERIALS
Course: Access to Higher Education
Level: 3
Subject: Study Skills
Unit: Preparing to Progress
Topic 1: Preparing to Progress
Recommended reading:
Recommended reading for this topic is listed in the back pages of
these learning materials.
Further resources:
Further resources to deepen your learning on specific aspects of this
topic are listed throughout these learning materials.
Read and make notes:
Making notes turns reading into studying. Notes should be brief, clear and
helpful.
To help your understanding:
• rewrite or summarise what you have learned (avoid copying what
you have read);
• note down any questions your studying has raised, either to ask
your tutor, or to develop into further research.
To help you to remember:
• sum things up to improve long term memory;
• write things down to aid motor memory;
• use colour, images or patterns to help visual memory.
To help you in your assessments:
• record where you will find information (e.g. page numbers);
• keep your notes organised and easy to navigate;
• highlight where further reading and research are needed,
including any recommended or further reading;
• use your notes to help you get started on your TAQs.
© DistanceLearningCentre.com, 2022
, Read the Specification:
• So that you will know the criteria you will be assessed on
please read the unit specification in my courses on the
Materials page.
© DistanceLearningCentre.com, 2022
, Course: Access to HE Diploma
Level: 3
Subject: Preparing to Progress
LEARNING MATERIALS
Contents
Press CTRL / ⌘ + Click in the contents list to go to the relevant page
Introduction .............................................................................................1
1. SWOT Analysis ................................................................................2
1.1 The Steps in a SWOT analysis ...................................................................3
2. SMART targets and Action Planning ................................................6
2.1 SMART Targets ...........................................................................................6
2.2 Creating an Action Plan ..............................................................................7
2.2.1 Setting Goals .................................................................................8
3. Transferrable Skills ........................................................................ 11
3.1 Examples of Transferrable Skills ..............................................................12
3.1.1 Teamwork....................................................................................12
3.1.2 Leadership...................................................................................13
3.1.3 Time Management ......................................................................13
3.1.4 Written Communication ...............................................................14
3.1.5 Verbal Communication ................................................................14
3.1.6 Analytical Skills............................................................................15
3.1.7 Technical Skills............................................................................15
3.1.8 Interpersonal Skills ......................................................................16
4. The University Application Process ............................................... 18
4.1 Common Mistakes to Avoid ......................................................................18
4.2 Choosing a course ....................................................................................21
4.3 The UCAS application form.......................................................................24
4.3.1 Filling out the UCAS form ...........................................................24
4.3.2 Your personal statement .............................................................24
5. Preparing for an Interview .............................................................. 27
5.1 Know your subject .....................................................................................27
5.2 Preparing Interview Questions ..................................................................28
5.3 During the Interview ..................................................................................30
5.4 Reflecting on your Interview Performance ................................................30
5.4.1 David Kolb ...................................................................................31
5.4.2 Graham Gibb ...............................................................................32
5.4.3 Gary Rolfe ...................................................................................33
6. Curriculum Vitae (CV)..................................................................... 35
6.1 Seven Steps to Creating a CV ..................................................................35
© DistanceLearningCentre.com, 2022
, Course: Access to HE Diploma
Level: 3
Subject: Preparing to Progress
LEARNING MATERIALS
6.1.1 Personal Details ..........................................................................35
6.1.2 Personal Statement.....................................................................35
6.1.3 Work Experience / Employment History .....................................36
6.1.4 Education and Qualifications ......................................................36
6.1.5 Skills and Achievements .............................................................36
6.1.6 Interests and Hobbies .................................................................37
6.1.7 References ..................................................................................37
6.2 Layout and Templates ...............................................................................37
References ............................................................................................. 41
Bibliography........................................................................................... 41
Recommended reading .......................................................................... 42
resources ............................................................................................... 42
Websites .............................................................................................................42
Sources and credits ............................................................................... 43
Image credits ......................................................................................................43
© DistanceLearningCentre.com, 2022
