Student Handbook - The School of Language, Linguistics and Film

• Mark down on the same planner all your personal commitments that may prevent you
from working on your assignments, e.g. family birthdays, weekends away, commitments
with children and busy periods at work if you have a job.
• Next you should share out your own assignment deadlines and tasks into the spaces.
This will give you time for working on essays through the semester. This DOES mean
that you will be researching and writing notes before you have a lecture on the topic. It
will encourage you to be thinking about, and working on, assignments continuously and
you will have a bank of research and notes ready for adding to, and be prepared for the
final write-up.
Help yourself by being organised. Try to visit the library on the same days as your teaching
sessions. Keep a diary with a list of everything that you hope to achieve in that day. If you
need to meet certain people, teachers or other students, arrange to see them at times close
to your classes. In other words, capitalize on the time when you are in College to make the
best and fullest use of your time. Wherever possible, make your efforts more productive by
working with a study partner and attacking the library together, sharing lecture notes and
brainstorming ideas.
Find out what works for you and those around you regarding your working patterns. The
same pattern does not suit everyone. Some people find it useful to stick to a work-style 9-5
pattern. Others prefer to be (or have to be) much more flexible.
Prepare your family and friends by making sure that they understand the commitment you
are going to be making. Make your time planner visible to all so that they are aware of the
periods when you will be most in need of their support. As you progress you will probably
find that you can get tasks done in less time, but don’t forget to schedule time for
unforeseen events and for time off to relax. You will find some weeks will be more
productive than others during the term.
Disability
It is in your own interest to let your adviser know if you have a disability, including dyslexia.
The College has a statutory duty to make reasonable adjustments for you according to that
disability, but we have to rely on you to make it known to us in the first instance. Examples
of such adjustments may be allowing you to record lectures, special exam arrangements,
provision of module material in alternative formats, e.g. large print, alternative forms of
assessment, or other campus academic support. The College’s Disability and Dyslexia
Service, based on the second floor of the Bancroft Building, can provide a great deal of
assistance, from advice to support workers, if required.
You are advised to consult with the Disability and Dyslexia Service (www.dds.qmul.ac.uk,
email: dds@qmul.ac.uk; tel: 020 7882 2756) as early as possible in the academic year, to
ensure all appropriate support has been considered and can be put into place early on.
Please note that in some modules there are in-class tests during the semester for which
special arrangements may need to be made, and you would be well advised to ensure that
we are aware of your requirements in good time, as allowances cannot be made
retrospectively.
Advice and support for disabled or dyslexic students
The Disability and Dyslexia Service provides advice and support for students with sensory,
mobility and physical disabilities; dyslexia and specific learning difficulties; mental health
issues and long term medical conditions. They offer comprehensive advice and support with
your related study needs, such as arranging non-medical helper support (including readers,
note-takers and campus support workers), exam and study arrangements, dyslexia
screening, special equipment, funding sources for special equipment or assistance and
Disabled Students’ Allowances.
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