Barker, D --- "Survive and Thrive: Foundations Skills for Your First Year at University" [2011] LegEdDig 16; (2011) 19(1) Legal Education Digest 53

• Survive and Thrive: Foundations Skills for Your First Year at University

---

BOOK REVIEW

Survive and Thrive: Foundations Skills for Your First Year at University

M Muller and D Nulty

Palgrave Macmillan, 2011, 219 pp

There have now been many books on tertiary student lifestyle, so it is important when reviewing Muller and Nulty’s text to consider what makes it different from other books on this topic. In the past there was a time when only a select few went to university and for these it was a matter of continuing a trend set by other members of their family before them. This meant there was already plenty of personal advice as to how they might plan their studies and follow the family tradition particularly where they were attending the same university and in respect of the Oxbridge or Ivy League Universities, even the same college. As we are being constantly reminded, tertiary education is big business today with thousands of students undertaking a university education so that the majority of them are unable to rely on the experiences of family or friends who in the past might have preceded them.

There is also the problem that, because of the high number of university admissions, the days of one-on-one tutorials and students having the benefit of advice from a personal tutor have long disappeared, other than in the most prestigious of universities.

The authors Muller and Nulty are well qualified to advise on how a student might successfully undertake the transition from school to university and avoid the physical and mental traps on the way. Muller’s research interests are in the underlying principles of the First Year Experience whilst Nulty’s has achieved national and international recognition of his expertise in assessment of student learning.

As explained in the Introduction the book is divided up into sections dealing with the various aspects of the student experience. In this respect the first three chapters are intended to focus on those factors that affect a students’ transition into university study as well as the characteristics and requirements of academic culture. The first chapter highlights those features which the authors consider have an effect on achieving a successful transition such as motivation, expectations and time management, and how these can contribute to learning success. Chapter 2 conducts the student through the academic environment, covering those aspects of student life as orientation week, whereby one is able to take the opportunity to familiarise oneself with the new surroundings, organise a timetable and stock-up on materials such as the purchase of textbooks. The third and final chapter in this segment, entitled Independent learning and lifelong skills emphasises the importance of communication in the transaction and exchange of ideas within academic culture. This chapter also incorporates a discussion on individual learning styles and the benefits and principles of critical thinking.

Following on from this first segment, Chapters 4 to 7 are concerned with the various aspects of learning strategies. Chapter 4 covers the best uses which might be made of a lecture particularly by reviewing, summarising and evaluating it, whilst Chapter 5 advises on the most effective ways of participating in and learning during a tutorial. Chapter 6 deals with aspects of learning which are not normally covered in a book of this kind but are nevertheless invaluable in the changing nature of the learning environment; those of how to study effectively at home, the term home including a temporary place a student is sharing with other students and friends such as an apartment or hall of residence. Not only does this chapter deal with the physical spaces essential for studying effectively, but it also advises on the best strategies for the improvement of motivation and concentration levels whilst studying. The concluding Chapter 7 in this segment is concerned with the strategic manner of exercising research skills, both in the use of library catalogues and search engines. This advice includes a helpful six step research cycle which incorporates both the successful evaluation and effective communication of research information.

The remainder of the book, commencing with Chapter 8, deals with the manner in which the student should communicate knowledge, especially with regard to the development of the process of undertaking a written assignment or preparing and delivering an oral presentation. Chapter 9 introduces the student to assessment processes with a very useful description of Perry’s conceptualisation of knowledge and how it may be categorised under ‘dualism’, ‘multiplicity’ and ‘relativism’ and also the SOLO taxonomy of Biggs and Collis. This is a refreshing new approach as to how students might achieve effective assessment of their academic presentations and maximise their performance rankings. Chapter 10 explains various techniques for the preparation and sitting of examinations at university. Throughout the book each chapter concludes with a chapter summary.

Survive and Thrive stands out from similar texts dealing with university life in that its comprehensive coverage embraces all aspects of the student experience within the university campus. Despite its use of uncomplicated language throughout the text it nevertheless takes the trouble to explain or define such words and expressions as ‘First-year pedagogy’ or ‘Academic culture’, which whilst taken for granted by the university academic, could be confusing to the new student. For first-year students, including law students, this could be a helpful text in assisting them to navigate themselves through the complexities of entering university life.

Emeritus Professor David Barker AM

Editor