Do you want to improve your work? Are you struggling with procrastination? Does referencing scare you?

Our Lightning Sessions are 30-minute online workshops, addressing all your biggest questions about studying at university. Our workshops cover all sorts of topics, from critical thinking to avoiding plagiarism.

Lightning Sessions are open to all students, at all levels and in all schools. There’s no need to register- just turn up!

Scroll down to see what workshops we’ve got coming up, and to view recordings of past sessions. 

Upcoming Sessions

This semester, we’ll continue to offer online Lightning Sessions, so you can access support no matter where you are.

As soon as the timetable is confirmed, it’ll be posted here, so check back soon!

 

Want support now? Scroll down to view recordings from previous sessions!

Past Sessions

We’ve converted all our past Lightning Sessions into short blogs, where you can read our top tips, then watch the session recording. This means you can get the specific help you need, in just 30 minutes or less, wherever and whenever you need it.

Effective Revision

Ever feel like you’ve spent hours re-reading and highlighting your notes, but you still can’t remember a thing? Watch this session to learn the most effective, active revision techniques to help you learn more in less time.

Revision Research 

Many online exams require you to cite sources, but how do you research in such limited time? This session will help you prepare well for your exam so that you can cite like a pro, even under time pressure.

Revising for Online Exams 

Online exams often follow a different format than traditional exams. Watch this session to learn how to prepare, research, practice, and write your online exams.

Writing Online Exams 

Writing an exam at home feels very different from an exam hall, but that doesn’t mean it has to be harder! This session will cover the technical aspect of online exams, and how to prioritise your time during the exam.

Report Writing

Whether you’re new to academic writing or you’re an essay pro, report writing is a unique challenge. Join us to learn how to structure and write an excellent academic report.

Reflective Writing

Writing reflectively is central to professional development, but it can be challenging to write critically about your personal experience. This session will explore models you can use to structure your reflective essays.

Finding Your Academic Voice 

Does “academic” writing mean using long, fancy words that no one understands? Join this session and learn how to write formally, while still making sense.

Note-Taking Online 

Making effective notes is essential to good research, but keeping track of all your notes can be tricky online. This session will cover tips and tricks for online research and note-taking.

In Your Own Words 

In university essays, we often have to “paraphrase,” which means putting other writer’s ideas into our own words. This session will explore how to paraphrase effectively and avoid accidental plagiarism.

Developing Confidence 

Do you feel like you don’t belong at university? Does it seem like everyone else is far smarter than you? Join this session to learn how you, too, can conquer imposter syndrome and become more confident!

Presenting Online

What makes a good online presentation? Join us to learn how to connect with your audience and get your message across, even through a screen.

Digital Fatigue 

After a year of lockdowns, we’re all tired of constantly staring at our computer screens. In this session, we explore how to manage digital fatigue and get away from the screen!

Getting the Most from Recorded Lectures

Extracting relevant information from online lectures is a whole new challenge. Learn how to get the most out of your online lectures, without having to re-watch the recording seven times.

Focus and Motivation

Without as many on-campus classes and social opportunities, it can be hard to stay motivated. Watch this session to learn how to be more focussed while working online, and how to motivate yourself in difficult circumstances.

Stay on Topic

When you’ve got so many good ideas, it can be hard to stick to the essay topic. This workshop will help you break down the essay question so you can be sure to hit all the key points.

Avoiding Procrastination

Struggling with motivation? Unable to focus? Take 30 minutes out of your day to learn tried-and-true methods for overcoming the dreaded procrastination monster.

Successful Search Strategies

Whether you’ve found three million results or you’re coming up empty, this session will help you refine your search strategy and dive into those daunting databases!

Cut Your Wordcount

Do you struggle to stay under the wordcount? Join us to learn how to cut your essay down to size, without losing any of your best ideas.

Proofread like a Pro

Spotting mistakes in your own writing is tricky, but bad spelling and grammar makes your work look unprofessional. This workshop offers top tips for proofreading your own work until it’s perfect.

Structure Your Essay

You’ve done the reading, come up with the ideas… but now what? In this workshop, we discuss how to structure your essay clearly and easily.

Avoiding Plagiarism

Do you live in fear of Turnitin’s Similarity checker? Fear no more! This session explores our top tips for researching and writing with academic integrity, so you can always submit your work knowing it’s plagiarism-free.

Be More Critical

We’ve all received the feedback, “be more critical,” or “needs more analysis,” but what does that mean? Watch this workshop to strengthen your critical analysis.

Writer’s Block

We’ve all been there: staring at a blank screen, our minds totally empty. Learn how to keep going when the dreaded Writer’s Block strikes!

Make Your Writing Flow

Say farewell to clunky sentences and choppy paragraphs. Learn how to write an essay your tutor will love to read!

Referencing

Referencing can be a massive headache, but it doesn’t have to be! In this workshop we demonstrate how to use CiteThemRight to get your referencing right every time.

Managing Stress

It’s hard to work when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Watch this session for easy time management and wellbeing strategies you can implement right away.