Using your own sources

Home > Student life > Mature students > Using your own sources

1. Keep all of your notes from previous courses or work related exercises and make sure that you have them to hand when you need them.

2. Do not assume that your professional or leisure related sources are irrelevant - they may be useful in individualising your work.

3. If you are unsure about whether to include material from your own sources, ask your tutor rather than abandoning it.

4. Making connections between courses is vital, so decide whether your life experience can help you to do this, even if it is not directly relevant to the assignment you have been given.

5. Despite its importance, try not to preface every seminar comment or essay paragraph with references to your past life. It will be relevant at times, but you are at university to focus on your new future and to face new challenges, rather than retreating into the comfort of your past.

This content has been written by Lucinda Becker, author of How to Manage Your Arts, Humanities and Social Science Degree.