FBSS Academic Skills Centre
The FBSS Academic Skills Centre (FBSS ASC) supports all students within the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences with structuring and editing traditional academic writing. The FBSS ASC cultivates critical thinking, awareness of presentation and organisational skills and is staffed by a team of selected and trained postgraduate and academic tutors.
Since January, I have noticed a drastic improvement in the written and oral communication skills of those students who attend drop-ins and workshops regularly.
I have witnessed first-hand the benefits of peer mentoring. At a recent event for postgraduate students, I was involved in an interaction with a mature student who was struggling to construct an answer to an essay question which confronted him. From the training I received during my induction, I was able to use a 'swimming pool' analogy to assist learning (the introduction being the diving board, the content the water and the conclusion being the steps out of the pool). This technique helped me to express a technical message through simple means. It was not long before the penny dropped. At the end, the student's departing remark rang in my ears, 'it makes such a difference when someone else reads it'.
Simon Lambe, Academic Advisor
I enjoy being able to assist students with their work and it is very gratifying to hear that you have been helpful. I have found that the processes involved in a consultation are very useful in nearly every situation - attention to detail, empathy and a helpful attitude are always good skills to have to hand. Future employers will be able to see that I have dedicated time to honing the skills that any academic needs and therefore working here is very useful to me as I take the early steps in my chosen career.
Anthony May, former Academic Advisor
Peer-assisted learning
The FBSS ASC is staffed by a team of selected and trained student undergraduates, postgraduates and academic tutors.
One student, speaking of her advice session, commented, "You know that they are not going to judge you, they have been there themselves and can explain in a way that you will understand."
In the first year, going to see an FBSS ASC adviser was a requirement for passing some of the modules. I was reluctant at first, believing that I didn't need any extra help - I had always achieved As and Bs in sixth form, so why would it be any different at university?
When I received my grades at the end of the semester, I was surprised to see that my highest grades were in the essays I'd taken to an adviser, and the modules I hadn't received feedback for were littered with very similar comments from my tutors. As well as these problems, I found that in my proofreading sessions I had missed silly spelling mistakes and my grammar and presentation were not consistent throughout.
After this experience, it became clear to me that this service was an invaluable asset and that in order to achieve my full potential, I had to take advantage of it while I could. For the next two and half years I brought every essay and portfolio here. Even when I felt I had produced a quality essay, I would always set aside an hour to see an adviser so that they could check my referencing and presentation.
My final results are a testament to the benefits of using this service - I finished university with a high first class degree, and all my grades in the final year were As!
Clare, a student who used the FBSS ASC
Opening dates
FBSS ASC will be available for resit and dissertation support during the summer (dates TBC) and will reopen fully in the new academic year. We will be available via Canvas and face-to-face in room 3006, Edward Muybridge building (third floor), Penrhyn Road campus.
If you need academic support, please submit a draft copy of your work to CANVAS. You can also email us at FBSSASC@kingston.ac.uk
We often experience a high volume of messages, so please bear with us while we review your work and please allow as much time as possible when you send your work to us.
Manager of FBSS ASC: Dr Simon Lambe.
