A salute to Academic Support Centre support services

At the University of Birmingham, the Academic Skills Center (ASC) provides students with a range of support services including drop-ins, one-to-one appointments, online resources and workshops, covering academic, digital and mathematical skills. Their ultimate aim is to help students become more effective and independent learners.

For international students, adapting to the academic requirements of a UK university can present a significant challenge. Beyond the linguistic hurdles, there's often a cultural adjustment to navigate, including different teaching styles, assessment methods, and academic expectations. The transition may be daunting. Thus, I particularly treasure the support offered by ASC. For instance, going over the online resources and tool kits for writing and critical thinking or digital skills and referencing on their website is very useful for me in the beginning of the course.

During the assignment writing stage, I also joined their weekly drop-in sessions to ask questions and received answers instantly. Most constructive support was the one-to-one appointment where I got my issues regarding referencing software sorted out as well as advice on how to improve my writing. I am genuinely impressed by how helpful and professional the ASC officers are. And what’s best is that apart from contacting them online, ASC is in the Main Library, so their service is also highly accessible in person.

Basically, they are always there to help. What’s more could you expect than personalised academic guidance and instant support. Wonderful experiences and a salute to ASC!