One-to-one academic coaching
Our one-to-one academic coaching appointments are open to all Keele students, designed to help you to develop your academic practice in a focused way.
During your one-to-one appointment, a member of the Academic and Digital Skills team will spend up to one hour with you to help you identify your strengths and areas for development surrounding your academic skills. Our goal is to help you achieve your academic and professional goals. We can provide coaching advice on a range of topics, including but not limited to:
- Academic writing
- Critical thinking
- Academic reading practices
- Revision techniques
- Academic presentation support
The one-to-one appointments are confidential and take place online using Microsoft Teams.
You can request up to six appointments each academic year, with no more than two appointments per piece of work. You will receive instructions on how to access your appointment in your confirmation email. Please check your Junk email if you haven't heard from us after booking.
You should read the Learning Agreement and Frequently Asked Questions below before requesting your appointment.
Your responsibilities will be to:
- Take responsibility for your own learning and development.
- Make and keep arrangements in good faith and punctually.
- Consider what you would like to discuss before you arrive.
- Be prepared to experiment with new ideas, strategies, and approaches at a pace that suits you.
- Engage with staff respectfully and honestly.
Our responsibilities will be to:
- Enable you to consider your development and options for change.
- Carefully explore your specific areas for development.
- Refer you to appropriate professionals for further guidance and support where identified needs exceed the remit of our service.
- Maintain confidentiality, unless there are exceptional reasons such as risk to health, personal safety, or infringement of the law.
- Engage with you respectfully and honestly.
How many times can I use the service?
You can request up to three appointments per semester.
You should consider what you would like to discuss to maximise the benefits from your time with us.
How many times can I discuss the same piece of work with you?
Twice.
Your submission must be your own work, including the processes of planning, researching, understanding, and writing.
Can you proofread or mark my work?
No. We are neither a proofreading service nor can we mark your work. We advise you to read the University's Proofreading Guide for Students.
However, we can discuss your plan, a small section, or have a more general discussion about your work.
What happens if I miss an appointment?
If you miss your appointment without notifying us that you're unable to attend beforehand, the missed appointment will count towards your appointment allowance for the semester.
Can I get an appointment at short notice?
Our appointment service is very popular and our bookings operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. We review appointment requests beforehand to ensure the appointment falls within our remit.
We strongly encourage you to plan ahead to secure an appointment with us.
Can I book multiple appointments in advance?
No. You cannot book multiple appointments in advance. This ensures everybody has a fair opportunity to access the service.