Returning to higher education can be daunting. It is equally daunting if you studied elsewhere or in another country when the system and requirements may be very different. Moreover, when English is your second language, you may have different struggles from perfecting the structure of your story. Here are some tips how to access help with your assignments:

Essays:

• Literature Style Guidelines: You can access and download the most current version from your Blackboard. It is worth studying it closely as it gives you an idea about referencing and Bibliography requirements. In my first semester, I spent about three weeks, trying to work out what was expected of me, instead of working on my creative pieces. The assumption is that you should either know it already or work it out yourself. If you read this Guide in November, then you will have a headstart before the panic sets during the January submission period.
• ASK: Academic Skills Kit can be accessed from your Student Homepage. It is the first item on your list. You can either have a face to face appointment, or an email feedback, any time during your term or your submission period. It is only useful if you give them at least a week. There is no point asking them 48 hours before the deadline.
• Royal Literary Fund Fellows:  You can make an appointment with two renowned writers who can help you with academic writing as well as creative pieces, especially if English is your second language.

Creative Submissions

• Royal Literary Fund Fellows: As mentioned above, this is an excellent place to ask for advice or feedback on your creative piece. The struggle to find the right expression when English is not your mother tongue can be very limiting. It is also worth remembering that you learn by writing and failing, and writing more. However, these experienced writers are not able to help you during your submission period so it is worth remembering it when you organise and plan your time for work.
• Peer Feedback: A very useful tool that is either delivered in reading groups organised by students or remotely in an email exchange with the students with whom you agree such arrangements. This is particularly useful as we are expected to deliver polished pieces of writing in a short space and time, without an opportunity to put it to one side and return to it in six months. All you have to do is ask.