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Study Café - support and opportunities for Arts Faculty students

Study Café - here to help Arts Faculty students

Drop-in study and support sessions have been popular in the FAB for five years (every Wednesday, 2-5pm, FAB Mezzanine MOO2🐄). Having learned a lot about what students need and what they are interested in, we have created these web pages to provide guidance 24/7, and to advertise the many opportunities that are available.

We are especially focussed on study skills, note-taking techniques, academic writing, planning, managing time, dealing with complexity, combating procrastination and "imposter syndrome", student research projects, digital tools and techniques, inclusivity, and assessment advice. We also coordinate the network of people across the Faculty in departments who can help with more discipline-specific issues.

The Study Café team:

Photo of Dr Bing looking friendly Dr Bob looking ready to help

Dr Bing (Bing Lu)

A Warwick Education Studies graduate. Bing's specialist areas include: academic writing skills, inclusive education, doctoral education and globalisation. Bing likes having a nice piece of pistachio cake after swim. 🤭 Chat with BingLink opens in a new window.

Dr Rob (Robert O'Toole)

A Warwick Philosophy graduate. Specialised areas: critical thinking, being creative, design methods for effective communication and engagement, digital tools and technologies. Dr Rob is powered by Lavazza coffee and the music of Kate Bush. ☕ 💃 Chat with RobLink opens in a new window.

Essentials

The Arts Faculty (which includes humanities subjects) is based in the new Faculty of Arts Building (FAB), with the exception of the School for Cross-faculty Studies (in Ramphal).

All students

There are usually interesting open sessions running in the FAB on Wednesdays, including the DAHL Shorts (30 minute technology intros) and the Study Café live drop-in (see below).

The VR ClubLink opens in a new window is an open-to-all opportunity to try VR and AR experiences, learn skills, and to use these tools creatively. Monday 5-6pm term time in the Media Symposium Space on the FAB first floor.

Postgraduate Research Students

CADRELink opens in a new window provides support, development opportunities, and a welcoming community.

Join the DAHL Digital HumanitiesLink opens in a new window programme to get certified in the use of tech for research, teaching, and outreach. 30 minute long DAHL Shorts tech sessions usually run on Wednesday afternoons.

Dedicated PGR study spaces can be booked in the Research Zone Link opens in a new windowon the 2nd floor of the FAB.

Rob and Bing have an office in the Research Zone, and are always happy to help you.

Study Café FAB Wednesdays

An in-person all-day session in the Study Café space in the FAB mezzanine open space called MOO2🐄, where you can write, read and work on your assessment in a focused and supportive working environment.

You can find MOO2🐄 at the top of the first flight of stairs in the FAB.

At each Study Café an academic from the Faculty of Arts will be on hand all day to provide guidance and support with assessments. You can attend for part of the day or all day - it's up to you. Snacks and drinks provided.

What students have said about previous Study Café sessions:

  • 'Loved the ability to get feedback on work. Love the location and the ability to discuss with fellow students of similar disciplines about their work. The food and hot drinks and fruit'.
  • 'The supportive environment and the access to coffee'
  • 'Interactive with students and professors'
  • 'the fact that people are there for the same reason that I am, and that if you need help, there is always someone who listens to you'

More about the Study Café live sessions.

 

Technology

Guide for new students

These pages from IT Services tell you everything you need to know to get setup.

Something not working?

For prompt assistance with IT problems, use the IT Services Helpdesk (in the Library near the entrance or call 02476 573 737 on weekdays 9-5pm, or use the online formLink opens in a new window).

Need guidance for a project?

It's increasingly common for students to use creative technologies for assessed work and other activities. We have expert help and some facilities you can use. See this pageLink opens in a new window for guides on podcasting, video making, web design, an much more. You are welcome to contact RobLink opens in a new window anytime for a chat.

Interested in a career in creative technologies, design, IT?

Many of our students develop portfolios and skills while with us at Warwick, and go on to develop exciting careers in these fields. Robert is a philosophy graduate who has worked as a software designer/developer, a teacher, and has researched and taught design. Come along to a DAHL Shorts session (30 minutes, Wednesday afternoons), or the VR Club (Monday early evenings) to try things out (we have a good selection of headsets). Chat with RobLink opens in a new window for guidance and to find out about opportunities at Warwick and beyond.

Enter the DAHL ShowcaseLink opens in a new window competition (Summer term) to get your work showcased in the FAB and online.

Modules on design are available for students from any department (with no previous experience needed). See DI229Link opens in a new window/329Link opens in a new window for undergrads, and IL925Link opens in a new window for postgrads. Chat with RobertLink opens in a new window to find out more.

Discounts and free stuff

All University staff and students get Microsoft 365 (Office, Windows, all the tools) for free to install on their own computers, as well as to use online. Go to Office.comLink opens in a new window and sign in using your Warwick/Microsoft account (username@live.warwick.ac.uk). Thenunidays look for the Install Apps link in the top right of the page to download and install. You can also use Office.com for instant access to all of the Microsoft tools and your files.

You can access lots of other software for Windows and Mac for free. See this pageLink opens in a new window.

The UnidaysLink opens in a new window scheme often provides big discounts on equipment, including Apple and Samsung, for University staff and students. Shop around. In late 2023 Amazon and John Lewis prices for MacBooks were cheaper than the student discount. John Lewis includes a 2 year warranty.

You can borrow an iPad (1 day) or laptop (up to 28 days) from the device loan serviceLink opens in a new window.

Creativity

The Digital Arts and Humanities Lab (DAHL)

DAHL supports students to explore the potential of tech in the Arts and Humanities. For example, we have a large range of VR headsets that can be used in student projects. Find out about DAHL activities.

DAHL Showcase

An online showcaseLink opens in a new window of the great work done by our Arts Faculty students using digital tools. Many of these productions have been created as coursework - this is common at Warwick. Some of the productions have been created by the students out of interest, or as part of campaigning. Every year we make an open call for students to enter their work into the showcase, and award prize for productions chosen by a panel of judges. This begins in the Easter vacation, with judging in week 9 of the Summer Term.

The Media Symposium Suite

An open space with a large touch screen on the first floor. Home to the VR Club (Mondays 5-6pm). This space can be booked for creative projects. Chat with RobertLink opens in a new window to find out more.

The Mobile Design Studio

New! A creative studio on wheels, including art materials and a large box of lego. Can be requested for student events. Chat with RobertLink opens in a new window to find out more.

Guidance for creative digital projects

See this pageLink opens in a new window for guides on podcasting, video making, web design, an much more. You are welcome to contact RobLink opens in a new window anytime for a chat.

Undergraduate Research Support Scheme

The Undergraduate Research Support Scheme enables undergraduate students to carry out an interdisciplinary summer research project. The scheme is open to any UG student at Warwick of a full-time or part-time course, in any year including first and final year students.

Find out more.

Work in progress

Inclusive education development projects

Researched, designed, and developed with students to enhance inclusivity across the whole faculty. Find out more. 

Workshops

New workshops and online guides are being developed for:

  • Communicating your achievements and your research series:
    • Designing, creating, and presenting posters.
    • Videos.
    • Podcasting.
    • Web design.
  • Reflective practice to supercharge your academic, career, and personal development.
  • Effective note-taking, the Arts and Humanities way.

What should we do next?

Anything else you think we should do? Contact Rob and BingLink opens in a new window.