Getting a Head Start

⬑ Back to Welcome Week Plus Getting a Head Start Places & Spaces Connecting and Belonging

Nobody panic!

There’s only so much that you can do before you arrive and please do not panic if you do not get through all of the information we have made available. Let us reassure you that you will be well supported on arrival to make a good start in your new journeys and there will be lots of opportunities to ask questions. Take a look at this University Jargon Buster Link opens in a new windowwhich will help you to become familiar with School of Life Sciences academic terminology.

Here is an example of what it will be like on the first day of attending your labs. Below is also a tool for familiarising yourself with a microscope. You don’t need to remember any of this, but it might be settling to see some of it ahead of time, knowing what to expect.

You'll learn to use a wide variety of equipment in the labs. Take a look at this simulation activity and familiarise yourself with a microscope: Microscope (ncbionetwork.org)Link opens in a new window

Academic Essentials

The Academic Essentials resource is designed to help new students settle into university life and build confidence in their studies. It provides practical guidance on understanding how university learning works, navigating lectures and assessments, developing effective study habits, and maintaining academic integrity. The resource also includes advice and tips from current Warwick students, helping new starters understand what to expect, access support when needed, and make a successful transition into academic life at Warwick.

Pre-arrival Reading List Suggestions

We have asked a number of the academics who deliver Year 1 content to recommend books to read and other sources to engage with before you join us. They have also provided a little summary as to why they have recommended these resources. You are not expected to have read these books and you are also not expected to spend any money on purchasing them – it may be worthwhile seeing if the books you are interested in are available at your local library.

This list is to spark your interest in different topics before you start your studies with us; it covers a variety of themes across the field of biology and includes fact-based and fictional works alongside some opinion and journalistic books too. Reading list

Top tips from Students

Below are some helpful hints and tips from our students about learning from lectures. For a downloadable version of this content please click here to viewLink opens in a new window .