Let’s now replicate the academic style that you’ve just seen in the last reading passage. The below essay is about music in Māori societies. Drag and drop the sentences on the right in to the correct order to make an academic paragraph.
Introduction
Hey you, kia ora!
Coming to university is the start of an exciting journey.
In this module, you’ll learn what it takes to succeed at uni.
Click Play to hear from two of Victoria’s waka paddlers.
00:00
00:00 | 00:00
Introduction
Getting on the waka
Tipuna of old navigated the seas in pursuit of new lands. You are navigating the university system in pursuit of a degree and dream. The motivation and experiences you bring with you are the basis of this waka.
Click on the three parts of the waka to learn more about how these can help you succeed.
Balancing commitments
Are you prepared?
Are you prepared to do the hard work, to dig in and do the study needed?
It takes more time than you think!
Click Play to hear more.
Balancing commitments
Balancing your waka
1.
How well do you manage the flexibility of university life?
Drag the paddle across the waka to choose the statement that most represents you.
I should be at university more, but I usually only make a few lectures. Mornings are hard!
I love flexibility but get sidetracked by more interesting people and things, especially if it’s sunny outside.
Uni is like a full-time job (9am-5pm). If I do stick to this plan, then I have time for family and friends later on in the day.
Transcript
x
Like a lot of things, you have to do the mahi, the hard yards. Being good at sports requires regular training and coaching–so does studying. Be in class, do the readings, set up a study group, ask questions, and prepare for exams.x
There is flexible and then, there is too flexible! Prioritise key things like assessments. Distractions at critical times can have serious consequences, such as loss of marks for late hand-ins.x
Flexible planning fits in study, whānau, and social time. Treating university like a 9-5 job prioritises it in a manageable way.Click to hear more
Balancing commitments
Balancing your waka
2.
How do you manage deadlines?
Drag the paddle across the waka to choose the statement that most represents you.
I hardly ever meet deadlines. If I’m stressed by deadlines I just forget about them.
If all goes to plan, I can make deadlines.
I work to deadlines. It keeps me on my toes and gives me something to aim for.
Transcript
x
Reality check! Deadlines are deadlines. Kia tūpato be aware of, even if you get an extension, you’ll have less time for the next assignment. Ask someone to help you plan out your time, and stick to the plan.x
Check what gets in the way of completing assignments (for example, not knowing your subject, a large workload or distractions from other people). You can lose between 1-5% per day for late hand-ins. Ask for help sooner rather than later.x
Ka mau te wehi! Good effort–keep it up. Planning is your key. Clear end dates and motivation work well together.Click to hear more
Balancing commitments
Balancing your waka
3.
How do you manage other commitments and a social life?
Drag the paddle across the waka to choose the statement that most represents you.
Friends distract me. I have a job and it’s essential, so it usually overrides my studies.
My whānau and other demands, such as sport, can upset my studies.
My whānau respect my study and we work together to make sure they know where I am with my studies.
Transcript
x
Is uni important to you ? Think about your priorities. Maybe you need to make a change. If you have a job maybe there are other options to help you out – Just ask!x
Other things always look more appealing when serious assessments are due (the cleanest houses are at exam time). Remember, short-term sacrifices now can have long-term gains in the future.x
Great! Friends and whānau are irreplaceable-the more they know about your study and how important it is to you the more they can tautoko (support), especially when things get tough.Click to hear more
Balancing commitments
Tips
Balancing your life can take time to learn and achieve. But it's one of those lifelong skills it pays to have. Here are some tips to help you stay balanced.
Click the Show me button to find out more.
You’ve now finished the Balancing your commitment topic. Click next to view the next topic or click the Menu button to choose another topic.
Uni skills
It makes you think!
You can’t get through uni without lots of reading and writing! It helps you think. Get used to it.
Learn and practise these skills.
Click Play to hear more.
Uni skills
Know the language
Reading and writing can take many forms. It’s important you understand that academic reading and writing is different from how you normally speak or write to your friends or whānau.
Click Start animation to learn more and see the difference.
Uni skills
Academic reading
Reading at uni may be really different from what you’re used to. It’s hard work but it develops your understanding. While you read, you can also see academic writing in action.
Check out this passage on Māori language. Click on each sentence of the essay to learn more.
Each approach to Māori language revitalisation has its own merits. The inclusion of Māori language teaching in regular state schools at primary and secondary levels probably impacts on a greater number of pupils than the immersion methods allow, even though the potential for fluency may be less. Turoa Royal (1987:59), who pioneered a bilingual program in a large Wellington secondary school, concluded that the inclusion of Māori language and culture had positive spin-offs for Māori language development as well as for examination success and the personal confidence of Māori students. This shows that the significance of Māori language teaching at mainstream schools should not be discounted.
Main idea
Author’s main idea for this paragraph. Often at the beginning of the paragraph.
Key approach
Two key approaches are being introduced, immersion and inclusion in state schools.
Example
This is an example from another source, Royal’s bilingual programme in Wellington. Turoa Royal is the author’s reference.
Final comment
This sentence is the author’s final comment on the topic of Māori language approaches.
Uni skills
Academic writing
Main idea
Key approach
Example
Final comment
Music provides a crucial way for young people to affirm their identity as tangata whenua and this creates a strong foundation for their reo and their confidence.
She demonstrates the ability to blend the old with the new in her music videos by fusing the haka and taiaha with breakdancing and skateboarding. This allows musicians to express their cultural identity and to share their message with young people.
Music can link to the traditions of the past (McLean, 1996) and also provides a way to express the values of Māori youth in the present. One example is Maisey Rika, who won Best Female Solo Artist and Best Album at the Waiata Māori Music Awards in 2010 (Māori Television, 2010).
Music has always been an integral part of Māori society and this is particularly true for rangatahi in Aotearoa today.
Uni skills
Tips
Let’s now look at some tips about academic reading and writing.
Click Show me to find out more.
You’ve now finished the Uni skills topic. Click next to view the next topic or click the Menu button to choose another topic.
Stickability
Can you hang in there?
Uni is a long-haul commitment. There are lots of barriers in the way including your own motivation.
This section will help you discover your own resilience and ways to help you bounce back from life’s ups and downs.
Click Play to hear more.
Stickability
Dealing with setbacks
Receiving feedback
You’ve spent a lot of time on an assessment thinking you’ve nailed it, but you just got it back and it’s a disappointing grade.
How are you most likely to react?
| It’s okay. Move on. | Withdraw/do nothing. |
| Talk to someone. | Get angry/ annoyed. |
It’s good to accept things as they are, but feedback helps you learn.
- ask someone what you need to do better.
- read someone else's assignment for a different perspective.
Note: Click on the other options to find out more.
You feel your hard work is not rewarded. Don’t give up! See this as an opportunity to improve your academic skills before the next assessment.
- Talk to someone you trust.
- Read someone else's assignment for a different perspective.
- Check your own assignment again to see where you can do better next time.
Note: Click on the other options to find out more.
Good move!
- Someone else sees things differently and can help you move on.
- Choose a friend, a uni staff member or a class rep.
Note: Click on the other options to find out more.
This is a natural reaction but negativity stops you from moving on.
- Take a deep breath
- Do some exercise to reduce your frustration
- Figure out where you went wrong
- When calm, ask your tutor where you can do better
- Talk it over with someone you trust
Note: Click on the other options to find out more.
Being ill
You’ve been doing well at uni, but you suddenly get sick and can’t go to your classes or come to grips with all the assignments due.
How are you most likely to react?
| It’s okay. Move on. | Withdraw/do nothing. |
| Talk to someone. | Get angry/ annoyed. |
It’s good to accept your situation, but ill health can greatly affect your work.
- Get back to basics. Look after yourself and get well.
- Let someone know, like your course co-ordinator, if you think it will affect assessments.
- See a doctor if your illness persists.
Note: Click on the other options to find out more.
Being alone and sick can isolate you.
- Tell someone you’re sick.
- Ask your friends to help you recover, and get any missing study notes. You’d help others if they were sick.
- Let your course administrator know you’re sick.
Note: Click on the other options to find out more.
Good move!
Someone else can help you see things clearly and help you recover. If someone helps you, you can help them when their sick.
Note: Click on the other options to find out more.
Being grumpy about this situation does not help you recover!
- Take action to get better (e.g. go to the doctor, take medicine, get rest).
- Talk to someone about extensions to give yourself time to get better and do your work.
- Ask for help. Someone might be able to help you study, take notes for you, or even get you the essentials.
Note: Click on the other options to find out more.
Personal issues
Things are going okay at uni, but an issue at home with your whānau has you worried. You want to support them but there are a lot assignments that are about to be due.
How are you most likely to react?
| It’s okay. Move on. | Withdraw/do nothing. |
| Talk to someone. | Get angry/ annoyed. |
Just keeping things as they are means you might still worry about both study and whānau. Neither is resolved.
- Unless this works, you may need to talk to someone you trust to decide what to do.
- See if uni work can be extended till your whānau issue is resolved.
Note: Click on the other options to find out more.
Keeping things to yourself seldom resolves things and can distract you from work and study.
- Use your networks and friends to discuss what to do.
- Talk to your course coordinator. They will have some ideas on what you can do to make the best out of the situation.
Note: Click on the other options to find out more.
Being annoyed at this situation means you go nowhere and both study and whānau are still on your mind.
- Talk to a friend.
- Weigh up your options.
- Take the first step and just do something.
Note: Click on the other options to find out more.
Good move!
Talk to someone. It will:
- give you a clearer idea of your problem
- make options more obvious and decisions about what to do clearer.
Note: Click on the other options to find out more.
Everybody has their own way of dealing with setbacks. Let’s look at three common barriers at uni and see how you manage them.
Click a scenario below to begin.
Stickability
Tips
Let’s look at some tips that will help keep you in your waka.
Click on Show me to find out more.
You’ve now finished the Resilience topic. Click next to see support available or click the Menu button to choose another topic.
Summary
Ka pai – you’re ready to go!
You’ve seen what lies ahead and now it’s up to you. Your choices. Your work.
Remember your crew – people here at uni to encourage and strengthen your dream. Don’t be a stranger! Check out these links to see who you can take on board your waka.
Come paddle your waka – you have what it takes.
For more information click on the links below:
