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Essentials Guidance and support Life Tools

Learn > Develop > Succeed

The Life Tools programme is a series of free talks designed by experts to help you transition into university life and enhance your student experience. The programme allows you to be proactive and take control of your learning, personal and professional development.

Take a look at the Life Tools 2024-2025 programme to find out what topics are coming up. Watch the Life Tools introduction video to find out more. 

Upcoming Life Tools Talks

The details of the talks are updated weekly. Over the vacation students can access the resources on the Life Tools Blackboard organisation

Name Date & Time Location
Ignite your motivation: Keep learning   Wednesday 30.4.25, at 13:00-13:45

Online and in person: Palmer building, room G02 

Register via MS Teams

Learner's mindset: Prevent procrastination and get things done   Wednesday 30.4.25, at 14:30-15:00 

Online

Register via MS Teams

A good night's sleep   Thursday 1.5.25, at 13:00-13:45 

Online and in person:  Edith Morley, room G57

Register via MS Teams

How to manage your digital identity and wellbeing  Thursday 01.5.25, at 18:00-19:00 

Online and in person: HBS 108

Join the session

Life Tools group discussion   Wednesday 30.4.25, at 16:00-16:45 

Online and in person: Carrington 203

Register via MS Teams

Looking ahead: You and the workplace (Part 1)   Tuesday 6.5.25, at 13:00-13:45 

Online and in person: Palmer building, room G05

Register via MS Teams

Beyond university   Wednesday 7.5.25, at 13:00-13:45 

Online and in person: Carrington, room 101

Register via MS Teams

Learner's mindset: Prevent procrastination and get things done   Wednesday 7.5.25, at 14:30-15:00 

Online

Register via MS Teams

Looking ahead: You and the workplace (Part 2)   Thursday 8.5.25, at 13:00-13:45 

Online and in person: Palmer building, room 106

Register via MS Teams

Find out more on the Life Tools Brochure. 

Enrol on the Life Tools programme on Blackboard
First login to Blackboard, then self-enrol.

Struggling to enrol? Check out our Life Tools Sign up tutorial on YouTube.

You can go to the Life Tools Blackboard organisation to access the online resources (recordings of the talks, handouts, and bite-size videos). Once you enrol on The Life Tools organisations, come out of that page and go back to organisations to select Life Tools.

The Life Tools webinars/talks are delivered online (via Teams) and on-campus (hybrid - both online and in-person), allowing as many students to attend as possible. Most webinars/talks are around 45 minutes in duration, including time for questions about the topic. The learners mindset series is 30 minutes in duration. The programme is open to all students. You can enrol on the Blackboard organisation to access resources and receive weekly emails with the details of upcoming webinars/talks.

Life Tools is also on Twitter and Instagram. Follow for talks, expert tips and advice. Find out more about Life Tools via the videos on YouTube.

We want to hear from you!

Let us know your views on your experience of the Life Tools programme. Your feedback will inform our development of the programme to make it relevant to all students. 

We'd love for you to leave feedback.

    Booking in-person and online talks

    Access Life Tools resources using Blackboard. The live webinars will take place on Teams.

    Booking in-person talks

    1. You can turn up on the day and register on Teams before or during the session via the Life Tools page on Essentials,

    Booking online webinars

    1. Click the link on the event title to book a place on the webinar/talk (hybrid - both online and in person). MS Teams will send you an invite for you calendar. You can register right up until the time of the webinar/talk.

    If you have any problems finding the link you can email: m.a.penabizama@reading.ac.uk.

    How do I enrol on the Life Tools Blackboard Organization

    To access online resources and receive updates you can enrol for the Life Tools Organisation on Blackboard (you may need to sign into Blackboard first).

    To find the organisation visit Blackboard>>Organisations>>Life Tools. Click the ‘Enrol’ button and then follow the instructions to get started.

    Life Tools Certificate

    The Life Tools certificate is recognised in the same way as the RED Award. The aim of the certificate is to provide some structure so that you can maintain your motivation and feel productive by developing habits that support your progress towards your academic and personal goals. 

    To obtain the Life Tools certificate, you must:

    • Attend 6 webinars/talks. Your department may be offering some of the talks as part of your course. Attending these will count towards the certificate too. To make the most of the programme, begin to apply the knowledge and strategies as soon as you have been to a talk so that you can identify what works for you. Complete a worksheet after each webinar/talk you attend.

    • Attend 2 group training sessions. This element of the programme gives you the opportunity to discuss what you have found when applying the knowledge and strategies. There will also be an opportunity for questions and answers. The focus of the discussion will be on identifying what helps or hinders applying what you are learning, as well as having an opportunity to expand on your interest in the topics. Complete a worksheet per group discussion. 

    • Write a reflective piece (about 2 sides of A4). The purpose of this exercise is to reflect on what you have learned, your experience of applying the knowledge and strategies in a more consistent manner, and how you plan to take your learning experience into the future.

    How to use Life Tools towards the Red Award and Life Tools certificate

    If you want Life Tools to count towards the Red Award or the Life Tools certificate, please ensure you sign into the webinars with your full name and you university email address.

    Feedback

    We would like to hear your feedback on the Life Tools programme. To give feedback please complete our survey (5 mins).

    Thank you for taking the time to give us feedback.

    Get in contact

    If you have any questions or would like to suggest topics you are interested in, you can email talks@reading.ac.uk.

The Life Tools Brochure

They really helped give practical advice on how to be more organised, motivated, and to do well.”

Follow the Life Tools blog

If you want to learn how to study more effectively or pick up some information and strategies to prepare for exams, visit the Life Tools blog. You will find regular wellbeing tips, resources and information about Life Tools events throughout the term.
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