‘The Backpacker’s Guide to University’ supports students with managing the change to undergraduate study after their A-levels or other life/work experiences.
The book aims to equip students with the tools to begin this adventure with a sense of joy and commitment. It's a big step for everyone, especially for those who are the first in their family to go to university, or who experience some doubt about their own skills and readiness for change.
The ‘backpacker’ analogy sees students as people who need “a small number of useful techniques at the ready, taking the initiative and entering into a true spirit of adventure" as they embark on their educational journey.
Backpackers are active explorers. They take control of their own experiences, and take responsibility for where they’re going and how they’re going to get there. They are creative and adaptable. This flexibility means they can take chances, build relationships, and discover new and better ways of doing things. Backpackers solve problems, find joy in the journey, and above all, travel with intention.”
The Backpacker’s Guide to University
Dr Phillips, a University Teacher in the School of Architecture and Landscape, was formerly an A-level teacher herself. She co-wrote the book with education expert Martin Griffin, an author, trainer and ex-deputy head teacher who has published several books on A-level study.
From their experience, the authors observe that students regularly face challenges with how to schedule their week, stay on top of multiple long-term deadlines, get a balanced focus on study and social life, deal with tough feedback, and communicate with academics who might work quite differently to their previous teachers.
The book offers practical advice on things like setting up a work space, managing the work day, and dealing with unhelpful thinking like perfectionism, social worries and distractedness. There is also a basic 'phrasebook' to help students ‘decode’ the terminology of their first few weeks at university. These all aim to help students find pleasure and fulfilment in studying.
Dr Phillips said: "I'm really excited that my first book is coming out and hope that it will help new students who, as I once did, feel daunted by the start of their University journey. We aim to reassure them, provide useful information and strategies to help them study at their best. It's for anyone making that leap to undergrad study, regardless of previous experience."
‘The Backpacker’s Guide to University’ comes out on the 31st of August, and you can pre-order it here.