Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences (PABS) School Office
Phone: 01273 642090 or 642014
Fax: 01273 642674
Email: Email us
Visit: Huxley Building Room H608
Peer Assisted Study Support - PASS
What is PASS?
Peer Assisted Study Support (PASS) is a student-let initiative where issues relating to course material and student life can be discussed in a friendly, informal environment with peers and trained student facilitators.
Build your CV - become a PASS leader
The School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences will be running PASS this academic year (2011/12) and needs leaders to facilitate the PASS sessions. Find out more about becoming a PASS leader here.
PASS provides an opportunity to make new friends to study with in small group sessions with approxiamately 10-15 students and 2 student leaders. It’s a safe place to ask questions and improve your confidence in your studies.
In other universities regular attendees of PASS have shown better knowledge and understanding of course material and have improved their grades by 10 - 20%, that's up to a full grade boundary.
What are the benefits of attending PASS sessions?
- Improves understanding of course material
- Improves grades
- Make new friends on your course
- Ask as many questions as you want
- Gain self confidence and reassurance with your course
Is PASS running on any of my modules?
In 2011/12, every first year student will be in a PASS group and have regular sessions to attend:
| Course | Semester 1 | Semester 2 TBA |
|---|---|---|
| MPHARM | Monday, 12-1 | |
| PCS | Wednesday, 9-10 | |
| BIOMS | Tuesday, 11-12 | |
| BIOLS | Thursday, 12-1 | |
| ECOLOGY | Friday, 11-12 |
You will hear more information about which PASS group you have been put into, who your leaders are and when you'll be meeting either in your course talk in Freshers week or your first lecture.
What is the role of a PASS leader?
- Training: Attend training sessions (a couple per semester) - Wednesday 29th Sept and 6th Oct.
- Level of commitment: Attend weekly or fortnightly PASS session (1 hour); attend debrief session- usually after the PASS session (approx. 30 mins)
- Action in sessions: In teams of 2 leaders, facilitate the discussions; be supportive of students’ problems; signpost students to relevant help; take attendance for evaluation work; work with another PASS leader; give students confidence to ask questions at PASS sessions and in lectures
- Action out of sessions:email PASS group to remind students of session time/ location; ask students if there are specifics they’d like to cover; suggest topics of discussion that caused problems last year; keep in contact with your PASS Leader partner
- What you WON’T do: give any answers to academic questions or coursework; take the place of a lecturer
Can I be a PASS leader?
Find out more
If you would like to find out more about becoming a PASS leader get in touch with Steve Kilgallon on 01273 64 4765 or email him at S.Kilgallon@brighton.ac.uk
We are looking to recruit students to become PASS leaders who have as many of the following qualities as possible!
- Personal qualities: Trustworthy, non judgmental, a team player, enthusiastic, friendly, approachable, a role model (not perfect but survived first year!)
If you would like to find out more about becoming a PASS leader get in touch with Steve Kilgallon on 01273 64 4765 or email him at S.Kilgallon@brighton.ac.uk
What support is available for leaders?
PASS leaders would have regular contact with staff including debriefing sessions; additional training and support if required; recognition and reward (certificate at the end of the year).
What are the benefits of being a leader?
Academic
Revision of course material, working with other students; sharing knowledge and understanding; asking ‘intelligent questions’
Future employment
Great for your CV; shows a multitude of transferrable skills including communication skills, responsibility, creativity and interpersonal skills
Leadership
Learn and develop facilitation skills, effective communication, problem solving and the opportunity to network with other leaders across the university
Faculty relationships/mentoring
Work with staff; receive recognition and reward; develop interpersonal skills such as empathising with others; providing feedback to others
Life skills
Gaining more self confidence, making new friends in the school, improving team work and leadership skills.
If you would like to find out more about becoming a PASS leader get in touch with Steve Kilgallon on 01273 64 4765 or email him at S.Kilgallon@brighton.ac.uk
Lab reports... click here for advice on how to prep
"Don't be alone - talk to other people on your course to thrash ideas about. It really helps!"
Emma Burton, Community Pharmaceutical Healthcare student
"Practise questions and exam papers fully."
Aneri Shah, Pharmacy student
Course Work Grades explained
- 70%-100%: First Class
- 60 %-69%: Upper Second Class
- 50%-59%: Lower Second Class
- 40%-49%: Third Class
- 0%-39%: Fail
"Get into a routine - same time, same place for your studying; get into a good study habit."
Emma Burton, Community Pharmaceutical Healthcare student
"Don't leave studies until the end! "
Candy Koenig, Pharmaceutical and Chemical Sciences student
"Make good use of your diary and enter dates to plan when you need to do the work."
Di Smith
