Effective note-taking
This is not just writing everything down. It is about capturing key information in your own words, organising it clearly and making notes easier to review later.
DSA and university support
Specialist Study Skills Support for Students
One-to-one online support to help you study with more confidence, structure and independence.
Specialist Study Skills Support is personalised, one-to-one help for students with a Specific Learning Difficulty, often known as an SpLD, such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD or dyscalculia.
It is not tutoring and it is not about doing your work for you. It is about helping you build strategies, confidence and independence so you can manage your studies in a way that works for your brain.
Support may be funded through Disabled Students’ Allowance, arranged through your university support team or accessed through another support route.
What is Specialist Study Skills Support?
Specialist Study Skills Support helps you develop practical strategies for learning, organising and completing academic work.
Your sessions are shaped around your course, your deadlines and the areas of study that feel hardest. That might mean working on how to plan an essay, take better notes, manage reading, prepare for exams or break down a large assignment into steps that feel possible.
The aim is to help you understand how you learn, build systems that reduce stress and develop skills you can use throughout your course.
What we can work on
Sessions are practical and shaped around the study tasks that matter to you now.
Time management
We can help you use calendars, timetables, task lists and planning tools to prioritise work, avoid last-minute pressure and stay on track.
Active reading and listening
Instead of passively staring at a textbook or zoning out in lectures, you can learn ways to engage with material by asking questions, summarising ideas and identifying what matters.
Memory techniques
You can explore strategies such as flashcards, visual prompts, repetition and mnemonics to help information stick.
Critical thinking
Critical thinking helps you question assumptions, evaluate evidence and form your own reasoned arguments. It is a key skill for essays, reports, presentations and exams.
Goal setting
Clear goals can make studying feel less vague. We can help you set realistic objectives for assignments, revision and weekly study routines.
Review and revision
Regular review, self-quizzing and revisiting material can help you reduce the pressure of last-minute cramming and support longer-term recall.
Academic writing
We can help you plan, structure and develop academic writing, including essays, reports, reflective work and dissertations.
Who this support is for
Specialist Study Skills Support may be helpful if you:
have dyslexia, ADHD, dyspraxia, dyscalculia or another SpLD
find reading, writing, planning or organisation difficult
struggle to start assignments or keep momentum
feel overwhelmed by deadlines or large pieces of work
lose track of notes, tasks or instructions
find revision stressful or hard to structure
want to build confidence with independent study
have support recommended through DSA or your university
You do not need to arrive with everything neatly explained. Many students start support because they know studying feels harder than it should, but they are not sure why.
How Study Skills Support can help
Study skills support can help reduce the pressure of studying by giving you clearer ways to approach academic work.
“I don’t know where to start.”
A first step and a plan
“I read it, but nothing goes in.”
Active reading strategies
“I leave everything too late.”
Time management and routines
“My notes are everywhere.”
A system for organising information
“I can’t structure my essay.”
Planning and academic writing strategies
“Revision overwhelms me.”
Review methods and realistic revision plans
“I’m not sure I’m doing it right.”
Confidence and clearer study habits
What your sessions feel like
Your sessions are practical, calm and focused on your real study life.
You might bring an assignment brief, reading list, lecture notes, draft essay, revision topic or planning problem. Together, you and your study skills tutor will look at what is getting in the way and build a strategy you can actually use.
A session might include:
- breaking an assignment into smaller steps
- planning an essay or report structure
- creating a weekly study routine
- finding a note-taking system that suits you
- turning reading into key points
- improving revision methods
- using study tools more effectively
- building confidence around academic expectations
The focus is always on helping you become more independent, not making you dependent on support.
How support is arranged
Through DSA
Many students access Specialist Study Skills Support through Disabled Students’ Allowance if it has been recommended in their entitlement letter.
Through your university
Support may also be arranged through your university’s disability, inclusion or student support team. They may explain what has been approved and how to book sessions.
Other support routes
Some students access support through research council funding, NHS bursary routes, university hardship funds or self-funded sessions.
If you are not sure which route applies to you, contact us and we can help you understand the next step.
For a fuller explanation of DSA, read our Disabled Students’ Allowance guide.
How to get started
1
Check your support letter or recommendation
This might be a DSA entitlement letter, university support plan or other recommendation.
2
Contact Calling All Minds
Tell us what support has been approved or recommended. If you are unsure, we can help you understand it.
3
Book your online session
We will help arrange a session with the right study skills tutor.
4
Start building practical strategies
Your sessions will focus on real study tasks, so you can begin using what you learn straight away.
Ready to get started?
If Study Skills Support has been recommended through DSA, your university or another support route, contact us and we will help you arrange the next step.
Get startedRelated support
If you are exploring student support, these pages can help you understand your options.
Support for Students
A simple overview of student support, DSA-funded sessions, assistive technology, study skills and mentoring.
Support for StudentsAssistive Technology Training
Support with software, apps and digital tools for reading, writing, planning, note-taking, focus and revision.
Assistive Technology TrainingSpecialist Mentoring
Support with anxiety, stress, motivation, routines, confidence and study-related wellbeing.
Specialist MentoringDisabled Students’ Allowance guide
A clear guide to DSA, eligibility, needs assessments, funding and arranging support.
Disabled Students’ Allowance guideAssistive Technology Guide
A practical guide to assistive technology tools, features and support options for study.
Assistive Technology GuideEducation Support
Our wider education services for disabled and neurodivergent students.
Education SupportFrequently Asked Questions
Clear answers about Specialist Study Skills Support, DSA, university support and online sessions.
Specialist Study Skills Support is one-to-one support that helps students develop practical academic strategies. It can cover planning, organisation, note-taking, reading, writing, revision, time management and independent study.
It is often recommended for students with Specific Learning Difficulties such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD or dyscalculia. It may also help students with other neurodivergent profiles, processing differences or access needs that affect study.
No. Study Skills Support is not subject tutoring and it is not about doing your work for you. It helps you build strategies to manage your own learning more effectively.
Yes, if Specialist Study Skills Support is recommended in your DSA entitlement letter. DSA support depends on your assessed needs and is intended to help with disability-related study costs.
Yes. Study Skills Support may be arranged through your university, usually through a disability, inclusion or student support team.
Yes. All Calling All Minds student Study Skills sessions take place online, so you can access support from university, home or another place where you feel comfortable and able to focus.
Yes. We support students with dyslexia and can work on reading strategies, note-taking, planning, writing, organisation, revision and confidence.
Yes. We support students with ADHD and can work on time management, task initiation, focus, routines, planning, motivation and managing deadlines.
Yes. We support autistic students and can work on structure, planning, communication around study needs, managing workload, preparing for change and reducing overwhelm.
You can bring an assignment brief, reading list, lecture notes, draft work, revision topic, timetable or anything else linked to the study challenge you want to work on.
Yes. Study Skills Support can help you plan, structure and develop academic writing. This may include essays, reports, reflective writing, dissertations and other academic tasks.
No. Study Skills Support focuses on academic strategies and independent study. Assistive Technology Training focuses on using software, apps and digital tools. Many students benefit from both.