North West University Study Centres
North West University Study Centres, The CTL (Centre for Teaching and Learning) unit strives to provide expert support with a hands-on approach to students and lecturers at the North-West University. CTL’s ultimate goal is to inspire academic staff to enhance their skills in terms of both teaching and learning and to provide academic student support on their path to academic success. We offer student support through reading development, Supplemental Instruction (SI), mentoring and tutoring programmes; and academic support and guidance with best teaching practices in the classroom, curriculum design and development, using technology for teaching and learning, professional development and innovative teaching practice.
Academic Advising
CTL: SADS also provides individual student support in developing vital skills for academic achievement: effective revision and learning strategies, time management skills, note-taking techniques, test and exam preparation and critical thinking and problem-solving. Individual students can seek academic assistance of their own accord (walk-in) or can be referred by various role players on campus i.e. lecturers, faculty, mentors, counselling services etc. Academic advisors endeavour to accommodate all students seeking assistance during either one-on-one or group consultations.
Mafikeng Campus
Potchefstroom Campus
Vaal Triangle Campus
Reading development
Most university courses require a great deal of reading and students with well-developed reading skills find it easier to cope with the demands of higher education. The Reading Development Centre provides reading enrichment with a computerised reading program that builds reading fluency (learning to read at a fast pace while maintaining excellent comprehension).
The Reading Development Centre administers the reading development component of ALDA112/122 and ALDE122 – a compulsory academic literacy module for all first-year students and students registering at the University for the first time. It is also available to senior students who want to brush up on their reading proficiency.
Testimonials
As a first-year student of ALDE122, I would like to thank the reading lab for assisting me with my reading. At first, I was struggling and I could not read fast, but through their support and lessons, I made great progress. Thank you very much, reading lab team.
(Reading speed tripled and comprehension doubled in three months.)
Well, I am grateful. Reading lessons have improved my reading speed. It really helps!
Reading speed improved from 85wpm to 280+, with 90%+ comprehension, within two months)
Reading centre contacts
Building A3, Block D, Office G79
Vaal Triangle Campus
First Year Experience
The First Year Experience (FYE) at the NWU represents an intentional and comprehensive initiative that consists of different components working together to increase academic performance, increase student persistence, assist in the transition to university, facilitate a sense of commitment to the university, and increase personal development.
SADS embarked on a new initiative in 2018 to design and develop an e-environment on eFundi to promote first year students’ experience. The eFundi site is called 1st year Navigator, and there is one for each campus; with more general, as well as campus specific information.
The site is aimed at enhancing first year students’ readiness for university and making information available to students for the entire academic year, and not only during the orientation period. The 1st year Navigator site contains academic, social and general student support information.
The page on academic support contains information on all the services rendered by SADS, namely, academic peer mentoring, SI, tutoring, reading development, student workshops, academic advising and eFundi support for students. In addition, the page contains information on adjusting to university, links to calendars and university timetables, information on time management, plagiarism and referencing, learning strategies, and note taking.
On the social support page you can find information on Student Counselling, the crisis line, the contact details of the social workers on each campus, the meal a day schemes, HIV and AIDS services, health centres, career centres, and disability units.
On the general support page you can find information on financial support, protection services, residences and accommodation, food services, etc.
All first year students, click here to navigate to your first year navigator site:
Contact details for more information
Mafikeng Campus
Potchefstroom Campus
Supplemental Instruction
Supplemental Instruction (SI) is an academic assistance programme for historically difficult modules. SI sessions are informal review meetings facilitated by SI leaders. During SI sessions students compare notes, discuss readings, develop study skills and predict test questions. SI is a free service and CTL: SADS recommends it to all students. Contact an SI leader to find out when the next session for your module is scheduled.
SI Leaders
Contact details for more information
Mafikeng Campus
Tutoring
Tutoring is a programme offered by CTL: SADS to address specific academic challenges that arise in lecture rooms. For those modules where tutoring is available, tutors can assist students individually or in groups during lecture time or out of class. When a lecturer identifies a problem area with regard to a specific module, a tutor will address this matter in a structured session. Your lecturer will inform you if a tutor is available for the specific module.