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Workshops

The Mental Health Support Team also offers a wide range of workshops, which are bookable through their website here (http://www.counsellingservice.manchester.ac.uk/workshops/).

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Reflective writing: how to write critically about your learning experience (on campus)

This workshop will give you practical experience of producing a piece of reflective writing, taking you through one possible model of reflective writing (Gibbs 1998). In the session you will learn about the conventions of reflective writing and how it differs from academic essay writing, before having the chance to write a draft of several key elements of a reflective writing piece, working with and receiving feedback from others in the group.

Booking on

Due to popularity, booking onto the event is essential to ensure a place.

Further support

Talk to us online via Library Chat now. Alternatively, you can email us for advice at tls@manchester-uk.libanswers.com.

We are running this event more than once on the following dates and times:

Tue 29 Sep 2026, 14:00 - 15:30 BST (GMT+1)StudentsStaffSpacesFind out more
Tue 3 Nov 2026, 10:00 - 11:30 GMTStudentsStaffSpacesFind out more
Wed 9 Dec 2026, 14:00 - 15:30 GMTStudentsStaffSpacesFind out more

Note-making: record, review, reflect (on campus)

This workshop will help you to develop a more efficient approach to note-taking. In the session you will hear about strategies that will help you to be more critical and purposeful when assessing and recording information. You will get the chance to try out a range of note-taking techniques and develop strategies that suit you. Finally, you will learn how to develop your critical analysis skills and deepen your understanding by returning to your notes to review and reflect on the material.

How to book on

Due to popularity, booking onto the event is essential to ensure a place.

Further support

Talk to us online via Library Chat now. Alternatively, you can email us for advice at tls@manchester-uk.libanswers.com.

We are running this event more than once on the following dates and times:

Wed 30 Sep 2026, 14:00 - 15:30 BST (GMT+1)StudentsStaffSpacesFind out more
Thu 22 Oct 2026, 10:00 - 11:30 BST (GMT+1)StudentsStaffSpacesFind out more
Wed 18 Nov 2026, 10:00 - 11:30 GMTStudentsStaffSpacesFind out more

Critical analysis: a practical approach (on campus)

In this session you will use a model for critical analysis to inform your critical thinking and support your analysing of new information. The model will move you from observing a source to connecting it to your own knowledge, and guide you in critically examining the new knowledge in the context of what you already understand. We will have some examples to use on the day, but you are certainly welcome to bring a chapter, image or other item from within your own subject to practice with.

Booking on

Due to popularity, booking onto the event is essential to ensure a place.

Further support

Talk to us online via Library Chat now. Alternatively, you can email us for advice at tls@manchester-uk.libanswers.com.

We are running this event more than once on the following dates and times:

Thu 1 Oct 2026, 10:00 - 11:30 BST (GMT+1)StudentsStaffSpacesFind out more
Wed 28 Oct 2026, 10:00 - 11:30 GMTStudentsStaffSpacesFind out more
Wed 25 Nov 2026, 14:00 - 15:30 GMTStudentsStaffSpacesFind out more

What makes a journal article credible? (on campus)

Are you unsure what journal articles are? This workshop will teach you how to recognise a journal article, the common features of journal articles, and what makes them a credible source of information. Using credible journal articles critically in your academic work will strengthen your arguments.

Booking on

Due to popularity, booking onto the event is essential to ensure a place.

Further support

Talk to us online via Library Chat now. Alternatively, you can email us for advice at tls@manchester-uk.libanswers.com.

We are running this event more than once on the following dates and times:

Fri 2 Oct 2026, 14:00 - 15:30 BST (GMT+1)StudentsStaffSpacesFind out more
Wed 18 Nov 2026, 14:00 - 15:30 GMTStudentsStaffSpacesFind out more

GenAI tools and learning (on campus)

As Generative AI tools become embedded in many aspects of daily life, it may feel difficult to understand how to assess and potentially adopt these tools in your learning. This session will take you through some key aspects of these tools that might impact how and when you decide to use them. It will offer practical suggestions for ensuring that you use Gen AI tools in ways that help your learning and connect with academic integrity, effective learning practices and the ever-changing nature of this technology.

Learning outcomes

  • To reflect on and apply critical thinking around GenAI tools and learning.
  • To explore where use of GenAI tools may be most helpful for learning.
  • To experiment with strategies that may help you use GenAI tools for learning.

Booking on

Due to popularity, booking onto the event is essential to ensure a place. This is currently a one-off session.

Further support

Talk to us online via Library Chat now. Alternatively, you can email us for advice at tls@manchester-uk.libanswers.com.

We are running this event more than once on the following dates and times:

Wed 7 Oct 2026, 10:00 - 11:00 BST (GMT+1)StudentsStaffSpacesFind out more
Mon 19 Oct 2026, 14:00 - 15:00 BST (GMT+1)StudentsStaffSpacesFind out more
Fri 6 Nov 2026, 10:00 - 11:00 GMTStudentsStaffSpacesFind out more
Thu 19 Nov 2026, 10:00 - 11:00 GMTStudentsStaffSpacesFind out more
Mon 7 Dec 2026, 14:00 - 15:00 GMTStudentsSpacesFind out more

Critical reading: Making connections while you read (on campus)

In this session, you will discuss what it means to read critically in the context of your studies. You will practice using critical reading strategies to extract key information. You will develop your analytical and evaluative skills, by debating the relevance and credibility of a range of sources. Youll also discover tips on how to absorb what you read and turn your reading into writing, and assess the viability of using GenAI tools to support critical reading.

Booking on

Due to popularity, booking onto the event is essential to ensure a place.

Further support

Talk to us online via Library Chat now. Alternatively, you can email us for advice at tls@manchester-uk.libanswers.com.

We are running this event more than once on the following dates and times:

Thu 8 Oct 2026, 10:00 - 11:30 BST (GMT+1)StudentsStaffSpacesFind out more
Thu 5 Nov 2026, 14:00 - 15:30 GMTStudentsStaffSpacesFind out more
Wed 25 Nov 2026, 10:00 - 11:30 GMTStudentsStaffSpacesFind out more
Thu 17 Dec 2026, 10:00 - 11:30 GMTStudentsStaffSpacesFind out more

Critical analysis: a practical approach (online)

In this session you will use a model for critical analysis to inform your critical thinking and support your analysing of new information. The model will move you from observing a source to connecting it to your own knowledge, and guide you in critically examining the new knowledge in the context of what you already understand. We will have some examples to use on the day, but you are certainly welcome to bring a chapter, image or other item from within your own subject to practice with.

Booking on

This event will take place on the online video conferencing app Microsoft Teams. Booking onto the event is essential to receive the link and passcode to join. Select 'find out more' to book your place!

Further support

Can't make this session? Talk to us online via Library Chat now, or send us an email: tls@manchester-uk.libanswers.com.

Important information on Microsoft Teams

All University of Manchester students and staff should have access to Microsoft Teams. For information on using Microsoft Teams, please visit the IT Services website.

For general support using Microsoft Teams, please visit the Microsoft website.

We are running this event more than once on the following dates and times:

Mon 12 Oct 2026, 14:00 - 15:30 BST (GMT+1)StudentsStaffSpacesFind out more
Tue 10 Nov 2026, 10:00 - 11:30 GMTStudentsStaffSpacesFind out more
Tue 8 Dec 2026, 14:00 - 15:30 GMTStudentsStaffSpacesFind out more

Proofreading: the final stage before submission (on campus)

Do you find yourself losing marks for referencing, spelling or grammar? This session will highlight how proofreading a written piece of work to a high standard will improve your marks and increase your academic success. You will work with others to define the term proofreading and understand its place in the process of academic writing. Finally, you will get the chance to put what you have learnt into practice, working together as a group to effectively proofread a sample piece of work.

Booking on

Due to popularity, booking onto the event is essential to ensure a place.

Further support

Can't make this session? Talk to us online via Library Chat now, or send us an email: tls@manchester-uk.libanswers.com.

We are running this event more than once on the following dates and times:

Thu 29 Oct 2026, 10:00 - 11:30 GMTStudentsStaffSpacesFind out more
Mon 16 Nov 2026, 14:00 - 15:30 GMTStudentsStaffSpacesFind out more