U:PASS sessions

Is it compulsory for me to attend U:PASS sessions?

No, attendance is optional but it is recommended that you do attend U:PASS sessions regularly.

Subjects targeted by the U:PASS program are known as particularly difficult. The grades of students who attend sessions regularly are significantly better than the grades of those who do not attend U:PASS sessions at all. Besides, you wouldn’t want those involved in the program to have an advantage over you!

If it's not compulsory, why is my attendance taken?

Attendance is taken each session so we can evaluate the effectiveness of the program after each semester. We can compare the grades of those who attended U:PASS sessions regularly with those students who didn’t attend at all. Attendance is recorded but it is also confidential.

What is the difference between a U:PASS session and a tutorial?

U:PASS sessions are much more informal than tutorials. Sessions are a forum for discussion between students about course material and study methods.

The Peer leader will not act as a tutor, and will not be there to reteach material from lectures or tutorials or be involved in assessments.

It is advised that you attend lectures, tutorials and U:PASS sessions to gain maximum benefit from your subjects, do not substitute U:PASS sessions for tutorials or lecture attendance.

I am a good student, do I need to go to U:PASS sessions?

The U:PASS program is designed to target problem subjects, not problem students.

Everyone can benefit from the program, because everyone can learn new and more effective ways to study, can deepen their learning and can improve their grades. Additionally, the U:PASS program can provide you with a good support network.

Can I get help with my assignments during U:PASS sessions?

Peer Leaders can discuss topics relating to assignments and can work on similar tasks, which will assist you in your understanding of how to do your assignments. However, they do not ‘do’ assessable assignments for students because it is important for students to be independent learners and understand how to work on problems themselves. It also doesn’t look great when different students from the same U:PASS session hand in very similar assignments!