PASS Sessions are timetabled for participating first year programmes (one hour per week for ten weeks each semester).
First year students will see PASS sessions on their timetable. They can then register with their leaders for a PASS session or PASS session topics of interest
One or two PASS Leaders will run each PASS session. The topics to be discussed can be selected by the students in advance. PASS Leaders will decide techniques and activities they will use to ensure collaborative discussions take place.PASS Leaders can also seek guidance from the PASS Course Contacts and the Institute PASS Manager.
PASS sessions are intended to be structured, organised, and purposeful, while also being informal and friendly. During a session the group may:
- review course material
- analyse assignment requirements
- go through past exam papers
- discuss lectures or project work
- discuss how to use the library for research
- practise citing references
- air other matters of concern, such as financial or accommodation issues
In PASS, the emphasis is on everyone in the group working co-operatively and interdependently to develop their understanding. PASS is about exploratory discussion led by the PASS Leaders. The more everyone in the group joins in these discussions, the better the sessions work.