Academic standard is required
When you study at a Danish university, you are expected to live up to several academic standards. Academic standards mean, among other things, that you must go beyond just referring what your sources say. It also means that you must cite correctly when writing an academic paper.
Use Bloom’s taxonomy to understand how to improve your grades
Writing academic assignments in a Danish educational context means that you must show that you can do more than just refer to the theory you have read. You must also be able to use the theory, analyze it and evaluate it. Benjamin Bloom has made a taxonomy over the various academic levels.
Each assignment starts by showing that you can refer to the relevant theory, but the higher in the taxonomies you can move the better. Blooms highest taxonomy is to be able to create new knowledge. It doesn't mean you have to invent groundbreaking new ideas, just to demonstrate that you can use a theory in other ways than usual.
Correct citing is important
It is very important to be able to document from where you have your knowledge. To write a theory in your assignment, you must be very sure that you are using correct citing so that everyone can see where that knowledge comes from. You can learn more about citing here.
If you do not use correct citing, you may unintendedly end up cheating at the exam.
The informal contact to your teacher
One of the differences that you may experience when you are new to stydying in Denmark is the way you interact with your teacher. For example, it is normal to call the teacher by their first name. And very uncommen to call them by their title or surname.
It is also fine to be critical of the things your teacher says in the lessons. You should not be nervous about asking your teacher for help, it will not have a negative effect when you go to the exam.
Active participation in class is often nessesary from your part
It is an advantage to participate actively in the class. Sometimes it is even expected. Active participation means, among other things, that you engage in professional discussions in the class, that you prepare questions for the texts you have read, and you use your study group.Study life
SDU has a unique study environment. Whether you study in Odense, Esbjerg, Sønderborg, Slagelse or Kolding, there are unique opportunities to participate in social activities on your campus. You can read more about the study life here.
Get help
Studying abroad is a great experience for most people. You get a lot of new experiences and acquire new skills. Unfortunately, some can also encounter problems. Some students get homesick, others find it difficult to get used to a Danish studysystem and others encounter other problems.
No matter what, you can always get help from the General Study Counseling. We offer conversations about the matters that affects your studyprogress.
You can also see if one of the courses offered to students at SDU could be something of interest?