For the purposes of studying at university, keeping your papers, drafts and notes
together in an organised folder is very helpful. A portfolio is the name of this folder
containing paper that the student wants to keep. Organizing this portfolio is a habit
you should develop now, as it is useful for your entire life. If you are keeping
everything in digital form, then an e-portfolio is appropriate. Knowing where your
study materials are, and being able to find them quickly will make your studying a
lot easier.
Find the right kind of binder or folder to keep your papers in. It is very important
for this to be a sturdy and easily managed book or binder. Try to find a hard plastic
cover with rings inside that snap open and closed. Use plastic sleeves to slide pages
into. Get paper or colored plastic dividers to separate different sections of the
portfolio into writing drafts, reading notes and vocabulary log. Make sure there is a
date on every piece of paper, then order the papers chronologically. Leave empty
plastic sleeves in each section for further additions.
The value to you of the portfolio is as a study resource. It has all the papers you
need for review and exam preparation. It helps you to see the growth of your
abilities in note-taking, writing and vocabulary. It gives you a record of the work
you have done, something you can show others as proof of your efforts. It gives you
a sense of ownership in the knowledge, and of organizational skills for the future.
As you look over your notes while studying, the whole collection can help you see
how the readings relate, how the ideas work together, and how your understanding
has grown.
In this course, Entering Academic English, you will have to submit the portfolio to
the teacher every 5 weeks. The teacher will check to see that you have all the right
materials, that you have kept them in proper order, and that they are well organized.
Also, the teacher will want to use your portfolio collection to see your progress, to
see how your notes have improved, or how you have used feedback to make your
writing better. If the teacher sees the same types of mistakes or the same lack of
correction throughout the portfolio, she will know that you haven’t learned much.
So get yourself a folder and get your papers organised. Organization and planning
are valuable life skills.