A bluffer’s guide to uni subjects that scare you

“To bluff” is defined as “to survive a difficult situation by maintaining a presence” or “to try and deceive others as to one’s abilities”.

Let’s face it, to truly be a student involves some bluffing. To be fair, you aren’t really trying to pretend, but you don’t want to parade your shortfalls either. You don’t know what’s going on most of the time and it seems everyone else does. You don’t seem to understand what everyone else does and some of the subjects are so complex. You need to get up to speed on the basics or you’ll get left behind as the class moves on. You could bluff all the time (hardly sustainable), but why not try to simply grasp the basics in a quicker way?

In high school you were probably helped through English Literature with the help of cribs like Sparknotes or Excel Guides, but tertiary education is a bit more complicated. There’s a few subjects that everyone in university needs to know. Things like statistics, research methods, writing and citing. (Check out our Studying Essentials promotion for great books on essays and academic skills.)

But what about all the “isms” and “-ology” subjects? The technical things in hard science, and those slippery schools of thought in humanities might seem fearsome.

Don’t panic!

There’s some great books available on all these subjects! Let’s have a quick look at a few before you head back to uni …

Statistics For Dummies

by Deborah J. Rumsey, PhD

The For Dummies books make learning easy. They are subjects simply explained by experts who assume you want to know but haven’t any prior knowledge. Statistics for Dummies provides an excellent high-level overview of the key concepts, so whether you are a social scientist or biologist, or any other kind of numbers person, you’ll start with a clear idea.

There’s plenty more in the For Dummies study range and they do many titles just in the humanities too.

Buy it here

Research Methods: The Basics

by Nicholas Walliman

Are you coming to research for the first time? You thought it would be much more straightforward? Well with this book, it can be. Covering the social science and natural science needs, you will discover how to discern the nature of real factual knowledge, and the best method to find, collect, write up and present your research. Research Methods: The Basics is just one of the great The Basics series books from Routledge publishers, a series that eases the reader into their subjects. The Basics have been acclaimed as the best introductions on the market. Jargon free and undaunting, they introduce students to the essentials of a subject and provide a springboard for further study directions.

Buy it here

Epidemiology: A Very Short Introduction

by Rodolfo Saracci

Looking for something even shorter on your problem subject? Take this example. In these challenging times we think we know what epidemiology is, based on media overuse of the word. This book shows the wider range of epidemiology in tackling the ethical and logistical problems posed by reducing health hazards in the world.

Looking for another subject? The excellent Oxford series of Very Short Introductions are indeed very short, but they are brilliant, drawing out the central ideas, themes and approaches of their subjects in an engaging way. There are over 700 books in the series, covering classics, politics, sciences, histories and more.

Buy it here

Pathophysiology of Nursing Demystified

by Helen C. Ballestas and Carol Caico

A difficult subject demystified is a great thing! The Demystified series is just that. With effective explanation of key objectives, terms and a brief overview, combined with diagrams and graphs, the Demystified books are a great way to be exam-ready. They have all the must-know points. Pathophysiology of Nursing Demystified is typical of the series, being written by experienced medical clinicians with a structure that works for all levels of student, from beginners to advanced. If medicine is your thing, check out the more in-depth Oxford Medical Handbooks. Nurses should see the Made Incredibly Easy series! You can learn so much by colouring in books on Anatomy, or flashcards and charts too.

Buy it here

101 Things I Learned in Architecture School

by Matthew Frederick

This book won awards around the world, and it is easy to see why. Written by an architecture professor who recalls how hard it was to get his head around all the things he learned (and remember them), this entertaining little book brings perspective and clarity to the meeting of design, engineering and people. I’m not an architect, but I loved this book for its engaging approach. There’s a few books in this excellent series, 101 Things I Learned. The series covers many vocations: business, design, fashion, hospitality, and even law schools. If you are studying law, I also thoroughly recommend the Nutshell series and the Quick Reference Guide cards. These latter are great as memory aids and exam crammers.

Buy it here

For more on study guides see our collection, or browse our huge range of books on academic skills. You needn’t be stuck pondering the depths when you get an easy introduction to your study!

We’ve also introduced Textbook Finder Tags to our Back to Uni collection! See all of the books that your lecturers say you need: required, recommended or alternate textbooks, along with further reading to help you succeed in your studies.

uni uni uni

No comments Share:

About the Contributor

Robert O'Hearn

Robert O'Hearn is the non-fiction specialist at Booktopia HQ. He has been a bookseller for over three decades and can't seem to stop. He is an aspiring apiarist and likes playing Joy Division songs on mandolin. He is generally harmless.

Follow Robert: Twitter