Student guidance is a pedagogical activity designed to support the learning process in a holistic way. Guidance does not focus on transmitting knowledge but on helping students manage their own learning, maintain their motivation, evaluate their study habits and apply effective learning strategies. Guidance can be pre-planned or responsive. Planned guidance includes, for example, scheduled teacher-student meetings and the creation of personal study plans. Responsive guidance involves activities such as providing feedback or facilitating class discussions. Guidance can be offered to individuals or groups.
The key objectives are to strengthen learner agency, enhance learning, increase motivation and commitment, and develop reflection and metacognitive skills. The ultimate aim is for students to take responsibility for their own learning and develop the ability to organise and make sense of their learning, identify effective strategies, assess progress, and make necessary adjustments.
Student guidance can be delivered through a variety of methods, including teacher-student meetings, self-reflection exercises, goal-setting, constructive feedback and digital tools. Teacher-student meetings provide personalised support for planning and reviewing learning progress. Self-reflection exercises (such as learning diaries and self-assessments) help students evaluate their own learning. Goal-setting helps to guide the learning process, and constructive feedback maintains motivation. Digital tools, such as virtual learning platforms and learning analytics, support the process of monitoring and guiding learning.
Early Support Model
Tampere Universities are committed to promoting the well-being of both staff and students. Teachers and academic guidance staff have a responsibility to support student well-being. Our Early Support Model helps to identify potential issues at an early stage and outlines procedures for addressing them, including making a referral to additional support services, if necessary.