Returning to classes in higher education can be challenging. For those starting this journey, challenges such as researching credible information, collaborating with colleagues, managing expenses for resources and materials, and organizing study time are all part of the learning process.
The solutions of Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), made available through its digital services unit FCCN, They can make a difference in the adaptation of students from dozens of public and private higher education institutions across the country.
In this article, we present five challenges of academic life and some ways to address them using completely free tools for new students.
1. Learning how to research: asking for help is also part of it.
One colleague is proficient in the subject being taught, another knows how to organize bibliographic references. Given these skills, one might feel that successfully completing a joint research project would be easy. But developing autonomy doesn't mean solving all difficulties without support.
Before seeking an answer, it's important to identify the question. Finding scientific sources, understanding how to cite an author, and choosing the best information gathered are all different tasks. Often, this can be the first point to create difficulties for students, making it necessary to find a reliable path.
THE b-on – Online Knowledge Library It provides videos to support students, including materials about its scientific research service. Consulting these resources can be a first step in acquiring new research skills and finding the best scientific articles to cite in each research paper.
2. Doing group work: collaborating beyond just dividing tasks.
Dividing the work into chapters seems like a quick way to start a group project. However, before each person moves on to their part, there are decisions that should be made together.
It's also important to discuss availability, expectations, and challenges. A student who balances their studies with a job may need a different organizational approach than a student who has free afternoons. Defining responsibilities, deadlines, and review times helps transform the division of tasks into a shared work plan.
THE Colibri, FCCN's video conferencing serviceIt is an ally in this collaborative process: it allows for remote meetings and supports teamwork within the academic community. For organizing large academic initiatives, it is even possible to use the "Webinar" feature of this service, enabling up to 300 people to participate in a single video call.
3. Become familiar with the institution's digital resources to avoid financial expenses.
Before subscribing to an application or purchasing access to a publication, it is worth confirming what the higher education institution already offers.
In the case of bibliography, the library service or a brief search. online can clarify whether a particular article is covered by the content accessible through b-on or from RCAAP.
Another potential source of expense relates to subscriptions for advanced artificial intelligence (AI) models, at a time when these tools are increasingly integrated into academic research practice. IAedu It provides free access to a suite of Pro AI models, preventing students from having to subscribe to them at their own expense.
4. Producing multimedia content: the equipment makes all the difference.
Many students seek to create projects in different formats, such as videos, podcasts, or interviews. And, although the quality of sound, image, and lighting can make all the difference in the final result, access to suitable equipment is not always easy.
THE Estúdio FCCN's space may be the answer. It's a professional space for producing audio and video content. Also intended for higher education students, it has equipment for video and audio recording, lighting, Chroma Key and teleprompter, among other resources, as well as specialized technical support. Use is subject to prior reservation.
5. Organize your study time: time without classes is crucial.
Class schedules are only one part of students' weekly planning. Effective study planning outside of class is not always easy, and many students struggle to organize themselves independently.
There are organizational and productivity techniques that can help, but most higher education courses do not include training on these skills in their curricula.
It is in this context that the NAU, the platform for open and massive courses online From FCCN, this may be useful. Among many other courses, NAU will be running two free editions of the course until the end of 2026. "Digital productivity tools", promoted by the Portugal Digital Academy.
With an estimated duration of three hours and conducted at each participant's own pace, this training covers topics such as digital calendars, task management, and the organization of notes and documents. It can be a good starting point for experimenting with new tools and building a study routine tailored to each student's needs.
Furthermore, in order to save time and make better use of these and other services provided by FCT to the entire academic community, students can also take the course at NAU. online "Digital services for Higher Education and Research", which features a dynamic and realistic approach to academic life and its challenges.
