Meet our new personal trainer in study techniques and languages

If you have previously received coaching from the Academic Writing Service at Stockholm University, you may already have met Petra Kjellarson. She is newly appointed as an Educational Developer at the Swedish Defence University (FHS) and joins us from the Academic Writing and Study Skills Centre at Stockholm University.

From the beginning of the year, the Swedish Defence University has its own Academic Writing and Study Skills Centre. The aim is to help FHS students further improve their study techniques and academic writing – skills that will benefit both their studies and future professional lives.

"I usually say that I'm a free personal trainer in study techniques and writing," says Petra Kjellarson and elaborates:

“Being able to quickly absorb, evaluate, and then communicate information, analyses, and opinions clearly and effectively – both orally and in writing – is an incredibly important competence in today’s fast-paced and polarised society. We support all students, regardless of programme or ambition level, in developing these abilities.”

Academic writing and presentation skills

Coaching is offered through lectures, course workshops, and individual tutorials in study techniques, academic writing, and oral presentation. The topics range from note-taking methods and reading strategies to how to create a coherent text or engage an audience during a presentation.

“Many students think study techniques are a kind of general ‘smartness’, but they are in fact very much a set of methods. You can quite quickly train your ability to grasp complex texts and extract the essentials,” says Petra.

Extensive experience in education and communication

Petra Kjellarson has long experience in education and communication. For many years, she served as press secretary to the Government and has also worked as Head of Press at the Swedish Teachers’ Union and as a news reporter for Rapport and Agenda on SVT. She believes that strong communication skills are a major competitive advantage in today’s digital and polarised world, especially in sectors where much is at stake.

“You might want to be known as the person whose clear and engaging memos always end up on top of the pile at Headquarters. But it can be just as important in advocacy organisations or political parties, where you often need to carve out a space for yourself in public debate.”

Drop-in and individual tutorials

The Academic Writing Service will continue to offer both drop-in sessions and scheduled individual tutorials. One-to-one tutorials are particularly popular and have been the most in-demand service. What do students usually ask about?

“Really, just about anything,” says Petra. “Some ask quite broad questions, like ‘How do I know what’s most important in a 450-page course book?’ or ‘I write the way I speak – how do I make my writing more formal?’

Others have very specific requests and are even familiar with linguistic terminology, such as ‘Should I give the theory section of my paper more drive by using linking devices?’"

Writing and AI

It is becoming increasingly common to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) when working with text and writing – especially when summarising large amounts of information. So what’s your view on that? Do I really need to be able to write and summarise if AI can do it for me?

“Well, I could ask someone else to do fifty push-ups for me, but I wouldn’t get any stronger from it,” Petra says. “People often forget that assignments and similar tasks are just the end product – the real point is to train your ability to analyse and argue.”

According to Petra, AI will in many ways become a natural part of how we write in the future. For students, however, it is important always to follow teachers’ instructions regarding the possible use of AI, as these may differ between courses and departments.

“A student at the Joint Advanced Command and Staff Programme (HOP) writing a master’s thesis on classified topics obviously can’t just dump that data into ChatGPT. Anyone working in the Armed Forces will always deal with information that requires them to stand on their own two feet in their writing process,” Petra explains.

“If your own eye is untrained, you also can’t tell when AI suggests good edits and when it’s just nonsense. Personally, though, if the context allows, I like using it as ‘an extra pair of eyes’ to cut unnecessary tangents and make the thread of the text clearer.”

A broad range of support

The Academic Writing Service caters to students who aim high as well as those striving to reach a pass. Petra notes that within the military programmes, two quite distinct attitudes towards the centre seem to have emerged: tutorial slots for HOP students “sell out like concert tickets” within minutes, while cadets have not yet been quite as quick to book.

“That might just be a scheduling issue – their days tend to be rather full. At the moment, you can book your tutorial at the Anna Lindh Library or online, but the goal is to eventually offer tutorials at Karlberg as well.”

The Academic Writing Service will also support students with dyslexia or other study-related challenges.

“There are many practical tools today for those with reading and writing difficulties, but sometimes it’s more about finding the right mindset – accepting, for instance, that reading a text will always take me a bit longer. If you find studying difficult, do book a tutorial and we’ll work out a plan that suits you.”

Tutorials are now in full swing and lectures are being scheduled. Petra also welcomes suggestions from both students and teachers on topics the centre could address.

"Stop me in the corridor, stop by at drop in or email our shared inbox. I'm here for the students – all feedback and questions are very welcome!

More about the Academic Writing Service at FHS