The university law in Finland orders universities to arrange teaching and student counseling in a way that graduation is possible within the time defined limit. In the strategy of the University of the Eastern Finland (UEF) is stated that the well-being of the students and graduation within the time limit of the degree objective are very important educational goals.

Academic study skills are a part of the student’s vocational skills that are needed during university studies. Sufficient knowledge about studying influences positively to the starting and the progression of the studies and to the motivation for learning. The lack of the study skills can cause decrease in the ability to study which can lead into the problems in student’s well-being. Positive learning experiences require often support to the learning of the study skills. The start of the studies and development in the academic learning skills can be supported as a part of the tutoring.

At the UEF, training in the academic study skills is offered in the online learning environment and also by organizing (online) lectures of various topics. The aim of the training is to reach as many students as possible. The online course consists of introduction to the policies concerning students at the UEF as well as to the basic skills of studying (ethical guidelines, planning of the studies, stress control, internationalization etc.) The course has (peer)tutors, who support the students learning process by giving feedback about the exercises made during the course.

So far the course has been passed by 120 students and the student feedback has been gathered every year. The received feedback has been incentive and encouraging. The feedback has shown that the course has supported the beginning of the studies. It has also increased substance of the studying subject and the training of the study skills has been experienced quite useful. Future challenges in this course is committing of the faculty department to the counseling. Another important challenge is to reach more students with the course.