Mid-Semester Revamp

Posted on Thursday, November 1st, 2018

We’re more than halfway through the semester – and I don’t know about you, but it’s around this time that my study habits could use a tune-up. When you want to hit ‘refresh’ on your routine, it can be hard to know where to start. Luckily, the Library has lots of helpful (and free!) resources to help you own the rest of your semester.

When you hear “library,” you probably imagine shelves filled with books – but that’s just scratching the surface. Over two-thirds of the Library’s collection is digital resources, in the form of ebooks, articles, videos, and more. Every student has a Library Account that lets you explore the digital collection off-campus, access journal articles, and borrow, renew, or place holds on materials from the library (and other libraries!). And if you can’t find what you’re looking for, you can get support through handy Subject Guides (including a Research Guide) and the Ask the Library service.

The Library is also a great place to study and work on assignments. Each campus library has a multitude of different study spaces – ranging from areas for groups, to quiet individual study areas. The Library staff provide on-site assistance and research support, which sets the Library apart from other study spaces. If you need help finding an item, or you want guidance in researching for an assignment, the Library staff can help you out.

There are also tools you can access right from your device to broaden your skillset and beat the mid-semester rut. Want to ace your next presentation? Need tips for a good night’s sleep? There’s an online module in the Essential Study Skills guide for that. Curious about coding? Want to take photos like a pro? A Lynda.com account lets you level up your skills with free, bite-sized video lessons. You can also brush up on your writing, research, or digital citizenship and more through The Learning Portal.

As you can see, the Library offers tons of resources online and on campus. Next time you’re at your campus library, think outside the bookshelf, and ask about:

One-on-one coaching in writing, math, computer skills, and more at the Learning Support Lab (Ottawa) and Student Support Lab (Pembroke and Perth)
Free workshops in the Digital Literacy Lab (Ottawa) on everything from exam prep to tackling your to-do list
Course-specific help from trained upper-year Peer Tutors at the Ottawa, Pembroke, and Perth campuses
Study and meeting rooms you can book
Laptop loans

So go ahead and make the most of your semester by delving into everything your Library has to offer!

By Catherine Aylward, Interactive Media Management Student/Marketing and Communications Student Assistant