By Sobia Ali
Not sure where to start? Baffled by what to do? Don’t worry!
I always require help outside classrooms and tutorials. If you’re struggling with homework and projects, need help with any kind of research and learning materials, where do you go?
Scott Library brings you “The Learning Commons” – a great addition to the library services to support your learning in school. Currently providing 3 kinds of services, I have been able to use just 1 of them.
First of all and my most favored one is the Research service. I have used the research help desk in my first year for a marketing project. I had to research an existing public company, its values and cultures and introduce a new product that the company currently didn’t produce. The expert helped me plan my research, develop research questions, find resources and sort through ideas. I was also taught how to take quality notes, cite sources correctly, and share my findings effectively.
Next is the Learning Skills hub which integrates programs to enable faster learning approaches and balance school and school work. For example, time management skills, classroom and note taking skills as well as strategies to study for exams are few of them. You won’t believe how many students in university have difficulties managing time and I am certainly one of them. And that’s one reason I have never been able to use this service. Have you used a similar service or know of anyone who has? If yes, then is this service in the library or outside? How was your experience?
I am usually confused about where to begin an assignment or where to go when in such a situation. I hope I am not the only one feeling this way. But sometimes the internet doesn’t provide much help. The Writing skills area helps you produce a wide variety of documents including dissertations, theses, organizing essays as well as improving your analytical skills.
These are excellent services that I recommend to anyone who needs. Did you know that these services were free of cost for all students? Most students I meet are not aware of this. Below is a video of the Learning Commons at Scott Library!
Ah Sobia. I remember when I had to write major essays as an undergraduate. I was at the University of Western Ontario and came from a high school that had a one-room library. I had no idea of the range of information and scholarship that was available to help me. Neither did I realize that I could ask a librarian for assistance. Actually, three years later when I did, the librarian was not very helpful. Maybe I asked the librarian the wrong question. Fortunately this is not true today. Librarians and Reference Assistants are keenly interested in teaching students how to find the best materials as efficiently as possible. My tip to students is, if you cannot find what you need in the library or online within ten minutes please ask for assistance from the reference desk or virtual reference service.
The Learning Commons is a wonderful service for students. People from universities in Europe have come to York University Libraries to explore the potential value of offering assistance with library research and writing and study skills in the library. This service did not exist for me. I wonder if my grades may have been easier to attain and higher if I could have spent less time and pain writing and researching papers.