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Online Study Tool Kit

Library & Study Essentials Checklist

Whether this is your first year at university or you are a returning student, the checklist below will give you an overview of essential Library information and services to help kickstart your studies:

Checklist tickLibrary card

Your student ID acts as your Library card and is the most important item you need to bring when you visit the Library! Your card allows you to access to the building, borrow items, use the printers and enter study rooms. 

Checklist tickSelf-guided tours

Learn everything you need to know by following the Library trail! (our self-guided tour) Just grab an interactive map from the Library or download here and scan the QR codes around the building. 

Checklist tickLibrary Essentials

Don't have time to do the trail? Our Library Essentials leaflet gives you all the basic info at a glance which you can use as reference throughout your studies. Pick up a copy in the Library or download here.

  • Your Library card 
  • Opening hours 
  • Library collection floor guide
  • Borrowing books
  • Study rooms
  • PCs, laptops and printing
  • Food, noise and study zones

Checklist tickVideo tutorials & FAQs

Consult our video tutorials for guidance on:

Need help out of hours or looking for a quick answer to your question? Just type a question or keyword into our Library FAQs search box to get the information you need.

Checklist tickLearning and Teaching Librarian

Our Learning and Teaching Librarian can help you to get the best out of your studies. Support can include: 

  • Using search tools effectively to find relevant academic sources for your assignments
  • Referencing accurately and avoiding plagiarism 

You can book an appointment with the Learning and Teaching Librarian through the Library Workshops and Events Calendar. 

Checklist tickThe Academic Achievement Team

The Academic Achievement Team are here to support you in developing the skills you need to succeed at university, and beyond. They can work with you to develop your academic writing, critical thinking, research, and data analysis skills. They can also offer support with individual assignments, exam preparation, and dissertations.  

The AA Team run workshops and webinars throughout the year, as well as offering individual appointments both in person and online. Click here to see upcoming workshops and webinars, and to book one to one appointments.

Checklist tickOnline Study Tool Kit / Learning Skills Hub

The Online Study Tool Kit has resources for new students as well as returning students and postgraduates. There is a collection of workshops and webinar recordings available to view on a variety of topics, as well as interactive tutorials and links to subject specific research and referencing tools. There are also extensive resources to assist with data analysis and statistics software packages.

The Learning Skills Hub is available on Moodle and is broken down into sections on planning, reading, researching, writing, and communication to help you locate the resources you need quickly. The Learning Skills Hub has advice for all assignment types including essays, reports, presentations, data analysis statements, and reflective writing. It also has resources specifically tailored to postgraduate students and dissertation writing. 

Try our interactive tutorial on Getting Ready for the New Academic Year!

Checklist tickResource Lists (reading lists)

Resource lists (sometimes called reading lists) are lists of books, articles, and other resources that lecturers prepare for each of their courses. Each module will have a resource list and you can find it either on the module's Moodle page or by searching for your module here.

Checklist tickSubject Resource Guides

Not sure where to start with your research? We have a guide for each subject area with essential resources to get you started!

Checklist tickStudiosity

The Studiosity service offers students 24/7 online study help. You can use their 'Writing Feedback' service, which allows you to submit a draft of an essay (up to 5500 words) or use 'Connect Live' to chat to an adviser. You can have up to 8 interactions over the course of the academic year. 

Checklist tickClick and Collect service (Whitelands students)

For students based at Whitelands, we offer a free Click and Collect service. You can request up to 5 books at a time and we will deliver these to the Whitelands reception area. You can also return your library books via the drop boxes in the same area. A useful service for those unable to visit the library! 

Checklist tickPostgraduates

There are two dedicated Postgraduate Study Rooms in the library: Room 1.22 on the first floor, and the Maurice & Hilda Laing Study room for Silent study only on the third floor. For Postgraduates and Researchers, there is also a special introductory webpage providing useful guidance and materials to help you get started.

Checklist tickAccessible Library

We have a range of additional services, equipment and support available for users with reasonable adjustments, for details please see our Services for Users with Disabilities guide.

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