July 26, 2021
Top Ten Things I Wish I Knew My First Year
Updated 9/5/23
UW Libraries are so much more than study space and books! Students often tell us they wish they had known more about Libraries’ services at the start of their UW journey. So check out these tips and remember, we’re here to help–just ASK US!
1.Librarians (humans) can help you find things that Google can’t. Really. Also, Peer Educators provide student-to-student help on how best to navigate the Libraries’ vast resources and services.
2. Get help with digital and online content creation projects (audio/video production, data visualization, data mapping and more!) through the Libraries’ Open Scholarship Commons and Media Services.
BONUS TIP:Libraries Events & Workshops! |
| The Libraries offers all kinds of FREE workshops, special events and discussions all year long. Whether you are a first year student or a PhD, the Libraries can help you improve your research skills, connect with others and help you better navigate all the Libraries resources and tools. But don’t take our word for it! Here’s just a few of the comments from students who have attended our events:
“I didn’t know that libraries and librarians are so resourceful and that it could be a good idea to have a chat with a librarian and go through library resources instead of struggling to find information on your own online. If I knew this earlier I would have made good use of it.” – undergrad, 2021 “Having this type of workshop can really help people like me prepare a lot better for the next big project. – undergrad, 2021 “I didn’t know that researchers at uw had such a great support team within the libraries.” – undergrad, 2021 To find out about Libraries events: |
3. Connect Google Scholar with your UW Libraries account to see which results can be accessed through UW Libraries with a direct link to the resource in the catalog!
4. Students never need to pay for an article. UW Libraries provides access to thousands of databases, journals and books — online and through Interlibrary Loan. Be sure to bookmark the A-Z Databases guide on our website!6.
5. Visit the Odegaard Writing and Research Center… before you start a project. They can help you get started and save time!
6. The UW Libraries Undergraduate Researcher Tutorial is definitely worth your time, even if you are not a new student!
7. Interlibrary Loan can deliver materials from almost any Library worldwide!
8. You can chat with a librarian 24/7 for help online (like at 2AM when you can’t find something!)
9. There are 17 Libraries to study at and explore (including Bothell, Tacoma and Friday Harbor)!
10. Learn about different study and collaboration spaces to study across the Libraries:
- You can reserve individual and group study spaces throughout the libraries. Learn more.
- Quick Zoom? Check out the Zoom pods in Odegaard, available on a first-come basis
- Need to record? Check out the Sound Studio/Media Lab in Odegaard– free to use for all students, faculty, and staff of the University of Washington and can be reserved on a first come, first serve basis
If you found this list helpful, bookmark it and checkout these other blogs:
UW Libraries Student Guide – a “one stop shop” of helpful links and resources
Preparing for Finals Week: Top 10 Tips for Success
7 Essential Tips for Research: Advice From a UW Librarian
Welcome to the UW Libraries, Huskies!
