This is final part of a 4-part series called "Tips from a Library Science Student." If you missed some of the earlier posts, in which I take you through some of my top tips I’ve learned as a library science student in the Faculty of Information, you can find them on our blog.
For this last post I wanted to leave you with some of the advice I wish I could tell myself as I started my undergraduate degree. I hope that this will be helpful to you as you navigate your own academic journey.
#1: Don’t be afraid to ask/don’t be embarrassed to not know the answer. Something I struggle with is worrying what someone will think of me based on the questions I ask, which often leads to not asking questions, and ultimately making me feel very confused or lost. I think this is something a lot of people struggle with. I learned during the Fall term that it’s okay to ask lots of questions, even the ones you think are silly. I’ve been reassured time and again that no question is silly, and others may have the same question as you.
#2: There is always someone willing to help you. This is related to #1, since to find someone to help you, you must be willing to ask. I cannot emphasize enough how friendly and approachable people in the Faculty of Music have been while I’ve been working at the library! This applies to everyone I’ve met at U of T more broadly as well. These are people who want you to succeed and so will be happy to help you with whatever you need to do that.
#3: Get started on your assignments earlier than you think you should! I think this one may be the hardest for some to institute, but I highly recommend it. It is much easier to work through assignments in small increments over time than to do it all in one go. You often get a better result because you’ve been able to think about what you want to say. Don’t leave it to the last minute!
#4: Go to office hours. This one will also be challenging but is so beneficial. By going to office hours, you can make a personal connection with your professor or TA, and they will be able to help you improve in their class. This can also help you ensure you’re on the right track with your assignments.
#5: Take breaks. If I can leave you with any lasting advice, it would be to take breaks when you need to. Resting is one of the most important things you can do for yourself, and is necessary to help you tackle your assignments, exams, and everything else that goes with being a student. As we head into this new semester, make sure you are making time for yourself and taking breaks when you need to.
Thank you for coming along with me this month, I have loved sharing my experiences with you and hope that you were able to connect with some of what I’ve shared. I’m looking forward to seeing you at the Music Library!