A summer of social media (for beginners!)

Have you ever been curious about social media and online tools?  Many of us are vaguely familiar with terms such as blogs, mind maps and cloud storage; however, we don’t have time to learn about these tools and how they might be useful to us. 

This summer, the library will run a blog series for ITB staff who are social-media-beginners.  We will blog about 10 topics over 12 weeks, in a similar way to the successful 23 Things programme (a peer training site for librarians). 

                   5 June    ...... What is blogging?                             

                   11 June  ...... Using social media to build current awareness    

                   18 June  ...... Using online tools to organise yourself

                   25 June  ...... Networking online                        

                   2 July    ....... Catch-up week
                   9 July    ...... Using online tools to share and collaborate
                   16 July  ...... Creating mind maps
                   23 July  ..... Using online tools to present information 1
                   30 July  ...... Using online tools to present information 2
                   6 August  ...... Catch-up week
                   13 August  ...... Finding and using images
                   20 August  ...... TeachMeet: peer sharing and training

The bravest of you may even choose to blog along with us, and share your experiences during our summer of social media!

Happy Summer!

Hope everyone has a fantastic summer

... whatever you get up to ...

And best of luck to everyone who is finishing at ITB today!

We're open all summer!

Don't forget the library is open throughout the summer.

Whether you're studying, looking for a good book or wanting to check your email!

Keep an eye on the blog or Facebook for opening hours...

Lost anything this term?

The Student Information Desk holds onto lost property throughout the term; it will be disposed of at the end of this month.  If you have lost anything, now is the time to claim it...

Remember to return your library books!

As you complete exams, don't forget to return any library books you have borrowed.  As some of you will remember, exam results can be withheld when students have outstanding library books or fines on their accounts.

You can return your books at the library desk or via the self-issue machine.  We will be opened until 8pm on Monday and Tuesday (21st-22nd), until 6pm on Wednesday (23rd), and until 5pm on Thursday and Friday (24th-25th).  The library will also open throughout the summer holidays.

If you wish to return your books when the library is closed, just leave them in the Returns Box outside the main library door.

Feeling overwhelmed... ?

Exam Weeks can be overwhelming at times.  While nervousness is to be expected, sometimes our anxiety can undermine us.  This is when we need to pause and reflect.

• Are we keeping things in perspective?  Will the world actually end if things don't go well?
• Do we have realistic goals?  Are we expecting too much from ourselves?
• Do we give ourselves credit for all we know? 
• Are we taking care of ourselves?  Are we eating well, keeping hydrated and getting enough sleep?

Remember, one of the best ways to confront our fears is to talk about them.  If you feel overwhelmed, confide in someone.  A chat with a friend or a family member or a lecturer can help to put things into perspective!  Or learn about ITB's Student Counselling Service here.

Taking exams in your stride

For most students, exams are a part of life.  After a semester of learning about a new topic, students face a structured test of what they have learned.  This, to say the least, can be daunting!

Looking at it from a different perspective, exams can be seen as an opportunity.  After a semester of attending lectures, reading and forming opinions, exams can be seen as a chance to show all that you have learned.

Students don't usually know the form that the questions on their exam paper will take.  So, read the question carefully.  Consider the relevant information that you have heard or read or learned.  Jot it down on a rough sheet of paper.  Use these ideas to structure an answer to the question that was asked.

Remember - exams are a snapshot of applied knowledge on a particular day.  They simply measure how well you can take the information you have learned and apply it to a particular question.  Concentrate on what you do know rather than worrying about what you don't! 

Best of luck to everyone who is sitting an exam today.