Transitioning to College1. Ask Questions

University libraries are often big and use Library of Congress classification, which you may not be used to. Add to that the vast amount of online resources and it’s pretty easy to feel lost. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, in person, over the phone, via email or via chat.

2. TerminologyCatalogs, databases, scholarly journals, oh my! Know where to look for books (the catalog), where to look for articles (the databases) and what constitutes a scholarly journal (say The American Medical Journal as opposed to Sports Illustrated). If you come across a word or term you do not understand – ask!

3. Don’t Be AfraidSome libraries are very large and can be intimidating. Remember that librarians are there to help you, and most offer free workshops that you can take to help you navigate the system. Explore your library – learn where the books are, where you can study quietly and where you can visit with your friends.

4. Research is a processIt is unlikely you will be able to crank out all of your research in one sitting. Start early to allow yourself plenty of time to request material your library might not have through Interlibrary Loan services. Know what sorts of resources are available to you, and if you have trouble finding good resources, if you start early you’ll have plenty of time to ask a librarian for help.

5. Internet Sources vs. Library SourcesWhile there are good sources on the internet, be aware that you will have to do extra steps to verify if it is good and valid information, and not all information is available through Google. Also understand that while Wikipedia and other similar sites might be convenient, they should not be used in an academic paper. However, you might see what sources they have cited in the article, and “follow the footnotes” if the footnotes lead to good scholarly resources.

6. CitationDepending on what class you’re taking, your professor may ask you to use a different citation style than what you are used to using. The big three are APA, MLA and Chicago or Turabian style. You can purchase books explaining these styles as well as look at resources available on your college library’s website.

7. PlagiarismPlagiarism is taking information you obtained and presenting it as your own, purposefully or accidentally. In most colleges, there are severe repercussions for plagiarism, so be sure you understand how to cite your sources correctly and the difference between quoting, paraphrasing, and when you do not need to cite.

8. Remember – it’s OK to ask!Librarians do not expect you to be experts at any part of the research process – if you need help finding or refining a topic, finding resources or citing a source, ask!

Compiled 2011 by Amanda Hartman, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community CollegeBased on www.transitioning2college.org and www.richlandcollege.edu/library/who/highschool.php